BEREA - Browns coach Pat Shurmur turned up the intensity on practice for a second consecutive day Monday, highlighted by the first goal line drills of training camp.
The hit that drew the largest response from the crowd came when rookie linebacker James-Michael Johnson stood up running back Brandon Jackson short of the goal line. The sound of pad on pad could be heard across the fields.
It started off a good day of work for Johnson, picked in the fourth round out of the University of Nevada. He later added two interceptions to his accomplishments on passes by Brandon Weeden and Seneca Wallace. The ball on the interception off Weeden was tipped near the line of scrimmage by end Jabaal Sheard.
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The Associated Press
Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur watches during training camp on Sunday in Berea.
"I was just doing what I'm supposed to do," Johnson said. "I can always get better. I messed up on some things. I have to go in there and correct those things. I feel like I did okay."
Johnson has practiced primarily in the middle, but he's worked on the outside and in nickel situations. With Scott Fujita expected to miss the first three weeks as discipline for his reported role in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal, Johnson could be on the field quite a bit early in the season.
"I'm just going to go in there and compete," Johnson said. "I'm not ahead of anybody right now."
ADDING MORE: In addition to goal line drills, the Browns added two-minute drills to their work load. The first-team defense had a stop on one possession, but the first-team offense got a field goal from Phil Dawson on another possession.
"I really enjoy practicing two minute," Shurmur said. "I think it's good for our football team. You saw there that there was some winning and losing because we had good competition."
OFF DAY: The players will be off today as part of the collective bargaining agreement that doesn't allow practices on five consecutive days. Shurmur is confident that the players will avoid getting into trouble during their down time.
"I would anticipate that they're going to take care of their bodies and use it in a way where they'll prepare themselves for practice on Wednesday," Shurmur said. "Typically you see a lot of guys around the building on off days. There will be some guys that come in and watch extra film, and there will be guys that will be off their feet and doing the things you need to do with your body to practice the next day."
GETTING THE MESSAGE: Shurmur was reminded that team president Mike ol mgren
Holmgren talked to the receivers about the importance of not dropping the ball. The Browns led the NFL in dropped passes last season, and there have been several drops so far in camp.
"Yeah, I did too," Shurmur said. "I think they are making strides catching the ball."
YES, IT'S FROSTEE: Defensive end Frostee Rucker was given his unique first name in honor of his father, who, as a disc jockey in the armed services, was given the nickname Frostee because his delivery was considered so cool. His dad's given name was Lynn. He eventually changed his name to Frostee after giving the name to his son.
"I didn't like it at first because kids were always making fun of it," the younger Rucker said. "Then I grew up and they stopped making fun of me."
CAMPING OUT: Rookie receiver Josh Gordon continues to be a favorite target of the quarterbacks. Working with the first team Monday, Gordon caught a deep out from Weeden in a two-minute drill Weeden displayed a strong right arm on a throw to Mohamed Massaquoi. Safety T.J. Ward was a split second late getting to the ball Receiver Greg Little, who had several drops last season, dropped a throw from Weeden The Warren Youth Football team attended the practice.
