Pre-Season game #4 - Browns vs. Lions

My how time flies. We're already up to the "Roster Bubble"game.

Not a lot to look forward to in this game unless you're scrapping to make the 53 man roster or a spot on the Practice Squad.

• You will probably be able to count the snaps (not possesions) by Taylor and/or Mayfield on one hand.
• Its doubtful that the week 1 starting O-line will get one live game rep before the regular season begins.
• The WR corp is still in flux. Maybe one of the pups can do enough (playing with the 3's and 4's) against the Lion's 3's and 4's to grab a spot.

 

Straight from the mouth of bums: Hue Jackson indicated Baker could see "extensive" action. Taylor won't play a snap.

From his presser today, Hue said he wasn't going to play his starters, but then also seemed to indicate he wanted to see Zeitler get some snaps. So I'm guessing maybe his whole starting units won't see time, but individuals could? Maybe Zeitler gets some snaps.

If we throw out Dez, who reportedly turned down the Browns' offer, you've got: Landry, Gordon, Higgins, Callaway as, I would say, "locks". If they're keeping six, who's making the cut and who isn't?

I think Ratley has played well in his time... I'd add his name to the list. Janis? Board? Scott? There's a lot of bubble guys left with at least two (Janis, Scott) offering special teams potential.

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Browns poach a receiver headed to another team's practice squad.

Division rivals seem like good targets in Scott from the Ravens and Patterson from the Steelers.

 

That's what I'm thinking Dorsey is looking to do.

I am hoping for a shot at Wims (CHI)...

 

I'm thinking that being rigid in your approach to game 4 isn't very smart, so some guys need to put in more game time, unfortunately for guys trying to make the roster, but new coaches, new O system, new personnel, means more time to gel.

I"m OK with tailoring the game to getting the answers you need. I'm OK with Mayfield getting time under center. I know injuries can happen, but there's no better teacher than "live reps", and more is more.

I don't care about the score, but I do care that the guys we keep get as much action as we can give them.

 

On the WR front: Gordon, Landry, Callaway, Higgins, then it's a dog fight. I don't want Dez at all, but I understand the argument, just don't agree. The Dez from 2015, sure, but we are 3 dwindling seasons from that, and he's not learned humility IMO, so: No Thanks.

I know we shouldn't count on Gordon, and probably Callaway either, but let's face it: we are. If they play, we are a very scary O, if not, even Landry will shrink in stature, along with the offense as a whole. Landry can be a beast, if we have the supporting cast that allows him room to work, but not if he's the focal point.

 

We just traded for another WR. Like we really needed that. I guess he will be our return man. We are going to have to cut some WRs that could possibly start on some teams.

 

Good idea !!!

Cut Antonio Brown !!!

 

You wouldn’t want him, he doesn’t smoke marijuana, so you can’t live on the edge wondering if he will get suspended again.

 

I could live with that . . . for a change.

 

One more day and counting...

 

Personally, I'd like to see the #1 O line out there for a few possessions. First of all, they need it, and second of all, Mayfield is entitled to getting a series or two with the ones, in case he has to play for Tyrod due to injury.

The rest of the game, let the roster battle begin. If Mayfield is getting beat up too badly, run the ball, or take him out. Injuries suck, but it's part of the NFL. What I think leads to injuries in the preseason, is the mix of veterans and guys looking to make a name for themselves. If you've already told your 1s they aren't playing, then they aren't going to be mentally prepared to play. That is a mistake IMO. Two series would be enough to make them prepare and play. It also most likely pairs them against more established guys rather than suicide guys who will do anything to make the team.

One man's opinion.

 

My only issue with it is that they would not be preparing for the Lions, whether it's the 1s, 2s, etc... They began work of Pittsburgh last Sunday. They have two weeks to get prepared for that game and didn't waste any time on the Lions. This game won't help them, if they don't prepare for it. At this level, it isn't about preparing for any old game, it's about preparing for matchups...no way to prepare for a match up you don't even know the answer to. I'm good with them preparing for the Steelers instead of wasting any time on this useless game. Saving injuries aside, I don't think they would learn anything from 2 series that would help them next Sunday against Pittsburgh.

 

There not going against the Lions 1's so I don't see this as being productive. The first game of the season is 10 days away. I would hate it if my team put a starter out there for Preseason #4 and he suffered a two-week injury.

 

Ordinarily, you would be correct. However, the Browns' starting O-line hasn't taken a single live rep as a unit yet this year. PS4 is the absolute last chance to get a few live reps. Once those reps are in . . . I would pull Mayfield and let Stanton and Whatshisname finish it out.

 

I say give Mike Stanton the whole game. Keep Brogan off the field, he showed plenty of upside in the short time that he was on the field, lets make sure we can get him on the PS.

 

Lym thanks for that. That's exactly my point. I'll also concede that if they aren't preparing to play then they shouldn't, but it's the decision to "not play them" where I take issue.

One can only hope they don't conduct practice to avoid contact, or game one is one hell of a place to get introduced to your teammates, under live fire.

 

From the sounds of it Baker is playing basically the entire first half, then BRObie is playing the second half. I think they are planning on Stanton staying in Cleveland as long as he likes as Baker's backup into the future...Brogan will have an opportunity elsewhere. It's better for him in the long run, he might be able to catch on with a team and be their primary backup.

 

Hue has taken control of the "play not play" thing, as he should, but it will also be his signature action that will either end up being a positive or a negative for the team, and he cannot spread the blame if it goes badly.
Game one, we look unprepared: that's on Hue. Clearly his O&D coord's have a different perspective, and I hope it doesn't start a finger pointing game. Hue seems to like that game too much, IMO. I don't believe he'll find a receptive audience this year though.

Along the same lines, why is the Gordon thing so unsettled? His departure was "unusual", and then his return was surrounded by rumors of NFL involvement, which has never been clarified, to my knowledge, and now he's back at practice, but not going to play a single down vs Detroit.

For Pitt, he's a "package" guy, whatever that means. I keep feeling like they are treating him with kid gloves, and IMO he needs to get out there and show he's football ready. Could he get hurt, sure, but that can be mitigated by the number of plays he gets. It just seems to me it's like the "not playing the #1s" in the Detroit game, caution over preparedness.

I can admit, I could be wrong, and it will all work to our advantage, but I'm not feeling it.

 

Practice squad!