TC thoughts

In no particular order . . . 

I love training camp. All thoughts are positive. Nothing wrong with that. That's not why I love it. I view it differently.

Fans and some members of the media become delusional as they watch (or cover) what amounts to an intramural exercise as the 2021 National Football League season approaches. 

Jadeveon Clowney for example, is reportedly happy. The defensive end is also relatively healthy. Perhaps that's why he's happy. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski labeled him "a fun teammate."

He is also beating up offensive right tackle Jack Conklin, an All-Pro with nothing to prove, during drills. Bulletin: It's early folks. It 's being treated as a precursor to what we'll see during the regular season. Uh. no.

Before camp is over, Conklin will be winning a majority of their skirmishes as he gets ready to battle defensive ends far superior to Clowney. A wee bit too early to get excited. 

If he stays healthy for the 17-game grind, though, the dynamic changes. Then factor in he has missed 11 games and recorded just three sacks last two seasons due  to injuries and you begin to wonder whether 17 games is being too optimistic. . . . 

On the other hand, Donovan Peoples-Jones has become the offensive rage so far. The big wide receiver has caught just about everything thrown his way. A quick peak at what he did in his rookie season indicates that's no surprise. 

The sixth-round draft choice bloomed unexpectedly after Odell Beckham Jr. went down for the season in game seven last season. Baker Mayfield targeted him only 20 times, but connected on 14 for 304 yards, two touchdowns and a 21.7-yard average. 

And get this. Ten of his receptions went for first downs. He dropped only one pass. It sure looks as though he has a tight grip on the No. 3 receiver role.  Two more things: He's a pretty good blocker and he's also working fulltime with return teams. . . . 

Speaking of wide receivers, rookie Anthony Schwartz has yet to display his wares. Considering he has hamstring problems, it's difficult to determine just when he'll be able to participate in drills. Hamstrings often take a long time to heal. And you don't want to come back too early.

Schwartz, arguably the fastest player in the NFL, is also a world-class track star. Balky hammies have bedeviled him since his high school days in Florida. It's going to be hard to determine just when he'll be able to practice. There is no guarantee he won't reinjure himself when he returns. . . . 

So when evaluating players based on their performances in training camp, bear in mind they are playing against each other. It's nice to get excited about a great pay or disappointed in a dumb-as-dirt play. Never expect too much based on training camp or exhibition games..

That will become much more apparent when the curtain on the 2021 regular season lifts in Kansas City on Sept. 12. That's when the speed and quickness of the game ramp up exponentially. It will be an entirely different game.