Browns’ offensive snap counts & stats: Preseason Week 3

Below, we analyze the snap counts and stats on offense for the Cleveland Browns' Week 3 preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Notes:

• Just about every person I’ve talked to had the same perception about DeShone Kizer’s stat line at the end of the half: it was not even close to being a good indicator as to how well he played. Think of the dropped pass by Kenny Britt, and the well-placed ball that Randall Telfer couldn’t bring in along the sideline. There were also a couple of smart throwaways.
• There are still teaching points in this one, such as what he did on the interception and a couple of times when he was a hair late in getting the snap off (the quarter ran out once, and a timeout was called another time).
• This was Cody Kessler’s chance to show he could be an enticing backup, but instead he was a source of frustration again. He also took an 11-yard sack to take the team out of makeable field goal range in the third quarter.
• Kevin Hogan has the distinct advantage of being a mobile quarterback, and his arm motion (as I’ve said before) is leaps and bounds better than a year ago. You still have to consider the type of competition he was going against, but good for him leading the team to victory. He might remember this game for a long time, depending on how his career goes.

Notes:

• The Browns’ gameplan for what they wanted to see in the third preseason game was clear: the intermediate and deep passing game, combined with a better commitment to the run. Mission accomplished.
• It was a little frustrating seeing Isaiah Crowell be tripped up on a few plays like we’re so used to seeing, but he finished the day with a decent stat line.
• Duke Johnson had the team’s biggest run of the preseason, coming on a 3rd-and-2 handoff from Shotgun. Unfortunately, he fumbled a little bit later. We’ll give him the excuse of a slick ball in the rain.

Notes:

• This was a breakout game for Corey Coleman. I thought he was known for his work after the catch, but against the Buccaneers, he made several very nice grabs for a player of his size. He also had a 16-yard catch that was called off due to offensive pass interference, which turned out to be a bad call upon review.
• Kenny Britt has had a terrible preseason, and it continued with a red zone drop and then a 15-yard personal foul penalty in the second quarter.
• Ricardo Louis didn’t get on the stat sheet, but remember that he was held on a post pattern. Kizer delivered a pass right on the money, and without the holding, Louis might have been off for the races for a long touchdown.
• Rannell Hall got some early playing time and delivered well. Although he was out of bounds, he made a great effort on an early pass from Kizer in the end zone. Later on, he finished his block well on a defensive back during Duke Johnson’s big run.
• Jordan Leslie made some nice grabs later, and it’s clear that quarterbacks are comfortable with him on the back end of the depth chart.

Notes:

• This preseason, Seth DeValve has been the most consistent receiving tight end. David Njoku is still trying to find his pocket and has only caught a couple of tight end screen passes.
• The Browns should not be sending Randall Telfer on so many deep routes during the regular season. It hasn’t worked out this preseason for him; it’s no fault of his own, though, as the passes are intended for a very athletic receiving tight end, which he is not.

Notes:

• The Buccaneers registered 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hits.
• Joe Thomas made his first start of the preseason and was called for a false start. He was not sent for a lap.