Antonio Callaway has been conspicuously absent from the first-team offense during the first week of Browns training camp. The second-year wideout was widely expected to challenge Rashard Higgins for the No. 3 WR role behind Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry after a promising finish to his rookie season.
Now we know why Callaway has been relegated to the second- and third-team reps behind Derrick Willies and others. According to new Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Callaway showed up to camp out of shape.
“To his credit — I shouldn’t say his credit — hell, he came in a little bit out of shape probably,” Monken told the gathered media after Thursday’s practice. “The last seven days, he’s getting himself back in shape, putting himself in position. You can see that he’s starting to feel more comfortable and make plays.”
Callaway also reported for his rookie season in suboptimal football condition. It’s a disappointing display of professionalism for a player who has battled against a bad reputation that includes being kicked off the team at Florida and some legal issues leaking into his Browns tenure.
“It’s pretty easy to see,’’ Monken said of Callaway’s conditioning. “I can’t tell you what (wide receivers coach Adam Henry) says to him, but you can see, and I’m sure he feels it as well. That’s the tough part with the way the collective bargaining (CBA) is. You bring them back and you work and then you let them go and you have five or six weeks, and you come back. Luckily, he hasn’t pulled anything. He’s been fine.’’
Callaway turned in his best performance on Thursday, catching several passes and looking like the speedy guy who gave defenses fits at times last season.
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