Pre-Season game #4 - Browns vs. Lions

I agree brother. When ya go 0-16, you don't get to rest ALL starters in week 4 of the pre-season like you are NFL royalty...smh

This is my typical reaction to Hue Jackson press conferences;

 

He's already hurt, which is why he isn't ready to play against Detroit. He has a small hammy issue which they are getting normal for Pittsburgh. No reason to tweak it because you are playing early in the last preseason game. If it were regular season, he would probably be playing.

I would love for BRObie to make it to the practice squad, obviously that would be best. But, whether he plays tonight or not most likely doesn't determine if he makes it to the PS. "Hiding" him isn't an answer, imho. Other teams are aware of him, I'm sure. If they want him, they will get him whether he plays tonight or not. Who knows, maybe he plays so bad in the second half with guys that will be cut by Saturday that it makes other teams second guess signing him to their active roster...then he can be signed to the PS.

 

BRObie looked decent. He definitely isn't shy about going down field. he put up Madden-esque numbers with 7 completions for 130 yds. I'd like to keep him stashed and have him as the 3rd string next year and move up to the main backup after that. You bring him along and he becomes just another asset that was an UDFA.

Thoughts on the game:

Dayes is making this team. He was all over the field, running, catching, blocking, and tackling.

I also think Cajuste makes the team (even though he had 2 holding calls). This will be a tough call, Devalve hasn't been healthy enough to play and the biggest part of ability is availability. The have a decision to make on the skill position makeup of the team. The can PUP Devalve and kick the can down the road, they can roll with 5 receivers and use Duke as a 6th (which Duke said that you haven't even seen how they will use him), they could go sans traditional fullback and cut Dan Vitale (who is also dinged up). A lot can happen.

I think with the pick 6 (and the Kendricks debacle) that Orchard will make the team.

Faulk (DL) looked like a beast against the future car salesman of America. I don't think there's room on the roster, but the PS will be good if he can settle there.

Janis did not look good to me, none of the guys battling moved the needle to me. The closest was Board, but he still leaves something to be desired. As I mentioned above, they may roll with 5 to keep the best football players on the team.

IDK if he makes the team, but I like Justin Currie. As they said on the broadcast, he just understands football and knows where to be. He gives a little roster flexibility as a former safety. It'll be interesting to see how the DBs and LBs shake out.

 

As @SAS has mentioned, I hope he makes it to the PS... He has a chance to get plucked, but I have to believe there are 15 other BRObie's out there that we don't know because they aren't Browns.

I would actually rather keep Dayes and Cajuste and forgo a FB. We don't utilize the FB enough anyway. DeValve being MIA may have cemented his demise. Unless he qualifies for the PUP, he might get cut.

I actually though Orchard was already on the roster, but last night cemented to me why. He has upside, it is just taking way too long for him to develop into anything consistent. But, there isn't anyone else that is rising to the occasion to take his spot either.

Janis was brought in for special teams, honestly, I haven't seen anything spectacular on ST to elicit a WR spot for him. Dayes AND Cajuste have contributed more to ST and can help both of their position groups more than Janis will.

As for a 6th man to add to Landry, Gordon, Callaway, Higgins (these 4 are all locks) and probably Ratley...I think you might see someone that wasn't on the field in preseason on the roster sooner than later. Have to see where the cuts fall before tomorrow 4:00 PM..

I like Currie too, I hope he sticks around. He won't be a liability if needed.

 

@Dogside18 & @IrishDawg42 ... some good convo here, so I'm just going to throw my two cents (versus a ton of quoting!):

Brogan Roback: maybe makes a practice squad. Could be something to work with there and he's already got some time in.

Matthew Dayes: not sure I'd put him on the final 53. He's still practice squad eligible and for all the talk of his special teams, you've already got Callaway and Peppers as primary returners and I, personally, would rather carry a defensive back or linebacker as a gunner/tackler for S/T. Dayes had a great night against guys on Detroit's team who won't make it, but he's not going to take regular season carries away from Carlos Hyde, Nick Chubb, or Duke Johnson Jr. Only way I would put him on the final 53 is if Johnson is going to end up as a WR/RB instead of RB/WR role.

Devon Cajuste: practice squad. Njoku and Fells are locks. I've got two years worth of NFL game film on DeValve to know he adds value as a pass catcher (on par with Njoku last season) and as a blocker. Even if he's a Sashi pick (and I am not one to believe Dorsey is just simply getting rid of the analytics guys' picks), he's shown himself to be a good player. He's a good story, but carrying four TEs might be too much invested in the position.

Nate Orchard: I'll be the first to admit I may have been too hard on him in 2017 and 2016... he looks better this preseason than he has sine his rookie year (playing his natural position certainly helps). I'd like to see him and Nassib make the final 53 because I've never heard a defensive coordinator say he had "too many quality pass rushers" and with both Ogbah and Garrett's injury history, I can't count 100% on them being available for all 16. I've seen far more out of both Orchard and Nassib than I have out of Chris Smith (free agency signing from Cincy) and Chad Thomas (third round draft pick, 2018).

Jeremy Faulk: with the lack of interior depth, he's worth at least a practice squad spot and maybe a full-time spot on the roster. Ogunjobi, Coley, Meder, and Brantley would be your primary four, though. Chad Thomas could add bulk and play inside as his pass rush skills are sub-optimal right now.

Jeff Janis: cut. I've got way better S/T options.

C.J. Board: here's my sixth WR. Landry, Gordon, Callaway, Higgins, Ratley, and Board. Board also looked good on punt returns. Only question (because I haven't heard yet) is what's up with his shoulder. He could start on the PUP or be cut if he's not healthy enough to contribute Week 1.

Justin Currie: couldn't agree more - love the fact he was a former safety and, while undersized, we can use all the help we can get as a coverage LB. Here's a guy I'd put on S/T to ensure a final 53 spot over Dayes or even Board.

 

@IrishDawg42 , @SAS ;

Good stuff guys!

 

You too @Dogside18 !

 

With the top waiver position, I think that all bubble players who make the initial 53 will be at risk to be released. Dorsey has used final cut downs to add young talent to the bottom of the team.

Only about 28 hrs left till official time.