Monday’s practice session on a hot morning in Berea saw a new receiver getting first-team reps for the Cleveland Browns. With Odell Beckham Jr. out sick and Jarvis Landry not working in team drills, it was Jaelen Strong’s turn to step up and relieve the regular starters.
The best part? Strong looked the part.
The veteran journeyman held his own in team drills and made several nice catches. He won both on outside routes and working over the middle, where his big frame is a real asset. Baker Mayfield found him on a couple of throws where he extended high and snagged the ball from the air.
After practice, Strong got to meet with the media. The veteran, who missed all of 2018 with a knee injury, was clearly appreciative of getting a chance to show what he could do with the starters.
“Yes. Definitely, of course,” Strong said if he had any extra motivation. “Anytime you have the opportunity to go out there with the ones, you have to be on your A-game and show the coaches you belong out there.”
After his strong performance on Monday, which came on the heels of a good scrimmage on Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium, Strong’s chances of making the final 53-man roster appear to be growing. He had a better day than Antonio Callaway, who did not get any first-team reps, and showed surer hands than Derrick Willies and Rashard Higgins, who each had untimely drops in team drills.
That’s something he’s always believed he can do, and he’s aiming to keep proving he belongs.
“Since I have been here, yes, that has been the goal, just to grind every day and put it on film.”
