Three things Vic Carucci is looking for in tonight's preseason game
The 8 p.m. game is nationally televised, with ESPN is billing it as its "Monday Night Football" debut.
Tyrod Taylor's first preseason start: How will he handle a chance to make his strongest case yet to become the No. 1 quarterback for the regular season? He dazzled with the running and throwing he did in the preseason-opener against Carolina, prompting coach Rex Ryan and General Manager Doug Whaley to refer to the "magic" he displayed after replacing Matt Cassel. Now, Taylor must demonstrate that he can do much more than make long runs, something that's easier to do against backup defenders who aren't prepared to deal with it. The Browns? defense saw plenty of Taylor during two joint practices with the Bills and regularly faces a similar QB in practice in Johnny Manziel. Look for Cleveland to concentrate on keeping Taylor in the pocket, from where he has to show coaches he can be every bit as effective as he is when on the move.
Overcoming a severe shortage of backs and receivers: The injury list is long and contains all of the best offensive players on the roster. Tonight, we will get a heavy dose of, ?Who are these guys?? such as rookie running backs Ricky Seale and Branson Hill, and receivers Andre Davis and Tobias Palmer. It?s far from an ideal situation to evaluate the play of Taylor, who won?t have LeSean McCoy (hamstring) in his backfield or Sammy Watkins (tight glute) or Robert Woods (tight hamstring) or Percy Harvin (hip) to throw to. But as Ryan said, he and the rest of the decision-makers will need to do the best they can.
Ronald Darby?s rebound: The rookie cornerback had a rough night against the Panthers. He was targeted multiple times and beaten repeatedly, including once for a touchdown. His biggest problem was the same one he had at Florida State: not turning his head around in time to see the ball. Darby is a tremendous athlete with excellent speed. His instincts need work, which is hardly uncommon for a rookie. He can figure on getting more attention from the Browns? quarterbacks tonight.
Records: Bills 0-1 after 25-24 home loss to Carolina last Friday; Browns 0-1 after 20-17 home loss to Washington last Thursday.
The 8 p.m. game is nationally televised, with ESPN is billing it as its "Monday Night Football" debut.
Tyrod Taylor's first preseason start: How will he handle a chance to make his strongest case yet to become the No. 1 quarterback for the regular season? He dazzled with the running and throwing he did in the preseason-opener against Carolina, prompting coach Rex Ryan and General Manager Doug Whaley to refer to the "magic" he displayed after replacing Matt Cassel. Now, Taylor must demonstrate that he can do much more than make long runs, something that's easier to do against backup defenders who aren't prepared to deal with it. The Browns? defense saw plenty of Taylor during two joint practices with the Bills and regularly faces a similar QB in practice in Johnny Manziel. Look for Cleveland to concentrate on keeping Taylor in the pocket, from where he has to show coaches he can be every bit as effective as he is when on the move.
Overcoming a severe shortage of backs and receivers: The injury list is long and contains all of the best offensive players on the roster. Tonight, we will get a heavy dose of, ?Who are these guys?? such as rookie running backs Ricky Seale and Branson Hill, and receivers Andre Davis and Tobias Palmer. It?s far from an ideal situation to evaluate the play of Taylor, who won?t have LeSean McCoy (hamstring) in his backfield or Sammy Watkins (tight glute) or Robert Woods (tight hamstring) or Percy Harvin (hip) to throw to. But as Ryan said, he and the rest of the decision-makers will need to do the best they can.
Ronald Darby?s rebound: The rookie cornerback had a rough night against the Panthers. He was targeted multiple times and beaten repeatedly, including once for a touchdown. His biggest problem was the same one he had at Florida State: not turning his head around in time to see the ball. Darby is a tremendous athlete with excellent speed. His instincts need work, which is hardly uncommon for a rookie. He can figure on getting more attention from the Browns? quarterbacks tonight.
Records: Bills 0-1 after 25-24 home loss to Carolina last Friday; Browns 0-1 after 20-17 home loss to Washington last Thursday.
