Month: August 2021

It’s been a busy time in Berea. Let’s start with pre-season game number two on Sunday. First the positives. On offense, RB/WR/KR Demetric Felton is going to be a valuable weapon in this offense. Rookie OT James Hudson played better at right tackle then he did at left tackle. Blake Hance will make the first 53, he played very well as an emergency center. It’s going to be very difficult to sneak RB John Kelly onto the practice squad. FB Johnny Stanton is going to be tight end number four. On defense, DT Jordan Elliot had a very good game, as did LB Elijah Lee. CB A.J. Green, S Javonte Moffatt and S Richard LeCounte, III will make the first 53. DT Malik McDowell is a force. I know he was playing against guys on the Giants who will be selling insurance this time next week, but you have to remember McDowell hasn’t played football in over four years. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Giants were running plays away from were McDowell was lined up on the field. The biggest negative was during the fourth quarter the game turned into a pre-season game. It got a little ugly. Finally, I’m a little worried about the defensive tackle position.

On Monday the Browns made moves to get down to 80 players. They waived CB Robert Jackson, WR Alexander Hollins and OT Alex Taylor with an injury designation. The Browns placed LB Montrel Meander (Achilles), TE Connor Davis (Shoulder) and K Cody Parkey (Quad) on injured reserve. Since then they waived Parkey and signed LB Tegray Scales. Players placed on the IR prior to the final cut have to sit out for the entire year, so it sounds like Parkey thinks he can come back this year. The Browns might try and put Taylor on the practice squad and the release of Jackson is no surprise, the Jags and the Giants exposed him as a liability to the secondary depth. Better talent in front of him.

On Tuesday it was learned DE Takk McKinley is back with the team after being out three weeks with an illness. Head coach Kevin Stefanski told the local media McKinley’s head is in the right place and he’s ready to start practicing again. This is very good news. Now defensive coordinator Joe Woods can implement the defense he wants to implement. This allows DL Jadeveon Clowney to move inside on passing downs and also help slow down the run. McKinley is a very important piece to the Browns 2021 defense.

Next up pre-season game number three on Sunday night August 29 in Atlanta. The big question, will any starters play in the game? Stefanski said he would talk to the players, which means the team leaders. Part of me, a small part, wants to see the starters, but now I’m thinking hell no. Let’s keep players like Mayfield, Chubb, Hunt, OBJ, Landry, Tretter, Bitonio, Wills, Conklin, Teller, Clowney, Garrett, Jackson, Ward, Hill and Johnson III in bubble wrap. Give JOK limited snaps like you did against the Giants and let the young players take the majority of the snaps. Some, like DE Curtis Weaver, DT Marvin Wilson and OT James Hudson need all the snaps they can get. Players I want to see more of are, of course, Felton & McDowell, DE Joe Jackson, DT Jordan Elliot, DT Sheldon Day and WR JoJo Natson.

There are going to be some tough cuts to the roster next week. Remember it’s not the final 53, it’s the first 53. GM Andrew Berry will be busy finalizing the roster after the first cuts. A player like LB Jacob Phillips will make the first 53 and then be placed on IR designated to return, because the Browns feel he can come back from his injury this year. That’s why he hasn’t been placed on IR for his biceps injury. Everyone stay safe, enjoy the game and Go Browns.

I know it’s only the first pre-season game, but last year at this time there were no pre-season games, so lets go. First observation, the Browns number twos are way better than the Jaguar’s number ones. I know that’s not big time analysis, but actually seeing it is shocking. The Browns were business like and prepared the entire game. This team is scary deep. Who impressed me the most? On offense it’s RB/WR/KR Demetric Felton and on defense it’s LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Other young players who had good moments were WR Davion Davis, DT Tommy Togiai and S Richard LeCounte. Against the Jags, a lot of players had good moments. I don’t think Urban Meyer really knew what he was getting himself into. Another thing I noticed Saturday night, the Browns second team offensive line is better than about ten other teams number one offensive lines. Finally, the Browns quarterback room is well stocked and head coach Kevin Stefanski loves him some fullbacks.

The Browns only committed two penalties Saturday night, which is great. On the bad side there were three injuries, LB Mack Wilson, TE Stephen Carlson and WR Ryan Switzer. Mack should be back in less then a week while Carlson and Switzer were placed on injured reserve to help the Browns go from 90 to 85 for today’s first cut down day. Both are done for the year. The other three players who were released were LB Montrel Meander, OL Cordel Iwuagwu and CB Kiondre Thomas. The next cut down will be an additional five players on Tuesday, August 24.

This week the Browns will scrimmage the New York Football Giants on Thursday and Friday and play them on Sunday at noon(CST). What a nice time to watch an NFL Game, noon on Sunday. I expect the Browns to have their starters participate in the practices and rest them on Sunday. It’s looks like game three will be when the starters play, probably for about a quarter. Finally, keep an eye on the Takk McKinley situation. So far the team expects him to be back and he was having a great camp. But if GM Andrew Berry brings in another defensive end, that might be it for McKinley. Hopefully everything is alright, like I said, when he practiced he showed speed and great hustle. He is defiantly part of the plan this year. Everyone enjoy your week, stay safe and Go Browns.

Yes I know it’s only a pre-season game and in the past I’ve called these games glorified practices, but hey, it’s still a Browns game. Yesterday, head coach Kevin Stefanski said QB Baker Mayfield would not play Saturday night. This seems like a league wide idea, letting your veteran QB rest in the first game. Who else plays Saturday night might be an easy decision because of a rash of minor injuries. Right now because of all the players on stationary bikes, the Browns could play a game and enter a bike race.

So who’s playing Saturday night? Kevin Stefanski just got done talking to the local media and said the majority of the starters will not play. Stefanski said this is an opportunity for the younger players. The whole team will travel to Jacksonville and participate in practices. QB Case Keenum will start and then QB Kyle Lauletta will take over. I bet Keenum only plays a couple of series. The head coach also said he’s looking forward to seeing the second year guys play. Me too, especially LB Jacob Phillips and DT Jordan Elliot. Both kickers Cody Parkey and Chase McLaughlin will alternate. I still think the kicking job is Parky’s to lose. Finally, Stefanski said both CB Greedy Williams And OL Chris Hubbard will play. Both are coming off of injuries from last year.

Who am I looking forward seeing play? CB Greg Newsome, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, RB/WR/KR Demetric Felton, DT Tommy Togiai, DE Curtis Weaver and all the second year players. I also want to see the progression of LB Mack Wilson, he came to camp with a chip on his shoulder and has been tearing it up. I originally thought he might be a cut candidate, however now I’m not so sure. Who are you looking forward to see play?

It’s going to be nice watching the game live Saturday night and not having to wait till mid week early afternoon to watch a replay. Everyone enjoy the practice, I mean game and Go Browns.