CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns improved to 2-0 this preseason with Sunday’s 17-13 win against the Giants. But that’s just what the scoreboard said.
Here are the real winners and losers from the game.
WINNER: Former high school quarterbacks who don’t play quarterback anymore
One story I’ve thought about writing this year is a ranking of the best former high school quarterbacks on the current Browns’ roster. But to be honest, it’s just an excuse for me to write that Johnny Stanton IV, as in fullback Johnny Stanton IV, is the best former high school quarterback on the current Browns roster.
Stanton was a four-star recruit out of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., in 2013, and the 11th-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country.
Today he is the Browns’ fullback.
I’m not going to recap his journey here. Listen to Dan Labbe’s interview with Stanton from earlier this year, or the crazy hypothetical I wrote about shortly after the Browns signed Stanton.
The point is that Stanton is carving out a spot for himself in the NFL, and perhaps on the Browns’ active roster this season. He caught back-to-back passes on a third-quarter drive that led to a John Kelly touchdown run Sunday. And on that run, it was Stanton sealing off the edge lined up as tight end, allowing Kelly to race to the pylon.
Then there was Giants wide receiver David Sills V, who I first wrote about when he was a high school quarterback. Sills was known for committing to USC when he was still in middle school. His Eastern Christian Academy (Md.) team defeated local power St. Ignatius in 2013 on Sill’s touchdown pass in the final seconds.
Now he’s trying to survive in the NFL as receiver. On Sunday he caught three passes, including a fourth-quarter touchdown that pulled the Giants within 14-13.
And finally, you had KhaDarel Hodge. Yes, Hodge was a high school quarterback. He threw for 3,808 yards and 43 touchdowns and rushed for 2,642 yards over three seasons at Mendenhall High School (Miss.).
But you know him better as the special teamer who found a spot on offense with the Browns last season, opening the year as the third receiver. On Sunday he caught his first touchdown pass since a preseason game in his 2018 rookie year.
It was a big moment for Hodge, who is trying to claim a spot in a receiver room full of talent.
Big plays haven’t been as common for Stanton, Sills and Hodge in the NFL as they were in high school.
On Sunday, though, they were.
LOSER: Health
Sunday’s pregame injury list was quite long. Twelve players were listed among those expected to miss the game due to injury. Nine of the players would’ve gotten significant snaps in the game.
The list didn’t even include Porter Gustin, who suffered a knee injury in Friday’s practice and didn’t play.
Then Greedy Williams (groin) and Cody Parkey (quad) both had to leave the game early. And Montrel Meander, signed earlier in the week because the Browns needed more bodies at linebacker, was carted off with an Achilles injury.
Not what the Browns needed.
WINNER: Browns defensive tackles
After Malik Jackson, it’s anyone’s guess which players will get the bulk of the playing time at defensive tackle this season. Andrew Billings figures to be in the main rotation. But so, too, does Sheldon Day, who had a third-down tackle for loss on Sunday, giving him a nice two-game bookend for his sack last week against the Jaguars.
Day has shared first-team reps with Billings in camp. And on Sunday he was just one of multiple defensive tackles making plays. Malik McDowell had five tackles, a sack and two quarterback hits. Jordan Elliott also had a sack and two quarterback hits.
Defensive tackle could provide some of the most interesting roster decisions as the Browns cut down to 80 players by Tuesday, then to 53 by Aug. 31.
LOSER: The competition for punt returner
I, for one, was excited to see the possibilities the Browns had this year at punt returner. JoJo Natson was back. Demetric Felton was a new addition. There was talk of getting speedy Anthony Schwartz back deep. Perhaps Donovan Peoples-Jones would show improvement.
But the team that averaged just 4.8 yards per return last year isn’t doing much better this year, averaging just 6.0 yards per return.
Natson had the longest of the preseason on Sunday, an 11-yarder. He is averaging 5.75 yards per return on four attempts. Felton is averaging 6.25 yards. Ja’Marcus Bradley has returned one for six yards.
We’re a long way away from Travis Benjamin and Josh Cribbs, folks.
WINNER: Keeping them guessing
Stefanski isn’t surprising anybody by using extra running backs and tight ends in his formations this preseason. He has really leaned into 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR) and 21 personnel (2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR) that his offense has become known for.
But what’s surprising is how much the Browns are throwing this preseason. The Browns have 79 pass attempts vs. 51 rushes. That’s not typical for a Stefanski offense. The Browns had the fourth-most rush attempts in the league last year and had just six more pass attempts than rushing attempts.
But then, atypical is probably what Stefanski is going for this preseason.
–
Browns playoffs shirts, hats for sale: Here’s where Cleveland Browns fans can order shirts and hats celebrating the team qualifying for the 2020 NFL playoffs.
Mayfield, teammates find comfort in second Stefanski camp
What did Browns-Giants joint practices teach us? Podcast
What happened Friday: Hill-Shepard skirmish; most starters will rest Sunday
Stefanski on Jacob Phillips, Greedy Williams: Transcript
Watch: Offense battle the Giants in red zone drills
What’s the plan for starters on Sunday? Hey, Mary Kay! video
Mayfield on Njoku, Peppers: Transcript
What did we learn from joint practices? Browns walkoff thoughts
Is Njoku a top-10 tight end? Will Newsome start? What we learned on Thursday
New approach to Mayfield’s contract? Will JOK start? Hey, Terry
