DTR and Dawand Jones were the big winners in Browns’ preseason debut
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Second thoughts on Browns’ 21-16 win over Jets in Preseason Game 1 …
Yes, they keep score in preseason games, so there is a winner and a loser. But unlike the real ones, the preseason games are more about individual wins and losses than the final score.
With that in mind, here are the winners and losers from the Browns’ preseason debut in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Jets.
Winners
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The rookie with UCLA swagger juiced up the night with an electric NFL preseason debut. He engineered touchdown drives of 93 and 78 yards on his first three series, wrestling the team win and leaving everybody something to talk about. In one half of play, DTR was 8 of 11 passing for 82 yards and one touchdown and also ran for 36 yards on five attempts until taking a knee in victory formation. If he didn’t lock up the QB3 battle with Kellen Mond, he certainly pulled ahead by a mile.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson's big night included a hug and words of encouragement from Jets QB Aaron Rodgers. (TheLandOnDemand)
Right tackle Dawand Jones
Concerns about his conditioning were laid to rest when the behemoth rookie led both teams with 74 snaps on offense and four on special teams. That’s 17 more snaps than the runner-up in this category. “I thought we got an honest day's work from him,” understated coach Kevin Stefanski. If he had just pitched a complete game, Jones would be on this list. But he also played pretty well, save for two holding penalties. “I thought he did a nice job,” the coach said.
Running back Demetric Felton
Seemingly more comfortable in the backfield than as a part-time slot receiver, Felton staked a claim for the hotly contested RB3 job with his most productive play time as a Brown. His game-high 46 yards rushing on seven attempts included a 16-yard TD run. He also fielded five punts, showing he’s becoming more dependable at that. Coaches love him.
Receiver Austin Watkins
Signed when Marquise Goodwin was diagnosed with blood clots, this strapping (6-3, 210 pounds) target continued to impress. When Stefanski was asked about Thompson-Robinson’s 16-yard TD strike to Watkins, the coach remarked, “I thought the route on the touchdown was outstanding.” Watkins played in the USFL in spring and looks as polished as any receiver out there. “He's certainly in playing shape and his playing speed has been good,” Stefanski said. “He's been impressive in the moments that he's had with us … the game reps and … practice reps. He's done a nice job. He'll get plenty of opportunities.”
Jim Schwartz’s defense
Playing all backups except for tackle Jordan Elliott (12 snaps), the defense limited the Jets to 2.3 yards a rush and 10 of 23 passing for 135 yards. Fifty-seven of the passing yards came when cornerback Thomas Graham was beat off the snap of the ball by Malik Taylor. The Browns had only one sack, but yielded only nine first downs, held the Jets to 2 of 12 on third downs, and sealed the win with an interception by safety Bubba Bolden.
Losers
Bubba Ventrone’s special teams
Rookie Hassan Hall muffed the opening kickoff and then had negligible returns of 16, 19 and 26 yards; Cade York missed a field goal from 49 yards and was shaky on one PAT; the coverage units gave up a 45-yard kickoff return in the final 30 seconds of the first half, which led to a Jets’ field goal; a Jeremiah Martin holding penalty negated a 20-yard return by Felton and buried the offense at the 7-yard line; and the punt coverage team allowed a 36-yard return that gave the Jets a short field in the final minutes.
Receiver Anthony Schwartz
Needing virtually a flawless preseason to stay in the mix, the third-year Auburn track star lost the ball after a jet sweep run for 7 yards on his first touch of the game.
Receiver Daylen Baldwin
The 2022 undrafted free agent suffered a “significant” hamstring injury, per Stefanski, and was subsequently waived/injured. He could return to the Browns if unclaimed.
Cornerback Thomas Graham
He had a chance to stick on the regular roster but an ankle injury resulted in a waived/injured designation.
