PHILADELPHIA — The Browns held the first of two joint practices against the Eagles on Wednesday.
Here are my takeaways from Day 1 of joint practice in Philadelphia, which was hot, physical, and saw both teams playing extremely hard.
1. Pre-snap movement a priority
The Browns consistently used pre-snap motion to create mismatches and force defensive adjustments. This included orbit motion, jet motion, and shifting players like Harold Fannin Jr., Jerry Jeudy, and Gage Larvadain into different alignments.
The pre-snap motion also helped create a clear picture for the quarterback, allowing them to read coverage and anticipate defensive adjustments before the snap.
In the red zone, they motioned into empty sets, used fullback shifts in power looks, and even ran orbit to deep over combinations. The goal was to stress the Eagles’ coverage rules and open throwing windows, a theme carried from the first team session through the final 11-on-11 period.
2. Breakdown of QB play
Joe Flacco — Looked sharp in the red zone and intermediate work. He threw an 18-yard-deep comeback to Jeudy across the field with excellent anticipation, hit Diontae Johnson for a touchdown on a crossing route under pressure, and executed quick game concepts with precision. His ability to maintain his mechanics with his lower body, regardless of pressure, continues to elevate him past the other QBs. While he missed high on a couple of speed outs, he played fairly efficiently.
Dillon Gabriel – Mixed day. Displayed high level anticipation on a dropped pass to Jamari Thrash and threw a perfect arrow route TD to Ahmani Marshall. Struggled with accuracy on routine throws: overthrows on speed outs, short on a deep over, and faced heavy pressure leading to sacks. His success continues to be directly correlated to his balance, weight transfer, and ability to throw from multiple launch points, which he used effectively throughout practice.
Shedeur Sanders – Did not practice today due to an oblique injury, limiting his reps in team periods and 7-on-7 work.
3. Defensive line dominance
Both defensive fronts controlled much of the action. For the Eagles, Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter consistently won the A and B gaps, anchoring in their gaps to prevent any space to run the football, stalling inside zone and duo runs.
On the Browns’ side, Myles Garrett repeatedly set the edge, using his speed rush with elite bend to pressure the quarterback, while Mason Graham used his hands to swipe and control offensive guards, creating multiple pressures in team periods. Alex Wright also collapsed the pocket effectively. Edge setting and interior push from both teams forced QBs into quick decisions and limited explosive runs.
4. Secondary’s skills
The Browns’ defensive backs repeatedly demonstrated patience and technique, using “late hands” to disrupt catches without drawing penalties. They have elite ball skills when the pass arrives to the receiver, consistently doing a great job of splitting the hands of the receiver and getting the football out.
Denzel Ward broke up a well-thrown ball to DeVonta Smith by timing his reach perfectly. Tony Brown used the same skill to contest a deep ball to the Eagles’ Johnny Wilson. Footwork stayed disciplined in one-on-ones, with corners staying in phase and playing through the receiver’s hands at the last moment which showed up throughout practice.
Players of the Day
Jeudy and Diontae Johnson earned the distinction for their consistency, route running, and play-making ability throughout practice.
Jeudy displayed precise footwork, sharp cuts, and excellent timing on deep comebacks and intermediate dig routes, making several difficult catches look routine.
Johnson showed strong hands, quick adjustments on option routes, and reliable catches in traffic. He does a great job of selling every route as a vertical while getting close to the defensive back, which forces the DB to retreat hard and opens routes underneath.
Both receivers excel at leaning into their defenders to create space, especially on in breaking routes, which helps them maintain separation and gain extra yards after the catch. Their short-area burst and quick feet allow them to win at the top of routes and change direction without losing speed. They also made key plays in red zone scenarios, turning intermediate passes into touchdowns.
Their performance stood out not only for production but also for technique and consistency, giving the quarterbacks dependable options and helping to maintain rhythm throughout practice.
Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history.
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