High points from a low viewer

After finally forcing myself to watch the Packers-Browns preseason game, I feel awful.

The starting defense, minus number 92, was visibly overmatched; even listening to the game on the radio on a 28-second-delay the defense sounded bad.

The offense showed a little spark against the Green Bay back-ups and quarterback Brett Ratliff looked good, aside from the two picks. Overall, if yellow flags indicate a rank of any sort, that is what the Cleveland Browns deserve on offense.

Despite lackluster showings from both sides of the ball, there were a couple of hustlers on the second/third team defense that deserve some spotlight:

Rookie defensive tackle Adam Hoppel, Cincinnatti, and rookie linebacker David Veikune, Hawa'ii.

Veikune saw plenty of playing time at the outside linebacker spot. He hustled after every play and ran sideline to sideline on several occasions, making himself the second man on several tackles, but usually the first. This should be encouraging seeing as Veikune played defensive end at Hawa'ii and is making the transition to a run stopping, coverage linebacker, hopefully with pass rushing abilities.

Hoppel seemed to make big hits whenever he got the chance. He exploded backs within arms reach. He was one of three lineman who was able to push his opponent consistently. Granted he played garbage time, but that is when young talent usually plays. If Adam Hoppel can continue to play with the same intensity every day he may have not only a shot at the final 53 man roster, but some serious minutes behind Big Baby.