Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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2. Browning steps up
Backup quarterback Jake Browning continued the work he did in open OTA practices with the second-team offense on Tuesday.
And much like Cousins, Browning also delivered late in a game-like situation. The offense trailed 19-13 and had the ball near midfield with 100 seconds left, putting the onus on Browning to lead a scoring drive.
It wasn't a perfect drive, as the third-year QB had to convert twice on fourth down — once on a pass to Dan Chisena and another time on a QB sneak. But he eventually moved the ball into the red zone with the ball at the 15-yard line with 10 seconds left.
Browning then made some magic happen, buying some time while rolling around before lofting a pass into a crowd in the end zone. The ball landed in the outstretched hands of a leaping Brandon Dillon, who was mobbed my teammates with no time left on the scoreboard.
Browning also made another notable throw in a 7-on-7 red-zone drill, zipping a pass to Bisi Johnson for a score.
The former undrafted free agent has had a strong spring so far and is competing with 2020 seventh-rounder Nate Stanley and 2021 third-rounder Kellen Mond for the backup job behind Cousins. Training camp and preseason games will be important for each QB.
3. A handful of PBUs on defense
While the offense delivered in the clutch Tuesday, the defense still made plenty of notable plays throughout the session.
Harrison Smith had an interception on a tipped pass, and Eric Kendricks was in tight coverage against Tyler Conklin on a pass from Cousins that initially looked like a score in the red zone.
A handful of young cornerbacks also made noteworthy plays.
Harrison Hand continued his progression by denying Irv Smith, Jr., on a score with a pass breakup in the end zone.
And even though Browning led the probable go-ahead drive mentioned above, Parry Nickerson and Dylan Mabin made it tough on him. Both players had pass breakups on the drive, which led to extra work for the offense.
Nickerson batted away a pass intended for Johnson, while Mabin jumped to deflect a pass attempt away from rookie Ihmir Smith-Marsette.