Cleveland Browns Position Battles: Where Things Stand

As we head into the final three days of training camp for the Browns, the position battles have progressed quite a bit. The team has played in one preseason game versus the Detroit Lions and are preparing for their second game on Monday against RG3 and the Washington Redskins.

The biggest battle this preseason continues to be the one at quarterback, but there are many other battles that could determine the direction of the team. The competitions have developed a lot since the beginning of camp. Let’s take a look at where we stand with each one of the position battles we outlined at the beginning of training camp.

Quarterback: Brian Hoyer vs. Johnny Manziel

The biggest camp competition this preseason has really become a close one that could go down to the preseason game versus the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football. At the beginning of camp the favorite to win the starting job was Brian Hoyer given his experience in the NFL and his success last season. But, over the last couple of weeks, the momentum has seemed to have shifted a little bit towards Johnny Manziel.

In the first preseason game versus the Lions, I graded both quarterbacks to having a solid game. Hoyer was 6-14 for 92 yards, while Manziel was 7-11 for 63 yards and six rushes for 27 yards. Hoyer was very poised in the pocket with good decision-making, but he struggled with his accuracy in the short time he played in the game. Manziel was very accurate with an impressive zip to his throws. But he was inconsistent with his decision-making in terms of reading through his progressions and knowing when to run or pass. This was their first live game action of the preseason and it showed how close the competition is now.

The Browns are looking to name their starting quarterback sometime next week before the third preseason game. This means that a lot of the decision could be centered on how the two quarterbacks play against the Redskins on Monday. Manziel has caught up to Hoyer in part because Hoyer has not really gone out and played a lot better then Manziel. Neither quarterback has really emerged over the other, so it will be very interesting to see if one of them can rise above the other versus the Redskins. Hoyer brings experience and good decision-making to the Browns, while Manziel brings his dual threat and physical tools to the quarterback spot. I am still leaning toward Brian Hoyer winning the starting spot especially now after the news of him starting on Monday.

Before Training Camp Prediction: Brian Hoyer
My Updated Prediction: Brian Hoyer

Running back: Ben Tate vs. Terrance West

This battle is really going well because both players have played extremely well in training camp and the first preseason game. Ben Tate had six rushes for 25 yards, while Terrance West had ten rushes for 22 yards. Both players showed a burst at the line of scrimmage and a downhill running style that fits Kyle Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme very well. Tate received the start in the first preseason game, but West received a lot of snaps with the first and second team offense. nfl-news-rumors-training-camp-browns-position-manziel-hoyer

Tate is a tough runner with a very good burst to hit the hole quickly without hesitation. He had a very good yards per carry average in the first game with 4.2 yards per carry. He had good vision to find the open hole and get through before it closed. West was also very quick through the line. He showed impressive agility between the tackles by evading defenders. These two running backs have shown that the team could have good depth at this position. The winner of the battle is not as important as others because both players will get their fair share of carries during the season. But for right now, Tate seems to be in the lead and gaining most of the first string snaps.

Before Training Camp Prediction: Ben Tate
My Updated Prediction: Ben Tate

Wide Receiver: Miles Austin vs. Nate Burleson vs. Andrew Hawkins

The battle for the second starting receiver spot is a huge one for the Browns because of the looming suspension of Josh Gordon. They will need to fill in for Gordon and be the team’s go-to target for whomever plays quarterback. No one can replace Gordon’s talent but they need someone who the quarterback can rely on consistently alongside Jordan Cameron. This position has not looked good this preseason especially during the first preseason game. Miles Austin had one reception for 13 yards, while Andrew Hawkins had one reception for 15 yards. Nate Burleson was held out of the game with an injury. This position had a lot of drops during the game with no one really emerging as a consistent threat.

Miles Austin has the talent to be the Browns best option to start at wide receiver. He has speed and route running ability that helps him separate from the defender. He has shown in his career to be a number one receiver, but he is not at the level he once was because of injuries. Can he regain the form that he once had? Andrew Hawkins is an elusive and fast receiver who can make big plays for the Browns. But he is not a true number one receiver because of his lack of size. He fits better in the slot. Nate Burleson did not play in the first preseason game, so it is still unknown whether he is able to be a consistent contributor during the season. He is an older veteran who has good hands. He will most likely be a backup receiver because of his age.

This position is in dire need of someone who can emerge to be a starting caliber receiver. I believe Miles Austin is the only real option to be a go-to receiver and the number one receiver when Gordon is out. Austin was the number one receiver on the Dallas Cowboys, so he has the ability to be that for the Browns. But so far this preseason, we have not seen this level. No one has really emerged in this battle and so it may be given to Austin by default. I still think Austin is the best option for the Browns as the starting wide receiver.

Before Training Camp Prediction: Miles Austin
My Updated Prediction: Miles Austin

Offensive Guards: John Greco vs. Jason Pinkston vs. Joel Bitonio vs. Garrett Gilkey

This battle at offensive guard is now down to three players after the release of Jason Pinkston. John Greco started at right guard and Joel Bitonio at left guard during the first preseason game. Garrett Gilkey played on the second string offensive line at right guard. The first string line played very well making room for the runner and giving time to Brian Hoyer. The second string line was less then stellar in their performance on Saturday. But Gilkey was not as bad as the rest of the second string offensive line.

John Greco and Joe Bitonio were both very good in pass and run blocking. They both did not allow much rush up the middle on passing downs, which is very important for success in the passing game. The two starters continually blocked well in the run game, even getting to the second level to block downfield multiple times. They had good balance and strength to stay strong against the defense. Garrett Gilkey was solid in his blocking on Saturday. He was beaten a couple times by the defender, but he was not the problem on the second string. He should be a good backup and give the team depth at guard. I believe the success of the first team offensive line in the first game bodes well for Greco and Bitonio to start the season at the two guards.

Before Training Camp Prediction: Right Guard – Joel Bitonio; Left Guard – John Greco
My Updated Prediction: Right Guard – John Greco; Left Guard – Joel Bitonio

Inside Linebacker: Chris Kirksey vs. Craig Robertson

The inside linebacker spot next to Karlos Dansby seems to be in good hands with both Craig Robertson and Chris Kirksey. Craig Robertson started at the WILL linebacker spot, but Chris Kirksey took snaps with the first team defense, too. On Saturday, Craig Robertson had three tackles and one pass defended. Chris Kirksey also notched three tackles and one pass defended. They both have played extremely well in preseason especially during the Lions preseason game.

Robertson was very good in coverage, both in zone and man-to-man pass coverage. He showed his coverage ability that made him an emerging player in his rookie season. His pass coverage ability is his strength, but he was also solid in run defense, even getting to the backfield for a tackle for loss. The team is hopeful that last season was just a blip in his career and he can regain his promising play. Kirksey was also excellent in pass coverage during the first preseason game. His athleticism and speed stood out amongst the rest of the linebackers. He played sideline to sideline because of his great chasing speed. He was solid in run defense, but needs to improve his ability to get off blocks at the line of scrimmage.

The Browns should be good at the inside linebacker spot with these two players and Dansby. I believe that the team would be good either way, but I think Robertson leads this battle. He has the experience advantage over Kirksey, but Kirksey could take the spot if he continues to show his excellent coverage and athletic ability.

Before Training Camp Prediction: Chris Kirksey
My Updated Prediction: Craig Robertson

Cornerback: Justin Gilbert vs. Buster Skrine

The battle for the second starting cornerback job is one that could solidify the entire defense. The Browns have their star number one corner in Joe Haden, but they have not been able to find someone to play on the other side of field with him. With the selection of Justin Gilbert in the first round of this year’s draft, the team is hoping that they have found their number two corner. Buster Skrine started the first preseason as the number two corner, but Gilbert did not play because of an injury.

Gilbert has great size and athleticism that can give him the ability to be a shutdown corner in the NFL. Gilbert has the ability to stay with bigger receivers and quick players because of his combination of size and speed. He has shown in practices that he can be the player the Browns drafted him to be. But he must show this ability in live action against an opposing team. That is why Skrine is still in the running for the second corner spot. Skrine has great speed that allows him to stay with any receiver in the NFL. Last season, he struggled with this role because of his lack of size and his propensity to grab and get called for penalties.

I still believe Gilbert will win this spot and Skrine will be the slot corner. Skrine is better suited guarding the quicker slot players rather then the bigger receivers on the outside. Gilbert gives the team size and athleticism on the outside to match with Haden’s great talent. It would be better for the Browns to start Gilbert and have Skrine as the slot corner. If Gilbert plays well on Monday, I believe the team will make him starter and put Skrine in his better position at slot corner. This could make the secondary set and make the defense even stouter.

Before Training Camp Prediction: Justin Gilbert
My Updated Prediction: Justin Gilbert

—

(Photo by: Joshua Gunter/ The Plain Dealer)