Yoga, poetry, puppy dogs and some incredible behind-the-scenes footage that made for a vintage "Hard Knocks" episode.
We're recapping everything we learned from Episode 2 of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cleveland Browns." Pretty much everything below would be classified as a spoiler.
We'll have a poll later to determine whether David Njoku's gloves were pink or purple.
-- The brains behind "Hard Knocks" opted to hold their Corey Coleman footage from the first episode in order for the story to develop. That decision made for a jolting way to start the second episode, as Coleman, who showed off his shoe collection to the "Hard Knocks" cameras at an earlier point in training camp, is shown inside Hue Jackson's office venting his frustrations about a demotion to the second team. "If you don't want me to play, why don't you just trade me?" Coleman asks. The Browns did just that, sending him to Buffalo for a 2020 seventh-round pick.
-- Browns players are shown expressing their shock at the return Cleveland received for Coleman. Meanwhile, wide receivers coach Adam Henry is tasked with getting more out of a young receivers room that includes rookies Antonio Callaway, Damion Ratley and more. "Young guys, you've got to be on this," he said. "Be famous or be forgotten."
-- A heavy portion of the episode focuses on Callaway, who was cited for multiple infractions early last week during a road stop in Strongsville. He did not inform the team about the incident, leading to more frustration from general manager John Dorsey and Jackson. "This isn't college football," Dorsey said. "This is the National Football League." Callaway lays out his story to Dorsey and Jackson and later apologizes to the team in a meeting. "You can't take a chance. You can't put yourself in that situation. You can't put us in that situation," Jackson said. "You've got talent but talent ain't everything I'm looking for. I'm looking for you to become a man."
-- Ultimately, the Browns opt to punish Callaway by making him play nearly every play in the preseason opener against the Giants. After Callaway catches a 54-yard touchdown pass, offensive coordinator Todd Haley urges Jarvis Landry to take Callaway under his wing.
-- Remember last week's episode when Jackson implored No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield to follow the lead of Tyrod Taylor and start his daily routine even earlier? The message was heard loud and clear. Mayfield is seen studying the playbook shortly after 6 a.m., by himself inside the tight ends room. At a practice last week, Mayfield caught up with Browns legend Jim Brown. "You're smart enough," Brown said. "They tell me you've got the right attitude."
-- With the coaches being mic'd up for the game, we learn the series in which Mayfield threw the 54-yard touchdown pass to Callaway would have been his last no matter what. Nice way to finish up your first-ever NFL action.
-- It wasn't all fun in New York. Even though the Browns surrendered just three points in the first half, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams laid into his group for what he perceived was a lack of effort. "Young guys, this is not college football anymore," Williams said. "We need to understand and we need to make a decision that I have a focus and I have an energy to go out and play our way."
-- Jackson was not pleased one bit with the team's pace at a particular practice, bringing it to a halt. "When did we start walking out here?" Jackson asks, leaning on veterans such as Joel Bitonio and Christian Kirksey to help deliver the message. Perhaps inspired by advice passed along by Taylor, Jackson shows the team cut-ups of players loafing in practice as a way to drive home the message. "That's not a team that looks hungry and urgent in everything they do," Jackson said. "You can not practice like this and be good."
-- This episode's deep dive centered on tight end Devon Cajuste, whose dad, Gregory, has dealt with a slew of health problems since Devon's teenage years. Gregory's had three heart attacks, a stroke and a tracheotomy during that stretch and was originally given five years to live when Devon was 13. Now 25, Devon is three years out of Stanford and still looking to make his first active roster. "If the world is weighing on you, we're Cajustes," Devon said. "And we're fighters and we do not quit."
-- We got some brief insight into Myles Garrett's passion for poetry. He likes to compose his poems during his spare time, whether it be before bed or during lunch. "I was a boy who liked to write before I was a man who liked to hit people," Garrett said.
-- Njoku, meanwhile, has turned to yoga as a way to find his center and picture himself making the great plays that are expected of him. It certainly worked this particular week -- or maybe it was all the JUGS work after some hearty ribbing from his teammates following a practice full of drops -- as he found himself on the receiving end of two touchdowns in Cleveland's preseason win over the Giants.
-- Count center Anthony Fabiano among those who were skeptical of Carl Nassib's financial advice last week.
