Daily Dawg Tags: A perfect preseason in the books

The Cleveland Browns went 4-0 in the preseason, which is nice. But now the real works begins as they prepare for the opening game of the regular season.

The Cleveland Browns closed out a perfect preseason on Thursday night as they defeated the Chicago Bears, 25-0.

It marks just the fifth time in franchise history that the Browns posted a perfect record in the preseason. In three of their four previous perfect preseasons, the Browns ended the regular season in the playoffs.

So huzzah to the team!

OK, let’s slow it down a bit. It’s nice that the Browns won, and that the defense in particular looked  good, but it is still the preseason. None of it will matter as soon as the whistle blows for the season opener on Sept. 10.

On the other hand, if the Browns had stumbled their way through the preseason, everyone would be talking about the “same old Browns” and how the team is not “making any progress.”

It may also be the start of something good, head coach Hue Jackson said after the game, according to ESPN:

"“I can see something building in the locker room. That’s what you want. There’s a lot of good things happening in there right now. I’m proud of the guys.”"

Now that the final preseason game is in the books, the Browns will now be busy shaping the final roster. NFL teams must be down to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Saturday, but even if a few players start to feel safe come 4:05 p.m., the roster will continue to evolve throughout the weekend as Cleveland is sure to work the waiver wire once they see who is available.

Cleveland Browns news:

Browns reportedly interested in Jermaine Kearse

The Cleveland Browns appear set at the top two wide receiver spots heading into the 2017 regular season with Corey Coleman and Kenny Britt. But behind those two are a group of inexperienced receivers, which is why it is not surprising that the Browns are being linked to Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse.

Cameron Erving trade is bittersweet

After years of poor play, the Cleveland Browns sent Cameron Erving to the Kansas City Chiefs for a fifth-round pick. Can Erving resurrect his career there?

NFL Nation reporters predict 0-16 season for Browns (ESPN)

"Winless. Oh-and-16. That’s how the rest of the NFL world thinks the 2017 Cleveland Browns season will go."

NFL news:

Joe Haden opens up on why he signed with the Steelers (Sporting News)

"Joe Haden was only out of the AFC North for a few hours. While Haden had several other suitors chasing his services, including the Raiders, Cowboys and Saints, joining the Steelers wasn’t a difficult choice. He met the team ahead of its final preseason game against the Panthers, and everything seemed to fall into place."

Blaine Gabbert has long-term potential at quarterback (CBS Sports)

"By every statistic, Blaine Gabbert is a bad NFL quarterback. Since he was taken 10th overall in the 2011 draft, he’s posted a 9-31 regular-season record and a 71.5 passer rating. To this point, all the evidence indicates that Gabbert is not a starting-caliber quarterback. Bruce Arians says otherwise."

DeAndre Hopkins, Texans, agree on new contract (NFL.com)

"DeAndre Hopkins received his massive contract extension ahead of the 2017 regular season. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that the Houston Texans are finalizing a five-year contract extension for the superstar receiver, according to a source informed of the deal."

Lions trade former first-round pick Laken Tomlinson (ESPN)

"The Detroit Lions drafted Laken Tomlinson in the first round in 2015 hoping he’d be the solution to a struggling offensive line. Two years later, the franchise has decided to move on from him."