Cleveland Brown Players That Caught My Eye Against Detroit Lions

Okay, who are you and what have you done with the Cleveland Browns?

I found myself asking this question numerous times during the first half of this past weekend’s preseason game. The first game against Green Bay was an absolute disaster. Against the Lions, the Browns looked like the 2007 version that came within a Titans loss of making the playoffs.

There were encouraging signs from various players. I will refrain from commenting on the play of the quarterbacks because it remains difficult to tell who is in the lead, and personally, I’m kind of growing tired of talking about it.

With that said, there were many things in this game that I was pleased with. There were also some players who stood out and either reinforced their importance to the team or helped their cause to be a part of the Browns this season.

Lets take a look:

Josh Cribbs

The Browns’ special teams ace has three catches for 50 yards in the first two preseason games starting at wide receiver. It appears that Cribbs is finally starting to grasp the nuances of what it takes to be an effective NFL receiver.

Oh yeah, he also brought back not one, but two returns for touchdowns, one which was negated by a holding penalty. Head coach Eric Mangini and general manager George Kokinis may want to give the man his money before the September 13 opener.

Lawrence Vickers

The most underrated player on the Cleveland Browns continues to show why he has been a Pro Bowl alternate the past two seasons. On the first drive, Vickers created a couple huge holes for Jamal Lewis to run through, the last one coming on Lewis’ touchdown run. With Lorenzo Neal recently let go by the Oakland Raiders, this season could mark Vickers’ first Pro Bowl appearance.

Mike Furrey

The former Detroit Lion has caught everything that’s been thrown to him, hauling in five passes for 46 yards. Three of those five catches have been good for first downs and another one was negated by a penalty. He probably has the third receiver spot locked up.

James Davis

Had it not been for the show that Cribbs put on in the first half, the rookie from Clemson would have stolen the headlines Sunday morning. Davis touched the ball 12 times for 116 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown run. It was nice to see his big play ability on display in a real game, instead of reading about it at practices. Jerome Harrison may want to get back to practice this week.

Mohamed Massaquoi

Of the two rookie receivers the Browns drafted in the second round, Massaquoi was probably not the one fans expected to be in the lead to start opposite Braylon Edwards. On the first play of the game, Derek Anderson found Massaquoi over the middle for a 24-yard gain. The former Georgia Bulldog took a lick from cornerback Anthony Henry after he caught the ball, something Edwards has yet to master.

His performance in the final two preseason games could determine if he is able to beat out Cribbs for the other starting spot.

Kaluka Maiava

Maiava made six tackles in the game, both on special teams and on defense. On one play, Maiava knocked a Lion receiver backwards as if he ran straight into a wall. I could see Maiava taking over for Eric Barton in a couple years, because the kid is a football player.

Coye Francies

Another guy that could be a second-day draft gem, Francies recorded two tackles and broke up a pass. He seems to keep his receiver in front of him and has shown some athletic ability. After watching Terry Cousin get embarrassed time after time last season, it shows the job that the front office did in building depth at the cornerback position. With Eric Wright, Brandon McDonald, Rod Hood and Coye Francies, the position looks to be very solid.

There were obviously other players who played well, notably Eric Wright and Kamerion Wimbley, but these seven players stood out to me and stated their case to see a lot of action this season. Cribbs and Vickers are obvious choices, but the other five are clearly distinguishing themselves from the rest of the team.