CLEVELAND, Ohio — In this week’s edition of Hey, Mary Kay! I answer questions about Jed Wills Jr., Amari Cooper, and more.
Hey, Mary Kay:
Will Jed Wills Jr. return at left tackle on Sunday with Jack Conklin ruled out? — Sean N., Chicago, Ill.
Hey, Sean: Wills is expected to make his season debut on Sunday, even if it’s on a limited basis. Wills (MCL)has looked stronger in practice each of the past couple of weeks, and appears ready to test out his surgically-repaired knee. But it seems prudent to rotate him some with James Hudson III at left tackle and ease him back into action. The Giants have some excellent edge-rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, and will be a load for whoever starts. They also have one of the best interior linemen in the game in Dexter Lawrence. It’s disappointing that Conklin suffered a hamstring injury in practice on Friday (reported on Saturday) and was ruled out on Saturday. But the likely return of Wills is welcome news for the Browns.
Hey, Mary Kay:
Very worried about Amari Cooper. Three drops in two weeks including two touchdowns. What are your thoughts? — Terry in Strongsville, Football Insider subscriber
Hey, Terry: Cooper got refocused this week after his slow start and practiced each day like it was game day. I think he’ll rebound this week against the Giants, and hear those old, familiar “Coop!” chants at Huntington Bank Field. I think Cooper is still shaking off the effects of skipping OTAs and mandatory minicamp, in part because the Browns installed an entirely new offense in the spring. But maybe it can just be chalked up to a couple of bad games and he’ll be back to his five-time Pro Bowl self on Sunday. It might take Cooper and Deshaun Watson a little time to hit their stride in the new scheme on scramble drills, off-schedule plays and choice routes. So far, they’ve connected on only 5 of 17 targets for 27 yards, and Cooper has dropped three passes, including the two likely TDs. I think he’ll turn it around quickly because he’s such a pro, and has pulled out of slumps before.
Hey, Mary Kay:
What Browns’ team is going to show up Sunday? Being 1-1, I’m taking the Giants to win 23-20. Browns too many injuries. — Stefanie Bay Frost, Petersburg, Va.
Hey, Stefanie: I think the Browns team that dominated at home last season for an 8-1 record is the one that will appear on the lakefront on Sunday. I think the defense will come on strong and give Daniel Jones a long afternoon with a lot of pressure, excellent coverage in the back end and perhaps a takeaway or two. No. 6 overall pick Malik Nabers, the receiver out of LSU, is coming off a 127-yard game on 10 catches, with a TD. He’ll be targeted a lot, but the Browns have the cornerbacks to play tight man-to-man and manage him. Hopefully for them, Denzel Ward will be able to play more than the 11 snaps he got last week in Jacksonville. I have the Browns winning 28-16 to improve to 2-1.
Hey Mary Kay:
The Browns lead the league in penalties and all we keep hearing is we have to do better. Obviously that’s not working. What do you think the reason is for being so undisciplined? Coaching? Players? Both? It’s been going on for three years now. Thank you Mary Kay! #chubbsdaman!! – Jeff Lerner, Avon Lake, Ohio
Hey, Jeff: I think it’s a combination of a lot of things. First of all, the Browns have overhauled the offense, and are getting called for more illegal shifts and procedural penalties while they work out the kinks. They’ve also faced some of the best pass rushers in the NFL, and have been flagged for holding while trying to keep Deshaun Watson upright. I also think the officials emphasize some things and call them more in the early going before everyone settles in knows how it’s going to go. The Browns must overemphasize their coaching points in practice, and have officials call it during the week like it be called on game day. The Browns should also get more clarification from the league on some things, and do a video conference with an official if they need more reinforcement.
Hey, Mary Kay:
What can we expect from the backfield usage this week between Jerome Ford and D’Onta Foreman? — Omri G., Tel Aviv
Hey, Omri: I think you’ll see a nice mix Ford and Foreman this game, especially considering that the Giants surrendered 215 yards rushing last week and a 6.1-yard average. Ford ripped off that 36 yard run on fourth and 1, and Foreman doubled Ford’s number of carries with 14 for 42 yards (3.0 average). With the Giants struggling to find their footing with their run defense, it’s the perfect time for the Browns to run the ball and support Deshaun Watson with a robust ground game. It looks like they’ll have defensive end Brian Burns this game though after he was added to the injury report on Friday as questionable with a groin injury.
