The close of Browns training camp brings a close to this (almost) daily installment on ClevelandBrowns.com.
We know a lot of you have been reading these, and we've enjoyed producing them. Because of the positive feedback, we'll maintain the format throughout the season when it makes sense.
Here's what we saw Monday.
1) Browns close camp with a light day
Mike Pettine made it clear in his post-practice press conference: The brevity of Monday's practice had nothing to do with Cleveland's quarterback room, which had just two players available to throw passes during the 90-minute session. A number of the team's veterans, including OL John Greco, DL Randy Starks and DB Donte Whitner, also received a rest day.
"We had a coordinator meeting even before that came up," Pettine said, referring to Sunday's news that Johnny Manziel would not throw Monday because of elbow soreness. "There were things we wanted to get done, situationally. Headed in the day off we had some things we wanted to get done. Traditionally for us this has been a shorter practice."
The players were in pads, and a number of drills included contact, but it was significantly lighter than Sunday's two-hour, 30-minute high intensity practice. Thaddeus Lewis took all of the second- and third-team repetitions behind Josh McCown. Manziel watched intently close behind the quarterbacks as they went through 11-on-11s, 9-on-9s and 7-on-7s.
The Browns break camp tonight and are off Tuesday. Pettine expects Manziel to be back and ready to throw Wednesday, which will be Cleveland's first in-season style of practice.
"I think we have a pretty good feel that just the day's rest will be enough," Pettine said. "If it is not, we will deal with it accordingly."
2) Breaking down the injury situation
The Browns didn't bring back any previously injured players for Monday's practice, as they exercised caution with a number of them in hopes of having more ready for Wednesday.
Among the notables sidelined: DB Joe Haden (hamstring), DB Tashaun Gipson (calf), DB Jordan Poyer (concussion), DB Justin Gilbert (hip flexor), DB K'Waun Williams (abdominal), DL Ishmaa'ily Kitchen (groin) and WR Terrelle Pryor (hamstring).
Pettine said players who haven't practiced by Thursday are unlikely to play Saturday at Tampa Bay.
Pettine had a positive update about LB Barkevious Mingo, who has been sidelined with an injured knee. The third-year pass rusher recently resumed running and "felt good" one day after his surgery. His target return date remains uncertain, but it could be as soon as the season opener.
3) Unheralded player makes final big play of camp
Undrafted rookie defensive back Landon Feichter, who was waived by the Browns in June only to be re-signed one month later, made the last official play of Cleveland's 2015 training camp.
Thrust into the lineup because of a number of injuries at safety, Feichter dropped back deep in coverage and cut off a Josh McCown pass that was intended for Andrew Hawkins. The defensive sidelines, led by Haden, collectively went bonkers.
It was the final jersey-competition victory for the defense, which won the camp's first such battle but didn't get the best of the offense as much as last season.
"I think you've seen us -- obviously I've been told since I've been here, last year they won the jerseys one time and we've won the jerseys a bunch of times and that's what this thing's about -- it's competition," offensive coordinator John DeFilippo said. "Pleased with the way our guys have competed."
4) Shane Wynn shows off even more versatility
The 5-foot-6 Cleveland native impressed as a wide receiver and punt returner in Thursday's loss to Buffalo. In an emergency situation over the final situation over the final two games, he may have the opportunity to do the same on defense.
In one of Monday's final drills, Wynn threw a white jersey on top of his camouflage one and lined up at safety. The Browns have been hit hard with injuries at safety, particularly to those on the second- and third team, so Pettine isn't leaving anything up to chance.
"I have been involved in situations where we have had to play an offensive lineman at defensive tackle. We have had to move receivers to play safety," Pettine said. "He is a unique athlete. I would be shocked if he couldn't function on the defensive side. Right now, it is just building some depth for the last two games."
5) Other observations
-- The final punts of training camp were fielded by Travis Benjamin, Taylor Gabriel Wynn. Pettine called Benjamin the "lead guy" last week. "I'm excited for him," special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said. "He's been very committed to it and we'll see how it plays out."
-- With Greco resting, rookie Cameron Erving received some significant snaps with the first team at right guard.
-- One of the biggest plays of the day came from tight end Rob Housler, who caught a pass running toward the sidelines and found a wide open lane toward the end zone. Even with full contact, the play looked like it would produce a touchdown.
