Johnny Manziel stars in Nissan Heisman House commericials (Videos)
August 29, 2014Browns “Deep Tracks” Trivia Vol. 1: Reliving Yesteryear
August 29, 2014After a series of three games that ranged from head-scratchers to Push the Panic Button games, the Browns quieted some doubters, playing well for most of the game and ultimately picking up the win. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Cleveland game without a few mistakes that need cleaning up. But, the Mike Pettine-led Browns managed to put up 33 points against the Chicago Bears, looking incredibly competent, for a surprise.
WINNER: Isaiah Crowell. No player helped themselves more than Crowell, the undrafted rookie fighting for a roster spot. He went into the game without much of a chance to make the roster as Dion Lewis and Chris Ogbonnaya stood in his way. However, Crowell entered the game in the early third quarter, becoming the running back alongside Rex Grossman, and took the brunt of remaining carries. In just two quarters, he managed to pick up 102 yards rushing on just 13 carries. Included in this total are a 23-yard run and 49-yard touchdown, as seen below.
With such a strong performance, I would be surprised if he is left off the final roster. Despite not receiving many opportunities in training camp, then preseason, Crowell has fallen behind Lewis and Ogbonnaya. But now, the Browns may be unable to sneak the promising rookie onto the practice squad. We will now the plans by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, the time and date that NFL teams must cut their rosters from 75 to 53 players.
LOSER: Leon McFadden. On the complete opposite spectrum from Crowell, McFadden looked to be fighting hard to be one of the 22 players cut this weekend. He started the game off poorly, picking up penalties, and it just got worse from there. In just four preseason games, McFadden has been flagged in seven instances. Expect him to be a member of the cuts on Saturday.
Chalk this 2013 third-round pick up as a bust. And don’t remind me of a certain former LSU cornerback that was picked by the Arizona Cardinals with the very next selection in the draft.
WINNER: Entire Starting Offense. The first team offense may have played against the Chicago backups, but given their horrendous performance thus far in the preseason, this seemed like an even matchup. Thankfully, the Browns looked prepared against the Bears, driving straight down the field, even managing to score the ever-elusive touchdown. Sure, you could bemoan Brian Hoyer for missing Jordan Cameron in the end zone, or the offense for even needing to convert the fourth down, but the Browns won and let us look at the bright side for once.
One takeaway that I had was the insane lack of height that the starting wide receivers have. With Andrew Hawkins standing 5-foot-7 and Travis Benjamin listed at 5-foot-10, the addition of the 5-foot-8-inch Taylor Gabriel only shines a brighter light on a potential issue. However, the Browns are not able to be picky when it come to who plays receiver for them.
LOSER: Justin Gilbert. Once again, the first-round pick out of Oklahoma State University looked porous against the catch-and-run. As seen below, Gilbert gives a massive cushion, allows the catch, then chooses to attack the receiver, Santonio Holmes, from the inside, completely exposing the outside.
This is not an isolated incident, as Gilbert had issues with tackling against the St. Louis Rams as well. A player who was lauded for his press coverage, Gilbert also allowed a few catches against Chicago simply because he played with an unnecessarily large cushion. Later in the game, Gilbert made a couple nice plays, but, in the NFL, they will be for naught if he can’t tackle and prevent the long catch-and-run.
MIXED RESULTS: Johnny Manziel. In the fourth rendition of Johnny Football, we were able to see what made the Texas A&M talent a hot commodity, but he also showed off how raw and unprepared he is for the NFL. Manziel made a classic scramble play in which he runs around in the pocket and ends up finding a receiver downfield. He was also able to make some nice throws on the run, something he clearly feels comfortable doing. But Manziel also made errant deep throws and got two receivers drilled by forcing the ball into coverage. As awesome and exciting as Manziel can be, he has a lot of physical and mental work that he must accomplish in order to improve and reach his potential.
LOSER: Terrance West. West managed to pull off the triumvirate of running back awfulness as he dropped a pass, fumbled the ball, and gained just 13 yards on six carries. With Ben Tate’s lack of health always an issue, Cleveland needs West to be prepared to take over. He has the body and talent to become a force in the league, but he can’t make avoidable mistakes such as the fumble and drop while expecting to split carries with Tate.
WINNER: Barkevious Mingo. Mingo looked awesome rushing the passer, picking up another sack. This time, it came on a stunt coming inside with Ahtyba Rubin going outside from his interior defensive tackle position. The Browns will be looking for Mingo to take a huge leap forward as the former LSU Tiger has the natural talent to be menace at outside linebacker.
LOSER: Gary Barnidge. If this were the regular season, this pass would be going to Jordan Cameron, but Barnidge had the chance to prove he may be an effective alternative option in the passing game at tight end. Instead, he flat-out dropped one of Manziel’s best and most well-placed balls of the game.
Barnidge thrives as a pass-blocker, but he should be able to make this catch. It’s just that simple.
Who did we miss? Let’s hear it in the comments.
79 Comments
I missed the first half.
Any grades on Schwartz?
I can get on board with that.
But you did forget about where he was picked! He was the 6th pick. There, isn’t that better? 🙂
It was a late pass, but it was an accurate pass. Has to be caught in a real game. Don’t care about the drop in a meaningless preseason game since Barnidge has shown to have pretty good hands for a tight end.
Kirksey! My biggest wish for this season is that the Browns’ eternal sucktitude doesn’t kill Kirksey’s spirit. This kid is a flat out football player who only has one speed and is always around the ball.
Easy now one game against third and fourth string defenders does not make a career.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ which means he did his job. Really the OL wasn’t tested by the Bears backups, IMO.
From what little I saw last night, although after quite a few drinks, I really did not like Carr’s throwing mechanics. It seemed like a few times he was throwing the ball flat footed and relying solely on his strong arm.
The results were great. 11/13 143 3TD
I am glad he is not on the Browns.
That’s cool, but go try to find somebody that doesn’t think he has a ton of talent.
much
That very well may be but he was playing against backups in the last preseason game. To bad he can’t be a WR!
amazing
Who says he can’t be a WR, hmmm?
Neither — Gilbert – he is going to look rough at times, he’s a rookie. Haden & Peterson (best 2 CBs to come out recently) also looked rough. The hope is by mid-season he really starts getting it and he grabs a few INTs before that time to help mitigate his learning curve mistakes.
Winner=Hoyer – against 2nd unit D, but, man, did we need that drive. thank you (and to the rest of the offense).
Loser=Manziel – proved why he lost the QB-comp, but that’s okay (for now). Also, he helped us have a Winner=Jim Dray sighting! (guy who I had relatively high hopes for when we signed him but has been inivisible thus far).
Foreboding Loser = FO on Shaw – really looks like we are trying to PS-stash him, and I am very afraid someone is going to steal him, while we waste a spot on Rex. Rex isn’t good anymore (he was once at least just a little below average).
Winner=Crowell – just made his case for the 53 man roster quite nicely. I haven’t seen practices, but he has looked better than West thus far.
Winner=Gabriel – gotta say, that he’s my “August Star” Guy I hadn’t really seen/heard before who won me over even though I know it is really likely fleeting. We’ll always have the 2014 preseason Taylor.
Winner=OL – helps not going against the Ram’s DL. They looked very good again (3/4 preseason games isn’t bad).
————————-
Winner=Poyer is still my favorite under-the-radar defender. He’s just depth, for now, but I really like how he plays. He needs to learn to get into the correct position still, but he overcomes some of that with a ton of effort by flying to the ball.
Winner=Who is Westerman and why was he living in the backfield? Given our LBer lack of depth, he at least pleaded his case last night.
Who’s making the T-shirts?
i disagree.
it’ll take an offseason to get the full nutrition package. heard some of the “vitamins” that players take are only done in the offseason.
Toadstool
I’m pretty shocked that Crowell has stayed steady. That continues and…
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lblsalFFyU1qbb7dio1_500.gif
our starting OL shouldn’t be tested by the Bears backups. so, job well done. not every team has the Rams’ DL. in fact, no other team has as good a DL.
Westerman is a fringe veteran (like 6 years?) who’s showing vet moves against other teams’ camp cuts. Played for O’Brien and Pettine in Buffalo last year but may have a hard time making this team. Kind of undrafted guy that plays for his career every summer. Last night was his super bowl.
IF, not when. Some guys never figure that part out. Obviously, I hope that he does.
That’s from a now defunct, short lived Cleveland sports blog. I cannot take credit for such genius.
Hopefully Pettine!
Thanks Vince Lombardi.
Thanks, now I’m depressed going into the holiday weekend.
Yes. A proper summer, ummm, cycle is vital.
He was SEC Freshman of the Year for a reason.
Before his brain blew a gasket.
Really wonder about the disgust heaped on gilbert,he is a rookie and a CB he never looked as bad as Mcfadden(ever),nor as bad as Skrine in his rookie year. He will improve I think,or hope, I wonder if it’s just we wanted some offensive picks….but we went D on our first pick.
Have never understood the love for Mingo,he was picked way to high for a situational pass rusher,yes he occasionally flashes brilliance but is not and probably will never be a 3 down player. He was a bad pick…..at least where we picked him, Gilbert is already more consistent as a player…oh and seems to be learning kinda. Just saying it seems we will continue to pound Mingo into a role he doesn’t fit in an attempt to justify the high first round price. Considering we now seem to be cutting past draft mistakes…why not forget his draft pedigree and use him properly, as in 12-25 snaps a game at best if he shows he belongs and can also play the run THEN use him more.
Breathing on the passer. Or, staring at the receiver.