The Browns' second preseason game had the same result as the first, but the list of standout performers has a brand new look.
Here were the five players we thought stood out most in Cleveland's 11-10 loss to Buffalo.
RB Terrance West
West has been playing from behind for most of training camp because of the week he missed with an injured calf. His 11-carry, 42-yard performance pales to some of the bigger games he had as a rookie, but it was a big step in the right direction after mustering just 10 yards on four carries in the preseason opener. The Browns want one of their running backs to seize the starting job and warrant the kind of carries lead backs receive. West made the best case he has since training camp began and he'll have another opportunity next week at Tampa Bay.
TE Rob Housler
With Gary Barnidge and undrafted rookie E.J. Bibbs making most of the headlines from this position over the past month, Housler inserted his name into the conversation Thursday with two nice catches for a total of 27 yards. His first, in particular, was good to see because he created significant space between himself and his defender and reached out to catch Josh McCown's pass with his hands rather than letting it hit his chest first. Both of Housler's receptions came on third-and-long.
DB Kendall James
The numerous injuries ahead of him led to a significant opportunity Thursday, and James appeared to make the most of it. He was credited with one tackle and one pass defensed, but it was the comfort he displayed throughout the second half in extensive work that stood out the most. It's unclear just how many defensive backs Cleveland will have back in the lineup for next week's game against the Buccaneers, but it's clear James has positioned himself for a potential spot as one of the team's defensive backs on the 53-man roster. How he performs on special teams, too, will go a long way.
LB Nate Orchard
As he stood by his locker postgame, Orchard shook his head about the sacks he left on the field. Still, the second-round rookie was able to acknowledge how much he improved between Week 1 and Week 2, as he picked up five tackles (four solos) and provided constant pressure from his spot at outside linebacker. "It was good to get those first-game jitters out of the way," Orchard said. "To be able to go out in this game now and fly around and know the playbook, I was able to go out and execute."
K Travis Coons
The margin for error is low in Cleveland's kicking competition, and Coons kept it that way by nailing a 41-yard field goal in Thursday's second quarter. Coons also blasted his one kickoff into the back of the end zone for a touchback on a night that saw fellow kicker Carey Spear make his extra-point attempt. This was Coons' first field-goal attempt against another team, but he also thrived in the increased pressure of the Orange and Brown Scrimmage, where he made two long field goals. He's been listed as the No. 1 kicker on the unofficial depth chart since last week, and he did nothing to lose that spot Thursday.
