Cleveland Browns: Three brutally honest insights
By Joel W. Cade
The Cleveland Browns won their preseason matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. But in the process their warts began to show.
The Cleveland Browns defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night 5-0. If you think that was a typo, it is not. Although it looks like a score from the Cleveland Indians game, it is the Browns final score. The Browns offense managed one field goal. Myles Garrett supplied the rest with a safety.
Injuries played a key role in the game. After throwing the ball three straight times on the one yard line., the Browns decided to go for it on fourth and one. The result? An incomplete pass and an injured wrist for Tyrod Taylor. X-rays on Taylor were negative and he eventually returned to the game.
Rookie defensive back Denzel Ward also left the game with a back injury. The injury looked bad. He went into the medical tent on the sidelines, then disappeared for the night in the locker room. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI today. National Insider for NFL Network Ian Rapoport later tweeted that his removal was precautionary and that the injury was not deemed to be serious.
Even though the score does not reflect it, the Browns are a much improved football team. The defense was playing at the level heretofore unseen at First Energy Stadium.
The offense sputtered but was able to put together an effective rushing attack. The passing game was a different story. The offensive line had trouble protecting the passer, and the wide receivers had a hard time getting open.
One could dismiss the struggles by claiming this was against the current Super Bowl champions. But is that not the level at which the Browns want to compete? Here are three brutally honest thoughts from Thursday’s win over the Eagles.