'Brought along the right way': Pitch count prepared new Browns center Nick Harris
BEREA — When Nick Harris reported to training camp, the Browns new center looked noticeably bigger to the four-time Pro Bowler he will line up alongside.
But left guard Joel Bitonio said some things haven’t changed about Harris since he was drafted in the fifth round out of the University of Washington in 2020.
“He's always been quick, he's always been athletic, getting to that second level, really good in that outside zone system,” Bitonio said Thursday.
In March, the Browns released their starter for the past five seasons, JC Tretter, 31, in a salary cap move and handed the job to Harris. Harris has started only two of 23 career games, but the Browns front office has seen plenty of him because injuries limited Tretter's practice time.
“JC was really on a pitch count, and we were being careful with JC’s knees throughout his career,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “With Nick … there were a ton of reps that we got with him.”
Stefanski said Harris also learned from veterans such as Tretter, Bitonio, right tackle Jack Conklin and right guard Wyatt Teller, along with offensive line coach Bill Callahan, in his 24th year in the NFL.
“I think he has been brought along the right way,” Stefanski said of Harris. “Then to his credit, he has done everything we have asked him to do. He is another guy who has worked very, very hard in this building to transform his body. I am excited about Nick.”
Harris made a good impression when Tretter tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Christmas Day game in Green Bay and Harris took over in the 24-22 loss.
“We were watching some film from two years ago, a couple of the install plays, and it was Nick Harris at center in training camp,” Bitonio said. “He's been there, he's done a lot, I know he's worked his butt off this offseason trying to keep adding good weight and good muscle.
“Mentally and stuff, obviously JC was very experienced and had seen pretty much anything you can throw at him, but Nick's working his way there. We're looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Speedy receiver injured: Cleveland Browns training camp Day 2: Anthony Schwartz pulls up with knee injury
Unfazed by long wait on suspension: Deshaun Watson? Jacoby Brissett? Amari Cooper isn't worrying about who will be Browns QB
Browns try to focus: 'We move as if he will be or won't be': Cleveland Browns blocking out Deshaun Watson uncertainty
Defense will step up: Rock 'em sack 'em robots?: Defense must carry Cleveland Browns if Deshaun Watson suspended
Bitonio said Harris gave a glimpse of how valuable he can be on screens against the Packers.
“He can move. We have screens that he needs to get down the field and I think it's a huge component,” Bitonio said. “As long as you can be big enough and strong enough to keep playing with that quickness, it's a huge advantage.”
Bitonio said he’s seen Harris drinking “thousand-calorie shakes” to add strength, and hopes he can maintain it during the heat of training camp.
“When you play Baltimore and you play Pittsburgh twice a year, they're going to have a nose guard that's like 350 in front of you at some point and you've got to be able to sit on that, you've got to be able to double team that guy,” Bitonio said of the challenge Harris faces. “He's really working to do that and continue to learn the nuances of the offense. At center, in coordination with the quarterback, there's a lot of communication that goes on, so he's continued to work on that.
“He's always had the athleticism, he's always had the drive, he's always worked hard, it's just continue to refine the little things.”
Cleveland Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. 'ready to take that leap'
Also in the spotlight is third-year left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr., who suffered an ankle injury in the 2021 season opener at Kansas City and battled it for much of the year.
Bitonio said he believes Wills, the 10th overall pick in 2020, can bounce back and will find no better tutor than three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett.
“I know he tried to dedicate himself, he worked with a couple different guys this offseason to just keep pushing himself,” Bitonio said of Wills. “Coach Callahan always has something up his sleeve that he’s studied and tries to put in and help us out. And he has the best edge rusher in the league to go against in training camp, so he’ll be able to test some of that stuff out.
“I think he’s ready to take that leap and it's an exciting time, first-round pick, third year, it’s a big step. Offensive and defensive linemen usually take a couple years to get set and I think the third year’s a year where he can see a big jump.”
Cornerbacks dissed: Are Browns' Greg Newsome II, Denzel Ward overlooked? Newsome thinks so and is motivated
Former Colts running back : Ex-NFL player, new bodybuilder Delone Carter finds job with STVM, voice for Jayland Walker
Moving on from Mayfield: Cleveland Browns camp Day 1: Now-departed Baker Mayfield out of sight, out of mind
Browns assistant heads to Finland: Cleveland Browns' Callie Brownson infuses U.S. Women's National Team with 'gold standard'
Bitonio understands why Wills was frustrated. He tried to battle through the ankle injury before he was forced to shut it down in Weeks 5-6. Wills also missed two games in December with COVID-19.
“Yeah, there was definitely some frustration, I think probably more to the injury and then you can’t perform to your level, especially at an athletic position where you’re moving around,” Bitonio said of Wills. “Stuff like ankles is not fun when you’ve got to play like that.”
Cleveland Browns right tackle Jack Conklin 'shooting for Week 1'
The Browns also eagerly await the return of All-Pro right tackle Conklin, who ruptured his patellar tendon Nov. 28 at Baltimore. It was his first game back after suffering a dislocated left elbow.
“I know that’s a brutal injury and from all the things I've heard and seen he’s worked his tail off to get back,” Bitonio said of Conklin. “I know he pushes himself in the weight room and in the rehab room.”
On Wednesday, Stefanski said Conklin “lived here all spring and all summer” and joked that “he may have had a cot set up somewhere in the building.”
“I know he took a couple little trips, but most the time I think he’s been in Berea,” Bitonio said. “I know he’s shooting for Week 1 and trying to be ready to go and help the team.”
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns eager for starting debut of center Nick Harris
