It’s still Browns football
By STEVE KING
It’s back.
Football.
Pro football.
NFL football.
Browns football.
Sort of, kind of, anyway.
The Browns defeated the host Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night 23-13.
Yes, it’s a practice game, an exhibition game, so it doesn’t count in the standings. But it’s football nonetheless, the first preseason variety in two years after COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 preseason.
And football, especially Browns football, means a whole heckuva lot in Northeast Ohio and around Browns Nation.
Most of – if not just about all of — the Browns starters on both sides of the ball didn’t play. Some were hurting and the Browns don’t want any of those situations to get worse, and as for the other starters, the club doesn’t want them to get injured. Right at the top of the latter list is franchise quarterback Baker Mayfield, for keeping him upright and healthy is right at the top of the Browns’ to-do list all year long, but especially in these three preseason games, for if the team has any chance to get to where it wants to go, it will have to be with Mayfield at the helm.
That’s no slam against Case Keenum, who started in his place. Keenum, completed 12 of 17 for 115 yards. He, in fact, is one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league. A lot of teams wish they had a guy just like him. The Browns have no qualms at all about him coming in and playing, and leading, the offense and the team overall, really, if the need arises. And no one hopes the need arises.
Saturday’s game gave fans a chance to see the reserves, those who are battling for roster spots. And battle they will, which was the most important aspect of the evening for head coach Kevin Stefanski and his staff, and the most entertaining aspect for Browns fans.
