After two stellar preseason performances, the Cleveland Browns flamed out a bit in the dress rehearsal. Where does Cleveland go from here with the season looming ahead?
The Cleveland Browns have transformed themselves this offseason, with so much added talent on both sides of the ball. The Dawg Pound was bound to have some growing pains as they traveled from the basement to hopeful contendership, and they showed a bit of rust tonight.
As the first preseason game is traditionally the “dress rehearsal” for the NFL, the Browns played most of their starters throughout the first half. Only running back Nick Chubb and the wide receiver duo of Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. sat out against the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield played the entire first half, along with Kareem Hunt and the first-team offensive line.
For as talented as the Browns are, this game showed that they are still vulnerable. The Browns fell to the Buccaneers by a score of 13-12. The Browns need time to gel together as a team, and their general rust showed in the first semi-real game under Freddie Kitchens. Still, the Browns have plenty of talented players on both sides of the ball, but they need to put it all together before they can make the jump to being AFC contenders.
So, how did different Browns perform in the Super Bowl of the preseason against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Let’s take a look at some instant reactions from around the team, specifically the first team.
Baker and the First Team Struggle Throughout
Simply put, Cleveland Browns second-year Baker Mayfield did not have a good game. Playing the entire first half, Mayfield, as well as the rest of the offense, simply looked out of sync against Tampa Bay.
Drops plagued the receiving corps, especially Derrick Willies during the first half of the game. Mayfield was it able to find the end zone, and his accuracy seemed at least slightly off through most of his playing time.
Mayfield finished the half with his lone interception on the night, an ugly pick with only eight seconds left on the clock. The Browns could have knelt the ball, but the urge to go for broke in the preseason is understandable for Freddie Kitchens.
There is an easy answer as to just why the first-team offense wasn’t able to perform to the standards most Browns fans were expecting. Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry, and Odell Beckham Jr. all sat out, leaving Rashard Higgins and Jaelen Strong as Mayfield’s top receiving threats.
If the Browns continue to struggle once games matter and everyone is playing, that may be cause for alarm. For now, however, fans should stay calm about the potential of this team’s starting offense.
Defense and Special Teamers Strut Their Star Power
On the other hand, the story could not be more different when it comes to the Browns’ starting defense. Everyone knew that Cleveland’s defense was insanely talented coming into the year. However, against Tampa Bay’s offensive line, the debut of the starting front four was able to feast.
Myles Garrett, Sheldon Richardson, and Larry Ogunjobi were all fine and good throughout the dress rehearsal. However, it was former New York Giant Olivier Vernon that truly shined during the first half. Vernon’s two sacks on the game came in dominating fashion, as quarterback Jameis Winston looked down the barrel of one of the league’s scariest young defensive fronts.
The Browns defensively dominated, keeping the first-team offense in the game during the first half. They allowed zero points in the first half, letting kicker Austin Seibert capitalize with field goals. And capitalize Seibert did.
Austin Seibert may have finally pulled ahead in the kicking race against Greg Joseph. His first field goal coming from 54 yards, Seibert put the ball cleanly through the uprights early and often.
This game showed just how quickly things can change on the special teams unit. Just a few weeks ago, Greg Joseph was easily the clubhouse leader for the kicking job. Now, Austin Seibert may have (finally) wrestled it away from him.