Browns cornerback triggers brouhaha

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Tony Dejak / The Associated Press Archives Browns� Joe Haden is facing possible suspension by the NFL for reportedly failing a drug test. (CP)

BEREA, Ohio -- Joe Haden's day at training camp -- and a stormy one for the Browns -- ended before any of his teammates were finished.

Arguably Cleveland's best defensive player, Haden was kicked off the practice field Wednesday by coach Pat Shurmur, who felt the third-year cornerback was being too physical with rookie wide receiver Travis Benjamin during a passing drill on the final day of workouts open to fans.

Haden was ordered to leave roughly an hour into the practice by Shurmur, who declined to provide details of the incident during his news conference.

"I'm not going to talk about it," Shurmur chirped. "That's between me and the player. I have a great deal of respect for Joe. If you want details, you're going to have to find it on Twitter. My only apology is that I used bad language and the fans were here to see it. Joe's a great competitor and I appreciate what he does and who he is and that's the last you'll hear me talk about it."

Shurmur didn't even let a reporter finish a follow-up question.

"Don't ask," he snapped. "Don't ask. You have to go somewhere else to find out."

During seven-on-seven drills, Benjamin caught a touchdown pass in the back of the end zone when he was taken down by Haden, who unsuccessfully tried to strip the ball and then yanked on the back of Benjamin's jersey. After being ejected by Shurmur, Haden removed his helmet and shoulder pads and quickly headed into the locker-room.

Team president Mike Holmgren was watching practice when Haden was excused.

The Browns denied interview requests for Haden, who was back on the field for the afternoon walkthrough.

After that session, Shurmur said he and Haden had cleared the air.

"Joe and I talked and everything's fine," Shurmur said. "It's a dead issue."

Shurmur's annoyance with Haden could be understandable given the rash of injuries that have plagued the Browns since camp opened last month.

Benjamin recently missed time with an undisclosed injury, and 13 players, including rookie running back Trent Richardson, sat out Wednesday's workout. Richardson recently underwent knee surgery. On Monday, running back Chris Ogbonnaya sustained a leg injury when he got tangled at the end of a play.

Shurmur said player safety is his primary concern.

"It's important that we practise smart," he said. "You have to be able to practise at game speed, and you win and lose in practice. I think it's important that guys understand that. I want all of our guys to make it to the horse race."

Haden's on-field actions on Wednesday seemed out of character for the easygoing and popular 23-year-old, who was drafted by Cleveland with the seventh overall pick in 2010. Haden had six interceptions as a rookie but didn't have any last season, when he was plagued by several drops.

Haden, too, has been embroiled in controversy this summer. He's facing a possible four-game suspension by the NFL for reportedly failing a drug test.

Shurmur said the Browns have not heard from the league on Haden's situation, and that he couldn't comment on it even if they had.

Haden's early dismissal capped an eventful camp for both he and the Browns.

In the first few days, owner Randy Lerner announced he was selling the team to truck-stop magnate Jimmy Haslam III, who is buying the Browns for $1 billion. Richardson, the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft, underwent microscopic surgery on his left knee and has yet to play in an exhibition game.

Starting outside linebacker Chris Gocong sustained a season-ending injury, and there has been continuous speculation about the future of former starting quarterback Colt McCoy, who lost his job to rookie Brandon Weeden.

Those issues came on the heels of defensive tackle Phil Taylor tearing a chest muscle lifting weights (he's expected to miss at least six games) and linebacker Scott Fujita's three-game suspension from his involvement in the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal.

Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson acknowledged that end-of-camp emotions may have contributed to the incident between Shurmur and Haden.

"Both guys, I think they both realize after they settled down it was a little bit overboard," Jackson said. "But things happen and words were said, and once we get in the locker-room it'll be over with. It was a play where two guys were competing for the ball and one guy fell. We are trying to keep guys healthy and it starts with keeping guys up.

"It's Day 21 and guys have not gotten a lot of sleep and it's the dog days of camp."

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 23, 2012 C6