Here’s what I took away from the Cleveland Browns first preseason game, a 13-12 loss to the Detroit Lions:
THE GOOD
Billy Cundiff was perfect going 4 for 4 on field goal attempts.
Armonty Bryant only had 1 tackle, but he did have 2 QB hits and pressured the quarterback.
John Greco was solid at the guard position as he try to win a starting job.
The receivers as a whole were bad, but I thought Charles Johnson and Taylor Gabriel got noticed.
Barkevious Mingo still has trouble with the run, but he did register the team’s only sack.
Donte Whitner had 2 tackles in limited time and sent a message with a big hit over the middle.
Ben Tate did average 4.2 yard per carry on 6 attempts running the ball.
I thought the starting offensive line did a solid all around job.
Johnny Manziel showed what we already knew; he can scramble and make yards with his legs and actually slid or went out of bounds when he should have to avoid the hit.
Spencer Lanning did a nice job punting the ball, averaging over 43 yards with 2 landing inside the 20.
Both Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel led their units on scoring drives, however they ended in 3 points and not 7.
LeBron James is a Cavalier again and it looks like Kevin Love is on his way to Cleveland in a trade!
THE BAD
The Browns offense has yet to score a TD in a scrimmage or the preseason game against the Lions.
Usually at least one player really stands out on offense in every game, no one did for the Browns.
11 penalties for 60 yards.
2 turnovers – 1 fumble (Dion Lewis) and 1 interception (Tyler Thigpen)
2 high throws by Brian Hoyer to wide open receivers.
1 high throw and 1 low throw by Johnny Manziel to open receivers.
At least 3 drops by the wide receivers.
Joe Haden was beaten twice early in the game and Calvin Johnson didn’t even play.
Pierre Desir had a rough rookie debut getting beat a few times, missing tackles and had a penalty.
Ben Tate fumbled but luckily recovered it. That’s been one of the knocks against him in his career.
The Browns kickoff coverage stunk, as the Lions averaged almost 31 yards per return.
Mitchell Schwartz had 2 penalties at right tackle.
Even though it was a preseason game, the Browns had the lead late in the contest and couldn’t protect the lead and lost in the last two minutes.
Leon McFadden was penalized twice on the final drive and also gave up a completed pass on that drive.
T.J. Heath was beaten for the game winning touchdown with 1:05 left in the game.
