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NFL Preseason Wisconsin Badger Roundup

By Noah Seligman

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Running back Corey Clement of Wisconsin answers questions from the media on Day 2 of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Running back Corey Clement of Wisconsin answers questions from the media on Day 2 of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on March 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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A recap of former Wisconsin Badgers from Thursday NFL preseason action

The NFL preseason is formerly under way after the Hall of Fame Game started things last week.  There were seven NFL preseason games on Thursday and a few Wisconsin Badgers were battling for roster spots in them.

We’re going to focus more on players with less job security then say entrenched NFL veterans.

Corey Clement and the Eagles visited Lambeau Field, losing to the Packers 24-9.  Clement got seven carries, most of any Eagles RB.  Unfortunately he only managed 13 yards (1.9 average) with those rushes.

Related Story: Wisconsin Badger Free Agent RBs

However, it was not a tremendous ground performance overall from the Eagles who ran for 47 yards on 19 carries.  Philly was more interested in an aerial assault in Green Bay throwing the ball 54 times.  Clement did get four targets in the passing game snagging two for 31 yards.

The Eagles also fumbled five times on Thursday but none were by Clement so that’s good.  He was not use in the return game and didn’t record any special teams statistics.

So on balance, not a terribly exciting first NFL game for Clement.  But still a positive sign early in the preseason that he got some serious work on offense for the Eagles.  He would not be getting those opportunities if the coaching staff didn’t like what they saw in practice.  Now the pressure is on Clement to deliver some longer runs on the field.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns beat the New Orleans Saints 20-14.  Saints first round pick Ryan Ramczyk was not in action.  But a  couple former Badgers got snaps on defense for the Browns.  CB Darius Hilary and LB Joe Schobert both recorded two tackles for Cleveland with Schobert recording a sack.  He played in 16 games for the Browns last season recording 28 total tackles and .5 sack.

Hilary is looking to crack the rotation in Cleveland and earn a spot on the final roster.  Cleveland has five young CBs signed at the same price so special teams in particular could be a key to separating that crop that includes Hilary.

Next: Wisconsin Loses Star LB Jack Cichy to ACL Tear

I would never be so cruel as to suggest you care about the Cleveland Browns.  But they do have a pair of young Badgers on defense worth monitoring.  Hopefully the Badger connections give you a reason to watch NFL preseason football.