St. Patrick’s Day Will Be No Fun for Those in Brown

BEREA, Ohio —  For most of the Cleveland Browns players, St. Patrick’s Day will signify more than the traditional wearing of green.

On March 17, the Browns’ rigorous off-season weight and conditioning program will begin. The sessions will be run by strength coach Dave Redding, whose dedication to the program is legendary among the players.

“Starting on St. Patrick’s Day, Dave becomes a tyrant,” said tight end Ozzie Newsome, a full-time participant in the program since its inception in 1982.

“It’s tough, and you sweat bullets. But after all, it’s your job to keep in shape for the upcoming season.”

Attendance at the sessions is not mandatory, but Coach Marty Schottenheimer says its is “highly recommended unless an individual player feels he has an equally excellent system of keeping fit.”

More than one player expressed dismay at the timing of the first day of work.

“I guess St. Patrick will have to wait,” said nose tackle Bob Golic, like Newsome a member of the Pro Bowl team.

Redding said the players have to “understand they’re not 21 years old anymore,” and added the exercises helped maintain flexibility.

“These guys are athletes, but not spring chickens,” he said. “We’ve devised a program that weightlifting and machine work along with ballet and a speed skating exercise that uses the whole muscular system.

“Some guys could do with special conditioning to build up their stamina.”

In particular, the Browns would like to see running back Curtis Dickey and wide receiver Clarence Weathers attend the workouts.

Dickey needs work on his pass-catching abilities, and said he would attend the workouts for “at least a month” after he returns from visiting family in Texas.

“I need to improve my hand-eye coordination,” he said. “The guys have told me Redding’s tough, but so is the NFL.”

Weathers admits he “just ran out of gas,” late in the season, and said he needed conditioning.

“I know this program is geared toward making you stronger,” he said. “I suffered shoulder and hamstring injuries this year and I need to get better.

“Also, the Browns are bound to draft some wide receivers. I’ll have a fight on my hands, and I’d better be ready.”