Cleveland Browns: What We've Learned Through Week 2 of Preseason

Three weeks of the Cleveland Browns training camp and two of their four preseason games are in the books, which means there is a lot to talk about. This has been an eventful week for the Browns as they continue preparations to cut their roster down and head into the 2015 regular season.

Here's what we learned about the Browns this week, including the latest on the quarterback non-competition.

Josh McCown Still "Firmly" the No. 1 QB

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Browns quarterback Josh McCown had a rough night in the team's second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday. Though he did complete seven of his 10 pass attempts for 57 yards, he also threw two interceptions and was sacked three times.

Backup Johnny Manziel, who took over in the second half, had a slightly better performance, including back-to-back throws that were the highlight of the Browns' offensive showing. The second of the two went for a 21-yard touchdown to receiver Shane Wynn.

Head coach Mike Pettine acknowledged after the game that Manziel has improved but did not waver from his support of McCown. He said, via ClevelandBrowns.com, "Josh is firmly the one," as he has said multiple times during the offseason. "I'm not going to sit here and talk about trying to start up a quarterback controversy."

For now, the job remains McCown's. But, for what it's worth, Pettine has not yet decided if that means McCown will, in fact, be the Week 1 starter. In a Friday phone conference with the media, he said, "I'm not into guaranteeing or announcing a game (one) week starter." 

Xavier Cooper Impresses

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When it comes to talk of the Browns' rookie class, most attention focuses on the pair of Round 1 picks, defensive tackle Danny Shelton and offensive lineman Cam Erving. But Round 3 draft pick, defensive end Xavier Cooper, is quickly making a name for himself.

Cooper played just 16 snaps in the Browns' first preseason game against Washington and another 11 against the Bills on Thursday, according to Pro Football Focus' tally. But he has thus far made the most of his limited preseason playing time, notching one sack against Washington and two against Buffalo, along with another quarterback hurry.

Head coach Mike Pettine confirmed that Cooper is steps beyond where he expected him to be at this point. "That's encouraging to see," he said, according to Scout.com's Rick Grayshock.

Pettine continued: "I think both he and [Shelton] [are ahead]. I don't know if Danny is going to fill the stat sheet necessarily because of the situations that we use him in, but from a grading-out standpoint, I'd say both those guys are ahead of where a typical rookie would be. We're very encouraged by their progress so far."

Though the Browns' cadre of defensive linemen runs deep, the team also takes a situational, rotational approach to the end and tackle positions. That means Cooper will have clear opportunities to use his pass-rushing prowess on a regular basis this year. And based on how he's performed through two preseason games, he could be one of the team's best at getting to opposing quarterbacks.

Difficult WR Decisions Ahead

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The Browns receiving corps may feature a number of players on the smaller side, but the group is anything but small in quantity. And with presumed starter Dwayne Bowe having been sidelined for some time with a hamstring injury, his absence is allowing for a number of these seemingly marginal receivers to get more reps and more playing time. The results have been impressive.

The three relatively unknowns who have been turning heads this summer are Darius Jennings, Shane Wynn and Josh Lenz. Jennings has four preseason catches for 68 yards. Wynn has three catches for 26 yards and a score, and Lenz has two catches for 11 yards. The three also have upside as kick and punt returners.

But the trio may not have jobs in Cleveland once roster cuts take place in September. Along with Bowe, the Browns are likely to keep receivers Brian Hartline, Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel. Travis Benjamin, who has had an impressive summer, also appears safe.

That doesn't leave a lot of roster room for more receivers, especially if Terrelle Pryor returns from his hamstring injury and shows he has enough talent to warrant a roster spot even though he's had scant few reps at receiver this year.

Clearly, there are some tough decisions ahead for the Browns at the receiver position.

Run Game Improves

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The Browns struggled to run the ball in their first preseason game against Washington, totaling just 45 yards on 19 rushes for an average of 2.4 yards per carry. Part of the reason for the low production was due to the injuries that have ravaged the running backs; rookie Duke Johnson and veteran Shaun Draughn did not suit up, while Terrance West returned just a few days previously after sitting out with a calf injury.

While Johnson did not play against Buffalo on Thursday, the Browns did fare better as far as rushing was concerned, ending the night with 89 yards on 25 carries, for a 3.6 yards-per-carry average. This improvement was notable simply because the Browns were able to run the ball with more success than in Week 1, though the Bills boast a far stouter defensive front than Washington's a week ago.

West led the group with 11 carries for 42 yards and a long run of 12 yards. Tackles for loss led to Isaiah Crowell totaling a net of 14 yards on his five carries, but he did also notch a long run of 13 yards.

Though these aren't the most impressive numbers, they do signify an improvement from the Browns' first preseason game. Hopefully, these rushing totals continue to climb as the preseason rolls on.

Injury Updates

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns held out a whopping 19 players in Thursday's preseason game against Buffalo, including eight defensive backs. They also lost a ninth, safety Jordan Poyer (who was filling in for Tashaun Gipson), to a concussion in the game. 

But head coach Mike Pettine is optimistic that a good number of these players, if not the majority, should be ready soon. The Browns resume practice on Saturday, but it's one that promises to be low-tempo, which should allow a few of Cleveland's walking wounded to slowly work their way back onto the field. 

According to ClevelandBrowns.com, the players that Pettine pointed out on Friday who could practice on Saturday are cornerbacks Joe Haden and Pierre Desir, receivers Dwayne Bowe and Terrelle Pryor and running back Duke Johnson, all of whom have been sidelined with hamstring injuries. Others include cornerback Justin Gilbert (hip), receiver Marlon Moore (ribs), cornerback K'Waun Williams (abdominals), Gipson (calf), cornerback De'Ante Saunders (calf) and fullback Malcolm Johnson (shoulder).

In addition to Poyer's concussion, offensive tackle Michael Bowie suffered a shoulder injury in Thursday's game, and tight end Gary Barnidge was evaluated for a concussion and was ultimately cleared.

Even if the players named cannot do much on Saturday, Pettine is confident he can get pretty much everyone back in time for the team's third preseason game on next Saturday, August 29.