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The Cleveland Browns top pick from the 2026 NFL draft has impressed since day one with his new team. Former Utah Utes standout Spencer Fano has been as advertised in the early days of his NFL career.
Fano is not the only player to get rave reviews since joining the team this offseason. Jared Verse, the signature piece of the Myles Garrett trade, has also impressed early. On Saturday, Fano and Verse went at each other in a quick dust-up during practice.
The fight came as somewhat of a surprise. Only a few days earlier, Verse was seen spending time working with Fano after practice on footwork and various counters. The post-practice work was universally received as unconditionally positive.
It led to various online comments that suggested that Cleveland got exactly the offensive tackle they needed, while Verse’s coaching and vocal leadership were something that was missing from Myles Garrett’s time in Cleveland.
Following the Verse-Fano post practice session, Browns head coach Todd Monken was asked about the extra work two of his younger players were engaged in.
“It’s really cool. I walked up to Jared after that and said, Man, we’re so lucky you’re a Brown,” Monken said. “How cool is this? He’s not only a great leader, he works his rear end off every day. After practice, he’s trying to get Spencer better. I stood right behind it. It’s like five reps in a row of footwork. Within five reps, I saw it. I saw Spencer get better. And it was awesome.”
While the coaching session was a welcomed and appreciated interaction between Fano and Verse, the tone would take a decided turn on Saturday. The jury is still out on who started the fight. During the rep in question, Verse seemed to have a hold on Fano and wouldn’t let go. Verse attempted to pull Fano to the right. Fano countered by an alligator-like ‘death roll’ taking Verse to the ground.
Browns teammates in the rep all pounced to separate the two. While the combatants were covered by those teammates rather quickly, their body language shifted almost immediately. Creating the assumption that the fight was over almost as soon as the two players hit the ground.
Later in that same practice, Fano could be seen taunting Verse after he jumped the snap count almost a full two seconds early. As Verse went back behind the line, multiple Browns offensive linemen could be seen celebrating. No one is more animated than Fano.
The fallout from this fracas was minimal, with no injuries reported. Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com recently added some context to the fight. This was the 10th practice in 11 days. Fano is still involved in a position battle against the 6-foot-8, 370-pounder Dawand Jones. “This felt like the best practice Fano has had yet,” Bastock wrote. “An important step as he remains locked in a position battle with Dawand Jones for the starting left tackle job.”
Both Fano and Verse are expected to be significant starters for the Browns in 2026. Verse fills a direct void left by the departure of Myles Garrett. While Fano is expected to become the team’s franchise left tackle. Which has been a concern since Hall of Famer Joe Thomas retired six years ago. The extra jawing that happened several plays after the fight would suggest both parties are good with no long-lasting effects.
The Browns will play their first preseason game against the Chicago Bears. Kickoff from Soldier Field will be at 1 p.m. ET and broadcast on the NFL Network.
Utah football position preview: Quarterbacks and running backs entering 2026 fall camp
Utah QB Byrd Ficklin offered considerable package by Big Ten powerhouse
Utah football is all over social media after film session catches attention of NFL veteran
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Continue reading...
Fano is not the only player to get rave reviews since joining the team this offseason. Jared Verse, the signature piece of the Myles Garrett trade, has also impressed early. On Saturday, Fano and Verse went at each other in a quick dust-up during practice.
The fight came as somewhat of a surprise. Only a few days earlier, Verse was seen spending time working with Fano after practice on footwork and various counters. The post-practice work was universally received as unconditionally positive.
It led to various online comments that suggested that Cleveland got exactly the offensive tackle they needed, while Verse’s coaching and vocal leadership were something that was missing from Myles Garrett’s time in Cleveland.
Following the Verse-Fano post practice session, Browns head coach Todd Monken was asked about the extra work two of his younger players were engaged in.
“It’s really cool. I walked up to Jared after that and said, Man, we’re so lucky you’re a Brown,” Monken said. “How cool is this? He’s not only a great leader, he works his rear end off every day. After practice, he’s trying to get Spencer better. I stood right behind it. It’s like five reps in a row of footwork. Within five reps, I saw it. I saw Spencer get better. And it was awesome.”
While the coaching session was a welcomed and appreciated interaction between Fano and Verse, the tone would take a decided turn on Saturday. The jury is still out on who started the fight. During the rep in question, Verse seemed to have a hold on Fano and wouldn’t let go. Verse attempted to pull Fano to the right. Fano countered by an alligator-like ‘death roll’ taking Verse to the ground.
Browns teammates in the rep all pounced to separate the two. While the combatants were covered by those teammates rather quickly, their body language shifted almost immediately. Creating the assumption that the fight was over almost as soon as the two players hit the ground.
Later in that same practice, Fano could be seen taunting Verse after he jumped the snap count almost a full two seconds early. As Verse went back behind the line, multiple Browns offensive linemen could be seen celebrating. No one is more animated than Fano.
The fallout from this fracas was minimal, with no injuries reported. Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com recently added some context to the fight. This was the 10th practice in 11 days. Fano is still involved in a position battle against the 6-foot-8, 370-pounder Dawand Jones. “This felt like the best practice Fano has had yet,” Bastock wrote. “An important step as he remains locked in a position battle with Dawand Jones for the starting left tackle job.”
Both Fano and Verse are expected to be significant starters for the Browns in 2026. Verse fills a direct void left by the departure of Myles Garrett. While Fano is expected to become the team’s franchise left tackle. Which has been a concern since Hall of Famer Joe Thomas retired six years ago. The extra jawing that happened several plays after the fight would suggest both parties are good with no long-lasting effects.
The Browns will play their first preseason game against the Chicago Bears. Kickoff from Soldier Field will be at 1 p.m. ET and broadcast on the NFL Network.
More Utah Utes News:
Utah football position preview: Quarterbacks and running backs entering 2026 fall camp
Utah QB Byrd Ficklin offered considerable package by Big Ten powerhouse
Utah football is all over social media after film session catches attention of NFL veteran
Joe D'Orazio sends strong message to recruits: 'Utah puts people in the NFL
Continue reading...
