AFC Notes: Browns, Kareem Hunt, Ravens, Titans

Browns

Browns RB Kareem Hunt said heโ€™s fully recovered from the calf and ankle injuries he dealt with last season.

โ€œIโ€™m good, Iโ€™m 100 percent, I have some time to heal this offseason and get back to it,โ€ said Hunt, via Scott Petrak of BrownsZone. โ€œSo the body is feeling good, nothingโ€™s bothering me.โ€

Hunt, who is entering the last year of his contract, is hopeful to earn an extension. 

โ€œI hope I get paid,โ€ Hunt said. โ€œSo you know, whatever they decide, they know Iโ€™m going to come out there and give it my all and Iโ€™ll do whatever I can to help the team win.โ€

As for Deshaun Watsonโ€˜s potential suspension for violating the leagueโ€™s personal conduct policy, Hunt said the team will use a โ€œnext-man-up mentalityโ€ and theyโ€™ll be ready to play. 

โ€œIf he misses it, itโ€™s a next-man-up mentality,โ€ Hunt said. โ€œIโ€™m going to be ready to play, and I know the rest of the team is still going to be ready to play. We didnโ€™t have Deshaun last year or the years before.โ€

Ravens

  • The Athleticโ€™s Jeff Zrebiec notes Ravens WR James Proche was one of the most consistent performers during OTAs and he wouldnโ€™t be surprised if he emerged as someone QB Lamar Jackson likes to lean on for third downs as a tough, reliable target with good hands. 
  • Zrebiec also still expects the team to sign a veteran at some point. The Ravens could also monitor other teams for cut or trade candidates, like Giants WR Darius Slayton or Jets WR Denzel Mims
  • PFFโ€™s Doug Kyed says the Ravens were identified by one source as an attractive landing spot for a veteran wide receiver. Some notable free agents still available include Julio Jones, Will Fuller, T.Y. Hilton, Cole Beasley, and Odell Beckham Jr.

Titans

Titansโ€™ fifth-round WR Kyle Philips said heโ€™s excited to play alongside veteran WR Robert Woods after spending a lot of time studying Woods while he was with the Rams. 

โ€œKind of crazy, huh?โ€ Philips said, via Jim Wyatt of the teamโ€™s official site. โ€œJust growing up watching him play, and he was with the Rams with one of my good buddies (Terrell Burgess). โ€ฆ Now I am out here watching him, and learning from him. Itโ€™s kind of crazy, really, but itโ€™s really cool.โ€

Philips feels underestimated due to his size but is eager to prove himself as a receiver, route runner, and blocker. 

โ€œI know I have to prove I can win at the receiver position, whether that is blocking, winning at routes, contested balls,โ€ Philips said. โ€œI just have to consistently win. I think most people underestimate me a little bit because of my size in regards to blocking. โ€ฆ I just try to do what I do, and just play ball.โ€

Titans QB Ryan Tannehill praised Philipsโ€™ ability as a route runner and pointed out that heโ€™s been able to make some plays in their offseason program. 

โ€œKyleโ€™s definitely a great route runner,โ€ Tannehill said. โ€œHeโ€™s got some quickness, some agility, (and Iโ€™m) getting to learn his craft as he learns our offense and sees where he fits in. But definitely, heโ€™s flashed for me a few times and (Iโ€™ve) seen some good things. So, Iโ€™ll definitely keep the pressure on him as he learns what weโ€™re doing, and I think if he does that, heโ€™ll continue to make plays.โ€

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