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Highlights and notes from Day1 of joint practices between the Philadelphia #Eagles and Cleveland Browns
The Eagles and Browns linked up for the first of two joint practice sessions on Monday, and the AFC North squad from Cleveland provided a stout defensive presence for Jalen Hurts and company.
Philadelphia can blow for blow with any team in the NFL, but the Browns had success while giving head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Brian Johnson teaching points.
With practice No. 2 set for Tuesday, here are highlights and notes from Day 1.
We’re looking at five position battles to watch during the Philadelphia #Eagles joint practices with the Cleveland Browns
The Eagles and Browns are set for two intense days of joint practice sessions in South Philadelphia at the NovaCare Complex.
Cleveland requested practice times later in the evening and both days will start at 5:00 PM EST.
For the Eagles, it’ll be about getting efficient play and consistency from the starters before the rookies and select veterans get the majority of reps during Thursday’s preseason matchup.
With the preseason quickly advancing, we’re looking at five position battles to watch over the next two days.
We’re looking at 15 Cleveland Browns players to watch during two joint practice sessions with the Philadelphia #Eagles
The Eagles held out most of their starters on Saturday night because head coach Nick Sirianni put an urgent emphasis on performing during joint practice sessions.
Philadelphia is about one hour away from kicking off two intriguing joint practices with the Clevleand Browns.
The trip to Philadelphia is a return on the Eagles traveling to Berea, Ohio for two sessions and a preseason game last summer.
There’s star power at each position on both sides of the football and we’re looking at 15 Browns to watch over the next two days.
It’s great to see the two linebackers back on the practice field
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Both Sione Takitaki and Anthony Walker were playing some of the best football of their careers with the Cleveland Browns before injury cut their seasons short. Walker is touted around the league as a great leader and he was missed on the field as well after getting injured against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Sione Takitaki got moved around a bit due to injury but started to come into his own with the Cleveland Browns and could’ve earned an extension had he not been hurt. Both were optimistic they could be ready for the season but I’m not sure many thought they would be ready for the start of training camp.
Neither player found themselves on an injured list and was able to participate in the walkthrough to start camp. The team didn’t add much to the linebacker so their health and play will be critical for the Browns’ defense. The season is still a long way away but this is a pleasant surprise as the team gets to work.
Good sign that both LBs Anthony Walker (5) (quad) and Sione Takitaki (44) (ACL) are on the field and practicing.( in the background in white) pic.twitter.com/DGHrQ3cHti
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) July 22, 2023
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#Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. judged a recent “Shark Tank” style event for Cleveland entrepeneurs
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Cleveland Browns linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. is known for his heady play on the gridiron but leveraged his one-of-a-kind mind to serve as a judge in a local small business showcase in the Sixth City.
The “Shark Tank” style event drew in entrepreneurs from across Northeast Ohio and was sponsored by Cleveland-based consulting firm Jumpstart, which helps small businesses get off the ground by providing capital and resources to high-potential startups.
“I think I was more nervous than everyone that presented,” Walker said of the experience. “It’s another opportunity to be a part of the community, and being here, I can learn something myself. I have my own business where it could possibly help me, and to have this opportunity is very unique. I always loved watching ‘Shark Tank,’ so this is a great opportunity for (the business owners).”
Each of the participants who pitched to Walker and the panel of judges was awarded $2,500 for their efforts, and the winner of the event took home $10,000 to help start their business endeavors.
While the Browns are paying very little dead money this season, most of it is to one particular player
The Cleveland Browns have become quite famous for how they have manipulated the cap with void years, and in the future, they will start charging toward their salary cap. However, dead cap is also a part of the player acquisition and contract game in free agency, and unfortunately, that leads to teams paying the debt of players years after they leave the team. That is the case with the Browns and tight end Austin Hooper.
While Hooper has not been a member of the Browns since the 2021 season, the Browns are still on the hook for a chunk of dead cap from his deal. All-in-all, the Browns are in the bottom ten in dead cap owed, managing their books well. They owe just over $10 million in dead cap this season, and here is how it breaks down.
What did we learn from the Browns’ draft this weekend?
After a busy Friday and Saturday, the Cleveland Browns added extreme value to their roster despite the lack of a first or second round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. The Athletic’s draft expert Dane Brugler has stated they landed a massive five players from the top 100 of his big board despite having two top 100 picks.
With seven new players now on their roster, and at key positions of need at the top, the Browns addressed positional holes and stayed true to the strength of their board when they came on the clock.
What can we take away from the way the Browns attacked the weekend? Here are five key points that stood out the most.
The veteran linebacker is optimistic about 2023.
For the third offseason in a row, the Cleveland Browns signed veteran linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. to a one-year deal. Appearing on the Ken Carmen Show with Anthony Lima, Walker said that he believes this team has everything it needs to be successful in 2023 if they show up and do their jobs.
He went on to say if they execute and do what they should there’s no telling where the team could go in 2023. The veteran leader and team captain was solely missed last year after his injury and during free agency, several players lobbied for the team to bring him back. Listen to the full interview with Walker by clicking here.
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The linebacker takes to Twitter to respond to his new deal
The Cleveland Browns are bringing back veteran linebacker and locker room leader Anthony Walker Jr. on another one-year deal. And after re-upping his deal, Walker Jr. took to Twitter to express both his excitement and his desire to get back to work for the team. Posting “Nobody Cares; WORK Harder,” Walker Jr. is eager to get back to the grindstone with the Browns after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 3 of the 2022 season.
There is not a better leader in the locker room than Walker Jr., and as the Browns now transition under new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, it is a home run to bring him back to guide this young unit through learning curves.
Nobody Cares; WORK Harder‼️ #JAG pic.twitter.com/zGxFYCaRbb
— Anthony Walker Jr. (@__AWalkJr) March 22, 2023
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The strongest leader on the defensive side of the ball is back for another year
He is back once again! After visiting with the Washington Commanders, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. has agreed to return to the Cleveland Browns on his third straight one-year deal as NFL free agency continues. Expect Walker Jr. to be penciled in as the starting MIKE linebacker in 2022 as the Browns may look to draft a young guy for him to mentor and take over in 2023.
Walker Jr., who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, should be back in time for training camp given the timing of his lower-body injury. Known as a top-tier leader and mentor in the locker room, there is not a better player to bring back as this team transitions to a new defensive coordinator in 2023.
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