Gilbert shines as starters rest
Browns 21, Colts 18
INDIANAPOLIS — Coach Freddie Kitchens gave Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb and other Browns starters the second exhibition game off for good behavior during joint practices with the Colts, and gave third-string quarterback Garrett Gilbert a chance to solidify a roster spot.
With his longtime friend Mayfield and Drew Stanton standing on the sidelines in ballcaps and sneakers, Gilbert started and made a strong case in the first half of Saturday’s 21-18 victory over the Colts that improved the Browns to 2-0. Gilbert opposed Jacoby Brissett instead of the injured Andrew Luck (high ankle issue), and outperformed the Colts’ backup.
He did so without the services of Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway, Damion Ratley, David Njoku and other key skill players, who were either injured or got the day off.
Kitchens let some of his key starters rest because they got so much good work in against the Colts during joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday, especially the latter when they upped the tempo and took it to the Colts.
Signed by the Browns as a free agent in April after the Alliance of American Football folded, Gilbert completed 13 of 19 attempts for 151 yards and two touchdowns on back-to-back drives en route to a 14-7 halftime lead. He picked up where he left off in the AAF, where he led the league with 157 completions and 2,152 yards for the Orlando Apollos.
Kitchens complimented Gilbert’s performance at halftime, saying he would’ve been even better if his receivers had helped him a little more. On his opening drive, receiver D.J. Montgomery dropped a deep pass over the middle on third down. Gilbert was sacked on third down on his second drive, but the third possession was a charm.
Gilbert found Jaelen Strong wide open in the back right corner of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown pass that made it 7-0.
Gilbert came back on his next drive in the second quarter and hit running back D’ernest Johnson with a 6-yard TD pass.
Kareem Hunt made his first start with the Browns and got his first carry since Nov. 19 but didn’t stick around long. He had two carries for 6 yards while playing the first two series. Hunt has been suspended eight games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.