First-game takeaways (with a preseason-sized grain of salt)

Redskins 20, Browns 17

There are not a great many conclusions the fan/non-professional observer can reach after watching a first exhibition game of the season. To begin with, the final score means next to nothing. And several of the players expected to be starters once the regular season begins are either not playing very much or are not playing at all. Eighteen Browns players did not dress for the game. In many respects, the game between the Browns and Redskins at FirstEnergy Field on Thursday evening was just a couple notches beyond an intrasquad scrimmage. But one huge difference is going against a real opponent, rather than against teammates.

Perhaps the biggest question going into this game concerned Josh McCown as the Browns new quarterback and whether his impressive training camp would carry over to an actual game against an actual NFL opponent. Then, of course, there was the question of how effective the Browns’ running attack would be. Improving the defense against the run, improving the pass rush…those, too, have been top priorities for the offseason and for training camp. But after the coaches review the video, there will be no big pronouncements. They’ll say some good things happened, but there’s plenty of work to do. And so on.

The game began with the Browns on defense and, thanks to a dropped pass by Pierre Garcon from Robert Griffin III, the Redskins were held scoreless in their first possession. Garcon was wide open after sprinting past Justin Gilbert. Gilbert, starting in place of Joe Haden (who sat out with a hamstring tweak), seemed to lose position on a few of the game’s earlier plays, but settled down to have a pretty good first game. But Gilbert was in there, initially, because both Haden and Desir were out.

The Browns first team offense, in its only series of the game, marched 75 yards in 5:18 for a touchdown. They ran ten plays: four runs and six passes. One of the pass plays resulted in a long gain due to an interference penalty on Washington, but Josh McCown completed the other five and was credited with going 5-for-5, 33 yards, and one touchdown. As advertised, McCown was in command of the offense, decisive and accurate with his throws. He also displayed good mobility in stepping up in the pocket, evading pass rushers, or scrambling to the outside looking for an open receiver. On the touchdown pass, he threw on the run, hitting Travis Benjamin in the back of the end zone right between the two ones on the front of Benjamin’s jersey. With that touchdown, McCown’s work was finished for the day. Score, 7-0.

In Washington’s second series, RGIII led the Redskins from their own 20-yard line to the Browns’ 15, much of it on the ground. But Justin Gilbert, targeted twice by Washington in the red zone, maintained good coverage to force a field goal. Score, 7-3.

Johnny Manziel took over at quarterback with 0:25 left in the first quarter and played through the second quarter and for one series in the third. The Browns failed to get a first down on Manziel’s first series but on the ensuing punt, the Redskins fumbled and the Browns recovered on Washington’s 36 yard-line. A five-play touchdown drive followed, Manziel scoring on a scamper through a wide open hole up the middle. Score, 14-3.

Washington, with Kirk Cousins replacing RGIII, followed with an impressive drive of their own, going 80 yards in 8 plays in 4:38, capped by a touchdown run by Cousins. Score, 14-10.

The next possession by the Browns, led by Manziel, sputtered along for some short gains and ended in a punt. After the punt, the Redskins drove 47 yards in 9 plays and got a field goal at 2:50 in the first half to make it 14-13.

The Browns offense opened the second half with a three-and-out, which ended Manziel’s evening of work. Later, with Connor Shaw operating on a short field after a Washington fumble, the Browns kicked a 47-yard field goal to make the score 17-13, but Washington answered that score with a 68-yard touchdown drive at 5:29 of the third quarter. Score, and final margin, 20-17.

Some general thoughts about this first exhibition game (all of this prefaced by the fact that this was only the first of four exhibition games):

• I don’t know why the reactions to Josh McCown’s one-drive performance are being described as “first impressions” and somehow more than anticipated. He’s done this before. He has shown himself quite capable of this kind of game when playing behind a decent line with a competitive supporting cast. He played as Mike Pettine was convinced he would.
• I also don’t know why all the ink and hype for Johnny Manziel and none whatsoever for Connor Shaw. (Well, yes, I guess I do know, but …) Their stats:
  Manziel: 7/11, 42 yards, 3.8 yards per attempt
  Shaw: 5/10, 64 yards, 6.4 yards per attempt
  What I observed tells me the plays called for Manziel were more cautious than those for Shaw. His completions were for painfully short yardage. When Shaw entered the game, the offense almost immediately went to a somewhat longer-range passing attack. And Shaw made some nice, medium-range throws.
• Brian Hartline’s performance confirmed to me that his addition was a smart move. Good size, very good hands, very good pass routes and, although not a burner, he has the speed to get open and the quickness to get some yardage after the catch.
• The Browns organization must be very happy (and relieved) with this year’s top draft picks. Danny Shelton and Cameron Erving look like immediate difference makers.
• Washington rushed for 153 yards, Cleveland rushed for 45 yards, and those stats don’t appear to be related solely to second and third team performance.
• E.J. Bibbs may be a good test for that roster philosophy the Browns have been espousing: It doesn’t matter how they get here. The best 53 players will comprise the roster.