Grading the Preseason: Bears

Well, the Browns dropped this one to da Bears, but it really wasn't so bad. Considering a minimum amount of starters played in the game, it was actually a good one to watch.

Even these bubble players showed improvement in the 26-23 "loss." Of course, since hardly any starters played, it'll be much more difficult to grade the performance, but someone has to do it.

Offense

Offensive Line - Our QBs were hit eight times, and sacked four times. Our running game rushed for 103 yards. We need to do much better at protecting the QB and opening up some holes.

Grade: C+

Tight Ends - Martin Rucker and Aaron Walker stepped up and had a combined four catches for 54 yards.

Grade: C

Wide Receivers - David Patten had a few catches, and so did Brian Robiskie (remember him). Kinda hard to be as judgemental with these guys as I am with Braylon.

Grade: B

Running Backs - Davis only had 37 yards on five carries. The leading rusher, however, was Chris Jennings who ran for 59 yards on 17 carries (he also caught six passes for 42 yards).

Grade: C+

Quarterbacks - It was a shock to almost everyone that Mangini decided to sit both Anderson and Quinn. In relieve duty, Bartel and Ratliff played just OK. Bartel had better numbers, going 12-of-14 for 137 yards. Ratliff was only 8-of-20 for 71 yards, with a TD and an INT.

Grade: B-

Summary - Two TDs and three drives that ended up in Dawson's range aren't bad. Still, and I know a lot of these guys aren't going to make it past the cut later today, this team needs to keep improving.

Overall Grade: C+

Defense

Defensive Line - There was decent pressure on the QB and we did hold da Bears to less than 100 yards rushing (OK, so it was 99 yards). Not bad for a second-team scrimmage.

Grade: B

Linebackers - Leon Williams recorded a sack and that was about it out of the linebacking corp.

Grade: C-

Safeties & Corners - Coye Francies led the team with seven tackles. Ideally, you don't want your corner to lead the team in tackles.

Grade: B-

Summary - Chicago sustained some pretty long drives. Just like our offense, da Bears were able to score two TDs and get into field goal range a lot -- one more time than we were able to, unfortunately.

Grade: C

Coaching\Special Teams

Special Teams - Dawson was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals (one from 50 yards) and Gerard Lawson returned all seven Chicago kickoffs for 231 yards. Not bad.

Grade: B

Coaching - Eight penalties for 76 yards? Still much, much too many. Plus, a team as bad as the Browns are, and are expected to be, and Mangini decides not to play the starters? Seems to me, our starters could use all the practice they can get.

Grade: C

Intangibles - Two words: Brown pants. Terrible.

Grade: F

Well, this is it. The preseason is over and it's time to focus on the games that count. If it's any indication of whether or not the Browns will be better than last season (and it's probably not), they won two more preseason games this year than they did last.

Time to get ready for Favre and the Vikings. Go Browns!

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