What to watch for in the Browns first preseason game

Football is back! The Cleveland Browns are taking the field in Green Bay to face off against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in their first preseason game of the 2016 season. The team made another drastic change this offseason, firing GM Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine, replacing them with Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson, respectively.¹ The team is a young one with a lot of reliance on first or second year players. It should be an interesting season to say the least. So, going into preseason game No. 1, there are a lot of things to look for and watch during the day. Here are just a few players and aspects that Browns fans should be looking at closely in Friday night’s first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

1. Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III is the No. 1 player I want to watch, albeit for just a couple of series at most. There is so much intrigue on what he will look like and how the offense will be fitted around him. Can he be the future quarterback or just another terrible Browns quarterback? I have a lot of hope for Griffin, but he has to show it on the field. That audition starts on Friday night. It will be interesting to see if he is physically fit and ready to play a full 16 game season. He will be must-watch TV on Friday night versus the Packers.

2. Battle at Right Tackle

Who will step up and be the Browns starting right tackle? The battle is a four-player battle between Spencer Drango, Alvin Bailey, Shon Coleman and Austin Pasztor. Rookie Spencer Drango is listed as the starter in the Browns first depth chart, but that does not mean much because during practice, the right tackle position has been a revolving door.² The battle seems to be coming down to Alvin Bailey and Austin Pasztor with Pasztor possibly getting the slight edge because of his experience advantage. But, if one of the rookies can impress during the preseason, then they can throw a wrench into the battle. The first test will be on Friday versus the Packers. It will be interesting to see the rotation during the first preseason game.

3. Rookie Wide Receivers

With Andrew Hawkins and Corey Coleman not playing on Friday night, the Browns three other rookie wide receivers, Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins and Jordan Payton will be seeing a lot of playing time. These three will be battling for the last few spots on the wide receiver depth chart, so their time in preseason will be key in determining the battle. These three should be playing quite a bit on Friday, so anyone of them could pop out and emerge from the group with a good game. It should be fun to watch the young rookies.

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4. Terrelle Pryor

Terrelle Pryor may be the No. 2 player I most want to see on Friday. Pryor has really exploded in early training camp, but that means nothing until he sees live action. Can he produce like he has in practice on the field in Green Bay? I also want to see how the coaches will be using him in the formations. Obviously, they will most likely not show the trick plays with him during the preseason, but his role in the offense will be interesting to watch. This is the start of Pryor’s audition to being a reliable wide receiver.

5. Emmanuel Ogbah

Emmanuel Ogbah was the Browns second round pick in this past year’s draft, so a lot of expectations are being placed on him. The most intriguing thing to watch with Ogbah will be his role in the defense. He was moved to defensive end at the beginning of training camp after the team lost Desmond Bryant for the season. So, I want to see if the coaches will have him line up with his hand on ground or if he will stand up and be an edge rusher. Ogbah has the athleticism to play either position, but his future is definitely brighter at outside linebacker.

6. Danny Shelton

This is a huge season for 2015 first-round pick Danny Shelton. He had an OK rookie season, but he must make the jump this coming season. He lost weight this offseason, so I want to see how he plays at this lighter weight. He must become the dominant clogging force in the middle of the defensive line in order for the line to succeed. The game against the Packers will be a good first test for Shelton against a solid offensive line.

7. Browns Defensive Line

Beyond Danny Shelton, I want to see the rotation and roles of the Browns defensive line. Right now, the line is in disarray after the shocking news of Desmond Bryant missing the entire season. The line is a fluid unit with not many givens past Shelton starting in the middle. The two rookies of Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib can make a good first impression versus the packers. Also, Xavier Cooper could be the X-factor at the position if he can develop from his rookie season and show off his penetrating ability that is very valuable on the defensive line.

8. Ibraheim Campbell

I may be the most excited about Ibraheim Campbell of all the second year players, along with Danny Shelton. Campbell will be the starting strong safety for the Browns this coming season. Late in the season last year, he showed glimpses of really good play. It will be fun to watch his maturation in the defensive secondary. He has the physicality and versatility that you look for in a string safety. Campbell is a huge key in the success of the secondary and possibly the entire defense.

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9. Cody Kessler

Cody Kessler is an obvious player who will be interesting to watch in the Browns first preseason game. Kessler will be making his pro debut and probably receive at least a quarter of action on Friday. We will get to see what made Hue Jackson select him and have so much more confidence in the pick. Can he be the future of the Browns quarterback position or do we need to take a quarterback early in next year’s draft. Friday night’s game is the first chance for Kessler to start answering that question.

10. Hue Jackson’s offensive philosophy

This will be a huge aspect to examine in the Browns first preseason game. What can we expect from the Hue Jackson offense? Will he be an aggressive play caller and decision maker? How will his offense fit the Browns current personnel? Will Jackson change his offensive scheme to fit the skills of Robert Griffin III? Friday’s game is the first chance to examine these questions in live action. It should be fun.

Football is back!

1. And supplementing the team with Paul DePodesta on the analytic front. [↩]
2. Editor’s Note: After allowing Mitchell Schwartz to leave in free agency, that statement sounds exactly correct. [↩]