Eagles-Browns Practice: Instant Observations and a Homecoming

It was a homecoming of sorts when the Cleveland Browns arrived in South Philly for the first of two joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.

There are plenty of connections between the two franchises, starting from the very top, where Andrew Berry, a former right-hand man of Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, is the GM in Cleveland.

Roseman and Berry spent some time prior to practice catching up with each other.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is also a Philly product, having attended St. Joseph’s Prep High School, which is the same school that produced current Eagles, running back D’Andre Swift and receiver Olamide Zaccheaus.

Asked prior to practice if he grew up an Eagles fan, Stefanski did not hesitate.

“Oh yeah,” he said.

Then there was Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and safety Rodney McLeod. Both men were integral parts of the Eagles’ Super Bowl championship team in 2017.

Neither Schwartz nor McLeod spoke to the media, though the Browns are expected to make McLeod available following Thursday evening’s second joint practice.

Both the DC and safety, however, spent time catching up with several Eagles who still remain from the 2017 Super Bowl team prior to the start of the evening practice session.

Schwartz gave defensive tackle Fletcher Cox a big hug. He also talked with center Jason Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson.

“It’s always good,” said Cox about seeing so many familiar faces. “I haven’t caught up with Rodney yet, but I’m sure I will. Teammates for some years. We talked in the offseason. It’s always good seeing Schwartz and those guys.”

McLeod visited with cornerbacks Avonte Maddox and Darius Slay.

Once practice began, things went fast and furious.

Five studs from the nearly 90-minute session:

Tyrie Cleveland. The receiver followed up his strong showing in the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, by gaining separation in whoever tried covering him, catching at least two passes. He continues to make a strong case for a roster spot, especially with Britain Covey nursing a hamstring injury and not practicing. Cleveland also got some reps as a gunner on punt coverage.

Jalen Carter. The defensive tackle, who burst on the scene by showing his burst of speed to make a quarterback hit against the Ravens on his first pro snap, got some first-team reps. Interestingly, the Eagles took a look at him lined up at defensive end on both sides of the line. The rookie is climbing, even appearing to notch a sack against Joel Bitonio.

Reed Blankenship. The safety took all first-team reps yet again and had an interception off a deflection by linebacker Zach Cunningham.

Zech McPhearson. The backup slot cornerback didn’t show much in the team portion of practice, but he made a terrific pass breakup during one-on-one deep down the field when Deshaun Watson tried to hit the speedy Anthony Schwartz. McPhearson kept up with him and tapped the ball away at the last second.

Derek Barnett. Shortly after signing a few autographs for fans prior to the start of practice, the veteran defensive end had a solid practice. He would have notched a sack on Watson on one play, when the Browns quarterback was flushed to his left. Barnett got off his block and was there to wrap him up – gently, of course.

Three duds:

Eagles offensive line. It was not a good day for a unit considered one of the best in the league. Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith made Jalen Hurts scramble more than he and the coaches would like.

Amari Cooper. The Browns receiver had several dropped passes, making the Eagles secondary a bit better than they did on those plays.

Sua Opeta. Perhaps he is one of the reasons the Eagles’ O-line struggled. Landon Dickerson left early in the session. Though Dickerson appeared to be OK, he never returned. Opeta was replaced by Josh Sills for the second round of team drills and Sills appeared to hold up well.

Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.