For the first time since their return to the league, the Cleveland Browns are 2-0. Okay, okay, it’s only preseason. However, there already looks to be a big difference from last year. If they can keep up this kind of production, the Dawg Pound might finally have some sustained success. But before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at what helped to get the Browns to 2-0 in their game against the New York Giants. These are the Browns week two takeaways for the 2017 season.
Cleveland Browns Preseason Week Two Takeaways
The Scho Goes On
You know what’s funny? Once upon a time, Ray Horton made Joe Schobert look like a complete and total bust. But last night, Gregg Williams made Schobert look amazing out there. It’s crazy what a simple change in defensive coaching can do for a player. Yes, Schobert had himself a night to remember.
Breaking through the line for a sack on one of the game’s first plays, Schobert played like his hair was on fire the entire game. He almost snagged an interception too, but it was just inches too high. In any case, one could definitely say that this game was one of Schobert’s absolute best. Really, it’s hard to argue against it.
The First of Many
The moment Browns fans had already been waiting for finally came just last night. First overall pick Myles Garrett tore across the line of scrimmage and wrapped up Geno Smith to record his first career sack. Now, even though that sack was unofficial (it is preseason), it sent FirstEnergy Stadium into a frenzy. Finally, it seems, one of their first-round draft picks looks as good as advertised. Although the Giants offensive line isn’t the best, Garrett’s sack did come against the first team. Hopefully for fans of the oft ill-fated Browns, this is Garrett’s first sack of many in his NFL career.
Peppers Spices Up the Return Game
Oh yes, that Jabrill Peppers is a red hot one in the return game. Twice during the game, Peppers nearly broke a kick or punt return all the way to the end zone. One of these times, he’s finally going to go the distance. And when that happens, rest assured that Browns fans and FirstEnergy stadium are going to erupt. Looks like the Giants special teams unit…couldn’t handle the heat.
Quarterback Competitions
Let’s address the elephant in the room here. DeShone Kizer has, pretty clearly, put himself in position to be the Browns starting quarterback in 2017. Whether or not coach Hue Jackson actually gives him that job is a different story, though. Why? Well, it’s a story that, like any other, has two sides.
On one side, you’ve got the case for Kizer. First and foremost, the rookie has possibly the best arm talent of all the rookie quarterbacks in this class. He throws the deep ball beautifully and has the prototypical body type for a quarterback. On the other side, is the case against Kizer. Let’s call this the “he’s not ready yet” school of thought. Back at Notre Dame, Kizer’s coaches held up play cards to tell him what to do. With the Browns though, it’s much, much more involved and the play calls could be 10-15 words long on a good day. Either way, it seems that it’s only a matter of time until Kizer really is ready to start.
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