The Steelers that will be playing in the Week 17 game will still be going all out to win. The Browns are young and definitely building towards the future. Here are some jerseys to notice on Sunday.
Coach
HC-Hue Jackson
Jackson is an ultra-talented offensive mind who hasn’t had a stellar start in the football abyss that is Cleveland. With a mark of 1-14 so far in his head-coaching career, Jackson seems like the kind of professional that can be successful if given time to build a system. Jackson has good young talent that are paying their dues like him. A home win last week over San Diego eliminated the doughnut and now the monkey is off the back of a grateful Jackson, who gave game balls to the entire squad. A win against the Steelers possibly would cost them the #1 overall pick in 2017 but, more importantly, it would be a positive end to a horrid season.
Some Other Browns Coaches to know: OC Pep Hamilton, DC Ray Horton
Quarterback
No. 10 Robert Griffin III
RGIII was the Browns’ starter in Week 1 and, in typical fashion, he didn’t emerge unscathed. Returning in Week 14, the Heisman winner has been cleared to play against the Steelers after suffering a concussion last week in the win over San Diego. In parts of four games, Griffin has thrown for 654 yards, no touchdowns, two interceptions and a 54.2% completion percentage. Always a threat to run, No. 10 has two rushing TDs and 158 yards on the ground.
Some Other Browns Quarterbacks to know: No.6 Cody Kessler, No. 13 Josh McCown
No. 34 Isaiah Crowell
The Browns have some talent at the RB position in the form of Crowell and Duke Johnson. Crowell is a dual-threat for the Browns. He has run for seven scores and 800 yards on the season, averaging 4.5 YPC. Crowell has also caught 37 balls for 303 yards. The physical 5’11”/225 pounder had two scores last week in the win over the Chargers and is capable of breaking off a big one, as evidenced with his 85-yarder earlier in the season against Baltimore.
Some Other Browns Running Backs to know: No. 25 George Atkinson, 29 Duke Johnson Jr., No. 35 Darius Jackson, No. 40 FB Danny Vitale
Wide Receiver
No. 11 Terrelle Pryor Sr.
Some Other Browns Receivers to know: No. 16 Andrew Hawkins, No. 19 Corey Coleman, No. 80 Ricardo Louis, No. 81 Rashard Higgins
Only 87 yards away from becoming only the seventh receiver in Cleveland history to eclipse 1000 yards, the Jeanette native has become a great find for the Cleveland Browns and his transition to receiver is turning out quite nicely. The former OSU QB is the team’s top target and has 70 grabs for 913 yards and four TDs. Terrell Pryor Sr. has burned the Steelers before with a 93-yard running score as a Raider in 2013 and he had five catches on ten targets for 97 yards against the Steelers the last time out. At 6’4”, No. 11 is always dangerous.
Tight End
No. 82 Gary Barnidge
The 9-year pro had a breakout season last year for the Browns after years of virtual anonymity. Barnidge capped a season of 79 catches for 1,043 yards and nine TDs with a trip to the Pro Bowl last season. This season, Barnidge is still a valuable target for the Browns. He has 572 yards on 50 catches in 2016, but he hadn’t broken the plane of the goal-line until he faced the Steelers in November. Against the Steelers last time out, Barnidge gained 23 yards on 2 catches and that TD.
Some Other Browns Tight Ends to know: No. 86 Randall Telfer
Offensive Line
LT- No. 73 Joe Thomas
Dominant in run-blocking and pass protection, Joe Thomas ranks among the franchise’s best at LT. The 10-year vet has just been named to his 10th straight Pro Bowl and is Cleveland’s player of the year.
Some Other Browns Offensive Linemen to know: No. 66 LG Spencer Drango, No. 67 RT Austin Pasztor, No. 74 C Cameron Erving, No. 78 RG Alvin Bailey
Defensive Line
NT-No. 55 Danny Shelton
Shelton, who has 56 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his second season, is becoming a force at NT for the Browns and was named tops at his position by Pro Football Focus. The 6’2”/335-pounder is a brick wall against the run.
Some Other Browns Defensive Linemen to know: No. 90 DE Emmanuel Ogbah, No. 94 DE Carl Nassib, No. 96 DE Xavier Cooper, No. 97 NT Gabe Wright, 98 DL Jamie Meder
OLB-No. 51 Jamie Collins Sr.
One of the brightest spots of 2016 for Cleveland was acquiring Jamie Collins for a compensatory third-round pick from the Patriots on Halloween. Collins is a fast-attacking player and a throwback at linebacker who’s a hitter all over the field. With 59 tackles this season to go with two sacks and two interceptions, the 27 year-old Pro Bowler is active and effective against both the run and pass. A free agent at season’s end, Collins is expecting a major pay day.
Some Other Browns Linebackers to know: No. 53 OLB Joe Schobert, No. 54 ILB Dominique Alexander, No. 56 ILB Demario Davis, No. 57 OLB Cam Johnson, No 58 ILB Christian Kirksey,
Secondary
No. 23 LCB Joe Haden
Haden has suffered through a season of injury in 2016, but he still has three interceptions. With ten pass defenses on the year, Haden will most likely draw the Antonio Brown straw in a battle of Pro Bowlers and 2010 draft picks.
Some Other Browns DBs to know: No. 20 DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, No. 22 CB Tramon Williams, No. 24 SS Ibraheim Campbell, No. 27 CB Jamar Taylor, No. 39 Ed Reynolds, No. 41 FS Tracy Howard
Special Teams
P-No. 4 Britton Colquitt
As a punter for a 1-14 team, you better have a strong leg and always be ready for action. Colquitt is second in the league by landing 35 of his 75 punts inside-the-20 and is 18th in the league by averaging 45.2 YPP.
Some Other Browns Special Teamers to know: No. 3 K Cody Parkey, No. 25 George Atkinson III, No. 29 Duke Johnson Jr., No. 47 LS Charley Hughlett