BEREA, Ohio-- Tight end Jordan Cameron had a breakout season in 2013 with 80 receptions for 917 yards, including seven touchdowns, which culminated in a trip to his first Pro Bowl.
However, Cameron is not sitting on his accomplishments from last season.
"Yeah, I have a lot of work to do," Cameron said after practice. "I don't think I'm anywhere near where I could be. I'm still young in this game. I've been playing real football for about three and a half years now. It's a lot to learn and I'm willing to do it. It's exciting for me going forward, and I've got a lot to prove to myself."
Cameron(6-5, 249) will turn 26 on Aug. 7. With the possible suspension of Josh Gordon, there is a chance that Cameron could be the focal point of the passing game.
"That's what any guy wants," Cameron said. "If that could happen that would be great, but whatever[it takes] to make the team win, to make us better, that's all I really care(about) right now."
Cameron doesn't think he's going to sneak up on anyone this year.
"Yeah, last year I was kind of unproven," he said. "People didn't know if I could do it. There was a lot of doubt concerning if I could stay on the field, if I could make the plays, that the athleticism would meet the potential.
"This year, I have a lot more confidence knowing I could do it and make the plays and my teammates can rely on me," he said. "It's kind of a weight off my shoulders, not worrying. I was confident, but there was like 'Can I do this?' Now, it's pretty concrete that I can make things happen."
Mike Pettine said he envisions big things from Cameron in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's offense.
"Hopefully, it's a step forward from last year," Pettine said. "The tight end in the past has been a big part of Kyle's offense and we're excited to see that play out. He's been extremely coachable.
"He was one of our hardest working guys in the spring," Pettine said. "He worked very hard. He was on the jugs machine a lot. He's worked with coach Angelicho after practice. He's a guy that's committed to take that next step to be an elite tight end."
Cameron has been seen in a lot of different spots in practice and that trend is expected to continue. He's excited about the prospects of playing in this offense.
"Yeah, definitely," he said. "(Shanahan's) history with tight ends, you see that they get the ball and they're a big part of the offense.
"We'll see how it goes as the season progresses, the looks I'm going to get," he said. "Like I said, Kyle is a smart guy. He'll figure out ways to move me around or whatever it may be."
Pettine thinks Shanahan will keep opposing defenses guessing as to where Cameron will line up.
"I think Kyle does a good job in his offense of moving those guys around you see them in the backfield on either side flexed out we're still in the early stages of the playbook but will be more creative as we go along," Pettine said. "Also, there will be from a game plan standpoint. If we get a certain mismatch, we want to take advantage of it."
EXTRA POINTS
Battle of Orange: Pettine said he started a competition between the offense and defense with the winners getting to wear orange jerseys in Thursday's practice. The defense won the first battle.
"It was a competitive period where the offense had to gain 20 yards in a best of five," Pettine said. "The defense won 3 of 4 and the reward is orange practice jerseys that will go back and forth and the defense will wear them Thursday."
Moore: Newly acquired WR Marlon Moore practiced for the first time with the Browns. There have been reports that Moore will be suspended for the first game, but Pettine had no clarity on the subject.
"I don't want to speak on that I know there's something from the league but I don't feel comfortable in speaking about it."
Pettine was asked why they brought in Moore.
"We felt we had a need," Pettine said. "We were a little nicked up. We have some veteran guys. He's a guy that has played some quality minutes in the NFL. We have some older guys that we like to give some time off too and we have two guys coming off ACL surgery."
Moore is wearing No. 15.
Barnidge Back: The players are coming back slowly from the Active/non-football injury list. TE Gary Barnidge was back at practice after missing the first three days of training camp.
Barnidge caught 13 passes for 127 yards last season, including two touchdowns.
DL Phil Taylor, OL John Greco and DL Billy Winn are still on the Active/non-football injury list. Rookie WR Chandler Jones joined the trio on the side during practice Tuesday.
Ball Hawks: CB Justin Gilbert had an interception for the second-straight day. Also DB Tashaun Gipson intercepted a pass.
