The evening started with Browns fans wondering if the NFL would suspend quarterback Deshaun Watson prior to the game. If they had, then that would have meant a one-year suspension. Instead, we got rumors there might be a settlement. Wait, what? Maybe that’s why Watson finally apologized to the women involved. The speculation was if Watson started last night, then the suspension would be less than a year (10 to 12 games). If he was pulled, then a one-year indefinite suspension. Glad we got that settled, I think. Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly from last night.
The Good. Quarterbacks Josh Dobbs and Josh Rosen. Dobbs was 10 for 13, 108 yards, one touchdown with a QBR of 126.4. Rosen was 6 for 7, 56 yards and a QBR of 100.0. I know these stats came against backups, but what was impressive about Dobbs, he led the Browns third teamers on a touchdown drive versus the Jaguars second teamers. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott was a force on the inside. The defense as a whole was very impressive with five sacks. The best part about last night were the rookies who shined. RB Jerome Ford (ten rushes for 57 yards, one TD, four catches for 46 yards, one TD), WR Daylen Baldwin (three catches for 25 yards, two contested), S D’Anthony Bell (three tackles, one forced fumble, one tackle for a loss) DE Isaiah Thomas (two sacks, one tackle for a loss) and K Cade York was perfect (three extra points, one field goal).
Bad. Offensive line. LT Jedrick Wills, OT Ben Petrula, C Ethan Pocic and Michael Dunn all struggled. Too many penalties on both sides of the ball. Special team tackling was again not so special. Lack of timing, focus and urgency on offense in the first quarter.
Ugly. QB Deshaun Watson was atrocious in the first quarter. It looked like rust and the uncertainty of a suspension. WR Anthony Schwartz needs to start playing like an NFL wide receiver, three targets, three drops. The injury to center Nick Harris. GM Andrew Berry better be calling J.C. Tretter this morning.
I never overreact to the first pre-season game, so I’m not going to start now. Watson may have looked better if he had RB Nick Chubb, RB Kareem Hunt, WR Amari Cooper, WR David Bell and OG Joel Bitonio on the field with him in the first quarter. Jacoby Brissett should start along with most of the starters in the second pre-season game on August 21 against the Eagles. Hopefully the Browns will have better consistency on offense. On defense, this team is deep, very deep and it showed last night. Next up the Eagles. Go Browns.