Browns 17 Broncos 16

The Browns improved to 2-1 on the preseason with a win at Invesco Field at Mile High on Saturday night. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. I thought all three quarterbacks played their best games of the off season. Charlie Frye had an impressive first drive and moved the team well and was solid in his time on Saturday. I thought Anderson was better but still is struggling with this offense and I think the writing is on the wall that he is the odd man out. Brady Quinn was really impressive. In all likelihood he really led the offense to two touchdown drives. I think having him as the number two quarterback at the start is the right thing to do for the long term needs of the team and his career. But when you watch him it is obvious the kid is going to be a great player in the league. I hope he gets at least a good half of play on Thursday night.
2. It was really good to see that Joe Jurevicius is still on the team, as he caught a couple of balls on Saturday night. I thought Braylon looked great out their against a really good shutdown corner and if he continues to impress this will really help the offense as a whole.
3. It is amazing how well the offensive line is playing as a unit. The Frye backers cant use the offensive line excuse this year because I really cant remember one play where a quarterback got killed except for the Anderson fumble at the start of last week's game.
4. The defensive line and run defense as a whole continues to be an easy. They aren't getting gashed for huge runs but the 7 and 8 yard runs they are giving up will take its toll. The one good thing I think with the run defense this year is that I think the defense wont be on the field as much this year so hopefully this results in some improvement. Also, give credit to the Broncos they are the number one running team in the league for a reason.
5. I thought our pass defense regressed some in this game but I think that is a result of the lack of pressure on the quarterback. But the lack of pressure could be in part of calling a vanilla defense.
6. After watching the Chudzinski offense for three weeks I really like what I see from the new offense in that it is much more creative and player friendly.
7. The last thing I wanted to mention is that after watching numerous preseason games on the NFL Network, it is obvious that Bernie Kosar is really one of the better color men during preseason. He does a great job of keeping the viewers informed and I feel like I'm learning something when I tune in.

The Browns will head to Chicago to finish up the preseason schedule on Thursday night.

Lions 23 Browns 20

Here are my thoughts on Saturday night's loss to Detroit:

1. Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson were inconsistent yet again. I thought Frye was more of control than Anderson. Frye seems to have a good grasp of the offense he just his hampered by a lack of talent. When I look at Anderson's play he seems to really have a tough time grasping the offense and that when he is in the game things are going at a thousand miles per hour and he is just trying to catch up. This being said the debate between the two of them on who to start really isn't that important, because there not going to be a starting quarterback for more than 5 or 6 games. If I was in charge I would name Frye the starter, move Anderson and keep Dorsey as a mentor to Quinn. I like having Dorsey on the roster because he knows this offense as good as Coach Chud does.


2. I was impressed with Brady's performance but like everyone has said we shouldn't over exaggerate it. The things I was most impressed with in Quinn's performance were that he took what the defense gave him and played with poise in a situation where a lot of young quarterbacks would just try and make the big play. He also earned points in my book for his control of the huddle and the fact that he answered the questions from the media in a professional manner and knows he needs time to grow.


3. Jamal Lewis looked strong again on Saturday night. I really think we should limit his carries in the next two games to keep him fresh for the start of the season. I also think the battle for the 3ed running back spot on the roster is very interesting and I would give the nod to Barclay over Harrison.


4. It was good to see Braylon play well in catching a few balls and laying a block on Frye's 15 yard run. It would be nice if the Browns would find a way to get Jurevicius a catch in the preseason.


5. The offensive line as a whole has played solid despite playing without Steinbach. They have given the quarterbacks more than enough time to find receivers and have done a decent job in run blocking.


6. The defensive line continues to be a weakness on the team and unless we add someone of importance before the season starts it will continue to be an area of concern.


7. I thought the linebackers had another outstanding game. I love the way Wimbley and Peek feed off each other play with passion and get pressure on the quarterback. Wimbley also has improved in his play against the run.


8. Kudos go to Eric Wright for not giving up a reception to Calvin Johnson. Also, I think the team should really limit the snaps Leigh Bodden sees in the next two games so like Jamal Lewis he is ready for the Steelers in Week 1.

Browns 16 Chiefs 12

The Browns got off to a winning start in their first preseason game of the year. Here are my thoughts on the game:

1. I thought Charlie Frye was the much better of the three quarterbacks who played for us on Saturday night. He still made a few mistakes but I thought he looked pretty comfortable in the offense. My biggest fault on Frye's play was the horrific decision to get tackled at the end of the half and let the clock run out. I do think had he gotten the offense into the end zone a time or two he might have been named the starter right after the game.


2. I thought Derrick Anderson looked tentative and really unsure of himself. I know he didn't get good field position on his series's but still should have been better than he was.


3. On the running backs I thought Jamal Lewis looked sharp and ran with great intensity. It was good to see him get some work but he really shouldn't need that much work to be ready. I was most disappointed in Jerome Harrison that he really made a couple of bonehead plays in not running after the errant lateral and missing a few blocks in pass protection but he did run hard on his runs. Jason Wright ran hard as he usually does and I think Chris Barclay deserves a chance to win the third running back job away from Harrison.


4. On the receivers front I thought what we saw out of our first team receivers and tight ends weren't much but they did do good things. Cribbs had a nice end around and I really hope he is featured more in the offense. The Steptoe kid after making a mistake early I thought had a good game. Mosley had a nice catch as well as Ryan Krause had a really stellar game. But this shouldn't come as a surprise since he knows the offense probably better than anyone in camp.


5. The offensive line had a solid game in that I felt they got really good push on plays in the running game. The pass protection was really good as well. Joe Thomas had a decent game but did get whistled for two holding calls but the most important thing was he did a really good job pass protecting against Jared Allen.


6. The biggest surprise of the game was the play of Antwan Peek at the outside linebacker position and this really should help Wimbley in getting to the quarterback.


7. Eric Wright had a good game for his first time out against another team. He made a nice play in coverage and I liked how he stuck his nose in and made a nice tackle against the run.


8. I think for a first preseason game this was the best the Browns have looked in years but really that's not saying much. I think the next game will be more of a factor on where we are at as a team.

10 observations from the first week of Browns training camp

After a week in the books the following are my 10 thoughts on the opening week of camp:

1. I really think its obvious to see that Kellen Winslow will emerge as our best player by far and I think you will seem him take more of a leadership role because of his comfort in this offense. Also with the same offense in which he excelled in college you will see him as much more of a threat down field which in tune will make the wide receivers better.
2. You have to love the way that Jamal Lewis has busted it thorough the first week of camp and how excellent of shape he is in. From watching him on film I love the take no prisoners attitude he has shown. I have always thought we needed more players who aren't fun to play against. This team has had far too many players who play like nice guys on the field.
3. Kameron Wimbley looks to me like a player who is going to get even better in his second year. Having another rusher in Antwan Peek on the other side and just getting more comfortable with the defense will propel his development that much more.
4. I like everyone else want to see one of our quarterbacks take the job from the other but I'm not ready to panic that they haven't picked up the offense that quickly yet but I think as this team builds the running game which I think will happen that will aid the quarterbacks in their understanding of the offense.
5. As a Miami Hurricane fan who has watched the Chudzinski offense before I really think it will be one the fans will grow to love. It will be an offense that is based on the running game but will aim to make big plays in the passing game. The other thing you will find from this offense after a big turnover on defense look for this offense to go for the jugular right away. The days of fullback option passes and predictability are over.
6. I have joined the rest of you in questioning our defensive line. We really need someone in their to step up and have a good season. I like what I have seen out of Shaun Smith and I think at the nose tackle we will be fine but on the end opposite Robaire Smith we need someone step up.
7. It sure looks like we might have gotten the steal of the draft in Eric Wright. The kid just looks like a natural at corner. You have to give Crennel, Savage and Grantham credit in that they have started to build a solid and maybe excellent secondary.
8. As everyone has heard Ryan Tucker is out 4 games for testing positive for steroids. I like everyone else is disappointed. I do give the guy credit for not hiding behind any flimsy excuses and maned up for a dumb decision.
9. I like everyone else here is really tired of this Brady Quinn saga. I know the reporters have to ask the questions but I just assume not talk about him till he gets in camp. I like how Romeo has just called him the quarterback and refused to refer to him by name.
10. The most pleasant surprise to be in camp is how well the offensive line has looked and how they seem to be meshing as a unit. This is the biggest key to a successful season this year.

Tribe 5 Twins 2

The Cleveland Indians won back to back games for the first time in a couple of weeks. Here are my thoughts on tonight's win:

1. CC wasn't as dominating as he was on Sunday but he still pitch well despite not having his dominant stuff. I love how he rebounded so well after a devastating loss on Sunday afternoon. I think it helped to get CC really up for this game going against one of the games best pitchers in Johan Santata.


2. Grady once again set the tone for the club with his big two run homer. He really seems to be setting the tone for the ball club. I love how he is picking up his play as the season goes along reminiscent to a certain basketball player in town did this year.


3. I don't know how many of you get to hear the opposing announcers on TV but I love hearing them bitch and moan about how much time Betancourt pitches. It was good to see Betancourt pitch effective again after a tough last two outings.


4. Tonight's win was huge in not only getting the division lead but just giving a good start and big boost into this important road trip. Right now with the Tigers having all sorts of bullpen problems and injury woes you have to take advantage of it. Because I still think the Twins will have an impact on the division and wild card race.


5. A big play in tonight's game was when Lofton hustled and didn't dog it and got to second on a botched popup by the Twins. Plays like this especially when it happens to a veteran have a big impact on the team. Like many have said the idea of moving Grady to third and having Lofton hit lead off is coming.

The Indians will play a mid afternoon matinee tomorrow at 3:55 as Aaron Laffey makes his big league debut against another young phenom in Matt Garza.

Tribe 5 Rangers 0

The Cleveland Indians put a halt to their longest losing streak of the year with a good effort today at Jacobs Field. Here are my thoughts on today's win:

1. Jake Westbrook really seems to have found his groove and is pitching his best ball of the year. He looked good in making good pitches and getting out of some jams early on. I have always thought this year that sooner or later Jake would figure things out, he is too good of a pitcher not to.


2. Grady had another good game today. He has been the most consistent player during this awful home stand. I really wonder if he had been slumping if we would have won a game during this home stand. Also I think the decision to give him a somewhat game off today by having him DH was a good decision by Eric Wedge.


3. Today's game has to leave you feeling better because against a starting pitcher who has had the Tribe's number they found a way to manufacture and scratch out five runs.


4. This series is huge for the Indians in the way that if you can find a way to win 3 of 4 or sweep that you really can put the Twins behind the 8 ball. If you look at the pitching matchups for the series none of them looks like a situation where we cant win.

The Indians will now head to the Twin Cities with a great pitching matchup on Friday night as CC Sabathia faces Johan Santana.