Cleveland Browns: 5 surprises from 2nd episode of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’

5. Nassib isn’t the Browns’ smartest player

Carl Nassib was the obvious star of episode No. 1 for his expletive-laiden rant explaining to teammates how to invest their money.

Nassau’s point then was using your money to make money through compound interest.

Lineman Anthony Fabiano took Nassib to task, letting the Penn State product know that even hedge funds fail to get a 10 percent return.

Fabiano, by the way, went to Harvard.

Nassib replied:

"“It’s called the Rule of Seven!” Nassib said. “If you get 10 percent on your returns, you double it every seven years. Fight Tony Robbins about it—he’s my hero.”"

Fabiano made the point that the economy has to be booming for what Nassib said in episode 1 to be used as financial planning advice in present time.

OK, back to football.

1. The other big highlight of the show was Baker Mayfield’s on-field debut in a Cleveland Browns uniform.

Lots of credit is given to Antonio Callaway for making that terrific sideline catch in the preseason opener, but Baker Mayfield is not being given enough credit for the throw.

Hue Jackson saw it though.

He commented to Haley on how excellent the throw was with Mayfield rolling to his right and then throwing a laser where only Callaway could catch it.

This is kind of stuff NFL Films can offer that we can’t get from watching at home. We’re all going crazy over Callaway keeping his toes in bounds, but he doesn’t even put himself in a position to do that if Mayfield doesn’t put it on the money.

Everyone’s going to want Mayfield to play earlier than he should, and it’s understandable why.

Mayfield said, “This is fun!” during one of the huddles and then he goes out and plays with the same gunslinger style as Brett Favre.

But there’s no harm in bringing him along slowly and I’m still on board with the Browns’ plan to start Tyrod Taylor. Mayfield’s time will come.

2. Todd Haley went to Jarvis Landry during the first preseason game and asked him to take Callaway under his wing.

"“Hey, you need to  take that kid on. I don’t care if he’s [expletive] living at your house,”  Haley said.  “We can’t have him [expletive] up. Can you do that?”"

Landry, replied “Yes,” so we’ll see.

3. Stop trying to make something of Todd Haley calling out Hue Jackson’s decision to rest players as the Browns try to change the culture of losing.

Haley and Hue appear to get along just fine.

Be happy that Haley isn’t just a yes man and he’s willing to say something when he disagrees. Additionally, give Jackson credit for letting his assistants do this.

4. John Dorsey seemed to go out of his way when making the case for adding Dez Bryant.

Senior strategist Andrew Healy had Bryant on his list “toward the bottom” of available free agents, but it doesn’t seem he’d be Healy’s top choice.

Healy tried to begin the argument that Bryant’s 30, suggesting his best days were behind him.

Dorsey interrupted to say that Bryant’s 29, to which Healy countered the former Pro Bowler is 29 years and seven months.

Dorsey seemed quick to defend Bryant…something to watch in the future.

5. Gregg Williams got sent three boxes of throat lozenges after losing his voice during episode No. 1.

A player slyly asked coach if he needed a lozenge, to which the defensive coordinator replied, “I”ve got your lozenge, [expletive].”