Tag: Greg Newsome II

4 Bold predictions for the MNF matchup between the Browns and Steelers

Can the Browns finally start the season 2-0?

Quarterback Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns will head to Pittsburgh for a Monday Night primetime game against the rival Steelers, looking for a 2-0 start. While Cleveland blew out the Bengals in Week 1, the Steelers got dominated by the San Fransico 49ers by a final score of 30-7.

Kenny Pickett was sacked five times while throwing two interceptions as the offense failed to get anything going consistently. In total, the Steelers’ offensive line was worse than the Bengals, allowing a total of 29 quarterback pressures (according to PFF).

The Browns have a good chance to do the same thing as their defensive line showed they could live up to the hype at least for one game. The Steelers will be without one of their best weapons in Diontae Johnson, which gives another advantage to the Browns and their talented cornerback room.

With a few days remaining before the primetime matchup let’s look at four bold predictions I see happening this week.

PFF’s 10 highest-graded Browns defensive players vs. Bengals

The defense as a whole had a great game against the Bengals

New defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz had his defense ready to play Sunday as they limited the defending AFC North champions to just three points. The Cleveland Browns defensive line just wrecked the Cincinnati Bengals as they had 17 quarterback pressures according to PFF.

Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith both had six pressures a piece as they never let the Bengals offense get into any kind of rhythm. This helped the defensive backs who locked down the great wide receiver group and kept Tee Higgins to zero catches on eight targets. Ja’Marr Chase faired only a little better with 39 yards on five catches.

Grant Delpit stood out the most as he was all over the field making an impact as a pass rusher, run defender, and in coverage. The team just seemed like they bought into what Schwartz was preaching and are playing fast and aggressively.

Here are the ten players that played the best on defense according to PFF.

4 Downs: Grant Delpit shines, Deshaun Watson leaves room for more as Browns beat Bengals

The Browns start the season 1-0 for the second straight years. What can we take away from this dominant showing against the Bengals?

The Cleveland Browns have won a Week 1 home opener for the first time since Jeff Garcia was the quarterback in 2004. While it was ugly in a rain-effected duel of lackluster play between Deshaun Watson and Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, Jim Schwartz made his name known. Myles Garrett, Grant Delpit, and others made a statement in this game against the back-to-back AFC North champs.

The Browns now start the season 1-0 in back-to-back seasons. It was not pretty offensively, but the Browns rode Nick Chubb to the finish line, as he rushed for 106 yards on 18 touches. Defensively, the Browns held the highest-paid professional athlete to just 82 yards on 14-of-31 passing as they sacked him twice as well in this slopfest.

What can we take away from this Week 1 victory today before we celebrate a victory Monday tomorrow? Welcome to the first 4 Downs of the 2023 regular season. It is good to be back.

Browns vs. Bengals Sunday storylines: Elves, extensions and exits

A recap of the major storylines going into the Browns-Bengals game.

The Cleveland Browns and Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals started the week a bit gun-shy when speaking of their upcoming opponent. The teams’ animosities and anxieties seemed to have simmered down from the summer when Deshaun Watson promised fireworks in the home opener. However, the tone changed after Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase made some comments about the team’s name as the matchup nears.

The Browns had a quiet week as they tended to their wounded defensive back group. Denzel Ward, who suffered a concussion during the preseason, was cleared to play earlier this season. New free safety Juan Thornhill has spent the week resting with a calf injury. He is questionable for Sunday’s game.

As the Browns get set to host the Bengals in this Week 1 interstate showdown, here are four storylines to keep a close eye on in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Greg Newsome II set to return from groin injury this week

The Browns are getting a key piece back on the practice field

As the Cleveland Browns head into the second week of the preseason and into their joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles, they are set to get a starter back onto the practice field. Sidelined with a groin injury, cornerback Greg Newsome II is set to return to practice this week for the Browns (according to The OBR’s Brad Stainbrook).

The Browns are now three weeks away from facing off with the Cincinnati Bengals and their receiving trio of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. Getting a healthy Newsome back is key for this team that is trying to scratch and claw their way back to the playoffs.

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Browns: Kevin Stefanski gives injury updates after Pro Hall of Fame Game victory

The Browns did not leave the Pro Hall of Fame Game unscathed.

The Cleveland Browns opened up the preseason with a 21-16 victory over the New York Jets in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. They shined in their first game in the NFL as Dorian Thompson-Robinson stole the show in Canton. They did not leave unscathed, however, as Thomas Graham Jr. and Daylen Baldwin both departed the exhibition match.

During the game, a few players left with injuries and on Friday Kevin Stefanski spoke with the media to update media and fans. Two players that are fighting for roster spots will now miss significant time according to the Browns head coach. Let’s take a look below at the three injury updates that Stefanski gave during his Friday media availability after Thursday’s game.

Greg Newsome II calls change to 0 a ‘fresh start’

New defensive coordinator, new number, new outlook.

The Cleveland Browns announced earlier this week that cornerback Greg Newsome II has become the first player in franchise history to wear the number 0. Speaking on that opportunity during his media availability, Newsome II calls the opportunity a “fresh start” as he enters his third season with the team under a new defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz.

“I was presented the opportunity, and I think it was pretty cool to be the first Cleveland Brown ever to wear zero, so that was a little behind it. Going into this next year, I kind of wanted a fresh start with everything, just wanted to get out there and have a fresh start. I’m super excited.”

Newsome II, of course, has been quite good through two years with the Browns as he has graded out favorably in coverage. The ball production has not quite followed, but that is the least important aspect of actually playing defensive back. Newsome II is a blanket, and he will continue to be a blanket as he transitions back to a place of comfort on the outside in 2023.

Look for that flashy number 0 to fly around the field for the Browns this season.

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Elijah Moore leaving starting cornerbacks with nothing but praise

Nothing but praise for the new wide receiver

The Cleveland Browns invested in their wide receiver room this offseason. And that started with sliding back 32 picks in the 2023 NFL draft to acquire Elijah Moore from the New York Jets. Through minicamp and now four training camp practices, there has been nothing but praise for Moore. Starting cornerback Greg Newsome II is the newest to praise the former top 35 pick back in 2021.

Speaking to the media after Tuesday’s practice Newsome spoke highly of Moore (video via Cleveland dot com’s Mary Kay Cabot):

“The NFL better watch out for him. He’s one of the best I’ve seen. And I’m not just saying it because he’s on my team. I have the pleasure of guarding him every single day in OTAs and now, he’s a great route runner, he has speed. So I’m definitely super excited for him.”

Moore has the potential to step up in a big way and take control of his chances to prove New York was in the wrong for ignoring him. He is off to a great start, but it has to translate on Sundays.

Browns Wire Roundtable: Which young player has the biggest opportunity to step up in training camp?

Tune in for this edition of Browns Wire Roundtable!

Welcome back to another season of Cleveland Browns football! As the team is now entering the third day of practices down in Greenbriar, West Virginia, we are just about a week away from seeing the Browns take the field in the Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the New York Jets. So why not celebrate with a Browns Wire staff roundtable discussing young players like Elijah Moore and Greg Newsome II?

In this roundtable, the topic is: which young player has the biggest opportunity to step up in training camp? We are defining a young player here as a team member entering their third season or more youthful.

Who has the Browns Wire staff pinpointed? Let’s dive in.

Greg Newsome II becomes first Browns player to wear 0

And the first player to wear 0 for the Browns is…

The NFL officially ok’d the ability to wear the number 0 for certain positions, and the Cleveland Browns officially have their first member switching. Third-year cornerback Greg Newsome II is changing numbers, jumping from 20 to 0.

The Browns, of course, are traveling to Greenbriar, West Virginia to begin training camp. Newsome II will not only have a different role this season, not playing exclusively in the nickel, but also a new number.

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