Browns ready to ‘hang out’

Associated Press

BEREA

There was no heavy lifting, long wind sprints or hard hitting line drills at the Cleveland Browns’ training facility Tuesday.

But players were back. And a day after the lockout ended, that’s all that mattered.

Punter Reggie Hodges, defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin and defensive backs Joe Haden and T.J. Ward were there for what seemed more like freshman orientation than back-to-work day as the Browns began to look forward to their new-look season.

“We talked with one another,” Rubin said, “because the big thing is we missed each other.”

Indeed, they all agreed that the biggest void during the NFL’s 41/2-month long lockout was not being around buddies.

“Working out at home, it’s good cause you’re gonna still get the work in,” said Haden, the team’s No. 1 draft pick two years ago and now a key member of the defense. “But just being around the dudes, making sure you’re all hanging out together, going out to dinner, all that stuff. I think that was the one thing I missed the most.”

None of the Browns who came in on their own for a quick workout or to view some training films were ever worried about the NFL season being in jeopardy.

“I had no doubt,” Haden said. “I felt as though we weren’t gonna miss any games.”

And they had high praise for the players who put in the long hours to hammer out the deal.

“I just let my player reps take care of it and now I’ll be back at work again Friday,” Rubin said. “Everything is basically the same, just like any other camp.”

Ward concurred.

“We had complete faith in our team representatives and the NFLPA that they’d get it done with the owners,” he said. “No one wants to see a season without football, so I was pretty sure it was all gonna get resolved.”

The Browns, coming off a 5-11 season, need all the time they can get under new coach Pat Shurmur. He is transforming to a West Coast offense and will change the defense from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3.

Ward is confident the defense will be ready for the season opener at home Sept. 11 against an AFC North rival, Cincinnati.

“It’s not going to be as difficult as our defense was last year,” Ward said. “We had a bunch of schemes and a bunch of techniques and calls that, I think at times, confused some guys and maybe our cohesion wasn’t there.”

Workers were busy getting the facility ready, trimming grass while a small group of autograph seekers mingled near the entrance to the players parking lot.

With three of their first four regular-season games at Cleveland Browns Stadium, the club hopes to get off to a strong start before reaching their bye week on Oct. 9.

Ward can’t wait.

“It feels really good just to get back and see everyone and see a bunch of smiles. We’ve got some new blood in here,” he said. “Things are gonna go good this year for us.

“It’s really good to be back.”