Browns Preseason Game One: Taking A Look At The Rookies

Satuday night the Cleveland Browns played their first pre-season game of the new season. A 24-21 win of the Green Bay Packers is a great start to the Mike Holmgren Era. 

This is a look at how the rookie class performed. 

Colt McCoy

The Stats: 5 for 10 for 25 yards and 2 interceptions with an overall quarterback rating of 16.7. 

Review: His performance didn't exactly scream "future of the team." But as Bernie Koser warned at the end of the game it doesn't mean he can't improve. 

McCoy gets limited reps in practice and showed his in-experience in the game. Playing with the 3rd string lineman and receivers he looked overwhelmed. But he will have the whole season to hold a clipboard and learn from veterans Delhomme and Wallace. 

Injury Report: McCoy went down with a thumb injury in the 3rd quarter but is being diagnosed as a spraied thumb and shouldn't cause him to miss any time. 

Shawn Lauvao

With ongoing competition and injuries to the right side of the offensive line 3rd round selection Shawn Lauvao got the start at RG.

Lauvao was drafted from Arizona State as a player with a lot of starting experience and as a very strong player who spends a lot of time in the weight room. 

In his first NFL exposure Lauvao held his ground. His lone mistake being when AJ Hawk came in on a blitz Lauvao was to late to pick him up causing Seneca Wallace to throw the ball early for an incompletion. 

When veterans Tony Pashos and Floyd Womack comeback Lauvao will have to keep improving to remain in his starting spot. 

Joe Haden

The Stats: 3 solo tackles and 1 pass defended. 

Review: Starting in place of injured cornerback Eric Wright, 1st round draft pick Joe Haden got the start. 

Haden stayed out of trouble for the most part but looked nervous and made a few errors. With Wright returning and game one under his belt look for Haden to look much better next week against the Rams. 

TJ Ward

The Stats: 9 tackles (8 solo)

Review: In his first game as a professional TJ Ward contiuned to do what he did in college, lead the team in tackles.

Ward played around three quarters and was all over the field making plays.

He was drafted as a big hitter and someone who was always around the ball. He played as advertised.

Although it wasn't all positive in his first exposure.

Ward failed to wrap up a Green Bay runner at the goal line which resulted in a score. The rookie safety was also left on an island WR Greg Jennings and failed to break up a pass which also resulted in a TD. 

Luckily for Ward this was a pre-season game and he will have more oppurtunites to make up for it. 

Other Rookies

More of the Browns rookie class who played were:

(S) Larry Asante: 3 tackles (1 solo)

(DE) Clifton Geathers: 2 tackles (1 solo)

(WR) Carlton Mitchell: 0 receptions 1 rush (3 yards)

(WR) Jonathan Haggerty: 1 reception (9 yards) (went down with a foot injury not yet diagnosed).