Browns run game coordinator and tight ends coach Jeff Blasko has a saying: "Clarity equals velocity." If the tight ends understand the concept, the play and their job on the field, they can accomplish what's needed from them with speed and confidence.
Blasko doesn't have a specific moment when he reminds the position room of the phrase; rather he uses the saying to break down and simplify the offense.
The saying has particularly helped TE Harold Fannin Jr. with his comfort level in the offense. Fannin looks quick with his routes and understands his role in the blocking game. As he enters his second season in the NFL, Fannin also used the phrase to characterize his confidence.
"Everything's clear, you can go out there and play fast, and obviously I'm playing fast," Fannin said. "I'm confident."
Fannin led the Browns with 731 receiving yards and six touchdowns during his rookie season in 2025. Already having one offseason under his belt and a feel for the grind of the NFL schedule, Fannin has built the confidence he believes is needed to improve upon his first year through preparation during team meetings and hard work on the field.
"He's very, very unique," Blasko said. "He has deceptive play strength, and his core strength really pops off the tape with the run-after-catch piece of it. He's a bulldog. […] He's a damn good football player, and I've been very impressed with him up to this point."
Fannin used Blasko's saying to verbalize his confidence, but his dedication to becoming a better player has also played a large part in his development. The long hours spent studying, questions he asks in the meeting room and the time on the practice field are all elements of the level of trust Fannin has built in himself.
Head coach Todd Monken has noticed Fannin's mentality and work ethic both in the meeting room and on the practice field.
"He's still a young player, developing player, but what a great mindset," Monken said about Fannin before the first day of camp. "He wants to get better and works awfully hard."
Check out the best photos from the 2026 Cleveland Browns Training Camp, captured by the Browns' official photo team. Relive weeks of player highlights, behind-the-scenes action and fan moments at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and fans during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Day 12 of Training Camp on August 11, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Coziah Izzard (68) and Offensive tackle Tyre Phillips (69) during Day 12 of Training Camp on August 11, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (0) during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken and a guest during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Sugardale Puppy Pound Dog of the Day during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Kole Wilson (87) during Day 8 of Training Camp on August 6, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during Day 12 of Training Camp on August 11, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during a conditioning test before training camp on July 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Fanatics Pro Shop during Day 12 of Training Camp on August 11, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver KC Concepcion Jr. (1) during the third day of rookie workouts on July 27, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Benton Whitley (61) during Day 5 of Training Camp on August 3, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fans during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Gregory Industries 40 Yard Dash during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during the third day of rookie workouts on July 27, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) and Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. (39) during the third day of rookie workouts on July 27, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Sugardale Puppy Pound during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Sugardale Puppy Pound Dog of the Day during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Luke Floriea (81) during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during Day 2 of Training Camp on July 30, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Tyre Phillips (69) reports for Training Camp on July 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) and Offensive tackle Izavion Miller (60) during Day 2 of Training Camp on July 30, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Cornerback Michael Coats Jr. (39) and Defensive Backs Coach/Pass Game Specialist Coach Brandon Lynch during Day 1 of Training Camp on July 29, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Center Parker Brailsford (52) and a fan during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A fan during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) and Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Sugardale Puppy Pound Dog of the Day during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A helmet during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) during a conditioning test before training camp on July 28, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Members of the military and Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during Day 7 of Training Camp on August 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Ticketmaster Sideline Club during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 8 of Training Camp on August 6, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Davon Booth (29) during Day 8 of Training Camp on August 6, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during Day 2 of Training Camp on July 30, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) and fans during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Linebacker Quincy Williams (5) during Day 5 of Training Camp on August 3, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during Day 7 of Training Camp on August 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken and fans during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during Day 5 of Training Camp on August 3, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) during Day 5 of Training Camp on August 3, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Gage Larvadain (84) during Day 10 of Training Camp on August 8, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Center Parker Brailsford (52) during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Jr. Browns Backers Activation during Day 7 of Training Camp on August 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 6 of Training Camp on August 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive Backs Coach/Pass Game Specialist Coach Brandon Lynch during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The offense during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Uncle Bacon's BBQ during Day 3 of Training Camp on July 31, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The UH Activation during Day 6 of Training Camp on August 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Jared Verse (8) during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) and Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during Day 8 of Training Camp on August 6, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Kole Wilson (87) during Day 10 of Training Camp on August 8, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley and South Carolina Women's Basketball Head Coach Dawn Staley during Day 8 of Training Camp on August 6, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Running back Quinshon Judkins (10) during Day 8 of Training Camp on August 6, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fans during Day 10 of Training Camp on August 8, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
A member of the military and Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during Day 7 of Training Camp on August 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Day 6 of Training Camp on August 4, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during Day 10 of Training Camp on August 8, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The CrossCountry Mortgage Activation during Day 7 of Training Camp on August 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Sugardale Puppy Pound Dog of the Day during Day 7 of Training Camp on August 5, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Quarterback Taylen Green (15) during Day 10 of Training Camp on August 8, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive tackle Travis Bell (66) during Day 12 of Training Camp on August 11, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The Cardinal Credit Union Activation during Day 8 of Training Camp on August 6, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry's shoes during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) and Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during Day 12 of Training Camp on August 11, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry during Day 13 of Training Camp on August 12, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive tackle Tytus Howard (71) during Day 11 of Training Camp on August 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Head Coach Todd Monken during Day 12 of Training Camp on August 11, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Joe Thomas during Day 12 of Training Camp on August 11, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (74) during Day 11 of Training Camp on August 10, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
The defense during Day 4 of Training Camp on August 1, 2026 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.
Fannin couldn't work as hard as he might have wanted to this offseason, though. While most players used the offseason program to get back on the field in a team setting again, Fannin didn't have that luxury. An injury forced him to watch practices from the sideline with Blasko.
That changed on the first day of training camp as Fannin stretched and jogged during the Browns' dynamic warmup, though.
"I was like, 'Man, I'm finally back. I'm not on the side watching,'" Fannin recalled.
Through the first 13 days of training camp, Fannin has made sure everyone else on the field knows he's back, too. He had two receiving touchdowns during an 11-on-11 period from the red zone on Day 11 and had one of his most productive practices on Day 5 with four catches.
Blasko discussed Fannin's potential and how he wins routes without having perfect technique. There are still small parts of his game that can improve and once Fannin reaches that consistency, according to Blasko, there's no limit on how good the tight end can be.
"I think his ceiling is up in outer space, and I truly mean that," Blasko said. "Just the full body, the full package in terms of the traits combined with the instincts and awareness. He's just a hell of a football player. That's the reality of it."
For now, Fannin is focusing on the present and using every day to improve as the Browns gear up for the start of preseason play. Fueled by his confidence, Fannin has a straightforward outlook heading into the season.
"I've got a pretty simple goal, just make it through (the season) healthy, do my best and put the best film on tape," Fannin said. "That's really it."
