There are very few weather conditions that can stop a football game being played and too much sunshine is not among them. The Browns practiced in 90-plus degree weather on Monday afternoon and did the same thing again Tuesday, in preparation for the team’s final preseason game with the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. Practicing in that heat gave the Browns a good look at what they will experience during the first weekend of the year.
“In terms of practice yesterday I thought one of the best things that we had was the weather,” said Browns coach Eric Mangini. “To be able to practice in that heat and granted it wasn’t extreme heat but it was more heat than we got throughout most of training camp, I think that was great for us because it’s what we’re going to see in Tampa Bay and just like with the rain, or the cold, the wind or the snow, it’s hard to coach what that feels like.
“It’s hard to coach the preparation for those things so it was nice to get that,” he added. “It’s a good reminder to the fellas as to the importance of proactively hydrating, how it’s going to feel at different stages during the game. The first game is always hard because the adrenaline level from everybody is so high. The intensity level ratchets up significantly, I’d say even the young players, they have gotten some exposure to that here in the preseason and even last game.”
Monitoring the players’ health during the hot July and August practices in Berea is a point of pride for the Browns. One of the ways they manage a player’s physical condition is the use of pre and post-practice weigh-ins.
“We are very proactive if there’s any chance that guys could be affected by it,” Mangini said about having a few players walk off the field Monday. “We’re very proactive with that, and those incidents were good reminders to guys and good lessons for some guys in terms of hydration and nutrition, getting the right fuel in your body. We haven’t had a lot of it; we’ve barely had any of it. It was hot right before we got back and then hot yesterday and in between it was okay. There were nice days, didn’t get any rain, as you guys know, but didn’t deal with that.”
Over 16 years in the NFL, Mangini has seen many advances medically, and not just related to heat issues. He has also seen the league set the tone in taking care of players on all levels of the game.
“I think we have made tremendous strides as a league,” he said. “I think the other place where it has helped is college football and high school football. My brother-in-law is a high school coach and the things that he’s trying to do to keep his guys hydrated, to me, is really important.
“We have doctors available all the time, we have trainers available all the time, we have resources where some places, especially on the high school level, don’t have those same things available to them,” added Mangini. “The education is important. Those kids have two-a-days during the summer and if you’re not looking out, you could have a real tragedy on any level. That’s one of the things that I’m happy to see, is the way that the advances we have made have trickled down and helped some of the kids.”
PLAYING THE ROOKIES
Though they have gotten to play a lot with the first team defensive and offensive units, who typically rest during the fourth preseason game, safety T.J. Ward, cornerback 
Being in their rookie seasons, any real game experience is viewed as a positive.
“They’ll get time this weekend; it’s important for them to get time,” said Mangini. “They’ve really had a limited exposure to the league and to what we’re doing, so this is an opportunity for them to get some more experience. I think that is always a valuable thing.
“Then, there’s some guys that have a chance to make a push one way or the other and also it’s tape for them should they not make it here for other people to evaluate and say, ‘Okay this guy looks like someone we might want on our practice squad or someone we might want to have on our 53,’” he added.
JUMP FROM YEARS ONE TO TWO
The Browns have yet to play a regular season game, but the coaches still have seen improvements from second-year wide receivers
“I’ve been pleased,” said Mangini. “I hope you guys see some of the progress that Brian has made, both through camp and in games. Mohamed had the one game where he wasn’t able to participate, but again, last week, had the really nice play on the slant for 29 yards. He’s grown as a receiver, his consistency has improved.
“Chansi, you saw some of the things that he can do, not just in catching the ball, but some of the catch-and-run plays that he makes,” he continued. “To me, Josh is another guy; I think he led the team in receptions this week. It’s just good to see.”
VEIKUNE SHOWS SKILLS
Linebacker David Veikune has undergone a lot of change since being taken in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Veikune, used to having his hand in the dirt as a defensive lineman at the University of Hawaii, was switched to inside linebacker and has been in a position battle all throughout the preseason.
“He’s going to get plenty of opportunities to play this weekend and he has made a lot of strides,” said Mangini. “I think he did pretty well last game when he played. He’s played inside; he’s played outside as a rush end; he made a couple of tackles on special teams. All of those things are positive. I wish he could have played all of the games, but he didn’t. He will get a lot of chances here this weekend and I expect him to do a good job of it.”
