The Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears NFL preseason online wagering finale will be notable as second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft Mitch Trubinksi’s first professional start for Da Bears. Common wisdom says key players should, at this point, be saved for the regular season, but Winnie the Pooh and his honey pot, the Bear just can’t get enough of the North Carolina product – let’s just say their clock stopped at five minutes to eleven some weeks ago.
- Date: Thursday, 31st August
- Time: 8:05 PM
- Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Browns +3 (EV) 36½ (-105) +148
Bears -3 (-120) 36½ (-115) -170
Oh it’s Tru, it’s damn Tru
“It’s not easy to get live game reps as a quarterback in this league,” Chicago head coach John Fox told the team’s official website. “It helps development. He needs all those opportunities he can get and no different Thursday night.” Trubinski has certainly make the most of his reps, though; he has completed 70.8% of his passes (34 of 48) for 354 yards with three touchdowns, no picks and a 112.7 passer rating, as well as rushed 47 yards on four carries. Former Brown Connor Shaw is projected to relieve Trubinski, while Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez are not expected to play. Following an outstanding performance against the Titans on Sunday, Glennon seems poised to start under center in Week 1 with Mark Sanchez as his backup – so Trubinski may not have see action again for quite some time. Then again, it is Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see the rookie take over the starting job sooner than later.
Another rookie who is making a name for himself is undrafted free agent wide receiver Tanner Gentry. Trubinski has established a good chemistry with him, and the former Wyoming Cowboy will have yet another chance on Thursday to continue making his case that he can help fill the void left by Cameron Meredith.
Ask and ye shall receive
Cleveland’s wide receivers will receive one final chance on Thursday’s preseason online wagering finale, but will they run with it?
#Browns still establishing rotation at WR, hope preseason finale offers clarity
📰 » https://t.co/ggohrtEUMC pic.twitter.com/fYkrozZTdn
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 30, 2017
Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins, and Jordan Payton, who have a total of three receptions for 64 yards and one touchdown so far in the preseason, will step up, while Rannell Hall and Jordan Leslie have combined for 12 receptions, 119 yards and a touchdown. Josh Boyce, Mario Alford, and Richard Mullaney are also vying for a spot. “I think these guys are trying extremely hard,” Browns head coach Hue Jackson said. “They have done a great job of blocking downfield. Sometimes their number is called and we don’t get the ball to them. Sometimes their number is called and we are not in the right spot. What we have to do is continue to work at it, keep getting better and see if we can get there.” Cleveland parted ways with Terrelle Pryor following his disappointing 2016 season, and Corey Coleman and Kenny Britt are projected to play key parts in the Browns’ new offense.