With the news that the majority of the Browns starters will not be playing Saturday night in Jacksonville, why should I watch the first pre-season game? First of all, it’s technically a Browns game, so of course, I’m going to watch. I used to think pre-season games were overblown practices. I would usually turn them off after the starters were done. So with the majority of the starters not playing, why am I watching? Because the Browns haven’t been tackling during training camp, this will be the first opportunity for the players to experience live tackling this year. I want to see how the rookies will react.
The Browns 2021 rookie class looks very talented on paper.
On paper.
In the past, Browns fans have convinced themselves that the current class of rookies would change the fortunes of the Browns season. The big difference this year, this Browns team doesn’t need their rookies to start, the roster was extremely talented prior to draft weekend. So who am I watching? I want to see CB Greg Newsome, LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, DT Tommy Togiai, DE Curtis Weaver, DT Marvin Wilson, S Richard LeCounte and RB/WR/KR Demetric Felton. I also want to see how the second-year players have developed, DT Jordan Elliot, LB Jacob Phillips, DE Cameron Malveaux and S Jovante Moffatt. This is also a great opportunity to watch the progression of LB Sione Takitaki, LB Mack Wilson, CB Greedy Williams and WR Donovan Peoples-Jones.
I hope it’s a clean game with no injuries. I’ll be interested in seeing how many penalties will be called. Penalties during a preseason game are a reflection on the coaching staff as well as a teaching tool for good coaching staffs. I have a feeling Jacksonville head coach Urban Meyer is going to treat this game like it was Ohio State vs. some directional school. He’ll try and run up the score for the fans. I hope Browns fans don’t freak out if this happens. However, some probably will. Head coach Kevin Stefanski just wants to make sure what the Browns have practiced in Berea is transferred to the playing field in game one.
Enjoy the game, cheers.
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