Happy victory Friday. I know it’s only a pre-season game, but still seeing those uniforms and helmets on the field for the first time always gives me chills. For the most part the Browns 2023 draft class played well. Right tackle Dawand Jones played the whole game and played well, so the out-of-shape narrative can be put to rest. Some Pro Football Focus ratings for the offense are, G Colby Gossett 90.1, G Wes Martin 87.1, G Michael Dunn 84.2, T James Hudson 83.3, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson 81.7 and WR Austin Watkins 80.8. On defense, S Budda Bolden 93.2, CB Caleb Biggers 80.0, CB A.J. Green 79.7, CB Cameron Mitchell 79.4 and DE Alex Wright 77.4.
As I’ve said before, the Browns are going to have to carry three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and Dorian Thompson Robinson is the reason. There’s no way the team can sneak him on the practice squad. Kellen Mond on the other hand showed why he’ll be headed to the practice squad. RB John Kelly is the king of pre-season games. You have to figure some team will pluck of the Browns roster one of these days. As for the defense, the Jets were two of twelve on third down conversions. At one point they were zero for ten. They only had nine first downs. If I had to compare the Jets backups and the Browns backups, the Browns have a distinct edge.
The negatives were the two turnovers and the special teams. WR Anthony Schwartz is not long for this team. K Cade York missed his first field goal attempt and you had to be thinking about it when the Jets had the ball at the end of the game. If he misses another one during the next game, then it’s time to bring some competition into camp. Coach Bubba Ventrone can’t be happy with the kick coverage team. Thank goodness they have three more pre-season games to fix it.
It was curious that DT Jordan Elliott started this game. Coach Jim Schwartz must not be happy with the state of the defensive tackle position behind Dalvin Tomlinson. DT Sika Ika showed some flashes, but he’s a rookie, so a veteran is definitely needed. The Browns did sign an offensive lineman today, Derrick Kelly. He can play both tackle positions.
The next game is at home against the Commanders. I expect more starters to play, especially QB Deshaun Watson. Hopefully he gets more than a couple series, a full quarter would be nice. Stay safe and Go Browns.