That’s what every Browns fan should repeat in their heads all weekend long. They also should be looking forward to this defense on September 8th. Sure Baker Mayfield looked a little out of sync, but when you aren’t playing two starting WR’s, your starting RB and starting TE what do you expect. It was obvious to me the offensive sets were very simple and the coaching staff was trying to decide on WR #5 and #6. The offensive line was…well offensive. Bitonio is a stud and Tretter is an iron man, but the rest, wow. I know the offensive play calling will make the tackles look better, but RG still is the biggest question mark. Between now and cut down day rumors are going to be all over the place.
Two things settled on offense, at least in my mind, are the kicking game and D’Ernest Johnson gives everything on every play. Did you notice that Britton Colquitt was the holder on all the FG attempts? So that tells me Colquitt is the punter and Seibert is the kicker. Look don’t get me wrong, the “Scottish Hammer” is a great story, but great stories are made for the preseason, not the regular season. D’Ernest Johnson is a player and a player I want the Browns to keep. I think he’ll force the Browns to make a tough decision when Kareem Hunt returns. Lastly on offense, Rashard Higgins is going to get paid. Lets hope it’s the Browns paying him.
This defensive line is scary, real scary. On Olivier Vernon’s first sack, did he get credit for the sack or the offensive lineman he pushed all the way to the QB? He literally pushed the RT all the way to the QB. Myles Garrett is a beast, as is Richardson and Ogunjobi. Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey were their usual selves. I hope Dorsey doesn’t trade one or the other prior to the season, I think both are very important to this defense. Good to see Denzel Ward back on the field. Also good not to hear his name mentioned, except for a sack, because that means he’s doing his job and the opposing QB is not looking his way.
So now lets play the roster game. I’m going to list the position and how many players for that position I think the Browns keep and then the players I think make the roster. Easy right? If it was, I’d be a GM and be very wealthy, but I’m not, so here goes:
QB(3): Mayfield, Stanton and Gilbert. Easy position to pick, I hope they can hide Blough on the practice squad.
RB(3): Chubb, Hilliard, Johnson. Hunt will be activated after week 8, so this might get interesting.
WR(6):Beckham, Landry, Higgins, Strong, Willies and Ratley. This is tough because Hyman has played well, but Ratley has size and speed.
TE/FB(4): Njoku, Harris, DeValve and Brown. Did you notice last night DeValve lining up at FB? I did and he didn’t do to bad.
OL(9):Hubbard, Kush, Tretter, Bitonio, Robinson, Lamm, Corbett, Kalis and Forbes. Baring a trade this should be the group. Hopefully they can stash Seaton on the practice squad, he has great potential.
DL(9): Garrett, Ogunjobi, Richardson, Vernon, Lawrence,Thomas, Smith, Coley and Davis. Solid group, the strength of the defense.
LB(6):Kirksey, Schobert, Avery, Wilson, Takitaki and Armstrong. Armstrong makes the list because of his special teams play.
DB(10): Ward, Mitchell, Randall, Burnett,Williams, Carrie, Whitehead, Redwine, Thomas and Murray. This is a hard group to chose from. I like Gaines, Hassell and Burris a lot. Maybe if they only keep five LB’s one will make the team.
ST(3) Seibert, Colquitt and Hughlett.
There’s my 53, let me know what you think and give me your 53. Because we all know Browns fans have no opinions and really have difficulty expressing themselves. So now it’s on to the most meaningless game in all of football not involving a college directional school, preseason game number 4. Put the starters in bubble wrap and let the best backups win. Go Browns.