LeBron’s dream is to own an NBA team
August 18, 2016
LeBron James, Paul McCartney and Pre-season NFL: While We’re Waiting
August 19, 2016The Cleveland Browns took the field at First Energy Stadium for the team’s second preseason game and first home game of the season, losing to the Falcons, 24-13. Quarterback Robert Griffin III, completing 6 of 8 for 96 yards and two touchdowns, led the Browns through the air. On the ground, the Browns were also led by Griffin, rushing for 36 yards on three rushes. On the receiving end, wide receiver Terrelle Pryor led the team with one catch for 50 yards and a touchdown.
It was a solid performance by the first team units even in the loss. Here’s a look at the game.
First team Recap
The Browns first team offense started off slow with a quick three and out, but on their second drive of the game, the unit looked pretty good. With some solid running from RB Isaiah Crowell, the Browns capped off a four-play 81-yard drive with a great 50-yard touchdown pass from QB Robert Griffin III to WR Terrelle Pryor. It was an accurate strike by Griffin, throwing with anticipation and touch to hit Pryor right in stride. Pryor was even more impressive on the play, making Atlanta cornerback Desmond Trufant look silly. Pryor simply blew past Trufant and gained huge separation from the coverage, allowing him to make the easy touchdown catch.
.@RGIII ➡️ @TerrellePryor.
50 yards.TOUCHDOWN!! 😱 #ATLvsCLE https://t.co/vAorjXHGVS
— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2016
On the third drive, the Browns first team offense was hurt by penalties, which caused them to stall and have to punt. But, the offense got back on the horse and completed another touchdown drive on their fourth possession of the game. Two big plays by Griffin were the key to the success on the drive. The first coming from legs on the opening play and then the touchdown pass to cap off the drive. He showed off his athleticism with a 22-yard run. Then to finish off the drive, he dropped an absolute dime to TE Gary Barnidge. Barnidge made a great catch to bring in the 29-yard pass, showing off his great hands. On the first team offense’s final possession, the offensive line struggled, forcing the team to have to punt.
Preseason? Doesn't matter.@Browns QB @RGIII is out here putting on a SHOW.
🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 #ATLvsCLE https://t.co/vELrR9ZADw
— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2016
The Browns first team defense had some good and some bad. It started off shaky, allowing the Falcons to drive down the field on their opening possession and score the game’s first touchdown. The defense was gashed by the Atlanta run game. But after that drive, the defense played a little bit better. The first team defense held the Falcons to zero points, until the backups got in on the final defensive possession of the half and allowed a field goal. The Browns first team units outscored Atlanta, 14-7.
Random Notes
- Robert Griffin III was really good. He showed off his legs and arm in game. He was conservative running the ball, sliding before taking the big hit. But, he was even better throwing the ball. He threw perfect deep balls to Pryor and Barnidge, showing accuracy and touch to put it right in the stride of the target. He really showed his first round talent in preseason game No. 2.
- Isaiah Crowell had a pretty good performance, rushing for 28 yards on seven carries. He showed better vision from last season, including a nice cutback run where he read the hole beautifully.
- The Browns third down defense was not good. The defense allowed 5 of 9 third downs to be turned into first downs by the Atlanta offense. That includes 3 of 3 on the opening drive, allowing the Falcons to convert all three third downs on the drive. The Browns need to get off the field.
- The Browns first team defense was once again gashed by the Atlanta run game, allowing 78 yards in the first half. The defense was unable to gain any penetration on the Falcons offensive line, which allowed the Atlanta backs to have space to find holes.
- The Browns first team offensive line had some ups and downs. It caused some good push in the run game, allowing the team to rush for 70 yards in the first half. But, it did allow some pressures on Griffin.
- Jamar Taylor had a solid performance, especially on the second defensive possession of the game. He had back-to-back tight coverage on the drive, which helped the defense get the big stop. He forced the punt by breaking up a possible first down completion.
- Browns punt team was excellent. Andy Lee booted some big, high hanging punts, which allowed the punt coverage to get downfield. The punt coverage made quick tackles and held the Atlanta returners to minimal returns.
- Gary Barnidge has great hands. I mean great hands.
- Carl Nassib followed up his great first game with an even better second game. He was able to put pressure on the quarterback, including getting a sack and tipped pass in the game. He really has shown his ability to be a contributor right away and possibly even a starter.
- The most confusing thing to me in the preseason so far has been Barkevious Mingo. He has had little snaps with the starting unit and has played well into the second half with the backups. It is just a weird situation.
- The backup defense was shredded through the air and on the ground in the second half. Not a great performance all around.
- Josh McCown was once again solid. He is showing his status as a good second string quarterback.
24 Comments
Nassib looking like the steal of the draft.
So long Mingo and Gilbert. Shelton gets a reprieve.
OL played surprisingly well sans Thomas, against a weak pass rush team.
Watson needs first string carries. Dude dragged the pile for at least an extra 10 yards in two plays.
And tons of “if’s” abound. If Griffin, Coleman, Gordon, Pryor etc………
I was just about to say have not seen a lot on Gilbert… Is he even returning punts/kicks?
Mingo is going to be cut. I think Gilbert would be too were it not for depth issues at the position.
Honestly, they shouldn’t have let so many starters go on defense. That unit is bereft of young talent (thanks Ray!).
Bruhs…RG3…power move by Hue.
RG3 might be good this year if our horrible O-line doesn’t get him killed.
Our defensive coordinator is Ray Horton. So we’ll look good on 1st and 2nd down and then give up a 3rd and 20…smh
You folks gonna get on this hype train with me yet? Too soon? Okay, after the Eagles game I’ll still accept new passengers.
But in all seriousness, it was fun to see the offense play the way I saw it in my mind. Big play TDs coupled with 3-and-outs. And this is just Pryor and Barnidge doing the damage… imagine when Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon are running these vertical routes. It’s going to be a wild ride.
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I can’t take my eyes off of the guy on the left – and there’s still the guy on the right. This is the gif that just keeps giving.
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..
Winners/Losers article?
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MG , anybody … not sure what’s goin’ on. did WFNY end up leaving Scout ?? i was able to comment over there … once i saw no more activity i came over here again. if i click on any article , i cannot see ANYONE’S comments & the Discus doesn’t load … i had to go into Disqus , click on “comments” under the article & then i can finally see the comments … any suggestions ?
hi BEN … mingo made back-to-back plays on one drive last night , but you may be right … i thought desir was awful last night.
i will respectfully disagree on the veteran defenders … i don’t see losing starks , dansby & whitner as a big deal … gipson , maybe. and as far as CB , haden , t.williams & k.williams didn’t play … and i like jamar taylor & charles gaines … they’ve got enough talent to cut gilbert & desir loose.
1. Yes, back to our independent selves
2. Now that you have enabled Disqus, can you see comments in other articles you click or are you still not seeing them?
I haven’t heard of this issue yet, but it sounds like a settings issue in your browser. Let me know if enabling worked or not.
thanks, man … if i go to WFNY site & click on an article i cannot see any comments & Disqus won’t load. i had to log into Disqus to get here.
you wanna know what i’m likin’ about the browns right now ?? … well, let me tell ya … i like the way RGIII’s played thus far … i like the way they’re using terrelle pryor … i really like ryan nassib … though i recall a certain writer , who shall remain nameless , didn’t think would make the transition to the next level … nassib will be a fine player. i like that cameron erving bulked-up & is now being the pusher instead of the pushee … i like a couple of the little known guys like CB jamar taylor & RB terrell watson … bust most of all , i’m impressed with hue & his staff.
the only negatives i’ve seen so far is that the run defense is still very bad … hopefully , they can address by week 1 … and i’m still stumped by the poor tackling.
But why didn’t they sign Schwartz???
I just imagine some mom in the background saying, “Now keep holding on. Don’t let goooo.”
Oh, go cut your finger nails or something!
I’ll give a shout to the web guys, not sure what might be causing that.
hi NATE … he returned the opening kick-off & that was it .
Wrong Nassib brother… Carl is the one you want 😉 I’m on board with everything else you said though.
You have a Tigers column to catch up on……
thanks PAT … i don’t know what i’m doing anymore !!