Thursday, September 1, 2011

Preseason shows promise of improvement

The Browns finished the preseason 1-3. They lost the last three games after beating the Packers in the opener. But what the Browns have done so far has to be judged by more than the record.

Colt McCoy showed improvement the first two games and then regressed against the Eagles. He left with a lead in the second game and then watched as the backups gave the game away. He did not play against the Bears.

Not surprisingly, the Browns don't have much depth. That should be expected from a team that was 14-34 over the last three seasons.

The Browns will be able to compete as long as the starters stay healthy, but the 24-14 loss to the Bears in the final practice game exposed the bench.

Running back Armond Smith did his best to claim a spot on the 53-man roster Saturday. He and a couple other borderline players should not get too comfortable, though. They could make the team Saturday and then be cut the next day when waiver claims go through.