BEREA - It appeared as if the players were determined to put on a good show for new Browns owner James Haslam III Friday.
There were plenty of excellent plays in a practice that can be described as spirited. Quarterback Brandon Weeden excelled for a second straight day. Receiver Greg Little had his best day of camp, including a diving catch on the goal line in 7-on-7 drills.
Weeden was on the mark on most of his throws. He made a nice back-shoulder throw to receiver Owen Spencer on a fade route in the end zone. Later he hooked up with Mohamed Massaquoi on the same route.
Weeden's comfort level seems to be growing each day, which translates to a more confident player.
"The more you work with guys the better you get a feel for one another, and that's starting to show," Shurmur said. "He's not throwing the ball any better or worse. He's just getting used to the guys he's playing with."
Weeden is getting used to throwing to a tight end.
"I didn't have a tight end in college," he said. "When those tight ends get matched up on linebackers and safeties, the backers turn their backs and you're able to back shoulder them (tight ends) and throw it on their body. There were probably about 10 of them (Thursday). We're conscious about giving those guys a chance."
BUSINESS AS USUAL: The sale of the team to Haslam hasn't had much of an impact on the players.
"Honestly, guys are just out here this morning going to work and trying to go through another training-camp practice," kicker Phil Dawson said. "We'll kind of take it as it goes."
INJURY REPORT: Defensive tackle Scott Paxson was added to the injury list. Shurmur indicated that the injury is minor and that Paxson will return soon.
Safety Usama Young, defensive lineman Brian Schaefering and defensive end Frostee Rucker remained sidelined. Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin and tight end Evan Moore practiced for a second straight day but aren't allowed to participate in full-go team drills until Monday.
FEELING FINE: Inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson remained on the ground on both knees for several seconds after a run by rookie Trent Richardson. Jackson walked to the sideline under his own power and was able to continue practicing.
SHAPING UP: Shurmur hasn't hid the fact that his top three receivers are Little, Massaquoi and rookie Josh Gordon, who has been impressive since the start of camp. Rookie Travis Benjamin has received plenty of repetitions, but Joshua Cribbs has become a lost man on the third unit.
CAMPING OUT: Little's diving catch between two defenders drew the loudest response from a crowd of 3,175. Had it been a game, Little probably would have been hit hard Colt McCoy was off the mark more than once. He was picked off twice, including once by rookie Trevin Wade Jordan Norwood dropped a pass after breaking wide open at the goal line on a slant route Haslam and his wife Susan watched practice Normally a Family Day practice is conducted the second Saturday of camp at Browns Stadium, but it's been moved to Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m.
