Cleveland Browns: Game plan vs. the Chicago Bears

The Cleveland Browns wrap up the preseason at home Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, looking to prepare the starters through one final exhibition.

The Cleveland Browns’ 2016 preseason concludes tonight with a game against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The typical game plan for a fourth preseason game is nothing like the third. As opposed to the “dress rehearsal,” which the Browns dropped 31-10 at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this game’s purpose is to provide a test for players on the bubble before final roster cuts. The Browns have already trimmed the roster to 75 as required, but the 22 cuts which must be made by Saturday will be the more difficult ones to make.

For this reason, head coach Hue Jackson will make an attempt to get every player in the game at the role they may fill best. However, Cleveland’s first-year head coach has already made it clear that the team’s starters will see some action Thursday.

How much action was not detailed, but the coaching staff was clearly not pleased with last Friday’s performance.

“We need to get better as a football team as we continue to move forward,” Jackson told the media this week.

Still, as usual in this preseason friendly, names which fans may not have heard of will occupy most of the playing time. Players who make an impression have jump started their professional careers, such as Isaiah Crowell, who did so against this same Chicago team in 2014.

Players to watch out for on offense who may do the same are Rashard Higgins and Raheem Mostert, two players with extraordinary talent who have yet to get the extended opportunity to translate it into game play.

But who happens to break out Thursday night is not the only factor of the game the coaching staff will be paying attention to. On offense, the play of Robert Griffin III will be heavily critiqued. Since it is Griffin’s final opportunity to gain experience prior to his return to regular season NFL action, he will make an attempt to minimize mistakes and continue sparking the team with his explosive throws.

Still, possibly more importantly than Griffin’s performance will be the play of the offensive line, which has struggled since the first preseason game. Following a rough night in Tampa last Friday, fans are concerned about the state of this unit. A strong final preseason showing would bring about relief and build confidence entering regular season play.

As a result of an improved performance from the offensive line, the running game would be able to get going, allowing the entire offense to come to mold into its desired form. If this is the case, fans should expect improved performances from Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell in their limited snaps.

Defensively, the Browns will be searching for answers everywhere from the starters to the bench-warmers. Following the release of Paul Kruger, Ray Horton and the defensive coaching staff is seeking a young pass rusher to fill the void held by the former Brown. Carl Nassib and Emmanuel Ogbah are two rookies who have impressed since entering training camp, and could find themselves in a more aggressive role Thursday. Also, Nate Orchard and Cam Johnson, two players the Browns have been very high on this preseason. will benefit from Kruger’s absence.

In the secondary, the Browns will be looking for an effective combination, since little has been successful thus far. Releasing K’Waun Williams may have made matters even more difficult, as necessary as a move it might have been.

https://twitter.com/Browns/status/771160165299154944

Four players in the secondary must step up to reassure coaches and fans that the secondary is not a serious liability entering 2016. These players are Joe Haden, Tramon Williams, Justin Gilbert, and Pierre Desir. Beyond these possible starters, the rest of the secondary is focused on earning a roster spot, and will probably not play a significant role with the unit during the regular season.

There is a lot to watch for Thursday night, from both the starters and those making their final case for a roster spot. But as far as the game plan is concerned, the team’s primary goal is not winning. The starters are seeking improvement and looking for confidence entering the season, and the rest of the roster is unsure about their future with the Browns.

The coaching staff will approach the game with the mentality that all players need to play, and will most likely follow the unofficial depth chart released for the Bears game as to when which players play.

Though it would be nice to conclude the 2016 preseason with a victory in front of the home fans, the Browns will look to make final preparations and adjustments. Following the game, the coaching staff will want to move forward as quickly as possible, and for good reason. The regular season is quickly approaching, and once it comes, the results of this game will be irrelevant.

While the fourth preseason game gets little recognition, it will serve as critical experience for Cleveland’s young players, especially the starters who will be thrust into new roles beginning September 11.

Next: What to watch for against Chicago

For fans though, Thursday may provide relief and excitement, as a lengthy preseason comes to a close and games that count quickly approach.