Browns coach Hue Jackson sounded like a man who took a big gulp of reality during Friday’s 17-11 preseason-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers and didn’t enjoy the taste one bit.
After reviewing the film, Jackson admitted the exhibition game served as an eye opener and gave him a sense of urgency about what the team needs to work on before it kicks off the regular season Sept. 11 in Philadelphia.
The Browns will take another test drive when they face the Atlanta Falcons in the second preseason game for both teams at 8 p.m. Thursday at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Whether Jackson feels better, worse or about the same after the next tune-up will largely depend on how the Browns fare in the following areas.
Quarterback play
Not surprised, huh?
Starter Robert Griffin III made a couple of nice throws in 11 snaps and two series against the Packers, but he also maneuvered awkwardly in the pocket and threw an interception at the goal line.
On the offense’s first play, he stepped into the back of right guard John Greco, who was pass blocking perfectly fine, and tumbled to the ground after releasing a 49-yard pass to wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. Griffin later admitted his leg got stuck in the ground while he was planting to throw right behind Greco and he had a scare with his left knee. Although Griffin is fine, the play illustrates his need for better pocket awareness.
Remember, this is a player whose injuries and inability to develop as a pocket passer led to him experiencing one of the most dramatic downfalls in NFL history. Both of those factors came to mind on that play.
The starters will likely play the first half. After Griffin and backup Josh McCown are done, it’ll be time for rookie Cody Kessler to enter the game because Austin Davis is recovering from a concussion.
Kessler had a rough debut in Green Bay despite throwing a touchdown pass on his first play. He needs to get rid of the ball sooner. He took three sacks and two safeties, one of which was the result of him embarrassingly running out of the back of the end zone.
Pass protection
The starting offensive line didn’t help Griffin much, and four of the 11 plays ended with him on the ground.
Center Cameron Erving and right tackle Austin Pasztor are walking question marks. Each one surrendered a quarterback hit against the Packers by failing to maintain a block.
If Erving and Pasztor won’t suffice, the new regime will be haunted by letting three-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack and four-year starting right tackle Mitchell Schwartz get away in free agency. Mack, by the way, will be back in town with the Falcons and former Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas sat out the past three practices with a back issue, so Dan France will likely start instead.
Run defense
Like quarterback, this has been a problem for the Browns since 1999. And even though they drafted a nose tackle 12th overall last year, it’s still an issue.
Danny Shelton, the first-round pick from last year, must become a force in the middle of the line for the run defense to become respectable. If he can’t demand double teams on a consistent basis, there will be little hope for improvement.
Here’s what the Packers’ top-two running backs did during the lone series for the Browns’ No. 1 defense: Eddy Lacy ran for 6, 3, 11 and 4 yards, and James Starks ran for 4, 3, 4 and 3 yards. That’s 38 yards on eight carries (4.75 yards average).
The Browns have promoted Jamie Meder, one of the bright spots in the exhibition opener, from backup nose tackle to starting right defensive end. Perhaps he’ll help.
Running game
Jackson is determined to employ a balanced attack, but he hasn’t been happy with the rushing attack thus far.
It disappointed him a scrimmage on Aug. 5 and he thought it was just OK in the preseason opener, when Isaiah Crowell was crushed for a loss of 2 yards and Duke Johnson had an 11-yard run.
Obviously, the offensive line plays a significant role in this department.
Special teams
Eliminating boneheaded plays would be nice. But for young teams, they also come with the territory, so special teams coordinator Chris Tabor just needs to hope he can limit them.
The Packers’ opening drive was extended by rookie linebacker Joe Schobert running into the punter. Raheem Mostert muffed a punt. Later, he brought a kickoff out from 5 yards deep in the end zone and reached the 19 on his return. A new rule puts the ball on the 25 after a touchback.
Five more to watch
1. Rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman: The first-round draft pick participated in team drills the past two practices and appeared ready to make his preseason debut after sitting out the opener with an injured left hamstring.
2. Rookie defensive end/outside linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah: He impressed the coaches in his debut, compiling six tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss, as a second-string end. He took some snaps at first-string outside linebacker in place of Nate Orchard during the most recent practice.
3. Linebacker Barkevious Mingo: The coaching staff is experimenting with the sixth overall pick from three years ago in an attempt to find a way for him to make the team. After spending the past three seasons at outside linebacker, he’s spending time at inside linebacker. With his job hanging in the balance, he needs to make plays this preseason.
4. Cornerback Justin Gilbert: The make-or-break theme continues with the eighth overall pick from two years ago. Joe Haden will sit out against the Falcons while his surgically repaired ankle is eased back into action, so the spotlight will continue to shine on Gilbert in a starting role.
5. Inside linebacker Dominique Alexander: The undrafted rookie had five tackles, including one for loss, against the Packers. NFLDraftScout.com analyst Dane Brugler assigned him a fourth- or fifth-round grade, so the diamond-in-the-rough watch is on.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.