Cleveland Browns: 6 offensive takeaways vs. the Buccaneers

The Cleveland Browns had a rough night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here are some quick takeaways about what went right and wrong on offense.

The Cleveland Browns demonstrated Friday night that they remain a work in progress as the offense struggled early and often against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in allowing eight sacks on the evening.

However, bright spots included a 43-yard bomb from Robert Griffin III to Josh Gordon and Isaiah Crowell’s 39 rushing yards on eight carries, a tidy 4.88 yards per attempt.

The Browns spent last week in Tampa holding a pair of practices with the Buccaneers in preparation for Friday’s preseason game. The reports from Tampa were positive as the Browns seemed to have gotten the best of the Buccaneers in practice.

But all of that changed once the teams kicked off on Friday. The Buccaneers came out swinging. On offense, they connected with several downfield passes. On defense, they held the Browns to only 10 first-half points. The game seemed a lopsided affair with the Browns on the wrong end.

Here are six takeaways regarding the performance of the offense.

By the Numbers, Browns Improved

Numbers may lie. According to the numbers, the Browns offense improved on Friday night.

Cleveland’s time of possession and total plays were significantly better than from the first two preseason games. Time of possession was roughly equal last night, as the Browns held the ball for 29 minutes and 32 seconds, compared to 30:28 for the Bucs. Both teams also ran about the same amount of plays: 62 for the Browns compared to 67 for Bucs.

The numbers also demonstrate a marked improvement in some key areas. The Browns were able to increase their third-down efficiency. Last week against Atlanta the Browns were one-of-eight on third downs. This week, the Browns improved to six-of-17 on third downs.

Running Game Showed Up

The running game appeared for the first time this preseason. Duke Johnson and Crowell combined to rush 11 times for 62 yards, an average of 5.5 yards per carry. At one point in the game, Crowell ran the ball three consecutive times resulting in a first down, which was a real boost at a time the offense was struggling.

“I thought Crowell had some good runs tonight. I really do,” head coach Hue Jackson said. “I think he’s what I think he is. I think Duke did some good things.”

Unfortunately, penalties and playing from behind forced the Browns to abandon the running game.

Big 3 Needs Work

The buzz around the Browns focused on the emergence of the “Big 3” wide receivers. On Friday night it was the Josh Gordon show. Griffin and Gordon hooked up for plays of 43 yards and 44 yards, accounting  for 87 of Griffin’s 119 yards passing on the night. Gordon was the definite bright spot.

“He made a tremendous play. It was good just to get him back out there in a game and play him,” Jackson said of Gordon. “He did some good things and there’s thing we’ll continue to improve on but I thought it was a good start for him.”

Outside of Gordon, the Big 3 needs work. Although he continues to be a deep threat, Terrelle Pryor struggles with blocking. On an outside screen (a staple in the Jackson offense), Pryor was called for blocking downfield. It was a nitpicky call, but it is a part of the Pryor’s game that needs to improve.

Corey Coleman looked like a rookie playing his first game. Coleman was officially targeted twice with no receptions. The one play he did catch the ball was the before mentioned outside screen negated by Pryor’s penalty. He also failed to call for a fair catch that put him on the wrong end of a nasty hit. Coleman is still a rookie and will struggle at times this season. But the upside is still there.

In all, the Big 3 are a long way away from being the “Big 3.” It is exciting to watch how they will grow into that role.

Oh, the Penalties and Hits

The Browns were penalized nine times for 68 yards. That is a lot of penalties, even for a preseason game. Making matters worse is that those penalties came at the worst time possible. The offensive penalties hurt the team in the red zone and created unmanageable third down situations.

The holding penalties by the offensive lineman are indicative of their struggles to protect the quarterback. Offensive lineman are taught to hold rather than allow a hit on the quarterback, as it is better to lose 10 yards than to lose your quarterback.

In particular, Austin Pasztor and Dan France seriously struggled in pass protection, earning three holding penalties between them. They also gave up some of the eight sacks. They will need to improve in this area or the Browns better create a short passing game.

Passing Game Remains One-Dimensional

Part of the reason (along with poor protection and unmanageable third downs) there were so many hits on the quarterbacks is the one-dimensional passing attack.

Sure, the long ball to Pryor and Gordon have been exciting this preseason. But the long ball must be complimented by a running game and short passing game to remain effective.

“I just have to go back and watch the tape. Like I said before, it starts with me,” Griffin said after the game. “I just have to make sure when the intermediate throws are there, I make them. When the long-ball throws are there, I make them and when the quick-game throws are there, I make them. It all starts with me and I’ll make sure that gets cleaned up.”

Jackson’s offense in Cincinnati was based on the quick short passing game. So far, the Browns have been living off the long ball. It is only a matter of time before other teams figure this out. Friday night is a portent of things to come this season if the Browns fail to develop a quick passing game.

Cody Kessler Much Improved

One bright spot for the Browns is the marked improvement of rookie quarterback Cody Kessler. He showed Friday night why he was a third round pick.

Kessler came out throwing. He threw with anticipation, completing five-of-six passes for 27 yards. He read the defense well, threw to the open receiver and looked in command of the offense.

However, he also showed that he is still a rookie. At times he held on to the ball too long and looked indecisive. Such actions are typical of rookie quarterbacks and will abate in time.

Next: Josh Gordon lone bright spot

In all, the Browns showed improvement in some areas. In others, they were exposed as a young team that relies too heavily on the long ball. Becoming a run-oriented offense and developing a short passing game will improve the offense greatly.