As a senior in high school in the Fall of 1986, I certainly remember a lot of excitement about the Cleveland Browns here in Northeast Ohio.
The Browns had just completed an 8-8 season and almost beat the Miami Dolphins on January 4, 1986 in the Divisional playoffs as they had taken a 21-3 lead in the third quarter.
In that game, Miami got an early 3-0 lead, but the Browns came back with a touchdown pass from Bernie Kosar to Ozzie Newsome in the first quarter.
Then, the Browns got two second quarter touchdown runs from Earnest Byner and went up 21-3.
But Miami would come back to win the game 24-21 as they would get a touchdown pass from Dan Marino to Nat Moore and two touchdown runs from Ron Davenport.
The following year, the Browns began a string of getting to the AFC Championship Game three out of the next four years.
Similar to the Cleveland Cavaliers who had to face Michael Jordan in the playoffs in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Browns had to face legendary Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway and the Denver Broncos.
Unfortunately, the Browns lost all three championship games to Denver and the first two are even remembered with one word titles, the “Drive”, and the “Fumble”.
Fast forward 33 and a half years and Northeast Ohio fans are optimistic about the Browns chances for success this year as the 2023 training camp begins.
On Saturday, the Cleveland Browns began the first of eight practices at Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia as they prepare for their first pre-season game against the New York Jets on Thursday, August 3rd at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Coach Stefanski on Taking Browns to Greenbrier Resort to Start Training Camp
After today’s first practice, Cleveland Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski addressed the media.
Stefanski began by emphasizing how excited he was to start training camp.
“We’re really excited to be down here and start our camp,” Stefanski said. “That’s the fun part of this, as everybody knows, is the start of this season – and for us, having everybody down here under one roof get some really, really good work done in a different setting while we’re down here for eight nights, then we’ll head back up and see our fans on August 1.”
Stefanski also said that going away to Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia for the start of training camp could be helpful since it hopefully will facilitate communication and bonding by having team members spend time together.
“I really think just being on a bus together, you’re building your team, being on the airplane, being around each other,” said Stefanski. “I think what this allows us to do, obviously, is we’re landlocked here. We’re in the middle of nowhere by design, so it forces you just to be around your teammates.”
Stefanski, later in the press conference, expanded on his thoughts about bringing the Browns to West Virginia for the start of the pre-season.
“I think for us, with camp being extended, getting to play in the Hall of Fame game, it just made sense to try to get away,” Stefanski said. “This is a place that has housed teams before. I think maybe if they hadn’t housed teams before, we probably wouldn’t be the first team. But knowing that they’ve been here, having coaches on our staff that have been here and really could speak to this place and how first class it is, I think that was really helpful in us in determining this was a spot that we wanted to come.”
As Stefanski mentioned, other NFL teams such as the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans and the San Francisco 49’ers have held their training camps and practices at Greenbrier Resort.
In fact, New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichik has previously stated, “It’s always great to be back at the Greenbrier. It’s a great environment. I love it here.”
Browns Players Talk about Starting Training Camp in West Virginia
In addition to Stefanski talking about going to West Virginia for training camp, Cleveland Browns players were also asked about leaving Cleveland for training camp.
Browns cornerback Denzel Ward said that he enjoyed going away for the start of training camp.
“I like it,” Ward said. “I like it, get away, focus on the guys and the team and just build that camaraderie. Build the team up out here. I’m definitely looking forward to it and I’ve been enjoying it already.” Browns receiver Amari Cooper added, “Just an opportunity to get away and focus on football. It’s training camp, like the old days. We’re looking forward to it. Looking forward to having a lot of fun.”
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