Rookies Mayfield, Barkley shine in debuts
Browns quarterback looks sharp, while Giants back breaks off long run in pre-season game
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Baker Mayfield and Saquon Barkley lived up to early expectations as the top two picks in the NFL draft in their first action as the Cleveland Browns beat the New York Giants 20-10 on Thursday night.
Replacing starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor late in the first quarter, Mayfield hit 11 of 20 passes for 212 yards, two touchdowns, and converted two fourth-down plays with his feet. The Heisman Trophy winner who was the No. 1 overall pick found tight end David Njoku on a 10-yard TD pass to cap a 14-play, 72-yard drive on his second series. He finished his debut with a completion on a 54-yard slant and run to fellow rookie Antonio Callaway.
Taylor, expected to be coach Hue Jackson’s starter as Mayfield learns this season, hit all five of his passes in two series, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Njoku.
Barkley, the No. 2 pick, electrified Giants fans at MetLife Stadium, taking a handoff from Eli Manning on the opening play from scrimmage and turning no apparent hole into a 39-yard run down the sideline. It set up a 42-yard field goal by Aldrick Rosas.
The Penn State running back finished with 43 yards on five carries.
Jalen Simmons scored on a five-yard third-quarter run for the Giants’ other score. It came three plays after C.J. Board fumbled a punt return and Zak DeOssie recovered at the Browns 16.
Manning played two series and went 4-for-7 for 26 yards. Star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., returning from major ankle surgery, dressed but was held out by new coach Pat Shurmur, who is trying to rebuild the Giants after a 3-13 season.
The Browns went 0-16 last season after winning their four pre-season games.
CALLAWAY PLAYS
Antonio Callaway, the troubled Browns fourth-round pick, played despite being cited for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license. Police also found bullets and a gun part in his car this week. He had three catches for 87 yards.
DOLPHINS PROTEST
Kenny Stills and two other Miami Dolphins protested during the national anthem before Thursday’s exhibition game in Miami against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Receivers Stills and Albert Wilson kneeled behind teammates standing along the sideline. Defensive end Robert Quinn stood and raised his right fist, as he did during the anthem last season with the Los Angeles Rams.
There were no apparent demonstrations by the Buccaneers.
Stills has been vocal discussing social injustice issues that inspired the protest movement by NFL players.
The league and the players’ union have yet to announce a policy for this season regarding demonstrations during the anthem. The Dolphins issued a statement before training camp saying all options regarding the team’s policy remain open.