Top Takeaways From The Browns’ Second Preseason Game
Photo Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns are now an even .500 on the preseason after dropping Game 2 to the Washington Commanders by a final of 17-15. Despite the loss, there were some highlights.
What did we learn on Friday?
DTR picked up right where he left off
After an impressive debut against the J-E-T-S, Dorian Thompson-Robinson wasted no time building off that performance.
In only one quarter of action, DTR was 9/10 with 102 yards, which led to a 142.5 passer rating. He led an eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated on a TD pass on a quick slant route to not Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson ➡️ David Bell Touchdown! The #Browns cut the deficit to 17-9! #DawgPound
— Grayson Pierce (@GraysonPierce4) August 12, 2023
The guy is clearly an electric playmaker and has been the story of the Browns’ preseason. In two games, he’s thrown for 231 yards, two TDs, and has a 134.9 passer rating. He’s already shown that he can be QB2 behind Deshaun Watson.
We also found this highlight from his UCLA days and thought we’d show you it because, why not?
Throwback to when DTR juked 2 defenders into tackling each other😮💨
2 more weeks until CFB is back🙏pic.twitter.com/lfCwOFLkuH
— On3 (@On3sports) August 12, 2023
Demetric Felton had an up and down night
The Browns’ second preseason game saw increased reps from Demetric Felton in all facets of the game. He was the clear lead back with eight carries and 31 yards. He also operated as the Browns’ primary kick returner, averaging 21.7 yards on three kick returns.
Unfortunately, after the opening 12-play, 67-yard drive led the Browns to a third-and-goal on the one, Felton and John Kelly both failed to score on goal line rushes.
Commanders’ starting defense saved its best for last.
(How do you just not block Montez Sweat?) pic.twitter.com/JLkmyatIVg
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 12, 2023
That failed opportunity to score did accidentally work out in the Browns’ favor, because…
SAFETY!
Two of the Browns’ biggest free-agent acquisitions, Za’Darius Smith and Dalvin Tomlinson, wasted no time making an impact on the field.
Soon after the failed TD drive, the Browns’ D-line threw the offense a bone and made up for it. On third-and-10, Smith and Tomlinson, both acquired from the Vikings this offseason, combined to put pressure on Sam Howell. In the process, Smith was held by Commanders lineman Andrew Wylie in the end zone, leading to the safety.
Andrew Wylie pinged for holding in the endzone. That's a Safety by rule.
Wylie having a shocker to start this game. Two holding calls in 10~ snaps.
Yikes#HTTC pic.twitter.com/mB0fDjc3jz
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) August 12, 2023
The Browns did not capitalize on this opportunity, however, as the safety was their only score of the half.
Statement night for Ronnie Hickman
The Browns intercepted two passes on Friday night. Both INTs were caught by this man:
Ronnie Hickman had 2 INTs for the Browns last night in his debut 🔥 pic.twitter.com/q5wFKQNzSs
— CleBuckeye (@CleBuckeye23) August 12, 2023
The undrafted rookie out of THE Ohio State University caught his first INT on a deep pass from Jacoby Brissett. He snagged his second after winning a contested catch battle against TE Curtis Hodges on a pass thrown by Jake Fromm State Farm.
Kevin Stefanski raved about Hickman in a postgame press conference.
“You can’t do your job if you don’t know your job, and he’s a young man that really works hard at knowing what to do. So that puts himself in position, and I think he’s got really good ball skills, and that was evident last night.”
Sophomore slump for Cade York?
The Browns’ 2022 fourth-round draft pick has had two field goal attempts in the preseason thus far. He missed them both wide right.
It was obviously a topic of concern in the postgame presser. While the Browns faithful is concerned about York, Stefanski has his back.
#Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on K Cade York's mentality: I think Cade's got the makeup for that role. He works hard at his craft. Part of playing in NFL is you have to bounce back from a miss.
— Scott Petrak ct (@ScottPetrak) August 12, 2023
In York’s defense, he has made all of his PATs, and two field goals is a ridiculously small sample size to judge a kicker on. He has two more opportunities in the preseason to improve on his O-fer.
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