Packers vs. Browns Review: What We Learned
The Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns battled it out on Thursday Night Football, with the Browns taking their third preseason game in a row over the Pack, by a final score of 35-10.
Fans watching this game wanted to get another good look at Brandon Weeden, while also hoping the Packers first-team offense would come to life after a weak showing in their first preseason game. We got both, while also finding out some other interesting nuggets from this lop-sided affair.
Here are the top five things I came away with from this preseason matchup:
1. Brandon Weeden is Coming Along
He didn’t look very good in his first preseason game, going just 3-of-9 with a pick, but settled down in this one and was better than average in some spots. He made a nice throw over the middle of the field to Greg Little that led to a touchdown, and made a few other solid throws that flashed his potential. He didn’t take any sacks and took care of the football, helping to make his second preseason game a success. Browns fans will hope for another big leap in his third preseason game, but they can’t knock this progress.
While Weeden looked a little more comfortable this time around, I couldn’t help but notice that he was completely out-played by backup Colt McCoy for the second straight week. McCoy didn’t score or have amazing stats, but he has a better command of the offense and simply looked more fluid and comfortable against the Packers. He’s major trade bait as the preseason moves along.
2. Josh Gordon and Greg Little Show Their Stuff
When Greg Little isn’t dropping passes, he’s turning them into extra yardage. Little finished with 45 yards on four receptions, and nearly turned a nice 24-yarder into a score. He’s a classic possession receiver with nice ability after the catch. After catching 61 passes for 709 yards as a rookie last year, he’s a real threat to take it up a level in year two.
Gordon, on the other hand, was taken in this year’s supplemental draft with the hope that he could quickly turn into the team’s go-to deep threat and big-play maker. If Thursday night was any indication, there’s a chance all the hype surrounding Gordon could actually pan out. He missed a year of football and is a bit raw, but he has the body and explosiveness to turn into a problem for opposing defenses right away as a rookie. Gordon made two nice 19-yard catches, and could quickly turn into a deadly weapon on the outside if he can develop a rapport with Weeden.
3. Graham Harrell Isn’t Ready to Backup Aaron Rodgers
And I’m not sure he’ll ever be. The Packers hid his weaknesses last week by putting him in familiar spread formations, but this guy just isn’t built for a Pro offense. His pocket presence and arm strength are both suspect, while he completely falls apart under any real pressure. Don’t be shocked if the Packers are in the market very soon for a replacement to backup A-Rod. Cleveland’s own Colt McCoy would make perfect sense, as he knows the system and has looked solid so far this preseason.
Rookie quarterback B.J. Coleman probably isn’t the answer either, in case you were wondering. His only pass of the night was intercepted.
4. Trent Richardson Needs to Get Healthy – Fast
Montario Hardesty and Brandon Jackson both found their way into the end-zone on Thursday night, but they looked like pedestrian backs doing so. Jackson is a third down back at best and finished the night averaging under three yards per carry, while Hardesty averaged a respectable 3.8, but didn’t flash any “wow” ability. Richardson was drafted as both a workhorse and a major upgrade, because beyond Peyton Hillis, the Browns were pathetic in the form of talent in the backfield in 2011. Cleveland’s offensive line helps cover up how bad those running backs really are. Richardson needs to get back quick so the position doesn’t become a problem and make life even harder on Brandon Weeden.
5. Jordy Nelson’s 2011 Probably Wasn’t a Fluke
I’m a Nelson fan. He’s in my top-15 this year, and he might go even higher. I know he won’t be the number two receiver in fantasy football again this year, and I know he won’t score 15 touchdowns in back to back year. Even Terrell Owens and Randy Moss haven’t been able to do that. With that said, he scored a touchdown on a 20-yard play early in the game to show me he’s still a huge part of Green Bay’s down-field passing attack, and that is simply isn’t going to change. He’s been lighting up training camp, too, so there’s the thought that he’s just hitting his stride, rather than peaking last year. I think he has a very good chance at getting 10 touchdowns again, while his targets should only increase, as well.
The homer in me disagrees about Hardesty not showing much "wow". He was running very well, falling forward, cutting back when needed, getting low and fighting for extra yardage. With this offensive line, Trent Richardson will be a beast. Not to mention Hardesty had some nice pick ups in pass protection. He's not a fantasy asset, but he looks like he could work out decent enough as a backup if he can run like he did Friday. As for Morgan and Little, they have the ability, but both had two drops a piece on balls that hit them right in the hands. They need to look the ball in before running to secure the pass. I now want to see Weeden throw the ball down field more. So many third down and longs happened where the receiver ran a route 2-3 yards short of the first, and that was frustrating.
I disagree on Hardesty. I think you're being way too nice. Maybe I'm being harsh, but admitting you're a homer kinda tells you a lot right there. I agree with everything else you say here, though buddy. I know Little and Gordon have suspect hands, but they both have great potential. Gordon is going to go down as a major steal coming out of the Sup draft. Weeden showed progression on Thursday night. He needs to just keep doing that.
We'll see more of Hardesty in the pre-season, and against an improving, but still average front seven against the run in Green Bay, it could have been a fluke. He was running hard, and showing nice vision though, but I don't believe that he'll become a fantasy option or anything more than a decent back up runner.
But wanna input that you have a very decent internet site, I love the layout it really stands out.
Youre thus splendid, man! I cant have faith in I missed this blog for accordingly long. Its immediately enormous stuff all on all sides. Your propose, man…too amazing! I cant hold your fire to recite what youve got subsequently. I love everything that youre saying and want additional, further, MORE! Keep this positive, man! Its emphatically extremely good.
ÿþW
I have figured out some points through your blog post. One other point I would like to talk about is that there are lots of games available on the market designed specially for preschool age kids. They include things like pattern recognition, colors, family pets, and forms. These commonly focus on familiarization rather than memorization. This keeps a child engaged without having a sensation like they are studying. Thanks
Are all a variety of, durable, and offer you one of the most assist, traction and likewise shock absorption from the jogging sneakers. jeremy scott footwear is between the top athletic sneakers created obtainable in the marketplace. These footwear are outfitted with authentic resources produced by the Adidas Business. Though jeremy scott footwear are created away from really tough resources
Brilliant guide thanks! Seems to operate perfectly well with the latest versions of wordpress as well (3.3) Made the code a lot cleaner as mentioned and seems to have made life a lot easier when trying to implement the comments form into side areas ect. (Had a nightmare with previous use in the normal code)
“I¡¯d forever want to be update on new content on this website”
They usually are knee excessive or thigh high boot footwear as well which have been laced up the the front to make them because tight as it can be. It is simply a straight line from your knee into the toes and fingers. Once a thing of only fetish design, they’ve at this point fully begun their cross into popular runway and also celeb trend. Alexander McQueen included the ten inch high Armadillo shoe in her Spring/Summer 2010 design shoe. Types, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Natasha Poly along with Sasha Pivovarova quit the show throughout protest and it also was a massive controversy. Of course this simply spawned a different generation regarding dare devils when Kesha and Beyonce was wearing them.
from the crash less complicated far more negative. Kids should be taught to own sun glasses real initial merely simply because they will turn out to be familiar with to carry some sunglasses if he or she go out. About to catch simply guarding his / her delicate eyes, but moreover instructing all of these that sunglasses are crucial. Defending his or her eyes may possibly also decrease the chance of eye bacterial infections. Even toddlers have to be put in the habit of smoking involving beautifying sunglasses. They are really lovable and they are normally manufactured for a exclusive
Nice post. I be taught something more challenging on completely different blogs everyday. It is going to all the time be stimulating to read content from different writers and observe just a little one thing from their store. I’d choose to make use of some with the content on my blog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll provide you with a link on your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.
They usually are knee higher or leg high boots as well which might be laced up the top to make them while tight as it can be. It is basically a direct line in the knee as a result of the digits. Once a matter of only fetish fashion, they’ve currently fully in progress their go over into well known runway and also celeb design. Alexander McQueen included the 10 inch high Armadillo shoe in his Spring/Summer 2010 fashion shoe. Styles, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Natasha Poly and also Sasha Pivovarova quit the actual show around protest and it also was a big controversy. Needless to say this just spawned a brand new generation with dare demons when Rhianna and Beyonce used them.
Awseome article, I am a big believer in posting comments on websites to inform the blog writers know that they’ve added something useful to the world wide web!
I believe that avoiding prepared foods could be the first step so that you can lose weight. They might taste excellent, but highly processed foods include very little nutritional value, making you feed on more to have enough electricity to get over the day. When you are constantly ingesting these foods, converting to whole grain products and other complex carbohydrates will let you have more electricity while consuming less. Great blog post.
If you’re thinking about actually trying to walk in them, I do think your only hope is that you are ballerina who is feet will be trained to resist that place. Or i hope you’re custom modeling rendering them and even just go walking in front of the photographic camera for a few structures.
assembly them even for a casual discourse. Lecturers are even more like friendly guides nowadays;
Thanks for sharing superb information. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the info that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles.
Hypocrites.understanding how to learn coming from a guitar guide clearly features a few drawbacks. To begin you simply can’t