Browns’ offense struggles, defense provides lift in ‘rehearsal’
It was not the “dress CLEVELAND— rehearsal” the Browns wanted.
Above all else, the No. 1 goal for NFL teams in the preseason is to stay healthy.
Unfortunately for the Browns, they didn’t escape a 5-0 preseason victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles unscathed Thursday night.
Four takeaways, a safety and a shutout by a starting defense that continues to dominate in practice games gives the Browns reasons to feel good.
But the Browns left their third preseason game with a few starters dealing with new injuries.
If all of the following setbacks prove to be minor, members of the organization will be able to smile about the first-string defense’s performance:
■ Quarterback Tyrod Taylor suffered a left hand injury with 6:05 left in the first quarter but, after he missed two series, he returned to the action with 14:06 remaining in the second quarter.
During the Browns’ second possession, Taylor threw four consecutive incomplete passes from the Eagles’ 1-yard line. Rookie wide receiver Damion Ratley was in the end zone when he had a sharp pass deflect off his chest on second-and-goal. On fourthand-goal, Taylor rolled to his left and fell on his left hand after firing incomplete again.
In Taylor’s absence, rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield went 2-of-5 passing for 19 yards, took a sack and posted a rating of 51.2 against the Eagles’ starting defense. It was the first time Mayfield had taken any snaps with the first-team offense after not having any in training camp.
■ With 7:49 to play, Mayfield was replaced by Drew Stanton after an independent neurologist had him checked by medical personnel because he took a hard hit. The Browns said Mayfield is
fine. In five total series, he finished 8-of-12 passing for 76 yards with an interception for a rating of 49.3. He took two sacks.
Coach Hue Jackson rested the starters after halftime. In the first half, Taylor played five series and went 11-of-16 passing for 65 yards without a touchdown or a turnover, took two sacks and posted a rating of 76.3.
■ Rookie cornerback Denzel Ward, the No. 4 overall draft pick from Ohio State, left the game for good after suffering a back injury with 10:31 remaining in the first quarter.
Ward was hurt when he twisted his torso as he wrapped up the legs of tight end Zach Ertz for a tackle. T.J. Carrie took Ward’s spot opposite Terrance Mitchell.
N FL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported initial tests suggest Ward exited the game as a precaution.
■ Free safety Damarious Randall had a knee bother him during pregame warmups and didn’t play as a result. Briean Boddy-Calhoun started in place of Randall.
■ Right offensive tackle Chris Hubbard left the game with 4:49 left in the first quar- ter but returned for the next series. The Browns never announced an injury for Hubbard. Greg Robinson replaced him for a short time.
■ Rookie linebacker Genard Avery suffered a pulled a hamstring and did not return.
As for the first-team defense, it accomplished its primary mission against the Eagles and quarterback Nick Foles, the reigning Super Bowl MVP.
Alt h ough the Browns’ top defensive unit held the New York Giants to one field goal Aug. 9 in a 20-10, prese a son-opening win and recorded four three-andouts in its four series Aug. 17 in a 19-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, it failed to tally a take- away in the first two exhibi- tion test drives.
The statistic annoyed the Browns because they finished last in the league with just 13 takeaways in 2017 and defen- sive coordinator Gregg Williams is hell-bent to spearhead dramatic improvement in the category.
End Myles Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, led the charge against the Eagles with two sacks in the starting defense’s six series. Garrett produced a safety with his first sack of Foles and gave the Browns a 2-0 lead with 5:19 left in the first quarter.
During the Eagles’ next possession, Avery strip-sacked Foles, and end Emmanuel Ogbah recovered the fumble at the Eagles’ 35 with 1:08 remaining in the opening quarter. The offense failed to gain a first down with Mayfield filling in for Taylor, but Zane Gonzalez gave the Browns points off a turnover and a 5-0 advantage with a successful 54-yard field goal with 14:52 left in the second quarter.
So starters versus starters, the Browns edged the Eagles 5-0, albeit without facing franchise quarterback Carson Wentz as he recovers from the major knee injury he suffered last season.
Boddy-Calhoun and line- backer Jamie Collins each intercepted Foles, who finished 13-of-17 passing for 127 yards with the two picks for a rating of 57.4.
Mitchell forced running back Matt Jones to fumble, and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi recovered at the Browns’ 28 with 9:33 left in the second quarter.
Taylor and the starting offense clearly need to find a rhythm in time for the Sept. 9 regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If receiver Josh Gordon, a 2013 All-Pro selection, can be available, motivated and focused, he should make a significant difference while starting opposite three-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry. Gordon watched the action from the sideline Thursday night but is expected to return to practice soon after missing a little more than the first three weeks of training camp while receiving treatment in Florida connected to his public struggle with drug and alcohol addiction.
The defense, though, appears to be ready.