NFL Notes: Browns, Panthers, Steelers

Browns

Browns HC Hue Jackson said former second-round DE Emmanuel Ogbah is someone that has stood out during offseason practices and mentioned that the switch to a 4-3 base defense could be part of it.

“We saw a little bit of that. I know we were a 3-4 team, but he played as an end for us last year. I don’t think that is a huge transition for him,” Jackson said, via ClevelandBrowns.com. “He has done a good job. He is working hard, he is understanding what we are expecting from him at that position and he has done well thus far.”

Ogbah admitted that being back out on the edge is where he’s really most comfortable.

“That has been my bread and butter since high school and college. I am excited with the defense,” Ogbah said. “I was inside in the 3-4. Now, I am outside. I am just excited that now I am in a position that I am comfortable in and used to.”

Panthers

• Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer writes Panthers TE Greg Olsen‘s desire for a new contract “is not a media creation” and he’s looking to be compensated for his high level of play.
• Person believes Olsen “could make things uncomfortable” by threating to hold out of training camp, but he ultimately doesn’t think it will come to this.
• Previous reports have said that Olsen could hold out of training camp for a new contract that pays him like one of the top tight ends in the NFL. (NFLTR)

Steelers

Steelers OC Todd Haley mentioned that they’re expecting “a great deal of improvement” from their tight ends Jesse James and Xavier Grimble in 2017.

“Jesse will be a year better with lot of playing time last year. Xavier, same thing,” Haley said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “He’s a guy who wasn’t even sure he was going to make the team going into last year, made it and then contributed for us. 

“They are young guys. Until you see them through that full third year, I think it should be expected there will be a great deal of improvement.”