5 Cleveland Browns Who Need To Have A Good Week Against The Buffalo Bills

Aug 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert (21) runs back a kickoff during the first half against the Washington Redskins in a preseason NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns are deep into the 2015 Training Camp portion of the schedule. The good guys play the Buffalo Bills Thursday at FirstEngergy Stadium, and with the chance to shine dwindling during the preseason, it’s becoming increasingly important for some players to show the coaches progress.

With that said, these Browns should worry about having a good week come kickoff Thursday night:

1. Justin Gilbert. It can’t get any worse for the Oklahoma State product. He thinks he’s “flawless” when in reality, he stinks, and now he’s getting abused by Buffalo receivers at the Bills/Browns joint practice in New York.

It’s easy to pile on Gilbert, because every mistake he makes will be magnified and analyzed by 1,000, but remember, it’s better to make mistakes now, than when the games actually count. So while getting torched against the Bills looks bad, it’s better to happen now than in Week 1.

It’s still practice, and practice, the last time I checked, is about and improving and getting ready for your next challenge.

There’s still time for Gilbert, and it’s good news the Browns have the former eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft returning kicks, and now punts. Gilbert looks like a natural with the ball in his hands. Maybe that gives him so comfort he can take to the cornerback spot.

2. Dwayne Bowe. Bowe’s a veteran, so maybe it’s not a huge deal that he’s not on the field, but the argument could be made that this is the time he should be building chemistry with new quarterback Josh McCown.

His roster spot is probably safe because of his history with Ray Farmer from their days in Kansas City, but at some point, the former first-round pick needs to play. Bowe didn’t have a receiving touchdown last season–and while some of that could be due to Kansas City’s quarterbacks–that reason could also be attributed Bowe’s declining skills.

3. Terrelle Pryor. The first day of the Bills scrimmage for Pryor was mostly marked by drops. That’s OK, because the former Buckeye is still learning a new position and he’s easing himself back into playing after sitting for over a week with a strained hamstring.

The key for Pryor is getting to Thursday’s preseason game against the Bills. He needs gametime reps. That’s the only way to know where his progression as a receiver stands.

The company line is that Pryor is not a lock to make the roster, but I disagree. The Browns are so desperate for playmakers, they need Pryor, and that’s probably why the team was so cautious with his hamstring injury. Plus, with Connor Shaw going down, I think now, more than ever, Pryor is a lock to be the emergency third-string quarterback.

4. Travis Benjamin. The Rabbit has the most to gain from Bowe’s injury because of the Browns dearth of playmaking offensive weapons.

Benjamin is only 5-foot-10, but his speed is valuable because he can stretch the field. Should Bowe be unable to play in Week 1, the Miami product would likely start opposite Brian Hartline.

Benjamin reminded Browns fans of his talent when he snagged that touchdown pass from McCown against the Redskins.

So why does Benjamin need a good week? Consistency. If he’s going to be a playmaker, he needs to have some moments on a weekly basis. The Rabbit can’t disappear into the hat. He needs to keep reminding us why he earned his nickname. It’s one thing to be fast. It’s another thing to use that speed in a way that actually gives your team a chance to win.

5. Terrance West. Every running back could probably be slotted into this category, but West, in particular needs to have a good week. He looked awful in the preseason opener. His attitude has supposedly improved, but it’s perplexing how his ego ever got so inflated?

The Towson product had some nice moments during his rookie season, but it wasn’t enough to put into the RB1 slot on the Browns first depth chart heading into the preseason opener.

Next: Duke Johnson The Best Value Pick In Browns' 2015 NFL Draft

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