The Browns fell 21-20 to the Eagles in their 2nd preseason game Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Here are three things that stood apart from the loss:
Dobbs commands offense with effectiveness
For the second straight week, QB Joshua Dobbs searched in control and efficiently operated the offense as he contends for a backup function behind Jacoby Brissett.
The Browns opened the video game with their backups and kept picking up initially downs and scoring points with Dobbs throwing– and running– the ball in their very first five drives. Each of them ended with a chance to score points, beginning with an entertaining first sequence that included a 36-yard run from Dobbs.
Without any receivers open, Dobbs left a tackler in the pocket who ripped and grabbed part of his undershirt. Dobbs averted the sack and didn’t stop running, though as the Eagles chased him to the left sideline. He remained in bounds and handled to squeeze a couple of more backyards to the end of the run after juking around another tackler.
The play was an outstanding example of his athleticism, and he followed it up with a 7-yard scamper into completion zone.
“I knew I was going to stay in bounds,” Dobbs stated about the 36-yard run. “I saw the linebacker coming by, and I was like, ‘All right, it’s a foot race, and if I can get around him, I take a crack at.’ Everyone stopped, however I kept going … It was a great play.”
Dobbs ended up 14-for-20 with 141 lawns and rushed 4 times for 47 lawns with one touchdown before his day ended midway through the third quarter. The only drive that didn’t end in points with him at QB was his last drive, which ended with a missed 55-yard field goal. He’s gone 24-for-33 with 249 backyards, 2 goals and no interceptions in 2 preseason video games.
No Browns QB has played more in the preseason than Dobbs, and he’s certainly built a strong case for the Browns to keep him as their backup for Brissett when Week 1 shows up.
“I believed ‘Dobbsy’ has given us some actually good representatives going all the method back to the spring and through training school,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s done a terrific task running the huddle, and he’s really, really athletic. That appears in games more than it does practice since you’re not allowed to be tackled in the orange jersey. Constantly good to see him making have fun with his feet.”
The Browns opened the video game with their backups and kept choosing up initially downs and scoring points with Dobbs throwing– and running– the ball in their very first 5 drives. With no receivers open, Dobbs escaped a tackler in the pocket who ripped and got part of his undershirt. Dobbs averted the sack and didn’t stop running, though as the Eagles chased him to the left sideline. Dobbs completed 14-for-20 with 141 backyards and hurried 4 times for 47 backyards with one goal prior to his day ended midway through the 3rd quarter.
