With Jarvis Landry out for possibly a few games, the Browns should roll out the red carpet and get Rashard Higgins back into the game plan. (USA Today)
The Browns need to roll out Rashard Higgins’ red carpet in Jarvis Landry’s absence
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Second thoughts on Browns’ 31-21 win over Houston Texans …
1. Jarvis Landry’s leadership and energy will be missed while the receiver is out “week to week” with a sprained MCL in his left knee. (The hit on Landry’s knee came from former Browns special teamer/defensive back Tavierre Thomas.) On the field, the Browns should get Rashard Higgins back into the flow of the offense. As the fourth receiver, Higgins received no passing targets in Game 1 in four offensive reps. When Landry went out on the second play against Houston, Higgins’ reps increased to 43 (of 61 total) and he had two catches on two targets for 27 yards. Baker Mayfield needs a security blanket among the wideouts. Landry is that for him when on the field. Higgins is, too. Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz are not.
2. Which brings up Odell Beckham Jr. Kevin Stefanski was characteristically mum on any insight about Beckham’s possible return for Game 3 against Chicago. He wouldn’t even say if he wants to make a decision on Beckham’s availability at the start of the practice week on Wednesday, as he did last week. Even if Beckham makes his first appearance since tearing his left ACL on Oct. 25, he’s not exactly been a “go-to” guy for Mayfield. Thus, I feel Higgins needs to be one of the top three receivers active against the Bears.
3. Another option is to give more reps to rookie Demetric Felton as a slot and backfield receiver. In only three offensive snaps against the Texans, Felton had two catches for 51 yards. His 33-yard catch-and-run counts as Mayfield’s only passing touchdown in two games. It was all Felton on that play, running, turning, cutting and twisting for about 25 of those yards after the short pass. Felton was on the field with running back Kareem Hunt. Both lined up wide on the left side of the line of scrimmage with Mayfield in empty formation. It seems when Felton joins the offense, he’s difficult for the defense to identify.
4. The Landry injury and the continued uncertainty about Beckham’s return made the release of receiver Davion Davis a puzzling move. The Browns had to make a decision on Davis because his NFL suspension was lifted after two games. Davis had a strong preseason and looked like he could help in a pinch. He will probably be claimed by some receiver-needy team.
5. Mayfield’s 19-of-21 passing performance was enhanced by Stefanski’s decision to protect Mayfield after his shoulder injury with shorter pass routes. The longest reception was Felton’s 33-yarder, which was mostly his doing, and next-longest was one of 29 yards to tight end Harrison Bryant before Mayfield’s injury. That throw alone portended an accurate day for Mayfield, and Stefanski pointed out he was sharp from the outset. Still, the reason it was one of Mayfield’s finest games – more so than his 19 of 21, in my opinion – was his toughness in playing through what had to be a painful left shoulder injury. He didn’t hesitate in running to the end zone for a 5-yard scoring keeper on the very first series back from treatment in the locker room. Former Browns backup quarterback and CBS college football analyst Gary Danielson once told me the quarterback has to be the toughest player on his team – to lead, to be available, and to perform through the incredible pressure of the job. The toughness quotient is not something that can be computed through analytics, either. Saying all that, Mayfield is just tempting fate by overdoing it as a blocker or trailer on gadget plays, and as a tackler after turnovers.
6. The biggest positive on the defensive side was the debut of safety Grant Delpit – five tackles, and the only sack for the Browns on a safety blitz, in 26 snaps (of 61). Delpit almost had an interception and also had a tackle-for-loss of 3 yards. He also played on 13 special teams snaps. Now it’s incumbent on Delpit to stay available through the next practice week so coordinator Joe Woods can expand on his role. The hard-luck Delpit gave just a glimpse of the versatile tasks he can provide as a third safety. “It felt great being out there,” Delpit said of his first NFL action. “It had been a little minute since I last suited up and stepped out there. I am glad I was able to be out there for my team and just blessed by God really. It has been a long journey. I am glad that it has started like it has. Hopefully, we keep it going through the season.”
7. Left tackle Jedrick Wills was a surprise starter after not practicing all week. He put in 43 snaps before his sore ankle stiffened up. Another surprise was that the Browns went to Blake Hance to give Wills relief (18 snaps) and not rookie James Hudson. With Chris Hubbard (triceps) now in a “week to week” situation, according to Stefanski, Hance has a chance to step into Hubbard’s sixth-man role, able to fill in at guard or tackle.
8. It was an overall positive performance from Mike Priefer’s special teams – and the Browns needed it to get past the Texans. Sione Takitaki recovered Houston’s Andre Roberts’ muffed punt to set up the first Browns touchdown. This week, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah did make the tackle on Cleveland’s first kickoff (at the 16-yard line). A.J. Green also had a tackle at the Houston 20, on which a Texans penalty moved their possession back to the 8. And with 3 ½ minutes to go, Jamie Gillan pinned the Texans back to their 12-yard line with a good punt. Also, Chase McLaughlin made all four PATs, with nary a graze of a goal post.
9. It’s amazing to me that rookie cornerback Greg Newsome has not really been targeted much in his first two NFL games. Newsome was targeted on a pass for Brandin Cooks that drew pass interference when Newsome never looked back for the ball. But much of the game, Tyrod Taylor took advantage of Denzel Ward’s “off” coverage in the first half while the quarterback was freezing the defense with play-fakes. I’m puzzled why the Browns play their cornerbacks 7-10 yards off the line of scrimmage so much, especially with the addition of John Johnson as the deep safety.
