CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns fifth-round pick Richard LeCounte III ended Sunday’s 17-13 preseason victory over the Giants with his second interception in as many weeks, this one on a Hail Mary from quarterback Brian Lewerke to David Sills.
LeCounte also closed out the first half of last weekend’s 23-13 victory over Jacksonville with a pick, and had another one off of Daniel Jones in joint practices on Friday.
LeCounte, who tumbled in the draft after he was injured in a motorcycle cycle accident in 2020, has come on strong the past few weeks and solidified his roster spot. He’s demonstrated great ballhawking skills, instincts and football acumen.
His emergence has coincided with injuries to safeties Grant Delpit (hamstring) and Sheldrick Redwine (ankle), and he’s filled in admirably. He’s gotten a ton of reps, as has Javonte Moffatt, and LeCounte has made a name for himself, especially on a defense that places a premium on takeaways.
* Browns starting nickel cornerback Troy Hill played into the second quarter, despite most of the starters and key players resting, but Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t say if it was a punishment for his post-practice fight on Friday with Giants receiver Sterling Shephard. “I’ll keep those things between Troy and myself,’’ Stefanski said.
Why would my mind go there? Because Mayfield revealed that Stefanski kidded with him during the week that “if I start a fight at practice I have to play, so me and Saquon [Barkley] might swing today (laughter).” Regardless, Hill got a lot of reps, and then was replaced in the slot by rookie cornerback Greg Newsome II, who’s cross training outside and in the slot to increase his versatility.
* The Browns rested most of their starters against the Giants, and it continues to prove to be the right decision. While they’ve avoided injuries to most of their key players with mega-rest this preseason, other teams such as the Bengals have suffered significant injuries. In the victory over the Bucs, the Bengals lost third-round linebacker Joseph Ossai to a probable season-ending meniscus injury that will require surgery. The strategy has worked so well, the Browns probably won’t play many starters next Sunday in Atlanta in the final preseason game.
* Sixth-round running back/receiver Demetric Felton could serve as the sixth receiver if the Browns decide to keep only the top five: Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Rashard Higgins and third-round pick Anthony Schwartz. But KhaDarel Hodge helped himself with a nice 7-yard touchdown catch from Case Keenum on the opening drive. Hodge can also play special teams, so that could help his case. He and JoJo Natson are two top contenders for the sixth receiver spot if they keep six. Felton played well once again, rushing for 25 yards on eight carries, catching a 12-yard pass and returning a punt 13 yards.
* What about second-year receiver Davion Davis, who signed as a street free agent on July 31? He continues to impress, catching 3-of-4 targets for 45 yards vs. the Giants, including a long of 23. With Davis’ poise, hands, and natural ability to high-point the ball, the Browns must find a way to keep him around, even if it’s just on the practice squad. Davis, who made a sensational leaping 27-yard TD catch from Kyle Lauletta last week during the victory in Jacksonville, has talent worth developing.
* Malik McDowell, who’s been out of football since 2017, is getting better by the day and is also worth the time and effort. Accepting the great mentoring of teammates such as Malik Jackson and Jadeveon Clowney and the excellent coaching of Chris Kiffin, he is starting to see his natural ability emerge. In the fourth quarter, McDowell had good back-to-back plays, with a quarterback hit and a sack. The competition at defensive tackle is fierce, but McDowell is making a strong case for himself.
* Montrel Meander injured his ankle, meaning the Browns are a little thin at linebacker again for these last few weeks of the preseason. Meander was re-signed along with Willie Harvey this week when linebacker Jacob Phillips was lost possibly for the season to a torn biceps tendon.
* During the telecast on WEWS, Joe Thomas revealed that he called fourth-round pick James Hudson III after the draft when he discovered that Hudson studied Thomas’ film on YouTube relentlessly. “He thought I was prank-calling him,’’ Thomas said. Thomas has gotten to know him, and has become a fan. “He’s so sharp, so driven, so focused,’’ Thomas said. Hudson started at left tackle and had some ups and downs, but is making good progress. Chris Hubbard, coming off a serious knee injury, started at right tackle. Blake Hance started at center with JC Tretter resting and Nick Harris nursing a knee injury.
* The Browns must make five roster moves to get to 80 players by Tuesday afternoon, but with some recent injuries, they probably won’t have much trouble moving things around. The initial cuts to the 53-man roster are Aug. 31. I say initial because the back end of the roster always changes over the next few days, and many players are re-signed to the practice squad.
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