CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – After getting after it for two days last week in Berea, with each team faring better than the other on each day, Sunday’s preseason game was the rubber match between the Giants and Browns.
On the scoreboard and on the stat sheet, the Browns won the battle of the backups, 17-13, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
With Baker Mayfield and most of the starters once again getting the afternoon off, backup quarterback Case Keenum helped engineer a pair of double-digit play drives in his three offensive series on the field Sunday – one ended in a touchdown, the other an interception.
Keenum completed 9-of-12 passes for 74 yards with a touchdown and rating of 83.3 before giving way to third-stringer Kyle Lauletta.
“He did a nice job operating,” Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Did not like that interception down there in the red zone — we can’t do that, and he should not do that. He knows that.”
Stefanski was referencing Keenum’s biggest mistake of the afternoon, which came when he looked for tight end Jordan Franks in the back of the end zone but was intercepted by Giants safety Quincy Wilson, who returned it to the 15, ending a productive 11-play drive on the second offensive series.
Greedy hurt again – On the not so good news front, cornerback Greedy Williams suffered a groin injury and did not return Sunday.
The injury occurred in the first half but head coach Kevin Stefanski had no further update on the severity following the game.
Williams, who missed the entire 2020 season with a nerve injury in his shoulder, had just returned from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a portion of camp.
Locked up – The injury to Williams coupled with another strong performance from first-round pick Greg Newsome may have locked up the starting job at corner opposite of Denzel Ward.
Newsome played the first half, including some in the slot and finished with a pair of tackles.
“I think it was nice to get him some inside reps today and got him some reps at nickel,” Stefanski said. “He is doing a nice job. He just has to continue to do so.”
Go for it – Sunday’s game was about practice, and nowhere was that more apparent than Stefanski going for it on fourth-and-goal from the 7 instead of just taking the 24-yard field goal.
Keenum took the opportunity to find receiver KhaDarel Hodge for a 7-0 lead after Cody Parkey added the PAT with 7:19 left in the opening quarter.
“That throw to Hodgey was outstanding — great catch, great throw,” Stefanski said.
Hodge is fighting for a roster spot in a crowded receiver room.
“Felt amazing,” Hodge said. “I’ve been trying to get in the end zone for so long, man.
“Everything counts. Just coming out and competing, you want to put the best on tape every day, whether it’s in a game, practice, preseason, regular season, anything.”
Four deep – The third running back battle rages on.
Veteran D’Ernest Johnson and rookie Demetric Felton did nothing to hurt their causes Sunday and it will be interesting to see how the Browns keep both players on the roster.
Felton returned three punts for 21 yards combined with a long of 13. He ran eight times for 25 yards and caught one of two targets for 12 yards. Keenum overshot Felton, who was running up the near sideline, in the end zone after he beat his man off the line.
“I thought he did a nice job,” Stefanski said. “I would say my vantage point was not great, but he had some good dirty runs. He bounced a few and made some plays in the passing game so he did a nice job.”
Johnson ran four times for 36 yards, including a 14-yard rush, and he caught 4-of-5 targets for 23 yards
Hybrid threat – The season-ending injury to fourth tight end Stephen Carlson last weekend at Jacksonville created a hole in the roster, and potentially an opportunity for fullback Johnny Stanton IV.
Stanton got a look in the third quarter at tight end that saw him line up wide. He caught back-to-back passes of 14 and 19 yards.
“It’s always fun to have your number called,” Stanton said. “They told me this week that I was going to be a tight end and I said, ‘Alright, let’s do it.’ I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make this team. For them to throw me the ball for a couple of plays at tight end gets me excited.”
The catches quickly moved the Browns into scoring range and set up running back John Kelley to finish off the final 23 yards with a pair of runs, including a 5-yard TD, to give the Browns a 14-7 lead in the third quarter.
Lee tackling machine – Linebacker Elijah Lee had a strong day.
Lee led the Browns with eight tackles and he helped combine with Brian Allen to stuff Giants running back Gary Brightwell on a two-point conversion try from the half yard line to preserve a 14-13 advantage.
Dawg pounded – Chase McLaughlin made both of his kicks – a PAT and then a 49-yard field goal into the Dawg Pound to provide the Browns with some cushion late in the fourth quarter.
Cody Parkey made his only kick, a PAT.
Injury report – In addition to Williams' groin injury, linebacker Montrel Meander, re-signed following a torn biceps tendon injury suffered by Jacob Phillips this week, had to be carted off late in the third quarter after suffering an Achilles injury.
Parkey suffered a quadriceps injury.
Offensive tackle Alex Taylor also suffered an ankle injury and did not return.
