26 August 2006

Browns 20-17 Bills (preseason): Braylon, Jerome look ready to go

No one who is fan of both Browns and Wolverine football (such as myself) cared what the score was in tonight's preseason game between Buffalo and Cleveland. What they cared about was that Braylon Edwards is playing football again. Eight months after blowing out his knee and subsequent surgery, Braylon lined up for his first play from scrimmage in the opening drive. He played on and off (as Romeo Crennel is wont to do with his receivers) for the first half. Although Edwards finished the night with a seemingly unimpressive 1 reception for 9 yards, those numbers do not tell the tale. That one reception was an over-the-middle route that landed him in the grasp of three Bills defenders [see photo] whom he dragged three yards closer to the end zone, finishing at the 2 yard line. To drive through three tacklers is definite proof that his legs are back to 100% fitness. And while Braylon wasn't catching the ball, he was certainly active elsewhere on the field, at one point dropping his shoulder and delivering a killer block that netted 5 additional yards on the play.



Thanks to Matt for the video!

Unlike Braylon's awaited return, the other good news for the Browns is something that they were entirely not expecting. 5th round rookie Jerome Harrison has improved his lot from fourth-stringer to potential starter at running back in a matter of three preseason games. Harrison led the Browns tonight with 9 carries for 70 yards. Cleveland thought they were set with familiar names Reuben Droughns and William Green, but they have looked perfectly stuck-in-the-mud compared to the quick, creative Harrison. The Browns' young talents are lined up for the positions of RB and WR.

Before the book is closed on this game, what of our other young players, namely those at quarterback? Second-year starter Charlie Frye threw for a modest 12/16 for 76 yards and 1 TD. But on the opening drive he was 6/6 for 55 of those yards and that drive was capped with his touchdown pass. While such perfection is hard to ask for, hopefully his norm will look more like that first-quarter march down the field than the middling passing that his overall stats would indicate. Derek Anderson hopes that he has put himself into serious contention for the backup spot with a successfully conducted two-minute drill, despite two bad snaps which he had to ensure didn't turn into disastrous turnovers. The Browns with their first- and second-year talent look ready to finish out their preseason and start the regular season with a real chance to win...something they just haven't been able to carry onto the field in the past few seasons.

1 comment:

Matt said...

Who are the five best wide receivers in football?

Bray-lon, Bray-lon, Bray-lon, Bray-lon, and Bray-lon.