{"id":47680,"date":"2018-08-22T13:00:56","date_gmt":"2018-08-22T17:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=47680"},"modified":"2018-08-23T11:12:22","modified_gmt":"2018-08-23T15:12:22","slug":"cleveland-browns-starting-offense-undergoes-developments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/08\/22\/cleveland-browns-starting-offense-undergoes-developments\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleveland Browns Starting Offense Undergoes Developments"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <a href=\"http:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/browns\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cleveland Browns<\/a> starting offense will get their first real test of the preseason when they face the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>There has been a myriad of developments this past week, especially within the offense. Here are some things to look out for before the Browns\u2019 third preseason game.<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Big Developments for the Cleveland Browns Offense Ahead of Game Against Philadelphia Eagles<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h2>The Quarterback Battle Is Back On<\/h2>\n<p>Earlier in the week, head coach <strong>Hue Jackson<\/strong> was adamant that facing the formidable Eagles would mean star rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/02\/12\/baker-mayfield-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Baker Mayfield<\/strong><\/a> wouldn\u2019t be getting any first-team reps. However, he sang a very different tune Tuesday.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Browns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Browns<\/a> Hue Jackson said Baker Mayfield \u201cwill play quite a bit\u201d vs <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Eagles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Eagles<\/a>. Wants to give him as much exposure as possible<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MaryKayCabot\/status\/1031935907425742849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Jackson also stated that <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TaylTy00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tyrod Taylor<\/a><\/strong> and Mayfield would play a half each. The quarterback battle is apparent despite Jackson always being clear that the former would remain the starter no matter what.<\/p>\n<p>Browns staff writer\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clevelandbrowns.com\/news\/need-to-know-browns-1st-team-offense-continues-to-gel-as-dress-rehearsal-game-ap\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Maks<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0reported that\u00a0 Taylor and a \u201cnew-look\u201d offense are still continuing to \u201cgel\u201d under offensive coordinator <strong>Todd Haley<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>But Wasn\u2019t Tyrod Taylor Meant To Start, No Matter What?<\/h2>\n<p>With the team learning a new system, Jackson thinks \u201cTyrod needs every rep that he can get with the ones.\u201d With Mayfield doing an \u201coutstanding\u201d job with the twos, he\u2019ll be more than ready if the situation calls for him to be on the field. Jackson had earlier said \u201cthat hasn\u2019t happened\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Taylor has been on top of his game since the Browns traded for him in March. The one-time Pro Bowler is making it clear it wasn\u2019t a mistake, and he\u2019s been a steadying force for his comrades on and off the field.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GordJo02.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Gordon<\/a> Could Play By The End Of Preseason<\/h2>\n<p>By now, everyone knows wide receiver <strong>Josh Gordon<\/strong> has returned after a multi-year suspension and his ongoing struggle with addiction. As the franchise eases him back into training, Jackson says he\u2019s open to playing him in their final preseason game against the <a href=\"http:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/lions\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Detroit Lions<\/a>. Gordon has untapped talent, so it will be a positive move.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GarrMy00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Myles Garrett<\/a> And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BitoJo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joel Bitonio<\/a> Are Perfect Partners<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Joel Bitonio<\/strong> filled the gaping void at left tackle after the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=ThomJo28,ThomJo04,ThomJo20&amp;search=Joe+Thomas&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Thomas<\/a> <\/strong>retired. After four years at guard, he\u2019s continuing to improve at his new position by consistently blocking defensive end <strong>Myles Garrett<\/strong> during training camp. Jackson is thrilled at their progress. \u201cThose two guys are making each other better. That\u2019s what you have to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Will Antonio Callaway Play Thursday?<\/h2>\n<p>With his hip injury, it remains unclear whether the talented rookie wide receiver will play against Philly. It will be a disappointment if he\u2019s out for the game, his skill is undeniable and landed him that starting job early.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GainE.00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">E.J. Gaines<\/a> Might Heal Sooner Than Expected<\/h2>\n<p>The veteran cornerback <strong>E.J. Gaines<\/strong> had sustained what looked like a serious injury. \u201cIt sounds like we\u2019re going to get him back sooner rather than later,&#8221; said Jackson. That\u2019s a good thing. If he\u2019s a fast healer, hopefully he will come back a little sooner. He\u2019s been taking reps with the second team and is performing well.<\/p>\n<p>As the game looms, the situation looks promising for the Browns. Some extra work on offensive cohesiveness should help them in a big way.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"mm1szauQTX1h3V0-p1_5Ng\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1018478942\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'mm1szauQTX1h3V0-p1_5Ng',sig:'4nwej0YW48GBiq1HeqeJdXKSkO7qJ1L7nBFceEfvTSg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1018478942',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Cleveland Browns starting offense will get their first real test of the preseason when they face the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2583,"featured_media":47696,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,54],"tags":[3581,3418,264,61,758,1079,507,1472,40,570],"class_list":["post-47680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-browns","category-editorials","tag-antonio-callaway","tag-baker-mayfield","tag-cleveland-browns","tag-football","tag-hue-jackson","tag-joe-thomas","tag-josh-gordon","tag-myles-garrett","tag-nfl","tag-tyrod-taylor"],"modified_by":"Al Preziosi","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2583"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47680"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47680\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}