Rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson leads Browns comeback win
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
CANTON
Instant takeaways from Browns 21-16 win over the New York Jets …1. A new fan favorite: If you made it through a first half of Browns errors , Dorian Thompson-Robinson made you glad you did. The rookie fifth-round QB from UCLA electrified a snoozing, Cleveland-heavy crowd of 19,020 in Thomas Benson Stadium with a snazzy Browns debut. DTR led two touchdown drives in the second half to overcome a 16-7 deficit and give the Browns a 21-16 win over the Jets in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. Everyone loves the backup quarterback. In DTR’s case, he did his part to claim the lead on the No. 3 job in his battle with Kellen Mond, who started the game and was not nearly as exciting. Jim Schwartz’s deep backup defense preserved the win at the end with an interception by safety Bubba Bolden sealing it.
2. Out of the darkness: Not even a 17-minute delay caused by half the stadium lights going out in the fourth quarter deterred DTR. He resumed action with a 78-yard scoring drive on his third series, getting the touchdown on a zip-line throw to Austin Watkins. Rookie running back Hassan Hall had runs of 12 and 18 yards on the drive. Before that, Thompson-Robinson woke up the crowd on his first series to open the second half. Starting from his own 7, DTR converted a third down with a completion to Anthony Schwartz, scrambled 12 yards for another first down, made a 15-yard gain after escaping pocket pressure, stiff-arming one defender and tight-roping down the right sideline, and completed a 93-yard drive by making a key block on Demetric Felton’s 16-yard touchdown run. For the game, DTR was 8 of 11 passing for 82 yards and a TD, and ran for 37 yards on 5 carries.
3. Mr. Jones: Fourth-round rookie Dawand Jones pitched a complete game, going the distance at right tackle. He “held” his own – pun intended. Yes, Jones was called for holding twice (one was declined), but otherwise won many more plays than he lost. He was a driving force on Browns’ touchdown drives of 71 yards on their last possession of the first half and 93 yards on their first series of the second half.
Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson electrified the crowd -- until the lights went out for 17 minutes, causing a delay. (Cleveland Browns)
5. Mond’s debut: In his first appearance in a Browns uniform – he didn’t play a down last year – Mond was 13 of 19 for 92 yards. His interception came when he didn’t put enough air under a ball intended for Cedric Tillman and linebacker Chazz Surratt reached up and picked it. The turnover led to a 10-yard touchdown run around the left edge by rookie back Israel Abanikanda. Kelly had 42 yards rushing on 10 carries and 27 on four catches. Tillman had two catches for 35 yards.6. Stage fright: When the Jets deferred after winning the coin toss, the Browns received the first kickoff. Check that. They muffed the first kickoff. Undrafted free agent running back Hassan Hall dropped the ball in the end zone and covered it for a touchback. Mond took the Browns 44 yards in eight plays (and one Jets penalty) to set up a 49-yard field goal try by Cade York. After going 8 for 8 at Tuesday’s practice, York missed it wide right. On the Browns’ first punt, Jets punt returner Xavier Gibson muffed the ball out of bounds at the Jets’ 5.
7. Oops: Third-year receiver Anthony Schwartz needs to be virtually error-free on every opportunity to climb back into the receiver mix. Well, on his first touch of the ball, Schwartz took a handoff from Mond on a jet sweep, gained 8 yards and then … fumbled. The ball was pried loose by linebacker Jamien Sherwood and recovered by cornerback Javelin Guidry at the Browns’ 31.
8. Remember him?: Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2021 draft, made the start at quarterback for the Jets. He benefitted from Schwartz’s fumble for one field goal. He earned another by Greg Zuerlein on a 57-yard completion to receiver Malik Taylor, who beat cornerback Thomas Graham off the snap of the ball and left Graham in the dust. Wilson departed after the first quarter. He was 3 of 5 for 65 yards.
9. JB remembered: After co-hosting a stirring celebration of Jim Brown’s life and legacy during the afternoon, the Browns formally announced they will wear Brown’s No. 32 on a decal on the back of their helmets for various games this year – but not all of them. They wore the decal against the Jets. Other times, they will wear a No. 32 patch on the front of their uniforms. This won't be announced until it is formally approved by the NFL. Bottom line is No. 32 will be represented at all games in one form or the other.
10. Take the night off: Before the game, the Browns listed 37 players who would not dress or play in the game. All starters were on the list. Non-starters who didn’t play included running back Jerome Ford, quarterback Joshua Dobbs, offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr., receiver Jaelon Darden (leg), cornerback Mike Ford, linebacker Matthews Adams (calf), safety Rodney McLeod, linebacker Sione Takitaki (knee), tight end Jordan Akins (knee), defensive tackle Trysten Hill, tight end Harrison Bryant, and cornerback Martin Emerson.11. Salute: Prior to kickoff, both squads lined up on the 45-yard lines and each of the nine members of the Class of 2023 were introduced. As he will be in the speech order at Saturday’s induction ceremonies, Joe Thomas was introduced last. He received the loudest ovation from the sold-out crowd, of course.
