Cleveland Browns at Packers: 3 key things to watch for

The Cleveland Browns open up the preseason Friday night when they take on the Green Bay Packers.

Friday night’s preseason game against the Green Bay Packers marks the start of another new era in Cleveland Browns football as Hue Jackson makes his Cleveland debut. It will be a good test for Jackson and the new look Browns against a proven and stable organization in the Packers.

It will also be the first time Robert Griffin III plays in live game action since last preseason. Griffin has already been named the Browns starting quarterback, but it will be an opportunity for he and the first-team offense to get valuable reps against the Packers defense in preparation for the regular season.

In addition to key starters getting reps, the first preseason game will give backups and players on the bubble a chance to shine as they audition for the 53-man roster. Jackson will only allow his starters to play a few series or the entirety of the first quarter. The rest of the game will be designated for reserves to play and get reps.

However, Jackson was unsure on the length the starters and key veterans would play when talking to reporters in his post game press conference following Wednesday’s practice.

“No, we don’t play until Friday. I’m not in a rush for that,” Jackson said when speaking to the media Wednesday. “I’m more in a rush of making sure our players are still practicing hard and doing what we need to do and learning how to practice because we have to learn how to practice against each other, take care of each other and do things the right way.”

Before the game kicks off tonight, here are some things to watch for in as the Browns take on the Packers.

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