BEREA - Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden didn't have one of his better days of practice as the Browns finished their mandatory three-day minicamp Thursday.
Weeden underthrew Mohamed Massaquoi on a deep pass in which Massaquoi was double covered by Joe Haden and Eric Hagg. Weeden later threw a pass on a fade route in the red zone that was intercepted by linebacker James-Michael Johnson.
There were other times in the red zone when Weeden wasn't able to connect with receivers. He appeared to be forcing the ball into tight coverage areas, but coach Pat Shurmur disagreed.
"Because catch and run isn't a big deal in the red zone, it's the matter of the receivers and quarterbacks getting a feel for where it's going to be," Shurmur said. "But we don't want him taking sacks. There's a possibility of throwing it away. As we work through practice it's important he gets a feel for what the receivers are doing, and that's why he makes some of the throws."
FLIP SIDE: On the other side of the quarterback competition, Colt McCoy had a decent day. He avoided some of the poor decisions he made in previous practices. "He's doing fine," Shurmur said. "He's competing and making progress like the rest of the guys."
EATING BETTER: Second-year guard Jason Pinkston has a trimmer look. He's been taking advice on eating from offensive tackle Joe Thomas. "He's given me training advice on what to eat - supplements and things like that," Pinkston said. "I've changed a lot. I'd rather go with baked foods and a lot more vegetables." Pinkston weighed 315 to 318 pounds last season, when he was pressed into a starting role after Eric Steinbach had season-ending back surgery. He's now listed at 305. "I feel a lot stronger," he said.
IN THE MIX: Second-year tight end Jordan Cameron has added about 12 pounds of muscle. He could be in line for more playing time. "He's flashed out here in a way we didn't see him flash last year," Shurmur said. "Based on what he's done here in the offseason, he's positioning himself to make an impact for us."
MIXING IT UP: The start of Thursday's practice had an edge about it. It began when safety T.J. Ward stripped the ball from tight end Evan Moore. After Moore said something to Ward, Ward could be heard saying, "Stop crying." Shortly thereafter rookie defensive back Antwaun Reed made the mistake of tackling receiver Jermaine Saffold. Shurmur jumped on Reed, saying, "Don't do that!"
GOING CAMPING: Receiver Jordan Norwood made the catch of the day when he went to a back corner of the end zone to grab a pass from Weeden with one hand... There was an emphasis on fade routes in the red zone. Shurmur noted Wednesday that the offense struggled throwing fades last season Punter Reggie Hodges seems to be back on track after missing last season with a torn Achilles' tendon. Hodges struggled during a recent OTA practice, but he was consistently drilling long spirals Thursday Emanuel Davis picked off a pass by Seneca Wallace It was a rough day for running back Brandon Jackson, who dropped two passes. That's not what Shurmur wants to see from someone he expects to help the offense in the passing game.
