As the Browns' offensive line ran through blocking drills during the first week of organized team activities, they heard a new voice calling out to them in practice.
Offensive line coach Andy Dickerson and assistant offensive line coach Roy Istvan led the drills for their linemen in attendance at OTAs. After joining the Browns' coaching staff in February, they completed their first official set of practices with their new group.
"Coach Andy (Dickerson), he's awesome," G Wyatt Teller said. "He's getting after us, making sure we're running, making sure that we're going to the right places and everything like that. I mean, that doesn't change from coach to coach. It's a little bit of a transition. It's different. But at the end of the day, he learned under Bill (Callahan). So, a lot of his techniques, a lot of his jargon is Bill's stuff."
One of Dickerson's early coaching jobs was with the New York Jets, where he served as a coaching assistant and defensive quality control coach from 2006-08. In 2008, Bill Callahan was hired as an assistant head coach and the offensive line coach, and the two spent the 2008 season together with the Jets. They also crossed paths again during the 2011 season, when Dickerson returned to the Jets as a coaching assistant.
Callahan is now serving as the offensive line coach for the Titans under his son, Bill Callahan, who is the head coach in Tennessee. Teller has received videos from friends of familiar drills they used to run in Cleveland under Callahan – such as ones that involved the heavy bag.
Now, Dickerson is with the Browns as the offensive line coach. Teller said they've watched film from Dickerson's time in Seattle when he served as the offensive line coach from 2022-23 to help understand Dickerson's style. Teller added that even with the initial transition of learning the nuances of a new position coach, the X's and O's of the game stay the same.
"Work's cut out for us," Teller said. "We know we're going to have to work, but we're excited. I think that coach is getting us in the right direction."
Check out the action from practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as the Browns go through organized team activities
The defense during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (83) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Tight end Giovanni Ricci (44) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Center Brian Allen (52) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Justin Hardee Sr. (28) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Bookie Watson (40) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Zak Zinter (70) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Javion Cohen (67) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (96) and Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji (74) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) and Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Justin Hardee Sr. (28) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Bookie Watson (40) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Center Brian Allen (52) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
The defense during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Tony Fields II (42) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
A helmet during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
The Linebackers during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Bookie Watson (40) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Caleb Johnson (48) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Defensive tackle Chris Williams (98) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka (61) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Bookie Watson (40) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Defensive tackle Jayden Peevy (50) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Guests from the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Board of Directors during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Tight end Giovanni Ricci (44) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Linebacker Winston Reid (59) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Guests from the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Board of Directors during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Kicker Cade York (36) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (83) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski with guests from the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Board of Directors during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
A helmet during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Cornerback Justin Hardee Sr. (28) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Guests from the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Board of Directors during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Guests from the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Board of Directors during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Guests from the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Board of Directors during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Not only are there new faces on the coaching side, but their offensive line also has a new addition in rookie T Zak Zinter – who went through rookie minicamp and his first week of OTAs with the Browns.
Zinter is returning from a season-ending leg injury in 2023. One of the first times he took the field since the injury was during rookie minicamp. Throughout the first week of OTAs, Zinter participated in the O-line drills alongside his new teammates and appeared comfortable in his workouts.
"Great kid," Teller said of Zinter. "My initial thoughts – works hard, coming off an injury, can't tell, which is good. Obviously, he has a little sock over it, but he's tough and I love that. I commend him on that. There's a lot to learn. When I got into the league, I was a fifth-round draft pick, so he's better than me. But he's a great kid and I know he's going to work hard."
Teller also commended Zinter on his openness to learning from the veterans in the room. When Zinter was drafted to the Browns, he understood the situation he was walking into behind Pro-Bowl G Joel Bitonio and Teller. While Zinter may not see an extended reps in his rookie season, he noted the opportunity in front of him to learn the nuances of the league from the veterans.
Yet, Teller also believes there is an opportunity for the veterans to also pick up tidbits from the young players as well.
"Zak (Zinter) being a young guy coming in, kind of learn from the older guys, but also, I could learn something from him," Teller said. "Now usually, I'll learn something like, 'Hey, why do you put your hands like that or that?' And he'll be like, 'Well, sometimes my hip gets open, and I'll go like that.' I'm like, 'Oh, that's a great idea.' You know what I mean? So, there's always stuff you can learn from each other."
Check out the action from practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as the Browns go through organized team activities
The defense during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (10) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
A helmet during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie (25) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Dyshawn Gales (49) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Safety Vincent Gray (31) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
A football during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Safety Chris Edmonds (41) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
A helmet during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Tony Brown (38) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
A helmet during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54)during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (62) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
A helmet during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) with Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Offensive tackle Hakeem Adeniji (74) with Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski with Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) with Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (10) with Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) with Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) with Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) with Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Stay in the Game Guests from Mansfield City Schools during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
The Browns will also have familiar faces returning to their offensive line for the 2024 season. They re-signed G Michael Dunn during free agency. Their three tackles who endured season-ending injuries in 2023 – Dawand Jones, Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin – continue to rehab. Jones participated in the non-contact practice of OTAs, while Wills worked off to the side on the field during the second day of OTAs. Conklin also continues to rehab from his season-ending knee injury.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said on May 22 that all three tackles are progressing well in their rehab but did not have a specific timetable for when all three would be ready to practice.
In the meantime, though, they are continuing with the second week of OTAs and their preparation for veteran minicamp, preseason and the 2024 season.
"This offense, it's going to be – just from the little glimpses, it's potent if we have the right people in the right places," Teller said. "So, I say this every single year, and I'll say it again, if we execute, we're going to be a really hard team to beat."
