The Cleveland Browns' first team is probably already done for the night, thanks to injury concerns and a torrential rain that is currently postponing the Browns-Jets exhibition game.
As this is being written, the game is paused with 4:43 left in the first quarter.
Not much football has been played, but Browns fans have to be happy with what they've seen so far.
BROWNS ON DEFENSE
Following a kick by Jason Reda, the Jets first-team offense, led (temporarily) by QB Kellen Clemens, moved the ball fairly effectively against the Browns first-team offense. New York drove to the 37 in eight plays, highlighted by a Clemens-to-Cotchery pass of sixteen yards.
The Browns defense stiffened inside their own forty, however, and the Jets tried to fool the Browns with a no-huddle quarterback sneak on fourth down. Sean Jones blew up the run and the Browns took over at the 37.
Lane's Takes on the first drive:
- No pass rush early. Only Shaun Rogers was getting a push.
- Cotchery turned Eric Wright around on the pass
- Run defense is solid - linebackers are flowing to the hole - D'Qwell Jackson and Andra Davis - Wimbley and McGinest are getting opportunities to flow to ball
- Browns cornerbacks playing more press looks
- McGinest and Wimbley solid in run support, Shaun Smith held up right guard/right tackle
- Browns interior defense holding up the point-of-attack.
- Sean Jones off edge on 4th down... tremendous play
BROWNS ON OFFENSE
The Browns first-team offense then entered the game and executed a nice, quick drive to take the lead 7-0. The team's first play was an eleven yard run by Jamal Lewis right up the middle, followed by an eight-yard pass to Donte Stallworth.
It was Braylon Edwards, however, who was stellar on the team's first drive. A 25-yard pass interference on the Jets took the Browns to the Jets 13 yard line. Two short passes to Jamal Lewis followed, with a nifty Anderson scramble for six up the middle get the Browns a first down at the Jets 3.
One play later from the two, Anderson threw a pass behind Braylon Edwards that the star receiver pulled in with his trademark athleticism, turning halfway around and pulling in the pass for a touchdown.
Lane's Take on the Drive
- Lewis - blew through hole on the first play - Fraley and Steinbach blew up the middle on that play.
- Anderson nice step up into pocket on second play, Jets getting minimal pressure
- Steptoe was in as the third receiver
- Dinkins missed block on short Lewis run - one yard loss
- Stallworth sharp in and out of cuts
- Edwards turned Justin Miller inside out on the pass interference
- Lewis one drop in flat, comes back to catch pass in flat