Is it finally here? Are we going to
have some real football soon, games that really count? After what seems like
the longest off-season ever, only over shadowed by the years we did without,
the next Browns game will be for real. Thank God it finally got here.
But if the preseason was going to
finally end, at least it ended on a mostly upbeat moment as the Browns handled
the Bears 33-13 at First Energy Stadium Thursday night. It was a beautiful
night, no one of note got hurt, and some fresh faces made a statement or two
that they belong on the team. And some questions we were hoping to be answered
weren’t quite resolved. In no particular order…
Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel both
did some decent things that lead to getting into the end zone. For the fourth
game in a row, neither one showed they could throw deep. The two best passes of
the day were from Rex Grossman to undrafted Willie Snead, the only two passes
completed that you could consider downfield. Any attempt by Hoyer or Manziel to
throw downfield either missed completely or never got there. Yes, we should be
concerned.
Barkevious Mingo continued to
impress on defense. The Browns moved him around, and his quickness off the ball
was a real asset. He might be coming into his own, and I really like what the
coaches are doing to take advantage of his skills. He could be on the way to a
big season.
Justin Gilbert and Leon McFadden
were tested all night at the corners, and although both got beat more than once
both are showing promise. Gilbert is a lock to make the team and play a lot
because he was a first round pick, but McFadden has really improved and I think
found a spot on the final roster.
When the final roster is posted
this weekend, the amount of rookies, especially undrafted ones, making the
roster could be significant. Defensive back Robert Nelson has shown some good
stuff. So have wide receivers Taylor Gabriel and Willie Snead. There are still
a slew of rookies working in on both the defensive and offensive lines. And
maybe with the exception of defensive back Pierre Desir who has been hurt, all
of the drafted rookies have earned spots. And how can you keep undrafted running back Isaiah Crowell
off the roster?
I hope the Browns don’t cut Conner
Shaw, but I’m not sure what they can do with him. They are committed to Hoyer
and Manziel, and probably also to Grossman. They are not going to keep four
quarterbacks. But I also think they won’t be able to sneak him onto the
practice squad. The kid is too good, someone will claim him. Too bad, I really
think he has a future in the NFL. I still can’t believe he didn’t get drafted;
I have been high on him since I show him play in person last year. To me, he’s
a cross between Drew Breas and Brian Sipe.
Good luck to the Browns, and good
luck to everyone in their fantasy leagues. The real football season is finally
here, and it isn’t a moment too soon. If your Browns Backer Club wants to host
“View From the Dawg Pound” for any of the Browns away games contact us at cielec@hotmail.com.
Text by Greg Cielec
Photos by dave Hostetler
No comments:
Post a Comment