The Cleveland Browns fell to the Chicago Bears 24-14 in the final preseason game of 2011.
It was a game where rookies, reserves and players on the bubble got the bulk of the playing time for both squads. Now it’s up to the front office staffs to determine the final rosters.
The Bears got on the scoreboard first, kicking a field goal 7:36 minutes into the game. They took a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter thanks to Johnny Knox’s 19-yard reception from quarterback Caleb Hanie. Chicago extended its lead to 17-0 on a two-yard run by Robert Hughes with 5:12 remaining in the second quarter.
For the Browns,Seneca Wallace got the start at quarterback. The Browns offense went just three plays on the first drive before Wallace got sacked and they were forced to punt. Late in the second half, however, Wallace led a 74-yard drive over nine plays that was capped by Armond Smith’s six-yard touchdown run. Brian Robiskie snaggedthree passes during that sequence for 39 yards, highlighted by a 21-yard reception that proved to be the initial first down of the game for Cleveland.
The Browns got as close as three points at the start of the fourth quarter when Rod Windsor hauled in a 38-yard pass from Jarrett Brown, who took over at quarterback in the second half. But Hughes scored his second touchdown of the night to put the Bears up 24-14 with six minutes left on the game clock.
Chicago undrafted rookie and former Ohio State star Dane Sanzenbacher returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown late in the game, but it was nullified by an offensive holding penalty. Sanzenbacher, attempting to make the Bears roster, finished the game with four receptions for 50 yards and five punt returns.
Cleveland wraps up the preseason with a 1-3 record while Chicago went 2-2.
The Browns season opener is on Sept. 11 vs. the Bengals. Kick off is slated for 1 p.m. at Browns Stadium.
NOTES:
- Key players who did not see action for the Browns included Colt McCoy, Josh Cribbs, Peyton Hillis, Joe Thomas, Mohamed Massaquoi, D’Qwell Jackson and Joe Haden.
- The Browns front office will be watching the waiver wire this weekend, as all teams must cut their rosters from 80 players to 53 by Saturday.
- Notable Rookies
- Jason Pinkston got the start at left guard before his debut in the season opener in place of Eric Steinbach (injured reserve, back surgery).
- Archie Donald and second-year player DeAngelo Smith led the way for the Browns defense with six tackles apiece.
- Cornerback James Dockery was called for two pass interference calls in the first half, and both led to a Chicago touchdown. Dockery finished with three tackles.
- Armond Smith is battling second-year player Quinn Porter for third running back spot. Smith had a touchdown and rushed 11 times for 47 yards. He also had three catches for 21 yards. Porter finished with five carries for 17 yards and returned three punts and three kicks throughout the game. - Browns Radio Network analyst Doug Dieken told clevelandbrowns.com reporter Vic Carucci that one of the major concerns for the Browns in 2011 is depth. “I think you can put out the first 22, and it’s a pretty good first 22,” Dieken said. “But after you get passed 35 there’s a little bit of concern. There are a couple positions where with than injury it could be devastating.”
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