Five thoughts on the Browns preseason win against Tampa Bay

Aug 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Even if a sore elbow had not sidelined Johnny Manziel, there is simply no way that anyone could say that Josh McCown has not done everything needed to earn the starting quarterback position and get himself ready for the season opener on Sept. 13.

Against the Buccaneers, McCown played into the third quarter, finishing the night 17-of-23 for 117 yards, two touchdowns and, most importantly, no turnovers while putting up 17 points against Tampa’s first-team defense.

It was especially comforting after watching McCown and the first-team offense struggle against Buffalo.

“For us to go out there and not get accomplished what we wanted to against Buffalo but to come out and respond the way we did, I’m proud of that, the guys, and Flip [offensive coordinator John DeFilippo] called a great game,” McCown said. “We really, you know, on all parts – the coolest thing to me was, I wish we could have gotten Dwayne [Bowe] a ball, tried to get him that one early, but everybody got a ball.

“You know, you look across the board and every guy gets the catch and three running backs get a catch, and so, I think that’s a real good way to sum up our preseason, is that we spread the ball around and got everybody a little bit of work.”

McCown will sit out Thursday’s preseason finale against Chicago, a good idea after watching him take a few too many hits against the Buccaneers, and finishes the preseason completing 76 percent of his passes for 207 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Is McCown the answer at quarterback? Is he going to lead the Browns to the playoffs this season? No. But is he currently the team’s best option at quarterback? Unquestionably.

“It’s important, there is no substitute,” Pettine said of McCown’s performance. “You can always look at it and say, well this will be different and this will be different, but to actually execute and go out and have success, that is what the NFL is. It was a win-win, we got results and at the same time, there is some great tape to teach off of for the things we know we will have to get cleaned up on.”

Next: The defense shows what it can be