BEREA: Browns two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden doesn’t have a definitive timetable for his return to football, but he’s convinced his offseason ankle surgery won’t prevent him from missing any regular-season games this year.
“I think I’m going to be back definitely for sure not to miss any regular-season time,” Haden said Wednesday after the second practice of organized team activities, speaking to the local media for the first time since undergoing surgery on his left ankle March 16. “I don’t really know about training camp. That’s the goal, try to get back [for training camp, which starts in late July], but I just know for sure that my whole thing is I’m not missing any games.”
Browns head of football operations Sashi Brown said in March it was too early to know whether Haden would be ready for the Sept. 11 regular-season opener at the Philadelphia Eagles. Haden admitted the assessment “was a little upsetting” because he’s sure he’ll be back by Week 1.
Haden explained he suffered the injury Nov. 1 against the Arizona Cardinals, then aggravated it during an offseason workout. He missed 11-of-16 games last season because of two concussions and other injuries.
Haden conceded he’s never experienced this much adversity, but he’s staying positive.
“Being able to go through something like this, it definitely brings a newfound respect, a newfound love, passion,” said Haden, who graduated from a walking boot Tuesday. “I’m missing it.”
Haden spoke as if he has been energized by the arrival of coach Hue Jackson and the return of defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who helped him reach his first Pro Bowl in 2013.
“I think Coach Hue is the best thing that’s happened since I’ve been here,” Haden said. “So everything’s going in the right direction.”
And Jackson is pleased with Haden’s progress.
“He’s walking in a shoe now, so that boot’s gone,” Jackson said. “He’s not riding on that little trolley thing anymore. So I’m excited for him. He’s worked extremely hard. Joe can’t wait to get back out there with the guys, but I think he’s progressing well. There’s still no timetable. But I think he’s getting there and is going to be there hopefully sooner than what we all thought because the mind is something that’s special when a guy really wants to be out there and works extremely hard.”
More news and notes from the first practice of OTAs open to the media:
• The Browns haven’t named a starting quarterback, but Robert Griffin III is the favorite to secure the role. He’s approaching the competition with Josh McCown and rookie Cody Kessler as if it’s his job to lose.
“If they name you the starter, you’ve still got to go out there and work and beat out anybody that’s coming for your spot, so the way I look at it is it is my spot and I have go out and defend that,” said Griffin, who has consistently been taking the first-team snaps.
Meanwhile, Griffin insists he’ll do anything he can to help Kessler, a third-round pick.
“I tell him that if he needs any help, we’ll be there for him,” Griffin said.
• Quarterback-turned-wide receiver Terrelle Pryor has made some impressive plays and captured Jackson’s attention.
“He’s flashed the last several days,” Jackson said. “He really has. He’s settled down and understood this [switch to receiver] is really what I want to do, and I want to be good at it, and I’m athletic enough to do it. I think he’s growing every day and getting better every day.”
• Offensive lineman Alvin Bailey has been practicing as the first-team right tackle, and although he’ll receive plenty of competition for the job, Jackson gave the free-agent acquisition from Seattle a vote of confidence.
“He has a lot of the characteristics that we want in a tackle, and he’s done a good job thus far,” Jackson said. “ ... He’s a tough guy and wants to do well. So we’re going to give him an opportunity to see if he can do it.”
• Running backs Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson appeared in the media room together after practice and spoke about the Browns eschewing their position in the draft and Jackson saying “their talent is extreme” on the team’s radio show.
“That’s just a confidence booster,” Crowell said. “I feel like me and Duke both got what it takes to be a big threat on this level.”
• Kessler and wide receivers Corey Coleman and Ricardo Louis were absent from practice because they were headed to Los Angeles for the NFLPA Rookie Premiere, which runs Thursday through Saturday. The Browns will practice on Thursday, too, so Kessler, Coleman and Louis will end up missing two of this week’s three sessions.
• The following players worked out on the side of the field instead of practicing: Haden (ankle), wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, safety Don Jones, offensive linemen Erle Ladson (hamstring) and Shon Coleman (knee) and tight ends Randall Telfer (hamstring) and Seth DeValve. Left tackle Joe Thomas watched practice from the field. Rookie wide receiver Jordan Payton was absent because he’s still in school at UCLA.
• Rookie outside linebacker Joe Schobert made the play of the day. He tipped a pass from Griffin, intercepted it and bolted forward on a return.
• The Browns waived undrafted rookie kicker Brad Craddock and claimed undrafted rookie kicker Jaden Oberkrom off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Former Browns majority owner Randy Lerner generated headlines by selling English soccer team Aston Villa to the Recon Group of Chinese businessman Tony Jiantong Xia. According to Forbes, Lerner sold the club for $90 million and suffered a $400 million loss during his ownership.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.