Hard Knocks ‘Training Camp With the Cleveland Browns’ Episode 1 Review

“The Cleanse”

We start out watching the LeBron poster being removed, possibly the most iconic image of Cleveland at least for the past decade. This helps symbolize the changing of the guard not just for Cleveland in general, but our favorite football team the Cleveland Browns.

That Hard Knocks episode was the highlight of the last 5 years of Cleveland Browns football and I’m not kidding.

— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) August 8, 2018

Starting off the episode it was interesting for me watching the dynamic of Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb arriving at the Cleveland airport. While everyone ran to Baker wanting autographs and pictures and instantly recognizing him.

Nick Chubb gets no respect on Hard Knocks! #Browns pic.twitter.com/C3lboIGgF6

— History of Sports (@BeforeFamePics) August 8, 2018

Say what u want but I’ve enjoyed not being recognized out here, eating in peace and undisturbed has been nothing but love 😭😭😂 #HardKnocks

— Nick Chubb (@NickChubb21) August 8, 2018

Chubb quietly stood and waited for his bags, even had people asking if he played college ball? Where at? What position? While Baker is obviously going to be the face of this franchise, Chubb shouldn’t be overlooked. If he can be as good as many hope he could be the key to having a great running game, which we haven’t had since our one great season of Peyton Hillis.

While Josh Gordon was touched on a bit in the episode not much else was brought to light than what we already know. Interesting side not during the Gordon conversation, it doesn’t look like John Dorsey has changes clothes since the NFL combine.

Hue Jackson has decided for 2018 they are thinking championship, and that their stripes will be removed from their helmets. “To get your stripe you have to earn it, lets change the culture of this franchise.” Of course with this came multiple highlights of Mayfield doing great things in practice along with the fanfare that has followed him here since the draft. Yet it has been iterated again and again Tyrod Taylor is going to be the starter week one.

Carl Nassib is not only going to be a great defensive player for us, he is also breaking down financial advice for the other defensive line players.

Hope everyone’s taking notes during Carl Nassib’s lecture on personal finance 😂 #HardKnocks

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 8, 2018

We also got our first look at defensive coordinator Greg Williams, and he addressed the room. He is all about players doing their jobs and trusting in each other, that he is looking forward to coaching and not being an “asshole.”

Wonder if Coach Williams still needs that lozenge … 😳#HardKnocks

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— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 8, 2018

Our next great look came at our new wide receiver addition, Jarvis “Juice” Landry, making plays and great one-handed catches. I can’t wait to see what he does this season in the slot as one of the best players in the league at that position. He has a phrase of “Bless em” which is god gave him a great ability so why not bless the defender he’s playing by showing off that ability.

That Jarvis Landry speech on Hard Knocks 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥https://t.co/raOIgFspK7

— JzoSports (@JzoSports) August 8, 2018

Landry goes on an epic rant in the wide receiver room channeling his best Allen Iverson impersonation talking about practice, I mean we talking about practice. His message profanity filled and entertaining was meant to inspire his teammates to be accountable, that the Cleveland Browns are not what they used to be and that they can be different. All they have to do is show up every day and put in the work. We also get a nice look at Landry’s family and his commitment of just wanting to win.

Speaking of blessing defensive players we then get to take a look at what could be a dynamic duo in our secondary in Damarious Randall and rookie Denzel Ward. As they against some dynamic wide receiver core that is missing their biggest piece in Gordon.

A look inside the quarterback RV by Brogan Roback our fourth string quarterback who is in charge of making sure snacks are laid out correctly and the fridge is always stocked. Mayfield gets the big room, Taylor usually gets one of the couches, and Drew Stanton sleeps on top the cab.

During a coaches meeting player injuries is brought up and talks about players being able, and dressing even if they can’t practice. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley believes “we need to stop living in our fears, we have a lot of work to do to turn this around.” While I think we all agree with that man its exciting to see so much talent on this team for the first time in a long time.

Our last look of the night was some of the plays from the intra-squad scrimmage. With some interesting highlights. A couple good throws from Taylor to Juice, Myles Garrett sacking the quarterback which we all hope we see a lot of this season. It ended with Mayfield playing with the second team and showing multiple highlights of him moving in the pocket and making great throws. The best highlight came from Landry making a one-handed off to the right side catch, turning and running for a touchdown in turning doing what he does “Bless EM!”

A large majority of this episode was focused on head coach Jackson what he is doing with the team and his personal loses. No matter your thoughts and or opinions of Hue, it’s never easy to see someone going through loss like that my prayers go out to him and his family.

some observations after episode 1 of Hard Knocks:
1. Carl Nassib LMAO
2. Brogan Roback is QB1
3. I’d die for Jarvis Landry
4. That lingering shot of Antonio Callaway after Landry’s speech….wheeeew

— Jordan Zirm (@clevezirm) August 8, 2018

The first episode of Hard Knocks with our Browns is in the books while it didn’t get too much into depth yet, we got some interesting looks at some of the prominent Browns players. This team is looking good so far and is exciting for the first time in a long time, it’s going to be a fun series and a fun season ahead. Let’s go Browns!

Matthew Bruening is a Cleveland Browns writer for Full Press Coverage. For more Browns coverage continue to follow us and if you have any Cleveland Browns related questions or fantasy questions feel free to comment below or hit me up on twitter @SportsfanaticMB