"My only apology is that I used bad language and the fans were here to see it. That's between me and the player. Joe's a great competitor and I appreciate what he does and who he is and that's the last you'll hear me talk about it."

When a reporter attempted a follow-up, Shurmur said sharply, "Don't ask. Don't ask. Because I'm not talking about it anymore. You'll have to go somewhere else."

Shurmur did acknowledge that he wants his players to compete but avoid injuries. On Monday, running back Chris Ogbonnaya suffered an ankle injury after a tackle by Kaluka Maiava. That same day, rookie offensive lineman Jeff Shugarts lost his temper and threw punches at three defenders.

"I want all of our guys to make it to the horse race," Shurmur. "All my thoughts revolve around [the safety] of our players and our team. It's very, very important that we practice fast and we're smart."

Linebacker and team leader D'Qwell Jackson, whom Shurmur talked to on the field during the walk-through, felt the incident went a little too far.

"I think they both realized after they settled down it was a little bit overboard," said Jackson. "But things happen and words were said, and once we get in the locker room it'll be over with."

Jackson admitted that the competitive instincts often take over, even during practice.

"That's Joe playing," said Jackson. "That's what makes him good. That's what makes him great, so you can't take that away from him."

He said it's tough for defenders to walk the fine line of challenging in camp and pulling up.

Cleveland Browns training camp, final day, Aug. 22, 2012 32 Gallery: Cleveland Browns training camp, final day, Aug. 22, 2012

"It's never a balance," said Jackson. "From a defensive standpoint, us guys are gonna compete. And it's two guys competing for the ball. We want to keep every guy up, keep guys healthy (but) sometimes tempers flare. It's day 21 in camp. Everybody's running on fumes, not getting enough sleep. Once we leave the field and head into the building, it's all over with."

Jackson, who often counsels younger players, said he felt no need to discuss it with Haden.

"I'm sure they'll handle it and it'll be done with and we can move forward and focus on the Eagles," he said.

The incident coincides with the uncertainty whether Haden will be suspended for the first four games of the season for reportedly failing a drug test.

"I haven't heard anything and if I did I couldn't talk about it; so, no," said Shurmur.

Jackson acknowledged the defense will suffer if Haden is suspended.

"It's gonna be a major hit, major hit," he said.

Cornerback Sheldon Brown said he doesn't sense the situation is affecting Haden on the field.

"When you're a high-profile guy like that, it's going to be good and bad days," said Brown. "The thing that makes you great is how you deal with the adversity. Joe has enough guys here coaching him and guys in his own camp coaching him on how you deal with that. You put on your horse-blinders and you run the race and you keep chugging along."

Brown, an 11th-year pro, stressed that the morning dispute was not that significant.

"I'll just tell you this -- It's a long time for a bunch of men to be together and seeing one another. Things happen and it is what it is."

Brown said the incident "speaks volumes of both guys, how competitive each one of them is. And you want that. You don't want people out here just going through the motions. Why would you even be doing it?"

Plain Dealer reporter Tom Reed contributed to this report.