The Lass Word: Packers 23 Browns 10

Jordan Love ran a grand total of three plays in the Packers first preseason game.  But those three plays are likely the perfect microcosm of what the Green Bay offense will look like in 2024.   

Play number one:  Josh Jacobs power running up the middle for six yards.  He’s going to do a lot of that, especially on early downs.  Play number two:  a checkdown to Jacobs behind the line.  One of the things that made the former Las Vegas Raider so attractive in free agency was his ability to catch the ball.  He will be used repeatedly as a receiver out in the flats and short over the middle.  This particular play was stuffed because Love waited a bit too long to decide, but I’ll be surprised if Jacobs isn’t among the league leaders in receptions by a running back.  Play number three:  A 65 yard touchdown bomb to Dontayvion Wicks.  While the running backs and tight ends patrol the short field, the Packers will send the likes of Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Wicks out into the deep secondary, where they can use their route running prowess and speed to come up with big plays such as this. 

Success came almost too quickly for Love, who said afterward he would like a little more preseason work.  “I think we could jump right into the season but, maybe get a couple more snaps in the preseason would be nice.  We’ve only got three plays tonight so it would be nice to jump back in there and get into that mode.”+

OFFENSE 

After the brief cameo by the number ones, Sean Clifford and the second offense took a bit to get some traction.  Clifford’s struggles in training camp have been well documented.  After two pretty bad possessions, I was ready to write Clifford off and immediately anoint rookie Michael Pratt as the number two QB.  But Clifford is a battler, and on his third series he seemed to get his sea legs.  It didn’t hurt that the Browns were deeply into the bench on defense by this time.  Nevertheless, Clifford’s  thirteen play, 77 yard drive culminating in a score redeemed his status as the back-up, at least for now.  He also led the unit to two more field goals.  Clifford was greatly helped by a surprisingly good performance from an offensive line composed of Andre Dillard at left tackle, Royce Newman at left guard, Sean Rhyan at center, Jacob Monk at right guard, and Kadeem Telfort at right tackle.  That reserve front was especially effective in the run game. 

In the second half rookie Michael Pratt looked like he belonged with an eight play, 50 yard effort resulting a field goal.  The highlight was a superb back shoulder loop to Julian Hicks who made an outstanding catch falling to the ground.  There are encouraging indications Green Bay may have some unexpected depth on the O-line, because they were able to continue to pound the running game throughout, finishing with 155 yards rushing. 

DEFENSE 

The Browns played almost no starters when they had the ball, so Jeff Hafley’s re-energized defense had little trouble keeping them off the scoreboard.  Devonte Wyatt and Lukas Van Ness continued their impressive camps with several pressures early.  The coaches must have wanted an extra long look at TJ Slaton, because number 93 got a few more series even when most of the other starters were done for the day.  Rookie Evan Williams is no joke.  He led the unit with six tackles and forced a third quarter fumble.  When Browns quarterback Tyler Huntley escaped the pocket to his right and looked as though he had room to run for a first down, Williams closed like a lightning bolt, forcing Huntley to throw an incomplete pass.  If he keeps this up, he’s going to have to take somebody’s place on the field when the bell rings. 

Colby Wooden had a sack and rookie Kalen King closed nicely to stop a checkdown on third down.  Late in the game, when the Packers emptied the bench on defense, the unit couldn’t hold up and allowed Cleveland quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to move the Browns downfield for their only touchdown. 

SPECIAL TEAMS 

The kick coverage teams were solid.  Solid is good, considering the miserable state of these units last year.  Emanuel Wilson had a decent kickoff return to the 32 yard line.  Samori Toure may have to make this team by showing some value as a punt returner, and he did display promise with returns of eight and fourteen yards.  The Packers would probably like to take the punt return burden off of Jayden Reed.   

Anders Carlson made both of his field goal tries, although the first one, from 46 yards, looked like a sure miss to the right, until it curved hard left to sneak inside the upright.  Greg Joseph hit from 35, and both kickers handled kickoffs adequately. 

Unstoppable:  Emanuel Wilson, who led all rushers with 67 yards, including a powerful five yard touchdown run.  He showed burst and a good eye for the hole.

Undeniable:  My nominee for Most Improved Player is receiver Grant DuBose.  He makes plays at every practice and led all Green Bay receivers against the Browns with five receptions for 66 yards.  That included a lovely sideline toe tap on a 23 yard catch on fourth down in the two minute drill to set up a field goal on the final play of the half.

Unimpressive:  AJ Dillon, who was stuffed three times in a row in an effort to pick up two yards to keep a drive alive.  His line did not block well, but still, Dillon’s calling card is supposed to be power, and he has to move the pile on at least one of those plays.  If the mayor of Door County doesn’t pick it up in these next two preseason games, he may be voted off this team by the coaches. 

Unsung:  Tight end Joel Wilson, who caught all three of his targets, including a clutch third down conversion. 

Unnoticed:  Linebacker Arron Mosby, who has been making plays all summer, and did so again in this game.   He set the edge solidly to force an end around back inside for no gain, had a sack, then batted down a fourth down pass in the red zone to stop a scoring drive.

Unhealthy:  Running back Marshawn Lloyd showed his talent when he avoided tacklers in the backfield and exploded to the outside for an eight yard gain.  However, he aggravated a hamstring injury on the play and figures to miss time. 

Unexpected:  Hello, allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Jarveon Howard.  I ran over, under, around and through the Cleveland defense in the fourth quarter and announced my candidacy for a spot on this team.  My 44 yards rushing were second highest on the team, and my 5.5 yard per carry average was numero uno.  Don’t you wonder what I might have done if I had entered the game sooner than five minutes from the end? 

AFTERTHOUGHTS 

“It was getting a little chippy in practice.  It was good to go against somebody new.  I loved how our guys competed.  They put a lot of good tape out there.  I thought we saw what we were looking for in terms of the effort.  I’m sure there are some things we can work on, but all in all it was great to be able to get everyone in the game.”  — Matt LaFleur 

THREE AND OUT 

— If you are still confused over the new kickoff rules, don’t feel bad.  Even the players are still figuring it out.   Emanuel Wilson caught a kickoff three yards deep in the end zone and started to bring it out, suddenly remembering that if he just took a knee the ball comes out to the thirty.  Fortunately, he remembered at the last minute and knelt down before crossing the goal line. 

— I was forced to listen to the Cleveland TV announcers who seemed astounded at why Sean Clifford would throw two passes away at the end of the half, apparently oblivious to the clear intention run the clock down so that a field goal attempt would be the final play before intermission.  Get a clue, guys. 

— It seems so strange to me to watch preseason football around the NFL and see empty stands.  I guess I’m just spoiled by the way Packer fans pack Lambeau Field not only for every preseason game, but even for a preseason practice.   The scene in Cleveland Saturday afternoon resembled a UFL game.