‘Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cleveland Browns’ Episode 3 Superlatives

Best moment: Introduction to Moose 

There isn’t really a contest for best moment this week, as Moose (the team’s office dog) having an entire scene to himself was great. The chocolate lab basically lives a life that many dogs would be envious of with a huge office space and tons of people to entertain him throughout the day, and the highlight of the episode was probably the shot of him carrying his toy around while joyfully looking in all the rooms for someone to play with.

 

Worst moment: Seth DeValve refuses Devon Cajuste’s cookie

Last week’s episode MVP Devon Cajuste was a focal point again last night, and one of the moments came in the tight ends room when he brought his grandma’s famous inside-out Oreos for the guys. However, teammate (and perhaps direct competitor for a roster spot) Seth DeValve bluntly declined, and Cajuste continued to push for him to try it, but he wouldn’t even take a bite. DeValve should have simply told him “no thank you” and explain he didn’t want the cookie for nutritional reasons if that was the case. And if not, just take the cookie, man.

 

Funniest moment: Bob Wylie steals the show

Amateur magician and Cleveland offensive line coach Bob Wylie is certainly a character, and he was dropping gems throughout the episode. The funniest of which came at practice when the team was stretching and he went on a rant against it:

 

“World War I. World War II. All those guys that fought in that war. Right? They did push-ups, jumping jacks, sit-ups, climbed the rope, and ran. But none of this fancy s***. OK? Right? And they won two World Wars! Two World Wars by doing jumping jacks, push-ups, and sit-ups. Two World Wars. You think they were worried when they’re running across Normandy about f***ing stretching? Are you kidding me? … Well, let me see. Give me that rubber band so I can stretch and run across that f***ing beach. You gotta be kidding me.”

 

Also, the coaches helplessly watching as Josh Allen kept alluding pressure on his touchdown drive was pretty funny, and it would have been the underrated moment if not for…

 

Underrated moment: Josh Gordon’s return

As the Browns were preparing for their third preseason game at FirstEnergy Stadium, there was another HBO crew filming at a nearby airport where none other than Josh Gordon was getting his luggage as he was set to return to the team. While just a very brief moment, it felt like a big-time movie cameo or something with a true superstar talent ready to go. Overall, seeing Gordon was just a really cool moment, and hopefully “Flash” can contribute on the field and—more importantly—keep his life in order.

 

Best quote: Brad Paisley

“There’s some nut job that wants this… Probably me, actually.” – to Baker Mayfield about the quarterback RV being sold after the season

 

MVP: Dez Bryant

No, he didn’t sign with the Browns, but it seemed to me that Dez Bryant basically got the exposure he was seeking by appearing on Hard Knocks, and it sounds like Cleveland will sign him if his contract demands are lowered. Plus, Bryant somewhat surprisingly came off well by saying all the right things (almost, at least) and walking around the building as a friendly face to everyone from Hue Jackson to the team’s barber. But as a side note prior to Dez’s visit, how did John Dorsey think Jarvis Landry might have led the league in touchdowns since 2012? (He ranks 50th with 22 scores over the past six years.)