Browning makes a case to back up Burrow with his play in the Bengals' preseason finale at Washington

[Arkansas Bengal]

 

---

ByAP

Updated: Aug 26, 2023, 08:37 pm

 

LANDOVER, Md. -- — Jake Browning knows it's not his job to name himself Joe Burrow's backup — or potentially the Week 1 starter if the Cincinnati Bengals' franchise quarterback is not ready

 

Coach Zac Taylor won't do so yet either. But it's pretty clear Browning strengthened his case for the job with his play in Cincinnati's preseason finale, going 6 of 6 for 42 yards and a touchdown pass to Andre Iosivas in the first half of the Bengals' 21-19 loss at the Washington Commanders on Saturday night.

 

“You’re never going to play perfect, but I feel pretty good about what I put on tape and all that and practices have been going well," Browning said. “We’ll see how this thing shakes out.”

 

Journeyman Trevor Siemian, who has been competing with Browning for the No. 2 job behind Burrow, had a solid performance marred by an interception late in the first half. Siemian finished 14 of 23 for 133 yards, playing into the fourth quarter before Reid Sinnett took over.

 

Burrow strained his right calf in practice in late July. Taylor has refused to answer questions about Burrow's progress other than to say the 26-year-old looks as good as he ever has.

 

Browning's next regular-season NFL snap will be his first, but the Bengals (0-2-1) don't seem worried about that given his extensive exhibition and practice experience.

 

"Sometimes guys just need game reps," Taylor said. "I think Jake’s one of those guys that he needed the NFL game experience. That’s what he’s gotten here the last couple years."

 

There's no QB drama for the Commanders, who already announced Sam Howell as their starter, with veteran Jacoby Brissett set to back up. Brissett played the first three series, completing 10 of 15 passes for 96 yards with a 39-yard touchdown completion to Mitchell Tinsley, an undrafted free agent receiver who had three catches for 89 yards and may have earned a spot on Washington's 53-man roster.

 

“I thought Tinsley really showed really well, and obviously he made a couple plays for us,” coach Ron Rivera said.

 

Jake Fromm played the majority of the game and threw for 144 yards and two TDs to wrap up a 3-0 preseason for the Commanders. It's the first time Washington finished exhibition play undefeated since 2013.

 

“Winning begets winning,” Rivera said. “It creates a good atmosphere, it creates a positive vibe and we’re going to grow from it. Does it mean we’re going to win in the regular season? Don’t know, but I hope it does. I hope it’s something that we can draw from, something we can relate to, something that can help us as we go forward.”

 

Nearly every starter for either team sat out to avoid the risk of injuries. The Commanders already lost a top player to a preseason injury when Terry McLaurin sprained a toe on his right foot late in the first half Monday against Baltimore, and now the No. 1 receiver's status for Week 1 is uncertain.

The only expected starters who got onto the field for Washington were interior linemen Saahdiq Charles, Nick Gates and Sam Cosmi. They played the opening drive before giving way to reserves.

 

With Joe Mixon among the Bengals players not uniform, rookie Chase Brown got the start at running back. The fifth-round pick ran for 39 yards on 11 carries.

 

“I like what we saw from Chase,” Taylor said. “When he got his hands on the ball in the run game, I thought he provided value there. He did a good job (getting) yards after contact. He gave us some ugly yards.”

 

Among the highlights for Cincinnati, kicker Evan McPherson was good from 58 and 35 yards to improve to 8 of 8 on field goals this preseason.

 

INJURIES

Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai left the game in the first quarter with a right ankle injury and was declared out before halftime. Taylor said he wasn't sure how severe it might be, adding, “It could be a sprain.”

 

Backup offensive tackle D’Ante Smith injured his left shoulder in the second quarter.

 

UP NEXT

Bengals: Open the regular season Sept. 10 at AFC North Division-rival Cleveland.

 

https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/401548623

[Arkansas Bengal]

Jake Browning shows he should be the Bengals' backup QB in the preseason finale

Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer

Sat, Aug 26, 2023, 9:40 PM CDT·6 min read

 

 

HYATTSVILLE, Maryland –– The last time Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning was in the position he was in on Saturday, he played so poorly he thought he’d never get another shot to play in the NFL.

Browning’s last opportunity in a backup quarterback competition took place with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. He worked in the background for three years on their practice squad to make it a position battle, and Browning looked so shaky he didn’t think he’d get a call from another NFL team after the Vikings cut him.

But Bengals head coach Zac Taylor liked what he saw on Browning’s college film, so Taylor offered him a chance to be on the Bengals’ practice squad. Two years later, Browning was perfect in the preseason finale in a 21-19 loss to the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field.

"(Veteran safety Mike Thomas) said it before the game, this (preseason) is your resume. You want to put out good tape for the other teams to see and really shown when it's time to roll and you're live, you can play well. I feel like I did. I feel good about it."

 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) throws a pass in the first quarter of the NFL preseason week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in Landover, M.D., on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

Browning likely locked down the Bengals’ backup quarterback job for 2023. He was 6-for-6 for 42 yards with a touchdown drive, and he was on his way to leading another before a facemask penalty by offensive lineman Trey Hill ruined Browning’s second and final drive.Browning has shown his flaws during training camp and in the preseason, but he clearly outperformed Trevor Siemian. While Siemian entered the year as the experienced veteran with a leg up in the competition, Browning was much more accurate, decisive, athletic and in command of the Bengals’ offense.

"Jake is one of those guys that needed NFL game experience," Taylor said. "That's what he has gotten over the last couple of years. Sometimes, you just need reps."

Browning still doesn’t have a strong arm, he can be too aggressive when he scrambles outside of the pocket and he doesn’t target the middle of the field as much as he should. But Browning has shown that he can execute the offense, and that should land him on an active NFL roster for the first time in his five-year professional career.

On the Bengals’ opening drive, Browning identified standout rookie wide receiver Andrei Iosivas in one-on-one coverage down the right sideline. He anticipated how Iosivas was going to cut back on a back shoulder throw and placed a ball perfectly to set up a 25-yard reception. Five plays later, Browning stood tall in the pocket, made smooth reads through his progressions and found Iosivas cutting across the back line of the end zone for a touchdown.

"Iosivas continued his terrific summer with another big day. The Bengals’ backup quarterbacks have shown confidence in him throughout training camp and the preseason, and Iosivas is a proven playmaker on back shoulder throws down the sideline. His technique has improved significantly, and Iosivas’ athleticism has been on display.

"Jake is always on point," Iosivas said. "He can extend plays. He makes the right reads. When he trusts you, he throws it in places where you can get it. He knows the game, and he trusts his receivers."

 

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (80) catches a pass in the first quarter of the NFL preseason week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in Landover, M.D., on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

Browning’s best throw took place on a play that didn’t count. He showed great awareness under pressure on third down, saw tight end Tanner Hudson separating across the middle and threw a strike into tight coverage as Browning took a massive hit. Hill’s penalty called off the play, but Browning showed the confidence and aggressiveness that should clinch him the backup quarterback job.

Siemian again struggled with accuracy and decision making. He placed a few strong throws over the middle of the field, but other throws were well off-target. In the final minute of the first half, Siemian forced a throw to Iosivas in double coverage that was easily picked off at the goal line. Later in the game, Siemian lost control of the ball on his third down throw and spiked the ball into the dirt to end the drive.

The Bengals’ defense didn’t play any of its starters and also sat most of its best backups, except for defensive end Joseph Ossai. In a development that could have an impact on the Bengals’ 53-man roster, Ossai left the game with an ankle injury.

Even without Ossai, the Bengals’ defensive line was dominant. Defensive end Raymond Johnson III ended a drive with a tipped pass, defensive end Owen Carney ended a drive with a sack and defensive tackle Domenique Davis continued creating pressure up the middle.

The Bengals’ toughest decisions on the 53-man will take place on the defensive line, and it’s unclear if there’s room for any of those three players on the roster. Second-year defensive end Jeff Gunter is a promising athlete who played a role on the 2022 Bengals, and he’s also on the roster bubble.

 

Washington Commanders wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (86) and Washington Commanders tight end Curtis Hodges (80) celebrate after Washington Commanders wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (86) scored a touchdown in the second quarter of the NFL preseason week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in Landover, M.D., on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

The Commanders took advantage of the lack of experience in the Bengals’ backup secondary for each of their first two touchdowns. Early in the second quarter, the Bengals had a lapse in coverage that left wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley wide open, and rookie safety Jordan Battle missed a tackle on the 39-yard touchdown.In the third quarter, the Commanders took a 14-10 lead. Bengals defensive back Allan George lost Tinsley in coverage as he caught a 38-yard deep ball. Tinsely’s catch got Washington to the 1-yard line, and the Commanders scored one play later when Battle gave tight end Brycen Tremayne too much space in coverage. The Commanders tacked on one more scoring drive against practice squad hopefuls in the fourth quarter to give Washington a 21-13 lead.

Fourth string quarterback Reid Stinnett, signed during training camp to run the third-team offense after Joe Burrow got hurt, nearly led a game-tying drive in his first action of the preseason. He found training camp standout Shedrick Jackson open down the sideline against a blown coverage, but a game-tying two-point conversion throw to Hudson was knocked down.

Johnson gave the Bengals offense one more shot to win it. He set up a sack for defensive end Jeff Gunter with a disruptive pressure up the middle that got the Commanders off the field on third down. But Stinnett didn't get past midfield as the Commanders clinched the win with a stop.

The Bengals had a successful training camp and preseason in 2023. Burrow is expected to return soon from his calf injury, and the Bengals enter the regular season relatively healthy. They also have the deepest roster that they’ve had during Taylor’s tenure with the team, and the Bengals answered questions at key position battles like backup running back, backup receiver and backup cornerback.

"These preseason games are extremely valuable," Taylor said. "I know we didn't play our starters a lot, but it's really valuable for the depth on your roster to get the experience that maybe they won't when the season begins."

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/jake-browning-shows-bengals-backup-024028074.html?src=rss

[|BlackJesus|]

1. Burrow

2. Browning 

3. Sinnett 

 

- Cut Trevor. No upside like the other two. 

[PatternMaster]

I would look for a vet to add to practice squad. 

 

Will Grier may be available, I would like to see him on the PS

[stryker57]

meh...  on all three back ups none impressed me to place one over the other.

. Browning nearly over threw Yoshi for the TD. 

lots of passes short from all 3, 

but kinda hard to judge a QB when the only starter that played was RT Williams. 

[texbengal]

8 hours ago, PatternMaster said:

I would look for a vet to add to practice squad. 

 

Will Grier may be available, I would like to see him on the PS

Grier played really well last night. He’s already been told he’s getting cut but Cowboys may offer him a PS spot. 

[T-Dub]

4 hours ago, stryker57 said:

 

but kinda hard to judge a QB when the only starter that played was RT Williams. 

 

 

Now that's interesting.  Anyone care to speculate as to why?  Surely not for...  reps.

 

[|SF2|]

7 hours ago, stryker57 said:

meh...  on all three back ups none impressed me to place one over the other.

. Browning nearly over threw Yoshi for the TD. 

lots of passes short from all 3, 

but kinda hard to judge a QB when the only starter that played was RT Williams. 

I agree.  4th team in 4 years and very little playing time tells me Siemian is not the answer.  
 

This is not the team to entrust to a true rookie but it may be the best option.  

 

I would rather have a Dalton type back, somebody who can win a few games. Dalton was 6-8 last year. 

[claptonrocks]

19 hours ago, Arkansas Bengal said:

Jake Browning shows he should be the Bengals' backup QB in the preseason finale

Charlie Goldsmith, Cincinnati Enquirer

Sat, Aug 26, 2023, 9:40 PM CDT·6 min read

 

 

HYATTSVILLE, Maryland –– The last time Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning was in the position he was in on Saturday, he played so poorly he thought he’d never get another shot to play in the NFL.

Browning’s last opportunity in a backup quarterback competition took place with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021. He worked in the background for three years on their practice squad to make it a position battle, and Browning looked so shaky he didn’t think he’d get a call from another NFL team after the Vikings cut him.

But Bengals head coach Zac Taylor liked what he saw on Browning’s college film, so Taylor offered him a chance to be on the Bengals’ practice squad. Two years later, Browning was perfect in the preseason finale in a 21-19 loss to the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field.

"(Veteran safety Mike Thomas) said it before the game, this (preseason) is your resume. You want to put out good tape for the other teams to see and really shown when it's time to roll and you're live, you can play well. I feel like I did. I feel good about it."

 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) throws a pass in the first quarter of the NFL preseason week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in Landover, M.D., on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

Browning likely locked down the Bengals’ backup quarterback job for 2023. He was 6-for-6 for 42 yards with a touchdown drive, and he was on his way to leading another before a facemask penalty by offensive lineman Trey Hill ruined Browning’s second and final drive.Browning has shown his flaws during training camp and in the preseason, but he clearly outperformed Trevor Siemian. While Siemian entered the year as the experienced veteran with a leg up in the competition, Browning was much more accurate, decisive, athletic and in command of the Bengals’ offense.

"Jake is one of those guys that needed NFL game experience," Taylor said. "That's what he has gotten over the last couple of years. Sometimes, you just need reps."

Browning still doesn’t have a strong arm, he can be too aggressive when he scrambles outside of the pocket and he doesn’t target the middle of the field as much as he should. But Browning has shown that he can execute the offense, and that should land him on an active NFL roster for the first time in his five-year professional career.

On the Bengals’ opening drive, Browning identified standout rookie wide receiver Andrei Iosivas in one-on-one coverage down the right sideline. He anticipated how Iosivas was going to cut back on a back shoulder throw and placed a ball perfectly to set up a 25-yard reception. Five plays later, Browning stood tall in the pocket, made smooth reads through his progressions and found Iosivas cutting across the back line of the end zone for a touchdown.

"Iosivas continued his terrific summer with another big day. The Bengals’ backup quarterbacks have shown confidence in him throughout training camp and the preseason, and Iosivas is a proven playmaker on back shoulder throws down the sideline. His technique has improved significantly, and Iosivas’ athleticism has been on display.

"Jake is always on point," Iosivas said. "He can extend plays. He makes the right reads. When he trusts you, he throws it in places where you can get it. He knows the game, and he trusts his receivers."

 

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (80) catches a pass in the first quarter of the NFL preseason week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in Landover, M.D., on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

Browning’s best throw took place on a play that didn’t count. He showed great awareness under pressure on third down, saw tight end Tanner Hudson separating across the middle and threw a strike into tight coverage as Browning took a massive hit. Hill’s penalty called off the play, but Browning showed the confidence and aggressiveness that should clinch him the backup quarterback job.

Siemian again struggled with accuracy and decision making. He placed a few strong throws over the middle of the field, but other throws were well off-target. In the final minute of the first half, Siemian forced a throw to Iosivas in double coverage that was easily picked off at the goal line. Later in the game, Siemian lost control of the ball on his third down throw and spiked the ball into the dirt to end the drive.

The Bengals’ defense didn’t play any of its starters and also sat most of its best backups, except for defensive end Joseph Ossai. In a development that could have an impact on the Bengals’ 53-man roster, Ossai left the game with an ankle injury.

Even without Ossai, the Bengals’ defensive line was dominant. Defensive end Raymond Johnson III ended a drive with a tipped pass, defensive end Owen Carney ended a drive with a sack and defensive tackle Domenique Davis continued creating pressure up the middle.

The Bengals’ toughest decisions on the 53-man will take place on the defensive line, and it’s unclear if there’s room for any of those three players on the roster. Second-year defensive end Jeff Gunter is a promising athlete who played a role on the 2022 Bengals, and he’s also on the roster bubble.

 

Washington Commanders wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (86) and Washington Commanders tight end Curtis Hodges (80) celebrate after Washington Commanders wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley (86) scored a touchdown in the second quarter of the NFL preseason week 3 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in Landover, M.D., on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

The Commanders took advantage of the lack of experience in the Bengals’ backup secondary for each of their first two touchdowns. Early in the second quarter, the Bengals had a lapse in coverage that left wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley wide open, and rookie safety Jordan Battle missed a tackle on the 39-yard touchdown.In the third quarter, the Commanders took a 14-10 lead. Bengals defensive back Allan George lost Tinsley in coverage as he caught a 38-yard deep ball. Tinsely’s catch got Washington to the 1-yard line, and the Commanders scored one play later when Battle gave tight end Brycen Tremayne too much space in coverage. The Commanders tacked on one more scoring drive against practice squad hopefuls in the fourth quarter to give Washington a 21-13 lead.

Fourth string quarterback Reid Stinnett, signed during training camp to run the third-team offense after Joe Burrow got hurt, nearly led a game-tying drive in his first action of the preseason. He found training camp standout Shedrick Jackson open down the sideline against a blown coverage, but a game-tying two-point conversion throw to Hudson was knocked down.

Johnson gave the Bengals offense one more shot to win it. He set up a sack for defensive end Jeff Gunter with a disruptive pressure up the middle that got the Commanders off the field on third down. But Stinnett didn't get past midfield as the Commanders clinched the win with a stop.

The Bengals had a successful training camp and preseason in 2023. Burrow is expected to return soon from his calf injury, and the Bengals enter the regular season relatively healthy. They also have the deepest roster that they’ve had during Taylor’s tenure with the team, and the Bengals answered questions at key position battles like backup running back, backup receiver and backup cornerback.

"These preseason games are extremely valuable," Taylor said. "I know we didn't play our starters a lot, but it's really valuable for the depth on your roster to get the experience that maybe they won't when the season begins."

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/jake-browning-shows-bengals-backup-024028074.html?src=rss

Tks for sharing but I call this article to hype a guy that's not worthy of a backup let alone starting any game.

 

Duke's definitely going to rectify this.QB problem.

He has to..

 

[sparky151]

A Dalton type backup would cost $5 mil or more. 

 

Colt McCoy was cut by the Cards and his contract with them was guaranteed so maybe he signs cheap elsewhere with the Cards picking up the rest of his salary. But he is hurt at the moment so he doesn't help us week 1.