Rookie receiver Jamari Thrash punctuated a good rookie training camp with a 46-yard TD catch from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the first half. (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.
SEATTLE, WA
Takeaways from Browns’ 37-33 loss to Seattle Seahawks …
1. That’s a wrap: The Browns began their final preseason game like they didn’t want to be here. Which they didn’t, actually. The long trip was a pain. They played five regular starters on offense – no Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper or Jerry Jeudy -- and four on defense for two series, and got out of Lumen Field without any major injuries. The 37-33 loss to the Seahawks stretched past 1 a.m. Cleveland time. At the end, barely more than Seahawks family and friends were in attendance. Yes, it will be long forgotten except for the fact it completed only the third winless preseason (0-3) in Browns history. What does it mean? In 2016, Hue Jackson’s team went 0-4 in preseason and 1-15 when it counted. In 1972, Nick Skorich’s team went 0-6 and turned it around to 10-4 and a playoff appearance. Which end of the spectrum will Kevin Stefanski’s team fall? More likely the latter. But it was a dreadful exhibition of preseason games, to be sure. And a long, long flight home. Next up: Roster cuts and new injury designations on Tuesday.
2. Jameis down and up: Jameis Winston piloted two series – one bad to open the game (a batted ball at the line of scrimmage, an almost interception, a sack), but the second was better. On his second possession, Winston had nice completions of 23 and 19 yards to Cedric Tillman. But things got hairy in the red zone. He almost didn’t get a play off and forced a completion for no yards. Then on fourth-and-2 from the Seattle 12, Winston overthrew Jamari Thrash in the deep left corner to turn it over on downs. Overall, Winston was 6 of 9 for 63 yards and an 86.8 passer rating.
3. DTR seals QB3?: In a pre-game interview on WEWS Channel 5, GM Andrew Berry indicated he’s leaning toward keeping three quarterbacks on the 53. If so, it would be a shock if QB3 wasn’t Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The improving second-year QB probably locked up the job with his third solid performance of the preseason. DTR had four possessions and the offense scored on three of them (two field goals and a touchdown). DTR was 11 of 20 for 115 yards with a TD of 46 yards to Thrash. His rating was 88.5. Tyler Huntley, (17 of 22, 146 yards, 133.3 rating) played the entire second half and was good early against the deep recesses of Seattle’s defense, which is expected of a five-year veteran QB. Huntley produced three touchdowns on throws to James Proche (6 yards) and Michael Woods (12 and 15). Maybe Huntley can attract some trade interest. It was DTR’s job to lose, and he didn’t lose it in the preseason.
4. Sneak in, sneak out: The No. 1 goal of the Browns was to avoid major injuries. For the most part, they did. Running back D’Onta Foreman left with a rib injury, and cornerback Justin Hardee and safety Chase Williams were evaluated for a concussion.
5. Big play syndrome: In the first half, the Browns gave up a 56-yard run and a 79-yard punt return for touchdowns. Also, a 73-yard catch-and-run for a TD was nullified on a Seattle holding penalty. Oh, yeah, Seattle also made a 58-yard field goal. The Seahawks ran only 19 plays in the first half (to the Browns’ 41), but average 9.1 yards per play.
6. Dum dum: Seattle cornerback Lance Boykin made a big hit on receiver Michael Woods that stopped Woods one yard short of a first down. Boykin proceeded to celebrate in Woods’ face and was flagged for taunting. Given a new set of downs, DTR sent Thrash on a post pattern and they connected for a 46-yard touchdown. DTR just got the ball away before being slammed to the ground. In the first half, Thrash had four catches on six targets for 73 yards. He’s a keeper.
7. Outta here: Linebacker Winston Reid was ejected for a flagrant hit on Seattle receiver Easop Winston in the second quarter. Reid’s elbow made contact with the earhole of Winston’s helmet. It drew an immediate flag and then the officials huddled and decided to eject him.
8. Geno’s ready: Seattle QB Geno Smith got in one series the whole preseason, and it was a good one. Smith started the game and needed less than two minutes to move the Seahawks 62 yards in five plays for a touchdown. Smith made two pinpoint completions of 25 yards to Jaxon Smith Njigba over Cam Mitchell, and 21 yards to D.K. Metcalf in the end zone. Justin Hardee was in single coverage and slipped with the ball in the air.
9. Lulled them to sleep: The Seahawks’ first 10 offensive plays were passes. On the 11th, Kenny McIntosh took a handoff from Sam Howell and raced 56 yards for a touchdown. By then, the Browns had made changes in their front defensive seven and at both safety positions. But McIntosh is the Seahawks’ RB3 behind Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.
10. AB stocking up: Now that the Browns have completed their three-year probation without a first-round draft pick (via the Watson trade), Berry has continued to stockpile the 2025 draft. Earlier on Saturday, Berry completed a trade that sent defensive tackle Chris Williams and a 2025 seventh-round pick to Chicago for the Bears’ 2025 sixth-round pick (previously acquired from the Miami Dolphins). Williams, 26, was with two other teams before signing to the Browns’ practice squad in December. Through two preseason games, he led all Browns D-linemen with five tackles and two sacks. The Browns listed him on their depth chart as their ninth tackle. Currently, the Browns have the following picks in 2025: Their own in Rounds 1-4 and 6; Minnesota’s, Detroit’s and Chicago’s in Round 6; and Washington’s in Round 7 (if Cade York is active for two games).
11. Pre-game notes: Thirty players were listed before the game as “not expected to play.” Among the healthy ones on the list were Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, Myles Garrett, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and Rodney McLeod.