Editor's note: Tony Grossi covers the Cleveland Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR.
Takeaways from Browns practice and interview sessions … 1. The future: Everybody is impressed with the early development of the Browns’ offense under Hue Jackson despite the adversity of having to play three quarterbacks in three games. Well, get this. Jackson is frustrated that he has been unable to incorporate what he views as his offense of the future – a no-huddle as his base offense. “I don’t know that we have truly had one snap of the offense that I envision for our football team because we have been playing with different quarterbacks,” he said. “I think you guys all know that from week to week, we have had to do what we have had to do to put an offense out there. My disappointment is we haven’t played the way I think we can play yet because I don’t think we have even come close to the offense that I want us to be.” And that is? “We are a team that doesn’t huddle.” Excuse me. Why no huddle? “Because I think it gives us an advantage,” Jackson said. “I think it puts the defense on their heels a little bit and makes the defensive coordinator play in a different style and a different fashion, but we haven’t been able to do that thus far.” The Browns practiced a lot of no-huddle in training camp, but this revelation came as a surprise to two veteran members of the offense. “Has there ever been an offense that never huddled, ever?” asked left tackle Joe Thomas. Well, there’s Chip Kelly’s offense in San Francisco. “You can use anything as a weapon if it’s coached up well and executed well. I would be surprised if we turned into a team that never huddled,” Thomas said. Quarterback Josh McCown said, “I think it’d be good. It’d be fun. When you get to the line, your ability to be successful is increased because it’s a cat and mouse and you can get into a better play.” One thing’s for sure – Jackson’s final product is way down the line. “Hopefully, in the future as we get some continuity here and some people can stay healthy and we get some people back, we can start being what I envision us being on offense.” 2. Head games: On a conference call interview on Wednesday, Redskins coach Jay Gruden said he expected Jackson to expand on the use of Terrelle Pryor as a triple threat on offense as a receiver, runner and quarterback. “I can see them doing a lot of different things with him,” Gruden said. “That is something we have got to be aware of – where is No. 11?” On Thursday, Pryor did his best to ease Gruden’s mind. On three occasions in a 17-minute interview, Pryor volunteered that there is no plan to use him behind center against the Redskins. “I know for this game, we don’t have any of that stuff going in. I’m sure next week we’ll have some stuff going in,” Pryor said. In the context of juggling the “mental gymnastics” of the multi-use role, he said, “I don’t think a lot of guys can do the stuff I do. Especially when we have that type of game plan in in a couple weeks, or whatever.” Finally, in the context of Jackson’s down-the-road plans to expand his preferred offensive style, Pryor said, “Last week I had a package [of plays]. This week we haven’t had any packages in for me.” Just something for Gruden – and then, Bill Belichick – to chew on. 3. Offensive line mystery: While right guard Alvin Bailey continues to practice in the wake of his OVI arrest on Monday, Jackson shed no light on the makeup of the starting five. If nothing else, he cast more uncertainty when he raised the prospect of newly signed backup center Austin Reiter getting into the mix. Reiter, a former Redskins draft pick, was signed on Sept. 20 after the bruised lung injury to center Cam Erving. John Greco moved to center against Miami. Could Jackson actually be thinking of returning Greco to right guard and starting Reiter at center? Reiter has not played in an NFL game, though he was active last week against Miami. “There is a chance,” Jackson said coyly. “We could do a lot of different things as we get down to the end of the week. He has done a good job. He is a guy that has played center that knows how to play the position. I haven’t made any decisions just exactly which way we are going, but there is a chance he could play.”
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