Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Up to Coach's Challenge?
Cleveland Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver is relentlessly positive and enthusiastic about his players, so it stood out when he challenged Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah to use this six-week break before the start of training camp to gain strength. Cue the montage because there's every reason to believe Tarver said this, knowing JOK had already committed to take up the gauntlet laid out in front of him.
Tarver, now in his fourth season, has been one of the better position coaches for the Browns since his arrival and the only defensive position coach who will serve both under Joe Woods and now Jim Schwartz. Often given the least to work with in terms of investment, he's tasked with getting the most out of it and making it work. Even with a group that suffered half a dozen season-ending injuries, the linebackers put on the field found a way to make contributions.
Tarver is an excitable coach that is passionate about his guys like a parent bragging about their children. And while that could lead to oversharing, Tarver isn't going to put a player on blast, especially in June.
The challenge Tarver issued isn't anything he hasn't already said to JOK.
"He needs to continue developing his body, especially in this little off-time. He's got a nice window right now that if he takes care of business, he can get his body to play, game zero, the extra preseason game then however many of those we get. Then 17+, because that's the goal, right? That's the goal, so that's his challenge now to be productive pro and know the scheme so well that he gets to stay on the field."
Further, it would be surprising if the third-year linebacker hadn't already accepted the challenge before Tarver spoke to the media. This all seems like a hurdle that has been set up that Tarver knows JOK is going to clear, building his confidence ahead of what could be a breakout season in this new scheme with a more credible defensive line in front of him.
JOK finished the season on injured reserve due to a foot injury, missing the last four games of the season. He didn't need surgery and was up and running, able to participate in OTAs, which is a good sign, but he lost some time to strength train without limitations. Fully healthy, this six-week period was something JOK and Tarver likely both identified as a crucial time for him to close that gap to get ready for the season.
This sets up the media to focus on JOK at the start of training camp with a press availability where he will get to talk about his training and his mindset for this season. JOK is a pivotal player at a position that has taken a backseat this offseason. Part of that because so many of them suffered injuries, though it was both a good sign and a relief that Anthony Walker Jr. re-signed for a third season with the Browns.
The big moves made this offseason were happening at other positions on defense. The Browns signed Dalvin Tomlinson, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and traded for Za'Darius Smith on the defensive line, drafting two others. They signed Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod at safety. Linebacker stood pat, believing in what they already had.
Tarver believes JOK is ready to take another step towards being a great player and is presenting him an opportunity to get some recognition for it.
The comments about JOK also presented Tarver with an opportunity to explain how he wants his linebackers to train. Seemingly every press conference where linebackers come up includes questions regarding size, that the Browns don't have enough of it, but that's not really how the NFL works.
"Stronger. Just stronger. Just continue his progression. So it's be as big as you can and as fast as you can. It's what Jacob (Phillips)'s done. He's big and he's fast. We'll see them. If they too big and they look slow. Jeremiah? He's fast. So he just needs to get really strong so he can explode through blockers and those things that he does really well. He will hit you, but it's the strength to be able to do it play in and play out."
Just like with Denzel Ward, the goal with the linebackers and specifically JOK to maximize what they have. The Browns didn't draft JOK to change him into something he isn't and Jim Schwartz has no interest in trying to make him become someone else. No one is voluntarily giving up speed, because it's a huge reason they're at this level in the first place.
And like Denzel Ward, the goal for Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is to gain strength for the sake of improving his constitution, staying healthy over a long season. It's something to keep an eye on when Browns players arrive at the Greenbrier to start training camp.
