Browns vs. Packers: 5 questions with Lombardi Ave
The Cleveland Browns open up the preseason Friday night when they take on the Green Bay Packers.
The day is finally here. Cleveland Browns football is back as the preseason is underway in just a few hours.
The Browns head north to take on the Green Bay Packers in what should be a good first test for this young team. The focus will be on Robert Griffin III, but he will only see limited playing time.
The game is much more important for those players trying to make the final 53-man roster. Hue Jackson and his staff will get a chance to evaluate the talent of those players on the roster bubble, while also getting a chance to implement parts of his own gameplan in his first season in Cleveland.
To learn more about tonight’s matchup, we caught up with Freddie Boston of Lombardi Ave to get his take on the preseason opener for both teams.
1. After narrowly missing out on a trip to the NFC Championship Game last season, how far do you think the Packers will advance this season?
Freddie: It all depends on the offense. The Packers defense was underrated last season and was playing at a championship level by the end of the year. It was the offensive struggles, from wide receivers struggling to beat press coverage to an injury-hit offensive line that prevented the Packers going all the way. If Aaron Rodgers is back to his MVP-best and the offense restores equilibrium, the sky is the limit.
2. Besides Aaron Rodgers, who is the most important player on the Packers that Browns fans can take a look at Friday night?
Freddie: Clay Matthews is as important to the defense as Rodgers is to the offense. All eyes will be on Matthews’ move back to outside linebacker having spent the past season-and-a-half inside. It’s unlikely Clay—or any of the Packers starters for that matter—will be on the field for long, but he’s one to watch.
3. We here at Dawg Pound Daily often get caught up in the RG3 hype. What is your view on his chances of being successful in 2016?
Freddie: Well the talent is clearly there. If he can play anywhere near the level he did as a rookie, the Browns might finally have their guy. It was a big decision to trade away the second overall pick and push forward with Robert Griffin.
Whether the decision to pass up on Carson Wentz or Paxton Lynch in favor of Griffin turns out to be smart or a missed opportunity is going to be fascinating to watch play out. I for one will be rooting for RG3 to turn his career around.
4. How much time will the Packers starters get in Friday’s game, and will we see a lot of Aaron Rodgers?
Freddie: Mike McCarthy tends to give the starters a series or two in preseason, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see that number reduce further after Jordy Nelson‘s injury last year. If Rodgers is on the field Friday, it’ll be a brief cameo. McCarthy has to tread a tightrope with the risk-reward ratio of playing the starters. Nelson’s injury might lean him towards the risk and sit some guys out.
5. Who are some players trying to make the Packers’ roster Browns fans can look for Friday night?
Freddie: The wide receiver situation is of particular interest. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are the only locks to make the roster, and there are a lot of bodies competing for the final spots. Ty Montgomery is arguably the best of the bunch, but he’s returning from what turned out to be a serious ankle injury. How much he features in this game will be interesting.
Jeff Janis grabbed the headlines for his two Hail Mary grabs in the postseason, but he’s drawn a blank at training camp and needs a strong preseason. Jared Abbrederis and Davante Adams are also two receivers with something to prove.
Already you can see the headache the Packers face at the position, but that’s before we mention rookies Trevor Davis and Geronimo Allison, both of which are making strong cases to land on the 53.
Next: Browns: Game plan vs. Green Bay
Of all the position battles, wide receiver is filled with uncertainty and should make for entertaining viewing in preseason.