Watch Brian Hartline’s incredible TD catch
August 29, 2015Stability or Change: Which Should Shapiro Choose?
August 30, 2015The Cleveland Browns were relatively unimpressive and underwhelming in their first two preseason games, so entered Saturday’s exhibition against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with something to prove. In a very pleasant surprise, the Browns wore their prettiest gown to what’s commonly referred to as the “dress rehearsal” game, taking an early lead and maintaining it throughout the game. Let’s quickly run down the list of players and units, giving our hasty impressions on how they performed.
Travis Benjamin: Fielded the Buccaneers’ first punt near midfield and started rolling downhill immediately, scoring about as easy a 53-yard touchdown as you’ll ever see. He also seemed to have some chemistry with McCown in the passing game, catching a few hitch routes and quick slants. He’ll have a roster spot.
Brian Hartline: Gave the Browns a 14-0 lead with a highlight-reel catch that I only wish he could have saved for the regular season. That was his only reception, but I think there’s little doubt Hartline will be reliable slot receiver for a team yearning for playmakers.
Josh McCown: Was indecisive for stretches, forcing the coaches to send him out to start the second half. Though he missed a few intermediate throws with sloppy footwork (throwing off his backfoot, stepping out instead of toward his target), he was excellent on two touchdown drives, finding Hartline on the (lately thrown) 3-yard bullet and Barnidge for a seven-yard touchdown. He also got his ass kicked three times when the Browns’ quarterback depth is thinner than those see-through yoga pants, and at least once when he definitely should have slid to safety. He has still shown limited ability or even desire to complete passes over seven yards.
Danny Shelton: There’s nothing but love for the Browns rookie. He clogs the interior, demands multiple blockers, and has even shown the ability to disrupt the passing game, which makes the blitzing linebackers’ jobs as easy as mopping up spilled milk. I yelp with joy every time he makes a tackle adjacent the sideline like he did once in the third quarter. He stretches running plays all the way across the field, which is a huge asset.
Desmond Bryant: Had two sacks on Famous Jameis and showed tremendous push up front.
The Secondary: Did the Browns secondary do anything in this game? They didn’t have to. Whether the lion’s share of credit goes to the defensive front for raising hell in the backfield or the secondary for not letting anyone get open is up for debate — either way it’s a good thing.
The Defense as a Whole: The Browns forced seven three-and-outs (not including half and an interception) by the time this post hit the printing press. They had complete control of the game, and if this defense can be staunch on third down, then I think it has exciting potential.
Dwayne Bowe: The Browns need more receiving threats, and Bowe was their “high-profile” offseason signing. He had zero receptions on three targets, and probably should have caught the in-cut from McCown on the first offensive play (even if it was thrown behind him). He and McCown need to get on the same page.
Thad Lewis: Looked like a serviceable backup with Connor Shaw out and the other Browns backup out with a sore elbow. His name is uhh … geez I can’t remember … what’s his game again?
Duke Johnson Jr.: Left the game after one carry and one reception after Josh McCown laid him out to dry. He needed to go through the concussion protocols. Not a good day for Duke, who’s trying to become a part of the offense and participate in this running back competition. As for the other backs, both Crowell and West (when he wasn’t bouncing plays for no reason) ran hard behind an offensive line that looked ready to create holes all season.
Terrelle Pryor: Nowhere to be found. Whether it’s his “fault” or not, it’s hard to give him a roster spot when there are other guys like E.J. Bibbs and Shane Wynn out there hustlin’.
As a personal philosophy, I don’t become too encouraged by preseason games (especially against lousy teams) but I certainly was not discouraged by the Browns’ performance in Tampa Bay on Saturday night. Watchable mediocrity, here we come!
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I was excited to see Duke Johnson finally play right up until the moment McCown practically got him killed. Great job #13! Btw Josh thanks for showing your football IQ by needlessly running all over the place without sliding head first. I know Pat Devlin was probably the only one excited. Poor Mike Pettine no wonder he’s bald!
Other then that every part of the team showed up: offense, defense and special teams. Lets see if that happens in two weeks.
It sure looks like a football field is Danny Shelton’s happy place. Also liked what Charles Gaines did – someone is coaching up unknown CBs very nicely on this staff.
Very meh about the football IQ of our QB, and why he was the clear choice over last year’s vet. Imagine him as what Weedon would be at 36 if Weeds had entered the NFL at 22: big, involuntarily savvy after 13 years, but still devoid of improvisational football instincts. Also meh about these RBs. This manage-the-game thing means they have to run, and neither of these guys look comfortable with how to run and how to pick up blitzers.
Good news is OC Flip seems competent, has the offense lined up and subs made with very little confusion and almost penalty free – so different from the Shurmur years. And Travis Benjamin seems to have his groove back. 7-9? Couple of upsets when contenders are surprised to get hit in the mouth by the defense and special teams? There’s a gleam, men.
“Dress rehearsal”? Maybe for a stage production of Zoolander.
“Let me show you Derelicte. It is a fashion, a way of life inspired by the Arena League and every other schlock minor-minor league you can think of.”
They even look alike.
He had the TE killed the week before. Slightly concerned with this moving forward.
Hmmm… First team offense looks offensive.
1st Possesion @ Cle 20
Drive 80 yards
Touchdown
2nd Possession @ TB 12 yd:
Drive -6 yards
Points 3
3rd Possession @ Cle 16 yd:
Drive +2 yards
Punt
4th Possession @ Cle 15 yd:
Drive +6 yards
Punt
5th Possession @ Cle 33 yd:
Drive -3 yards
Punt
6th Possession @ Cle 21 yd:
Drive 5 yards
Punt
McCown was the choice over Hoyer because McCown is willing to mentor, and Hoyer was not. Now whether mentoring John Pigskin should have been any factor in the decision at all is certainly debatable, but the choice was easy in that regard.
The run game has been incredibly underwhelming. The returning guys don’t look like they have a season of experience under their respective belts, and Duke looks to be the winner of our annual “draft pick fans get themselves excited about who never delivers” contest. Can’t be a game-changer if you can’t stay on the field, young blood.
The Bucs have it worse in the fashion department by far. But I already miss our traditional look. The new orange comes off as too red on TV for my eyes. How long until we can switch things back?
I saw Hoyer on the side-line with Manziel many times at the start of last season (with the print out from the previous series) but Manziel would never look at Hoyer or from my vantage point give any creedance to the words coming out of his mouth.
True I forgot about that one.
oh yeah, forgot the mentoring thing, or maybe I’ve subconsciously decided that it’s a real long shot that the future is Johnny …
Re injuries, this morning I heard an ex-player repeat a nice adage: in the NFL availability is the most important skill. Seems apropos when you think about the wasted physical talents of Josh Gordon, Courtney Brown, and even lesser specimens like Montario.
One of the tales that leaked out following Mr. Hero’s departure was that he’d been far more interested in securing his shot than helping develop someone for theirs. I can’t blame the guy, as he’s still young enough. But apparently that isn’t what the team wanted from him.