News & Notes: Hjalte Froholdt excited about 'great opportunity' in first NFL start (2023)

Hjalte Froholdt got the Browns on the right side of the offense against the Patriots last week.

When Pro Bowl RG Wyatt Teller left the game with a calf injury in the second quarter, Froholt came up and had his best rushing break since 2020. Pro Football Focus has a 71.2 run rating and a 69.6 overall run rate.

The performance was good enough for Froholdt to start Week 7 in Baltimore -- the first of his career.Teller to miss game with calf injury, so Froholdt is still properly monitored.

"It was a great opportunity for me to start for the first time," he said. "I've been surrounded by some great players and Wyatt has been helping me all week, including at parties. He's been giving me treats and stuff, so yeah, I feel good about going out there and playing."

Froholdt, originally a fourth-round pick by the Patriots in 2019, has appeared in 20 career games and, after joining the Browns in 2021, has mostly played as a special-teams blocker. He also snapped at the goal line as a linebacker for the Browns in a Week 3 win over the Steelers and has been an extra offensive block for the Browns this season.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski has seen Froholdt grow with the team, both as a player on the active roster and as a member of the show squad.

"I think it's a huge benefit to have him on the floor and to have a lot of time in the room and get a general idea of ​​what we're doing," Stefanski said. "I think he's also improved technically, just because he's working on it. "

The last time Froholdt had more than five snaps in a game in Week 7 of 2020 was before Sunday. He credits the talent around him -- including four-time Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio and 2020 All-Pro Jack Conklin -- for helping him focus on the right fixes. Immediately felt comfortable playing last week.

"Everyone said, 'Calm down, you're fine,'" Froholdt said. "Stick to the basics. Jack next to me, and of course the support of me next to (center Isan Posic) and Joel and Jed (Wills Jr.)."

Froholdt still has big shoes to fill Teller, especially in filling the rushing hole of Nick Chubb, who leads the NFL with 649 rushing yards. The Browns put a lot of emphasis on the pull block, which is when linebackers break through their stance and run down the field to attack opposing tackles.

Froholdt said he was up to repeating these tasks.

"They set the bar very, very high," he said. "I just want to do my best to get there. We practice every day, and (offensive line coach Bill) Callahan is with us every day, getting the technique right and changing it if it's not right. I'm confident going in there .

Garrett optimistic about Joker

The Browns listed Pro Bowl rusher Jadeveon Clowney as doubtful for Sunday's ankle injury, and Myles Garrett sounded optimistic that Clowney could play after watching him practice the past two days.

When asked about his shoulder injury, Garrett brought up the Joker, which came after his car accident in September and got worse after going off the field for the second time last week against the Patriots.

"I feel good enough to play," he said. "I know JD.com is too, so we're all looking forward to going out there and making a difference."

The Browns hope that both Garrett and Clowney can be used to contain Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, an elusive Pro Bowl QB who could be more prone to fumbles if the Browns' rim-rushing duo can add to their usual pressure.

Garrett believed the Joker would be with him.

"He looked good to me, especially today," Garrett said. "He was happy, smiling, bouncing around, dancing. It was the best move I've seen him in weeks."

Trust Delbit

Third-year safety Grant Delpit struggled in some big games for the Patriots last week, but he got a vote of confidence from his teammates and the head coach this week.

"He called me right after the game and said it was probably the worst game he'd ever played," John Johnson III said. "I said 'bro, you hit a lot in that game' and the guys that left him moved on and kept going. But it was a season and a game of ups and downs, but he still always hit a lot In the game. You just have to bury it and move on, he's a good player so I know he will."

Stefanski echoed those sentiments on Friday, saying his confidence in Delpit stemmed from seeing him perform better in games and practices.

"I think it's natural for all players and young players," Stefanski said. "You just have to keep fighting and understand that you have to give it your all, and it's really just about focusing on the work, focusing on the workweek, and then going out on Sunday and performing."