Cleveland Browns training camp reached a new gear on Monday, August 3, with pads on for the first time this year. Before practice, head coach Todd Monken laid out what that meant for the day’s work, and the added physicality showed up throughout the session.
One of the early themes was quarterback Dillon Gabriel continuing to find Harold Fannin. Gabriel connected with the tight end early, and the pair hooked up again later in practice.
Monken had been asked before practice whether Gabriel had earned more reps, and he made it clear that production is what matters: anyone who plays well will earn more reps. Reporters also noted that Gabriel got more work on Day 5.
Shedeur Sanders had his own moments in the passing game, including a later connection with Concepcion over the middle. Sanders also saw Emmanuel McNeil-Warren make a play in 7-on-7 work, as the safety used his speed to dive and break up a pass. McNeil-Warren’s playmaking ability has been a steady early-camp storyline.
The offense also spent time on quick-game concepts. Isaiah Bond was shown catching a pass in early drills and simulating what it would look like to bounce off contact from padded defenders. That same idea showed up later when Concepcion took a quick pass and worked his way through the play.
Practice ended with a 90-second situation for the top two quarterbacks. Deshaun Watson’s offense went four-and-out, and Concepcion hurt his shoulder on the final play of that sequence. Sanders then led a touchdown drive, finishing it with throws to Tylan Wallace and Gage Larvadain, with Larvadain catching the touchdown.
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