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Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2008 > August > 05 > Entry
Reasons to watch the first exhibition game
Few exercises in sports are as pointless as first NFL preseason games.
Or as anticipated.
You watch because it’s football, the most popular sport we cover at the Dayton Daily News — or anywhere else in the United States for that matter. And you watch because it’s been so long since your team last played.
I’d venture a guess that people in this area are more pumped up for the Browns’ first exhibition game Thursday night at home against the New York Jets (and, yes, the Bengals open on Monday in Green Bay) than for the Olympics, which get under way in earnest this weekend.
Sure, you’ll pay attention to the Olympics now and again. (I’m biased, but I’d suggest reading DDN columnist Tom Archdeacon on a daily basis. He’s over there and already having fun interpreting menu items. He’s even stumbled across the Chinese version of Wal-Mart.)
Grand as the Games are, though, they can’t touch football. Even exhibition football. (Admit it. You watched the Hall of Fame Game. At least some of it.)
You’ll watch Browns-Jets — and you’ll be able to do so on Channel 7 in Dayton — because you don’t have anything better to do on a Thursday night and because it’s football.
Here are some other reasons:
— You want to see how many snaps backup quarterback Brady Quinn gets and how the second-year man from Notre Dame fares. You’re looking for something to tell you the season won’t be a total loss if starter Derek Anderson suddenly goes down in a heap.
— To see any signs of defensive improvement. The Browns gave up 4.5 yards per carry last season and this must change if they are to improve overall. New defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams probably won’t be on the field for more than a few plays, but their considerable bulk — and potential for run-stuffing — should be evident.
— To assess the backups. That’s pretty much all you’ll see after the first series or so, but sometimes clues can be uncovered here. Linebacker Alex Hall, for example, is a seventh-round draft pick from the rough equivalent of nowhere who is getting a lot of hype in training camp. Can the outside linebacker add to the pass rush or is it too much to expect so soon?
— To assess the receivers. A No. 3 wideout still needs to be found and there are many candidates, including the suddenly whiny Joshua Cribbs. Sure the Browns would like for Travis Wilson, a bust so far, to rise up and seize that spot. Rookie Paul Hubbard is one to watch, too.
— To see which running back who won’t make the team becomes a preseason standout in the mold of Madre Hill, Sedrick Shaw and Chris Barclay. My guess? Travis Thomas from Notre Dame.
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Comments
By Tyler
August 6, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Can anyone fill me in on why Cribbs was described as whiny?By Randy
August 6, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
He has asked the club to renegotiate his deal that has five years remaining. He wants a contract similiar to Devin Hester’sBy Dale
August 6, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
Beau Bell will not play due to a knee injury.By Jack
August 7, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Cant wait! Just getting to watch Browns’ preseason football on my couch is a treat…although a forty and pizza at Kramer’s is never a bad thing.