Browns @ Eagles
Final Score: Browns 18, Eagles 18… there are no winners today.
Writer: Ryan Radel (@RadelFF on Twitter)
Since the preseason format changed to three games down from four, week two has become the game where you see all of the preseason stereotypes – minimal to no starters, lots of penalties, low scoring, with a few huge plays sprinkled in. That is exactly how the game went, ending in a tie. The Browns had two kicks to end the game but bungled both, creating more questions than answers at kicker. The Eagles have questions of their own after their offensive line was bullied to the tune of six sacks and seven TFLs.
Three Up
- Austin Watkins Jr. – Continues to go bonkers in the preseason, now up to 15 catches for 245 yards and 2 TDs thus far in the preseason. Making a clear case for a roster spot.
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson – The 2023 fifth round pick has been very good against preseason competition, potentially jumping up the depth chart to open the season as the backup to Deshaun Watson.
- Trey Sermon – I was iffy on this one since he did lose a fumble, but Sermon was running hard on all of his touches including a 33-yard TD up the middle.
Three Down
- Anthony Schwartz – It’s a mental thing at this point. 10 targets, only catching 4. Lost 5 yards on his only carry. Hard to watch him at this point.
- Cade York – Started off looking like he might have figured it. Ended the game looking like he might be replaced.
- Marcus Mariota – It’s a new system but Mariota looks lost. Got booed by the home fans.
Cleveland Browns
| HOF Game | Preseason Week 1 |
Quarterback
Dorian Thompson-Robinson: 13/25, 164 yards, sack | 4 carries, 18 yards, fumble
DTR took a sack and fumbled on an otherwise good day. It wasn’t as great of a showing as his previous outings, but I think this was against a much better defense and he still held his own. He continues to outperform Kellen Mond for QB3 on the roster even though Mond had a better rating on paper. It doesn’t help when Anthony Schwartz is on the field getting 10 targets. On a high note, DTR is not afraid to block (even if he does it wrong):
Did anyone have "quarterback gets penalized for an illegal blindside block" on their bingo card?
Dorian Thompson-Robinson just couldn't help himself. pic.twitter.com/Akog2U21AE
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) August 18, 2023
Kellen Mond: 12/24 , 126 yards, TD | 2 carries, 7 yards
Fighting what is likely a losing battle for a roster spot, Mond did connect with preseason superstar Austin Watkins Jr. for a 32 yard score but I think that’s more of a testament to Watkins than it is for Mond. He doesn’t look bad but there is no reason for the Browns to carry four QBs into the regular season so it’s looking grim for Mond.
Running Back
Demetric Felton Jr.: 7 carries, 36 yards | 3 targets, 3 receptions, 12 yards
Another preseason sweetheart on the Browns roster, Demetric Felton Jr. continues to thrive in the Browns system as he proves his worth as a backup to Nicholas Jamaal Chubb. Felton is now averaging over five yards per carry this preseason and has shown his utility in the passing game as well. The former 2021 sixth round pick is likely to split backup duties with a recovering Jerome Ford, and has a skillset as a pass-catcher that makes him stand out from the other running backs on the roster.
John Kelly Jr.: 8 carries, 20 yards, fumble (lost) | 2 targets, 1 reception, 3 yards
Another game, another disappointing outing for John Kelly Jr.. Averaging less then 3 yards per carry on the preseason while turning the ball over and being ineffective in the passing game spells doom for a player that is on the roster bubble. Time is running out.
Missed Opportunities
- Fumbled near Philly’s goal line
- Making the opening day roster as he has done squat with nearly 30 touches so far this preseason.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Austin Watkins Jr. : 14 targets, 7 receptions, 139 yards, TD
I am not sure what else a guy can do during a preseason to make a case for the opening day roster. Austin Watkins Jr. continues to dominate the competition this preseason as he tries to carve out a spot in a crowded wide receiver room in Cleveland. He has the size and the production to raise eyebrows in Cleveland, especially considering the combined struggles and injuries of some others at the position. It is only the preseason but this 2021 UDFA may have found a home in the 216.
ayoooooo 👀
📺: #CLEvsPHI on@nflnetwork & @WEWS
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/35z9YncyDd https://t.co/58msFAawh2 pic.twitter.com/PyokZkLjKC— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 18, 2023
Cedric Tillman: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 50 yards
Cedric Tillman was off the field by halftime but still got some great reps in. Connecting with his former high school quarterback twice, once on a short route to crossing to the left for 14 yards, and later on a 36 yard strike down the left sideline. Tillman’s size makes him stand out as a pass-catching option in Cleveland, and with plays like this he makes an argument for a role early in 2023:
🚨 DTR TO CED 🚨@DoriansTweets | @Ctillman04 pic.twitter.com/MGS4WUskc1
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 17, 2023
Anthony Schwartz: 10 targets, 4 receptions, 33 yards | 1 carry, -5 yards
I hate to bash a struggling player but at this point, I don’t think Schwartz is struggling – I think he isn’t cut out for the NFL. He doesn’t have reliable hands, he doesn’t have the size, and although he might be one of the fastest players in the NFL, he can’t return kicks. Schwartz took the 11 touches designed for him and turned it into a net 28 yards, or 2.54 yards per touch. No matter what position you play, that isn’t good. If something doesn’t change soon, Schwartz, a former 2021 third round pick, isn’t going to stick around for much longer.
Missed Opportunities
- Being in the NFL
Philadelphia Eagles
| Preseason Week 1 |
Quarterback
Tanner McKee: 10/18, 147 yards, TD, 3 sacks
Arguably the best passer among both teams on the day, Tanner McKee managed a 22 yard scoring strike and followed it up with a successful 2-point conversion to tie the game up late in the 4th quarter. The offensive line was giving up way too many sacks on the day, with Tanner taking three of those, but they really weren’t his fault. He looked way better than Mariota, that’s for sure.
.@McKeeTmckee ➡️ @brady_russell5 🙌#CLEvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/jpAGGnaR1I
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 18, 2023
Marcus Mariota: 9/17, 86 yards, INT, 3 sacks | 1 carry, 5 yards
As mentioned previously, Mariota looks lost out there. It’s a new system and Mariota has been on multiple teams in the past few years, but that’s part of being a journeyman. After struggling in Atlanta, and struggling thus far in Philly, Mariota might be a short-lived journeyman backup if he can’t figure it the offenses he is being put in. Mariota took three sacks among some very ugly throws, one of which was intercepted. I would be worried about depth at this positions for 2023. Mariota’s time on the field ended with the home-team fans booing him off the field.
Running Back
Trey Sermon: 5 carries, 54 yards, TD | 1 target, 1 reception, 14 yards, fumble (lost)
He looked like one hell of a runner at times, but it may be too little, too late for Trey Sermon. Outside of the lost fumble, Sermon was very efficient with his touches and looked like he had no business playing in the preseason up until that fateful 14-yard reception. The Eagles backfield is PACKED with talent, and plays like this do not make a great case for Sermon’s future in Philly.
Missed Opportunities
- It was a very good punch-out by #43 (Diabate) on the Browns, but Trey cannot afford to cough the ball up in his situation. Every touch is an opportunity to prove you can carry the ball reliably.
wound up like he's at a boxing match 🥊
📺: #CLEvsPHI on @nflnetwork & @WEWS
📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/35z9Ynd6sL pic.twitter.com/2Zi2l4g21Z— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 18, 2023
Notes
- Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Rashaad Penny had a few touches but nothing to elaborate on. D’Andre Swift did not play.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyree Jackson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 41 yards
With how poorly the Eagles signal-callers played on top of the sacks surrendered by their offensive line, it was tough to find a silver lining in the passing game. Tyree Jackson is a gigantic tight end target (6’7″ 250 lbs) had a long of 35 yards which surprised me as I figured he would be an over-the-middle type of tight end.
Brady Russell: 2 targets, 1 reception, 22 yards, TD
Russell caught Tanner McKee’s touchdown on a nice play-action ball to the right as he got behind the safety. Looked like a fluid route runner with sure hands.
Thank you for reading! On to preseason week three!
-Ryan