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Need to Know: Browns 'a step better than a year ago'

Day 1 of Browns training camp is in the books. Here's what you need to know:

— It's probably unwise to make any sort of wide-sweeping judgement from one day of practice but head coach Hue Jackson said it was clear the Browns have grown since this time last year after a 1-15 season. "I can tell we're a step better than we were a year ago," he said. "By far."

— Part of that is thanks to the addition of three first-round NFL Draft picks, including defensive end and No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett, who returned to action after suffering a foot sprain on the second-to-last day of offseason workouts.

Garrett showed no signs of rust and drew cheers from the 1,250-seat grandstand during a pass rush drill. He's also earned to respect of his teammates for his work ethic and humility. "We drafted the right one, in my opinion," Jackson said. "Not only is he a great football player, he's a great person. Great young man who loves football and wants to be great, and willing to do whatever it takes to be really good. I'm glad he's a part of our organization."

— Three players — wide receivers Kenny Britt, James Wright and fullback Danny Vitale — went down with what Jackson said were cramps. "Nothing major," he said. "I know that for sure."

The Browns participate in the first day of training camp in Berea.

— The Browns will continue to keep "mixing and matching" quarterbacks Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler, DeShone Kizer and Kevin Hogan. "I thought there was some good work," Jackson said, "and I'll keep going and looking and making adjustments to that as I go, but I thought it was some good work for them all.

"They all threw some good balls and things that we need to continue to work at and see, but I thought it was a good first day." Jackson said. On Wednesday, Jackson said Kessler would get the first crack at earning Cleveland's starting job.

— Jackson said it was a welcomed sight to see left guard Joel Bitonio back out on the practice field. "He's ready to go," he said. Bitonio, who received a five-year extension in March, needed surgery to repair a mid-foot injury in October.

The same goes for veteran John Greco, who started 12 games before suffering a similar injury. "The goal is to finish this training camp healthy and ready to go," Jackson said. 'We've got to practice football and we've got to do football. Those guys will do that as we continue to move forward."

— Corey Coleman, who missed much of offseason workouts after an awkward fall in OTAs, looked "like the old Corey," Jackson said. He also added that the second-year wide receiver has come a long way since his rookie camp.  

"He's telling other guys how to get lined up," Jackson said. "A year ago, he couldn't do that. I think it was spinning for him a year ago. It's tough. Think of a rookie player coming into a new environment; learning a new language, new coaches, the National Football League, playing against the best of the best, your draft status, having to compete at a high level, play in and play out, and having to be at your best all of the time. That's hard. That's hard for anybody. But that's what he has to do, and he gets it. I think he's  taking on that challenge and he's ready to go."

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