Cleveland, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – For the first time since 2013 the Great Lakes Classic returns to the shores of Lake Erie as the Browns host the Lions and the sun – thankfully – sets on another preseason.
The Browns look to defend their 2018 Battle for the Barge championship and sort through the back end of their roster Thursday night.
General manager John Dorsey will likely begin trimming the roster on Friday with the entire league required to be down to 53 by 4 p.m. eastern Saturday.
What to watch for – The starting 22 jobs on offense and defense are spoken for, and to a degree many backup spots too, but the back end of the roster – positions 45 through 53 are up for grabs.
After being frustrated with the play of the receivers last week at Tampa Bay, Freddie Kitchens will put them under the microscope against Detroit. Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins are safe. Barring disastrous nights from Damion Ratley and Derrick Willies, only one spot at the position is available and we project that newcomer Braxton Miller has the inside track to win it, but those final three spots are fluid. Antonio Callaway heads to the reserve/suspended list Saturday and he does not count against the 53.
The starting offensive line raised red flags against the Buccaneers, but Eric Kush is the best they have available to play right guard now and so he is the fifth starter. It would not be a shock if Dorsey looked for an upgrade via trade or the waiver wire. Austin Corbett remains a project but he’s not getting cut so he’ll be the backup interior lineman. The arrow for rookie Drew Forbes is pointing up and he also appears safe meaning Kendal Lamm can lock up the backup tackle job with a strong outing Thursday night.
Kitchens wants to keep three quarterbacks on the 53 meaning David Bough is expected to be the odd man out, but he will likely play the second half Thursday.
Seth DeValve is playing to be the third tight end on the roster behind David Njoku and Demetrius Harris but he’ll need to show he can handle some fullback duties as well but don’t rule out Dorsey looking for help at the position Saturday afternoon.
D’Ernest Johnson and Dontrell Hilliard appear set to back up Nick Chubb but a poor showing from either could cost them a spot and force Dorsey to look for help over the weekend.
The defensive line comes down to a numbers game and where Genard Avery counts on the roster – defensive end or linebacker. Otherwise they seem pretty set here. Chris Smith, Devaroe Lawrence and Chad Thomas appear to be locks behind the starting four.
Veterans Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert along with rookies Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki will be on the 53 at liebacker. We've already mentioned Avery. Adarious Thomas and Ray-Ray Armstrong will probably be too unless Dorsey seeks a fresh face to add to the position this weekend.
With defensive coordinator Steve Wilks playing essentially a 4-2-5 base – with three safeties or three corners, a premium will be placed on the defensive backfield. Denzel Ward and Terrance Mitchell are your starting corners with T.J. Carrie serving as the nickel and rookie Greedy Williams available to rotate outside. Does Dorsey keep a fifth corner? It’s a big night for Tavierre Thomas, Phillip Gaines, Robert Jackson, Lenzy Pipkins and Donnie Lewis.
Damarious Randall, Morgan Burnett and Jermaine Whitehead are the top three starting safeties. Eric Murray will be the fourth rotational player while fourth round pick Sheldrick Redwine is a project, but he will make the team. Can Juston Burris, J.T. Hassell, Tingie Sankoh or Montrel Menader play their way onto the roster?
We believe despite the upside and big leg of Jamie Gillan that Dorsey and Kitchens will stick with veteran Britton Colquitt as the punter. There’s just too much at stake this year and Colquitt has mastered the intricacies of the game, including holding for place kicks. It sure felt like Austin Seibert – a fifth-round pick – was handed the inside track on the kicking job despite having a miserable spring and training camp, but after a 4-4 performance that included a 54-yard field goal at Tampa Bay, Greg Joseph may be looking for work Saturday.
Last week – Lions lost to Bills 24-20, Browns lost to Buccaneers 13-12
Last Time – (Preseason) Aug. 30, 2018: Browns 35, Lions 17
Series – The Browns lead the GLC 8-6 since its inception in 2002, overall the Lions lead 25-21-1
Rankings – Points scored: Lions 25 (20.3), Browns 20 (22.4)
Yards: Lions 24 (327.3), Browns 13 (368.8)
Rushing: Lions 23 (103.8), Browns 14 (118.3)
Passing: Lions 20 (223.5), Browns 13 (266.3)
Points allowed: 16t Lions (22.5), Browns 12 (24.5)
Yards allowed: Lions 10 (335.0), Browns 3 (393.0)
Rushing yards allowed: Lions 10 (110.1), Browns 5 (135.2)
Passing yards allowed: Lions 8 (224.9), Browns 8 (257.8)
Turnover ratio: Lions 23t (-5), Browns 8t (+7)
Note: based on 2018 results
Probable Starters – Offense: WR Rashard Higgins, TE David Njoku, LT Greg Robinson, LG Joel Bitonio, C JC Tretter, RG Eric Kush, RT Chris Hubbard, QB Garret Gilbert, WR Derrick Willies, WR Braxton Miller, RB Kareem Hunt
Defense: DE Anthony Zettel, DT Carl Davis, DT Devaroe Lawrence, DE Chris Smith, WILL Mack Wilson, MIKE Adarious Taylor, CB Greedy Williams, CB Tavierre Thomas, CB T.J. Carrie, FS Eric Murray, SS Jermaine Whitehead
Note: based on player availability
Injury report – WR Dorian Baker (illness), WR Antonio Callaway (ankle), LB Sione Takitaki (hamstring), G Kyle Kalis (concussion), FB Joe Kerridge (concussion)
Broadcast – Radio: 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WNCX and the University Hospitals Cleveland Browns radio network. TV: WEWS TV-5
Kickoff – 7:30 p.m. – FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio
Our prediction – N/A for the preseason
