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.