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TAMPA – Totally healthy and having the opportunity to stretch her legs and find the pace for a full half, the Browns' starting defense showed why she deserved a bit of attention as well.
The expected Cleveland starters – with a few exceptions here and there – played the first half of Friday and barely let the Buccaneers get their points. The Browns forced six shots on goal, four-thirds and five-sacks in a dominant first half.
It was the most encouraging part of a 13-12 loss at Raymond James Stadium, the first of the pre-season Browns.
Olivier Vernon, a veteran of the profession, Pro Bowler, acquired in the same trade as the Giants who landed on Odell Beckham Jr., was disruptive throughout the period and led the way with two sacks and a hurry. Christian Kirksey, Denzel Ward and Sheldon Richardson were also credited with bags.
The Browns gave up just 78 yards in seven sets, the vast majority of which on a 11-man Buccaneers circuit ended in a lack of play.
That kind of performance was needed tonight because the Browns offense – which had everyone on the field for the first period except for Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb and David Njoku – was not as strong as she would do it. have preferred.
Baker Mayfield finished 10 of his 26 goals for 72 yards and an interception in the final half of the game. He was forced throughout the half-time and saw some of his best pass letting go.
Beginning kicker Austin Seibert, who is locked in a competition with outgoing President Greg Joseph, offered three goals to the entire offensive in the first half. He added a fourth with 7:32 to play in the fourth quarter to give Cleveland a 12-10 lead.
Seibert's longest mark was his first, connecting 54 yards. His others were 36, 30 and 35 years old.
Ryan Griffin's 20-yard pass to Jordan Leggett gave Tampa Bay the lead and Cleveland's first pre-season deficit at the end of the third quarter. The Buccaneers took advantage of a decisive 16-0 pass in the fourth quarter to score the decisive goal of Matt Gay with 15 seconds to play.
Devaroe Lawrence added two sacks in the second half to give him three for the pre-season.
Cleveland finishes preseason Thursday against the Lions at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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