Cleveland Browns: Game plan vs. Atlanta Falcons

There is a lot to watch for as the Cleveland Browns take on the Atlanta Falcons Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

As the anticipation for the return of football subsides, the Cleveland Browns continue their trek through the preseason in a Thursday night clash with the Atlanta Falcons. Though a 17-11 opening defeat to the Green Bay Packers appeared ugly at times, the team found positives to take away as well as areas to build on. Thursday presents a perfect opportunity to do just that, as the Browns play their first game in front of their home fans.

As is the case for any rebuilding team in football, the process for Cleveland begins at the quarterback position. Robert Griffin III has come a long way since signing with the Browns in March, but has yet to impress in live action against another team. While Griffin did in fact reveal what he is capable of from the first play from scrimmage in Green Bay, consistency needs improvement.

The game plan that head coach Hue Jackson will implement Thursday night will once again revolve around playing time rather than trying to win, since it is a preseason game. Success will be measured in different ways besides winning, as the coaching staff will be sure to play every player they feel the need to play.

At the quarterback position, Browns fans are likely to see slightly more of Griffin than they did in the opener, as he will play as a starting quarterback in a second preseason game typically does. After Griffin, Josh McCown will likely play until halftime, as the 37-year-old isn’t in need of additional experience.

The second half will feature two quarterbacks for Cleveland, Austin Davis and rookie Cody Kessler. Against Green Bay, Davis surprisingly started the third quarter, implying that he is ahead of Kessler on the depth chart. Still, it seems unlikely that the Browns will release such a high draft pick like Kessler, and they will probably need to trim the quarterback room down to three.

This often ignored competition for a roster spot will be a good reason for fans to watch the second half Thursday night, as game action is valued more than anything in these situations.

Continuing on the offensive side of the ball, the most anticipation comes not for any of the quarterbacks, but for wide receiver Corey Coleman who will be making his debut Thursday. Coleman is expected to be a critical piece in a Cleveland offense which is expected to be much improved.

Alongside Cleveland’s first round draft pick, Terrelle Pryor will be tested once again against a feisty Falcons secondary. Pryor has already impressed fans thus far with his stunning performances in multiple practices, as well as his long reception from Griffin on Cleveland’s first play from scrimmage in Green Bay.

For Browns fans though, what is most important to take note of on the offensive side of the ball is the play of the offensive line. After a miserable game for the unit in Green Bay, the unstable group is yearning for confidence. Getting the run game going early on will be a key factor in this game, and it will also open up flexibility for an offensive line whose players need to establish themselves.

If the offensive line gives the skill players more of an opportunity to showcase their abilities than it did in Green Bay, fans should look for the running backs to make the difference in this game. Tall, menacing outside threats should open up the run game to a certain degree, and Raheem Mostert should get the opportunity to have  second straight solid performance. Whether or not Isaiah Crowell or Duke Johnson have an impact on this game is yet to be seen, but their play rests on the offensive line’s ability to open up lanes most of all.

For a Cleveland defense who played well against a third and fourth-string quarterback in Green Bay, no clear indication was made as to how well they will play in 2016. There is still much to improve on, and whether the bright spots from the opener can repeat their impressive performances is another factor of Thursday night’s game to watch.

The defensive line is the most important part of a Cleveland defense that wishes to pride itself on stopping the run. Danny Shelton must improve on his rookie season for the unit to have a chance, and a rookie needs to step up to replace an injured Desmond Bryant as well.

So far, rookies Emmanuel Ogbah and Carl Nassib have proven that they are capable of doing exactly this. It is still early however, and a solid outing against the Atlanta Falcons could improve their chances, or another player’s chances, of filling his critical role.

Against an offense like Atlanta, defending against the pass, especially the deep pass, is most important to winning. While this begins up front if the Browns’ front seven can manufacture some pass rush, it is most important that the secondary is focused and well-disciplined, especially when Atlanta’s starters are on the field.

Matt Ryan and Julio Jones combine to form one of the most potent downfield threats in all of football. Without Joe Haden once again, the task for Cleveland’s defense to prevent chunk plays will be much more difficult. But it will also present an opportunity to younger players such as 2014 first-round draft pick Justin Gilbert, and Pierre Desir. With the mindset of limiting Atlanta’s offense rather than halting it altogether, this young secondary should be able to perform respectably and make an impression on the coaching staff.

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Even through all of these critical aspects of Thursday night’s game at FirstEnergy Stadium, what the coaches may be watching most is the special teams. Jackson has made it very clear to his team that the easiest way to win a roster spot is through spectacular special teams play.

For some, this is their only chance at a roster spot, so they must seize their limited opportunities. The top priority for Cleveland’s coaches will be to give each player a fair chance, and to make sure they are able to put the players on tape that they want to see most. This is a challenge for any unit on the team, but especially the special teams.

Not only are less than glamorous roles up for grabs on Chris Tabor’s special teams, the kicking position is not yet solidified. Incumbent Travis Coons is trying to hold off a very good Patrick Murray, who made Cleveland’s only field goal attempt against Green Bay. The coaches will want to give both kickers multiple opportunities Thursday, as what they do in true competition may be the deciding factor in an otherwise very close race.

Overall, Thursday’s preseason game will once again force the coaching staff to implement a different type of game plan. While it may be a challenge for the coaches to accomplish all they would like to, a lot of pressure is off due to the fact that winning is not top priority.

For fans though, they are anxious to see what will come of Thursday night. It will be the first time this season the team can play against true competition in front of their home fans, and the first time they will suit up in their home stadium.

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The second preseason game is one of the most overlooked, but it is important to the Browns as it is their first home game. There is a lot of excitement surrounding the team at this point, and the coaching staff needs to funnel this excitement to the football field and get the most out of all of their players on Thursday night. It would be a significant confidence booster if the Browns were to come away with the victory, but most of all, the proper important decisions need to be made as a result of Thursday’s game.