Dorian Thompson-Robinson led the Browns to their only touchdown and completed 14 of 18 passes in his preseason debut. (Cleveland Browns)
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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.
Post-game takeaways from Browns’ 23-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers …
1. DTR at it again: Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the breakout player of the 2023 Browns’ preseason, is off to another fast start. Competing against Tyler Huntley for a possible QB3 role, DTR played the entire second half and finished with good numbers: 14 of 18 for 134 yards. In three series, not counting his first, which lasted one play because of a John Kelly lost fumble, DTR took the Browns into the Green Bay red zone twice. He was stopped at the Packers’ 11 when his fourth-down pass was batted at line of scrimmage, and then completed the deal in a 66-yard scoring drive with an Aidan Robbins 1-yard TD plunge. DTR set it up by converting third-and-11 with a 13-yard connection to receiver Ahmarean Brown. “It was fun going out and playing football again,” said DTR, whose rookie season ended with a hip injury in Denver in late November. “Obviously, we’re not trying to show a bunch on offense. I feel we have a lot more to show.” DTR’s best throw was wiped out by a penalty – a liner over the middle to Brown on an RPO. “That’s good old Chip Kelly, UCLA days. I love running that,” he said with a big grin. DTR hooked up with rookie receiver Jamari Thrash three times for 43 yards on the series that died at the Green Bay 11.
2. Nuts: Second-year backup center Luke Wypler fractured his right ankle and will need surgery, said coach Kevin Stefanski. “Disappointed for the kid. The goal obviously is to get out of there as healthy as you can. Unfortunately, we suffered that one,” he said. It’s likely the Browns will add a veteran center. They previously lost Brian Allen, a veteran backup, with a calf injury.
3. A changed man: Cade York handled all the place-kicks, making a 55-yard field goal and his only PAT try. Believe it or not, it was York’s first game since he concluded an abysmal preseason last summer in Kansas City on a blocked kick on a chance to win. He was 4 of 9 on field goals, was cut, declined to join the Browns’ practice squad, and then pulled a quad muscle when the New York Giants needed him in an emergency. York said he hit rock bottom with the injury and found peace with God. “It [the 2023 season] sucked career-wise. It was my first time in sport really failing at something,” York said. “But super thankful it brought me a whole new relationship with God. Even though football wasn’t the best, it kind of brought me to my knees and showed me there’s more important things.” York was surprised and thankful the Browns called back to re-sign him. He may kick in every game, auditioning for other teams, as the Browns keep Dustin Hopkins in bubble wrap. He said he’s not a changed kicker, just a changed man. “I feel that way, yeah. Very thankful to be here. Whatever God brings my way I know it’s for my good,” he said. York was so pumped up to be back on the field that his first two kickoffs sailed into the Green Bay end zone. He was supposed to land them at the 1. Stefanski wasn't happy with that. “Just stuff to work on,” York said.
4. Loved it: Jordan Love needed only three plays to put the Packers ahead. He connected with Dontayvion Wicks for a 65-yard score when safety Ronnie Hickman, playing nickel back, pulled up slightly with an injury. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Love played according to plan. “I told him, ‘Hey, if we go down and score in three plays, you guys are done,’” LaFleur said.
5. Worst loss ever: In the Browns’ previous three preseasons under Stefanski – the 2020 exhibition games were wipe out by COVID – the Browns had losses of 2 points and 1 point three times. So this was something new. “A ton to learn from,” Stefanski said. "I mean, a ton for everybody out there. Too sloppy in a bunch of areas. But as I reminded the team, we are very much in training camp, so we will continue to work.”
6. Homecoming: Rookie defensive tackle Michael Hall, of Garfield Heights and Streetsboro, said it was “a helluva feeling” to play his first game in Browns Stadium. “Blessed to be out there, all thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jut happey to be able to play in front of thousands of fans and happy to rep my city,” he said. Hall was credited with one tackle after coming in with the first batch of replacements in the first quarter.
7. Famously Jameis: Jameis Winston was 4 of 5 for 30 yards in his lone series. He was sacked once. “I thought he operated well,” Stefanski said. “I know we talk about that work operation, but it’s getting your team from the huddle to the line of scrimmage, making the correct run checks, pass checks, that type of thing. I thought he did a nice job.”