Tired legs and tired arms are no surprise in the final days of training camp. Also tidbits on Jarrett Brown, offensive guards Jason Pinkston and Shawn Lauvao, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, and more.
BEREA -- Observations from Browns practice Monday morning ...
* Even though the weather has been cool, these final days of camp truly are the dog days. Coach Pat Shurmur alluded to tired legs and players not doing much talking out there, just trying to get practice over with. The same may apply to the quarterbacks. Looked like some dead arms out there today. Colt McCoy was a little late on a long sideline out -- the one pass that challenges his arm strength. Then receiver Rod Windsor had to wait for a long ball down the sideline. Windsor caught it over Ramzee Robinson. In the same period, McCoy flung a wobbler to the far sideline to Jordan Norwood. Seneca Wallace had some bad throws, too. Sheldon Brown intercepted him twice, once on a deep ball down the left sideline and another time jumping in front of Johnathan Haggerty in the middle of the field.
* Speaking of QBs, it's not set in stone that the Browns will keep three quarterbacks on the active roster. If they stock up on receivers and keep four tight ends, the third quarterback may pay the price. Contributing to the decision might be Jarrett Brown's 1-for-6 performance with one INT in sporadic preseason play. This is not to say the Browns have soured on Brown as a developmental prospect. In fact, Shurmur said he feels good about "some of the progress" Brown has shown and believes he has a lot of ability. But everyone knows Brown needs a lot of growth before he can perform at an acceptable level in an NFL game. Could be practice squad-bound.
* Ten Browns were out: Mohamed Massaquoi, Chris Gocong, Josh Cribbs, Steve Octavien, Evan Moore, Usama Young, T.J. Ward, Buster Skrine, Eric Steinbach and Brandon Jackson. Also, safety Brett Johnson limped off with a thigh bruise.
* Rookie Jason Pinkston has gotten a lot more reps with the No. 1 unit in Steinbach's left guard spot. He probably will make his first start Thursday in Philadelphia. John Greco got the call against Detroit, probably because he's an experienced swingman and Pinkston wasn't ready. It was interesting to see Branndon Braxton also getting work at right guard with the No. 2 unit. Braxton looks to be a keeper as a tackle who can play both sides. Expanding his experience to guard would improve the chances of him being on the 46-player active list for game days.
* Middle linebacker D'Qwell Jackson is flourishing in the new 4-3 defense, impressing teammates and coaches. But he's understandably reserved about declaring himself back after two successive pectoral muscle injuries.
* Good to see former right tackle Ryan Tucker visiting camp with his family. Tucker said he's taking classes at Baldwin-Wallace College and has no pangs about not playing. He dabbled in coaching in the United Football League and got that taste out of his mouth. Tucker retired prior to the 2009 season.
* By the way, Shurmur lauded the play of right guard Shawn Lauvao against Ndamukong Suh Friday in the Detroit game.
* I have no inside information but I would assume the Browns would have more interest in North Carolina defensive end Michael McAdoo than Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. We'll know by the end of the day.
* About 200 kids from Cleveland youth organizations were on hand as part of the club's Play 60 program, which promotes health in youth groups. A lot of Browns players converged after practice to sign autographs and mingle. Receiver Brian Robiskie went a step further, gathering some of the kids on the field for some impromptu touch football instruction.