Our beloved Cleveland Browns participate within the Corridor of Fame recreation tonight, squaring off towards the New York Jets. It’s been 24 years for the reason that Browns final took half within the Corridor of Fame recreation, and that was after I was nonetheless in elementary faculty.

Over the previous nonetheless a few years, the Corridor of Fame recreation has develop into a enjoyable little second through which I activate the tv to listen to the announcers and see NFL groups in motion for a sequence or two earlier than persevering with about my day. It signifies that “soccer is right here, however I don’t actually give a crap about this recreation.” That modifications when your staff is concerned, although. It doesn’t imply I’ll be on the sting of my seat from starting to complete, however listed below are 5 issues we must always search for in at this time’s preseason recreation from the Browns’ perspective.

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1. The Quarterback Battle

This recreation isn’t for starters, however reasonably to judge youthful expertise or gamers who we don’t know a lot about. With Deshaun Watson and Josh Dobbs locked up as the highest two quarterbacks, meaning the third job — whether or not that be on the 53-man roster or the observe squad — is between Kellen Mond and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

As reported earlier this week, Mond will get the beginning towards the Jets, and Thompson-Robinson is more likely to play within the second half. Cleveland added Mond after the preseason final yr, and he caught round on the 53-man roster all season. Late within the yr, the staff had even determined to maintain him over Dobbs as soon as Watson’s suspension was up. The staff noticed one thing they appreciated in him, and now followers will get the chance to see why he was a former third-round decide by the Vikings. This second issues for him, as a result of if he’s out-shined by the quick Thompson-Robinson, it may very well be the start of the tip of his time in Cleveland.

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2. Younger Receiver Battles

With Marquise Goodwin being out indefinitely with blood clots, that opens the door for a receiver on the back-end of the roster to probably make the staff. Everyone knows about Anthony Schwartz having the pace, however the staff wouldn’t have wanted to signal Goodwin within the first place if they’d religion in Schwartz.

The 2 receivers to keep watch over at this time are those who’ve been camp stars to this point: Daylen Baldwin and Cedric Tillman. Tillman’s roster safety is fairly secure anyway since he was a third-round decide, however the higher he performs, the extra he may very well be a direct contributor. Baldwin has been strong all-around. As Jared Mueller identified, Tillman might have a enjoyable rookie vs. rookie match-up towards Jarrick Bernard-Converse of the Jets.

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3. Particular Groups Analysis

The Browns solely have one kicker in camp, so Cade York will get regular reps at this time. The remainder of the day belongs to the kickoff items and protection items. Bubba Ventrone is the Browns’ new particular groups coordinator, in order that provides to the stakes — in the event you had been beforehand a particular groups man, you continue to must show your self once more to see if Ventrone is impressed.

This class may not be really easy for Browns followers to “see” through the Corridor of Fame recreation, however when you’ve got an opportunity, strive to concentrate to issues like who the gunners are, who’s first as much as return kicks, and many others. Ventrone talked extra about particular groups analysis right here.

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4. Making an Impression Up Entrance

Cleveland invested closely within the defensive position this offseason, however there isn’t any probability you’re going to see Dalvin Tomlinson, Za’Darius Smith, and Ogbo Okoronkwo swimsuit up towards the Jets.

However Cleveland does have some younger expertise who they might love to judge at this time to see if they are often rotational contributors within the common season. That features the likes of DT Siaki Ika (third spherical decide) and DE Isaiah McGuire (fourth-round decide). Can they deal with their very own towards the Jets’ backups? Will they be higher than that? Worse? You’ll be able to guess that a number of the greatest Twitter movie breakdowns after the sport from Browns analysts will give attention to the defensive position play of those guys.

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5. The Really feel-Good Joe Thomas Story

Though the Browns have produced many Corridor of Famers, I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing any of them in dwell motion. Joe Thomas is the primary Browns gamers in my period to have made the Corridor of Fame, and he’s the definition of greatness.

The consecutive snaps streak that he had could by no means be matched. He rapidly turned his post-playing profession right into a soccer analyst, and he lately did an unique interview with DBN’s Barry Shuck that I encourage you to take a look at. Thomas will formally be inducted into the Corridor of Fame tonight, and you may guess that he’ll be featured within the broadcast closely.