Wipe the Slate Clean, Preseason is Officially Over

The Browns finished off the preseason squeaking out an 18-16 win in the final preseason game.  While the outcome of this one really didn't matter, what did matter was the production of the guys that are fighting for those last precious roster spots.

With roster cuts due by Saturday afternoon, the most meaningless game of the season will be the last for potentially two dozen Browns players.  And what a bizarre game it was.  First, both kickers on the roster were hurt leaving kicking duties to punter Spencer Lanning.  This led the Browns to mostly go for two point conversions and not try field goals.  Yet in the end Lanning drilled a 40 yard field goal.  Secondly, Jason Campbell has the flu, so Brian Hoyer went the distance at Quarterback, which is almost unheard of in a preseason game, but I don't think we are going to sign another QB for the flu so we didn't have much choice.  Hoyer threw for a respectable 307 yards with a touchdown.  But he didn't get much help from Josh Gordon and David Nelson on a couple poorly thrown balls for interceptions.

But CBM's pick for the player of the night was Tori Gurley.  Gurley showed some flash with 3 catches for 56 yards.  At 6'4" with descent speed Gurley is a dark horse for a roster spot.  Particularly with David Nelson still showing some rust after missing a year with a torn ACL and Gordon's upcoming suspension.    

Trash the Opponent Thursday: The Chicago Bears

When the Cleveland Browns interviewed Marc Trestman for the head coaching job this offseason it was already a tough time.  I believe that Jimmy Haslam was so certain that Chip Kelly would take the job that I'm not sure that there was much thought to who else they may have to interview.

Once I heard that Trestman was a candidate I really thought that the job was going to be his.  His resume is actually quite good.  He was Bernie Kosar's quarterback coach in Miami, and spend a good bit of time running offenses all over the NFL.  This includes a stint with the Browns where he was reunited with Kosar.  He is best known for his work with quarterbacks, and with Brandon Weeden still learning his trade as a pro I thought Trestman was the type of coach the Browns were looking for.

The issue is that Trestman has spent the past five seasons as the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL.  When the word hit that the Browns were looking to the CFL for a coach the panic began to set in.  Although Trestman was also quite successful in his time north of the border as well.

All of Chicago's eyes will be on their new coach tonight as the preseason wraps up.  I wish Marc Trestman all the luck in the world... just not tonight.  Lets hope we can feel good about passing on him.