Last night turned out to be a typical Browns preseason game. It started with a weather delay, then fans complaining the team needs a dome and ended with fans complaining the team needs a kicker. Good times. I wasn’t surprised QB Deshaun Watson played well. During the last few months, I’ve gone back and watched his games from 2018 and 2019. What you saw last night was the same Deshaun Watson, except with better talent around him and Nick Chubb, Joel Bitonio and Amari Cooper didn’t play last night. His decision making was quick and decisive. My only complaint is, he needs to slide more after he runs, because watching QB Joshua Dobbs play didn’t make me feel any better if Watson gets hurt. Hopefully Dobbs will get better with some reps, which he should get against the Eagles in preseason game three. He’ll more than likely start.
Besides the number one offense playing well, so did the number one defense. Dalvin Tomlinson and Za’Darius Smith are as good as advertised. Imagine adding Myles Garrett, Shelby Harris, Anthony Walker, Sione Takitaki, Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit and Greg Newsome to what we saw last night. Scary. As for the number two defense, yikes. Fromer Browns QB Jacoby Brissett carved them up. The number threes and the number fours looked much better, but they’re hungrier. After Dobbs, both Dorian Thompson-Roberson and Kellen Mond played well. DTR brings a spark to the team. I still think Dobbs will be the number two QB, but DTR is making a solid case. As I’ve said before, the Browns are going to have to have three quarterbacks on their final 53-man roster.
I absolutely love WR Austin Watkins on offense and LB Charlie Thomas and S Ronnie Hickman on defense. Excellent UDRFA’s. As for the draft picks, Cedric Tillman looked a little flat, Dawand Jones, Sika Ika, Luke Wypler and Cameron Mitchell all played well. When Nick Harris came in to play center, I noticed Wypler playing guard next to him. Something to keep an eye on. The Browns love to have their backup linemen play several positions. On the downside, I just can’t see how Anthony Schwartz makes the roster. Last night also made it clear the Browns need to bring in a veteran running back to help backup Nick Chubb. They might also want to look at backup left tackles. James Hudson did nothing to help his case. I still think Jedrick Wills will get better; however, he was schooled by Washington’s DE Chase Young a couple of times.
On the injury front, WR Elijah Moore (ribs), CB A.J. Green (shoulder), S Bubba Bolden (shoulder) and LB Jacob Phillips (shoulder) left the game last night. Moore’s x-rays came back negative so he should be fine. Coach Stefanski says he’s day-to-day, but then again aren’t we all. Phillips suffered a torn pectoral muscle and is out for the year. I personally didn’t think he was going to make the roster. He’ll probably be waived with an injury designation. I had high hopes he would become a good player. The special team’s coverage units played better until the end of the game when they gave up a big return, but those players won’t be on the team. Finally, kicker Cade York. I’m sure you’ve seen a ton of articles about who is available. Not a very good list. I know fans want to bring in competition, but any kicker who agrees to that will want guaranteed money. Competition will take away repetitions from York and further damage his mental outlook. Let special teams coach Bubba Ventrone work with him. For decades the Browns had crappy quarterbacks and good kickers, now it’s the other way around.
Next week the Browns will scrimmage in Philadelphia against the Eagles Monday and Tuesday then play preseason game number three Thursday. I expect the Eagles to be a great barometer in the scrimmages. I don’t expect any starters to play in the game. Ever since the scrimmages against the Colts a few years ago and too many fights broke out, head coach Kevin Stefanski doesn’t like to play his starters in the game. Wise move. Stay safe and Go Browns.