Just a few quick notes on the Wednesday and Thursday scrimmages before the second preseason game on Saturday.
Wednesday: Offensive stars on Wednesday were Kareem Hunt, Jaelen Strong, Demetrius Harris and Rashard Higgins. Defensive stars were Joe Schobert, Genard Avery and of course Myles Garrett. The Colts offense pushed around the Browns defense a little, but then the Colts have a really good offensive line, so this is a good test for the defense. No Landry or Beckham on Wednesday, but the chemistry between Mayfield and Higgins is so strong right now. Both kickers made all their kicks. Mayfield and the offense had a 13 play drive, but couldn’t score a touchdown.
Thursday: Whole different attitude on Thursday. More physical and the Browns defense dominated. Defensive stars were Greedy Williams, Terrance Mitchell and the Browns defensive line. Offensive stars were, Nick Chubb, Pharaoh Brown, Jaelen Strong and again Rashard Higgins. Landry played and the two minute drill was unstoppable. Mayfield carved up the Colts like a surgeon. Both kickers made all their kicks. By the way, fights everywhere. I don’t know what Freddie told the team, but man did he amp it up.
Injuries: Devaroe Lawrence with a leg injury, but it’s not serious and is day to day (like we all are). Dontrell Hilliard also with a leg injury and again not serious. Beckham has a hip injury, but Freddie says if it was a real game he would have played.
Overview: The RG situation is a mystery to me. Kush ran with the first team, but it’s still a competition. Drew Forbes, late in both scrimmages played with the first team and Freddie said he flashed in the Washington game. It’s apparent Kush is a weakness in the run game and the Browns want more push and Kyle Kalis is still in concussion protocol and isn’t available. Is a trade in the works? It’s possible, because I don’t think there are many quality offensive linemen sitting by their phones right now. It appears Austin Corbett is now the back up center. As for the kickers, it seems like they are tied and the win would go to the guy who was drafted, Austin Seibert. Finally, Sheehy needs to learn how to catch the ball if he’s making the team.
Saturday: With the Hilliard injury, we’ll get to see more of Kareem Hunt on Saturday, which is fine by me. I know he’s suspended for the first eight games and I don’t think he’ll be ready till week ten, but that’s a prefect time during the season for fresh legs. I think the starters will play a quarter and Landry will play. Save Beckham for either the third preseason game for the season opener. I know everyone is freaking out about the chemistry between Baker and Beckham, but if you’ve seen the videos online of the practices, they look like they’re fine. Freddie has been working the team in pads almost the entire training camp and by my count after this game they are only allowed one more practice in pads. Pretty strange with two preseason games left. My next blog will be post game Saturday. Enjoy the game Browns fans.