Browns Looking to Prove Themselves Against Class of NFC in Joint Practices

The joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles are the biggest test for the Cleveland Browns of the preseason. It's also the last meaningful test before they open up the regular season, so it's important.

The Philadelphia Eagles know who they are. They have a standard, know what the expectations are. They were within a play of winning the Super Bowl last year. The Eagles have earned confidence that comes with that experience. The Cleveland Browns have plenty of talent, but they don't have the proof in the standings, so the joint practices between the two teams provide an early measuring stick for where the Browns are as they prepare for a pivotal season.

Certainly, the Eagles want to compete, want to win, but this means a little more to the Browns and that may explain the juice they brought to the practice Monday. The Browns are trying to prove something to themselves as much as everyone else.

Deshaun Watson is trying to prove he's the quarterback he was before the layoff, that he's who this team needs to lead them to success in the postseason.

The defense that has been conspicuously quiet this year is trying to prove they are as good as they can be.

Who better to prove it against than the Eagles?

The additions to the defensive line they've made this offseason got a chance to show their value, consistently generating pressure on Jalen Hurts on Monday.

I have the Browns defensive line down with 6 sacks so far v Hurts and 1st team offense. Might be 1-2 more that we’re close. Rough day for offense #Eagles

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 14, 2023

Jack Conklin is out for the second practice and the Browns will likely hold out both Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward mostly for precautionary reasons. They want quality work as opposed to having players they are counting on to gut it out in this format. As a result, some younger players will get an opportunity to make an impression against the best the Eagles have to offer.

James Hudson III stepped in at right tackle when Conklin went out, but it's possible the Browns could put rookie Dawand Jones in there to see how he fares. Jones has played well in preseason games, facing some quality competition along the way.

It will be worth monitoring if the Browns come out with the same energy they had on Monday. They still have plenty to prove, especially on the offensive side of the ball, which had some notable plays, but wasn't overly effective against the vaunted Eagles defense, especially in the passing game.

Meanwhile, the Eagles offense will likely be out to redeem themselves. The Browns may be without Garrett and Ward, but defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz isn't going to simply accept that it's okay for them to struggle without them.

The preseason game on Thursday will be important for players trying to move up the depth chart or make the team, but the Browns aren't playing their starters until the Bengals show up on September 10th. That makes these two practices the biggest remaining test for the Browns until the season starts.

Success in this venue doesn't guarantee anything in the regular season, but it certainly beats the alternative. At the very least, it's a good sign the Browns answer the challenge against another team.