The preseason games are finally over and after three games we can determine absolutely nothing. The only major injuries last night were DE Chris Odom, who was carted off the field with a knee injury and Browns fans who had to watch WR Anthony Schwartz attempt to catch a pass. Odom was probably headed for the practice squad and Schwartz’s future is unknown. So, let’s get to it.
The Good. Yes, there was good last night. On offense, QB Josh Dobbs, RB Jerome Ford, WR Javon Wims and WR David Bell. Dobbs again showed good decision making and the ability to rally a team. He is not better then Jacoby Brissett, and he will not start in Carolina. While some Browns fans will argue Dobbs is better, Brissett didn’t have the entire starting offensive line, RB Nick Chubb, RB Kareem Hunt and WR Amari Cooper. I think they would’ve made a difference. Besides Dobbs was playing against guys who will be selling insurance next week. Ford continues to impress. If a running back is traded (Hunt or Johnson) he’ll step in and contribute right away. Bell is going to be a playmaker this year. Wims may have just forced Schwartz off the roster. On defense, defensive tackles Jordan Elliott and Taven Bryan showed up last night. They’re your starters. Defensive ends Isaac Rochell and Alex Wright are making the strongest cases for backing up Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett. In the secondary, D’Anthony Bell and Shaun Jolly may have made the roster.
The Bad. I know it’s preseason and the Bears played 95% of their starters in the first half, but I thought the offense would be a tad more creative. Another head scratching performance in the first quarter. WR Anthony Schwartz needs to see a psychologist at this point, because he has the worst case of the yips I’ve ever seen. On defense, it seems CB Greedy Williams forgot how to cover receivers. He might be trade bait. DT Tommy Togiai also seems to have forgotten how to play football. The only way he makes the team is because he was drafted by GM Andrew Berry. Unfortunately for Togiai, Andrew Berry doesn’t think that way.
The Ugly. When I started watching the game, I had penalties in the bad section. They quickly moved to the ugly section. Mental errors will kill any good NFL team, and the penalties last night were brutal. Bad mistakes at the worst times. And speaking of penalties, Alex Taylor over the last two years showed great promise, after last night, yikes. David Njoku and Harrison Bryant are the Browns starting tight ends. As for tight end number 3, I thought it might be Miller Forristall, nope. If the Browns carry three tight ends, that player will come from another team after Tuesday’s cutdown day. Speaking of after the cutdown day, I hope Andrew Berry can find a punt returner.
Like I said earlier, the Bears played 95% of their starters in the first half, so the Browns defensive performance doesn’t alarm me. Remember Garrett, Clowney, Newsome and Ward didn’t play. I think those four would’ve made a difference. Now it’s on to Carolina and former Browns starting QB Baker Mayfield. Unfortunately, fans have to wait two weeks. Two weeks of the revenge of Mayfield and the reminder the Browns are 1-21-1 in season openers since 1999. Don’t forget to tune into ESPN for the annual showing of “The Drive.” Good times. Everybody stay safe and Go Browns.