The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Preseason Game

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Preseason Game

Nick Pedone
3 years ago
3 min read
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Preseason Game

The Browns were victorious over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday and spoiled the debut of Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer.

There wasn't many bad or ugly things on Saturday night, so let's take a look at the big takeaways.

The Good: The Receivers

In a game that did not feature starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Browns were able to find production from veteran backup Case Keenum as well as Kyle Lauletta.

Of course, Rashard Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones provided some help there, too with a few clutch grabs early on.

While the duo battles it out for the No. 3 wide receiver spot, newcomer Davion Davis was able to haul in four catches for 56 yards and a leaping touchdown grab.

The Good: Linebackers

You read that correctly.

Despite losing Mack Wilson to an early shoulder sprain which won't keep him out for any longer than a week, the Browns linebackers looked competent.

Rookie Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was as advertised, all over the field making tackles. Sione Takitaki was also making tackles all over the field. Sprinkle in the veteran presence of Anthony Walker for the regular season and that unit should be much improved this year.

The Good: Rookies

The Jaguars targeted rookie cornerback Greg Newsome II a ton in the first half and he seemed to be able to hold his own out there. He had a jump ball situation that was deemed a completed pass, despite Newsome emerging from the scrum with the football. Look for teams to target the rookie corner a ton this season, especially if he starts opposite of Denzel Ward.

Owusu-Koramoah was awesome. Plain and simple.

Sixth-round pick Demetric Felton was another huge piece of the offense. As a receiver, he had four catches for 44 yards and also returned a kick and a punt. The front office and coaching staff certainly value his versatility.

Richard LeCounte III impressed in a depleted safety room without Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison or Sheldrick Redwine. LeCounte dropped a pass that would've been an interception, and then actually picked off a pass. He was all over the field.

The Bad: Edge Rushers

In a game where the defense sacked the quarterback three times, it just did not feel as if the Browns were able to get much push off the ends.

Now, Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney will sure help solve that problem when it counts. But when those two need a breather, the Browns seem a little thin. Porter Gustin had a sack, but it looked like a unit that could have used Takk McKinley, who is away from the team for personal reasons.

I'll be watching for Cameron Maleaux and Curtis Weaver to make larger impacts in the next two preseason games.

The Bad: Kickers

The Browns did not miss a kick on Saturday, which is the good news. 

But this kicking competition is really heating up, which means they will need to make a difficult decision eventually.

Parkey was 2-for-2 on field goals including a 48-yard make. Of course, he banked one of his kicks in off the goal post as well.

This just seems like a position group that has not found a longterm answer since 2012, and Phil Dawson isn't walking through that door, either.

The Ugly: Injuries

The Browns were able to walk away from this game with a victory, but not with a clean injury report.

Fourth-string tight end Stephen Carlson is likely to miss the entire season with a knee injury. Carlson was having a nice camp and was likely to make the team as the final tight end. Now, the Browns will be able to have some flexibility with the running back and fullback depth.

Also, even though not as severe, Wilson will miss up to a week of camp with a shoulder strain. He is battling for a roster spot as well in a crowded linebacker room.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski said he was hopeful to get a handful of his previously-injured players back at practice this week for an easy workload before the joint practices with the Giants.

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