CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns have played just two preseason games, but in those losses to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field and Atlanta Falcons at FirstEnergy Stadium, the players and coaches alike have recognized a need for defensive improvement.
In fact, the Browns allowed 498 yards of total offense, including 224 on the ground in a 24-13 loss to the Falcons in Cleveland last Thursday night. The 224-yard rushing total was 52 yards more than the Browns surrendered against the Packers.
“The thing I see is that we have a long way to go,” Browns linebacker Demario Davis said. “We’re doing some things well, but there is still tremendous room for improvement just in the run game, in the pass game and creating turnovers and getting after the quarterback in the red zone, in short-yard situations, just tremendous room for us to get better, which is good.
“You want to be able to improve, and the good thing is, it’s not Week One yet. We still have time to get it right, but that window of opportunity is closing. Our coaches are telling us everything right. The players are committed. We just have to and each individual player has to keep working on their craft and getting better, keep getting better and be ready, especially in Week One.”
The Browns have worked on improving their defense since the loss to the Falcons, but will get an even sterner test throughout the week leading up to the third preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Long before the Browns and Buccaneers kick off Friday’s game, the two teams will hold shared practices on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
“It’s going to be an interesting dynamic being down there practicing against another team,” Davis said. “One of the things you do realize is that it’s immediate feedback between the practices and understanding who they are and getting live matchups all week. Then, you go right into the game. It’s going to be an interesting week. I’m looking forward to it.”
Although Davis has never participated in a joint practice in his career, he sees plenty of value in it for a young team like the Browns.
“It’s just another opportunity to get better playing in the games and practices,” Davis said. “The practices lead up to the game and you’re going to see those same formations, same personnel, so it gives you that immediate feedback.
“You don’t have to wait until the game to know exactly how it’s going to look. You’re going to see it right after that Tuesday-Wednesday practice. Then Thursday, you have that mock game, and then, go into the regular game, so it’s going to be a different dynamic, but you kind of know what to expect.”
