Cleveland Browns vs. Tampa Bay: How Twitter saw the first half
By Thomas Moore
Aug 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin (11) runs back the punt for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns took a 17-7 lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into halftime of their preseason friendly at Raymond James Stadium.
The game could not have started out better for the Browns, who forced the Bucs into a three-and-out on the first series, and then saw Travis Benjamin return the ensuing punt 53 yards for a touchdown.
The Browns followed that up on their next offensive series by going 80 yards in 16 plays, with Josh McCown hitting Brian Hartline for a three-yard touchdown pass.
While the Browns looked sharp early in the game on offense, things slowed down after the initial flurry. On their final five drives of the first half, Cleveland had a field goal and then four punts.
Overall, McCown was 11-of-17 for 65 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t throw any interceptions, but he did take a sack and a couple of hard hits on scrambles. He also didn’t look downfield much, which is something that is going to have to change if the Browns don’t want to take 16 plays every time they score a touchdown this season.
Defensively, the Browns made Tampa quarterback Jameis Winston look like a rookie, sacking him three times and picking him off once (Charles Gaines got the pick, making the most of his opportunity).
The Browns gave up 119 yards of offense to the Buccaneers, and allowed Tampa to run for 4.9 yards per carry, but take away the 19-yard touchdown run by Doug Martin and it becomes a more tolerable 3.5 yards per carry.
Here’s how Twitter saw the first half:
When jukes are not necessary because you're that fast.#CLEvsTBhttp://t.co/Shb64vLWkX
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 29, 2015
Keep trying to cut Travis Benjamin, Browns fans. It ain't happening.
— Ryan Burns (@FtblSickness) August 29, 2015
Jesus, now we know what Josh McCown was dealing with last year.
— Dawgs By Nature (@DawgsByNature) August 29, 2015
Another sack for Desmond Bryant. 2 in 2 series. #Browns
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) August 29, 2015
Sometimes you just have to tuck the ball and dance a D-Lineman out of his jersey.
— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2015
Right, @JoshMcCown12? #CLEvsTB http://t.co/ofYKUWPXdz
Josh McCown leads a really impressive drive. Really impressive. #Browns
— PatMcManamon (@PatMcManamon) August 29, 2015
Except for McCown taking those 2 hard hits (stop it, Josh!), this was a Browns dream drive...80 yards, 16 plays...had the ball for 6 days,
— Terry Pluto (@terrypluto) August 29, 2015
Going to be a lot of @brianhartline jerseys spotted in Cleveland if he keeps making crazy endzone grabs like this. http://t.co/cmDYYSZoYC
— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2015
Bucs O-line has no choice but to cut block Shelton because he is humiliating them.
— Miketona 500 ⚡️🥩 (@MikeAmmo) August 29, 2015
Can I have my season tickets back @browns?
— Mikey 🌲 🚗 🔑s (@lilOUmikey) August 29, 2015
Favorite stat so far: The Bucs have 3 carries for 0 yards
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) August 29, 2015
McCown-to-Bowe looking like Hoyer-to-Gordon last year. Attribute it to just some rust?
— Dawgs By Nature (@DawgsByNature) August 29, 2015
This game is showing McCown and Bowe have to work on their timing. Bowe missed two weeks with a hamstring injury.
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) August 29, 2015
I feel like based on the Bucs celebration they just won the super bowl
— Nick (@BuckiNick7) August 30, 2015
The Browns won't win a game all season.
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) August 29, 2015
#Browns Duke Johnson absorbed that vicious high hit by Mike Jenkins on that FG drive. He looked fine right afterwards on the sidelines
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 30, 2015
RB Duke Johnson sendo avaliado pra uma possível concussão
— Browns 🇧🇷 (@DawgPoundBR) August 30, 2015
#Browns w/ another 3-and-out. That's three straight.
— Tom Reed (@treed1919) August 30, 2015
McCown keeping ball and taking hits w/out sliding, getting Duke Johnson laid out with late throw, skittish look on last series … disturbing.
— Steve Doerschuk (@sdoerschukREP) August 30, 2015
Jameis late on the throw and it should have been picked off. Doug Martin almost knocked him over while throwing.#CLEvsTB
— David Rumsey (@_DavidRumsey) August 30, 2015
Charles Gaines is a Winston fan... an INT and 2 PBUs that I know of in this half
— Pete Smith (@_PeteSmith_) August 30, 2015
Ummm... West looking a little TRich there dancing
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) August 30, 2015
Quite a half for defense...3 sacks...3 more QB hits...int. to set up a FG. Winston was 6-of-14 passing for 90 yards...34.8 rating.
— Terry Pluto (@terrypluto) August 30, 2015