Cleveland Browns Training Camp Week One Recap: Surprising Players

Training Camp audiences have been known to be highly critical of their players even though it is just practice.

On Saturday, Aug. 1, the Browns held their first training camp practice that was open to the public.

There were almost 3,000 fans in attendance.

There were fans yelling out to the defensive coaches, “We want to win against Pittsburgh," with replies from the coaches, “We want to win them all!”

Also, in Saturday's first practice, there was a single word that was consistently being whispered throughout the crowd, and that word was "organized."

All of the practices have been just that: very organized.

It is really hard to tell what players are up and coming and which may not make the final roster because there is no real tackling at all.

There are a few players that need to be highlighted because of their surprising performances on the field after one week of practices.

Rookie RB James Davis 

Davis has shown why he was such a great player at Clemson his sophomore and junior years.

Explosive speed through the holes, combined with the ability to power his way past arm tackles and some nifty moves that made Browns defenders miss tackles have put Davis on the radar.

He has made the crowds gasp many times in camp already with his polished running technique, and seems to record a 25+ yard play during each practice session.

Wide Receiver Lance Leggett

Leggett has shown the ability to consistently go up to get the ball and come down with it in his possession, no matter how tight the defensive coverage has been.

Blessed with great size at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, Leggett has also shown great body control and concentration while on the field.

His 80+ yard touchdown bomb from Brady Quinn had the crowd in a frenzy on Monday morning.

Linebacker Alex Hall 

Over the last four to five practices, Hall has become a force in the pass rush. He is constantly getting to the pocket to either flush the quarterback out or to just cause added pressure.

In Friday morning's practice, Hall recorded three sacks during scrimmages and drills.

Wide Receiver Paul Hubbard 

Hubbard has stepped up his game since Monday and has been able to haul down pass after pass. His breaks and moves have given him the chance to get open out of tight man-to-man coverage.

It will be tough to make the final roster at receiver with so many other receivers trying to make the team, too, but if Hubbard can keep up his performance, then there might be a spot waiting for him come September.

Rookie Linebacker David Veikune 

When the Browns drafted Veikune in the second round of the NFL Draft, many experts were confused as to why Mangini decided to draft him so high. So far in camp he has shown why Mangini had to have him in the second round.

Initially thought to play as an outside linebacker, Veikune has been spending most of his time as a inside linebacker with the second-team defensive unit. He was advertised as having a strong motor and loves to make contact.

In practice, not only has Veikune been near or part of almost every play that comes his way, but he has also shown the ability to get pressure on the quarterback, and he has recorded a few sacks along the way.

Cornerback Rod Hood 

Many believe that Mangini brought in Hood because he may not be comfortable with both Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright.

So far Wright has been very strong in man-to-man coverage and McDonald has had his good moments too, but Hood has been excellent in his tight coverage and has a couple picks, one of which went for a score.

Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley 

Even though he is not really a surprising player, what has surprised is where Wimbley has been lining up all over the field on defense and offense: from tight end to outside linebacker and inside linebacker to defensive end.

Mangini has been outspoken regarding Wimbley playing many different positions, but who would have though on offense, too. Just think of the role New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel played while with them.

Vrabel was a very successful situational linebacker and did play some tight end, too, during goal line packages. He even caught a few touchdown passes. The same might be in Wimbley's future.

Overall, these individual players have looked superb on the field, but on gameday it is a whole different story. Hopefully, the guys can continue their success when the first game of the preseason rolls around on Aug. 15.

Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source