Game preview: Jets at Browns, Week 1 (preseason)
Posted August 7th, 2008 by Dan
A large portion of the original game preview was about the Jets' quarterback position and who they choose between Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens. The Jets trading for Brett Favre blows that battle out of the water.
Pennington will likely be gone, possibly by game time, so Clemens should get a majority of the snaps. Last season, Clemens started eight games while playing in 10 total. For the year, he threw for 1,529 yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 60.9 percent of his passes.
What does this mean to a Browns preseason game? Cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald should look good in the first quarter. If they don't, that could be some cause for early concern.
The Jets improved their offense over the offseason, signing left guard Alan Faneca and drafting tight end Dustin Keller. Both should pay immediate dividends for New York.
As much as the Jets improved on offense, the defense should only get better after signing nose tackle Kris Jenkins from the Panthers, linebacker Calvin Pace from the Cardinals and drafting pass rusher Vernon Gholston.
As a fan, preseason games are typically worthless. This is really no different. It will be nice for anyone who hasn't gone to training camp to see the new players.
What to watch for:
- The play of new No. 2 wide receiver Donte Stallworth. He's a much different receiver than Joe Jurevicius, who starter Derek Anderson had a good rapport with.
- A new and hopefully improved defensive line featuring tackle Shaun Rogers and end Corey Williams.
- Fourth-round pick Martin Rucker, who should see considerable playing time with Kellen Winslow and Steve Heiden being injured.
- The battle for the No. 3 receiver spot between Travis Wilson and Joshua Cribbs. Kevin Kasper won't play because of a knee injury.
- Rookie Alex Hall. He's been the story of camp amongst rookies and will play with the second team. David McMillan is getting the start at strong-side outside linebacker for the injured Antwan Peek. Hall will get plenty of time with the second, and possibly third, team.
- Jamal Lewis' stomach. He's down 15 pounds from last year, so a trimmer Lewis should be much more agile. Yeah, I'm stretching here.
Key Browns injuries: S Gary Baxter (knee), LB Beau Bell (knee), TE Steve Heiden (knee), WR Kevin Kasper (knee), G Seth McKinney (ankle), LB Antwan Peek (knee), FB Lawrence Vickers (hamstring), TE Kellen Winslow (hamstring).
Previous meeting: Last December, the Browns beat New York 24-18 at the Meadowlands.
Also see:
-Akron Beacon Journal: Crennel looking for team cohesion
-Canton Repository: Browns begin process of seeing where they are at this point
-Dawgs by Nature: Position battles to scope out
Expect these game previews to be much more in depth when the regular season starts and we get some kind of style down.
Note: See comment No. 2 for a neat announcement.
August 7th, 2008 at 12:52 am
It's not like Favre will play tomorrow, though.
August 7th, 2008 at 7:36 am
It would be very nice for your newscenter to offer congratulations to the Garfield High School Cheerleading team, who are the only Akron School cheerleading squad selected to be a part of a 400 member dance and cheer team to provide the pre-game show and the half-time show with their routines at tonights Cleveland Browns Pres-season game at the Cleveland Stadium. There are many other girls who make up part of the team from Berea, Solon, Wickliffe, and other surrounding Cleveland areas, but only one school from Akron is honored to be part of this wonderful opportunity.
I was there at the Browns training camp with the girls as they practiced as my daughter is one of the Garfield Cheerleaders. We were there 2 days prior to the Browns returning to begin their practice season.
Their coach is Bambi Hugh.
My name: Celeste Johnson, daughter, Morgan Johnson
August 7th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Rasor: I fell asleep instead of hitting save. D'oh!
Celeste: Congratulations! Neat stuff. I always like seeing local people get to do their thing during pre-game and at halftime. By the way, I chopped out your cell phone number so no weirdo calls you.