How the Cleveland Browns Offense Can Exploit the Philadelphia Eagles Defense

The Cleveland Browns' young offense will be challenged at every level by a star-studded Philadelphia eagles defense during their 2012 NFL season-opener.

The Browns will hope to counter with a rookie quarterback, a rookie runner and an equally unproven group of wide receivers. For Pat Shurmur's team to have success, they must feature the run, but also find ways to manufacture big plays in the deep passing game and hold Philadelphia's prolific rush ends at bay.

Here are the three things Shurmur and the Browns offense can do to exploit the Eagles defense:

Use two tight end sets to help block Trent Cole and Jason Babin

Shurmur would be smart to rely on plenty of two tight end fronts to help block premier pass rush tandem Trent Cole and Jason Babin. The duo is the key to the Eagles dynamic pass rush and their unorthodox alignments create matchup nightmares for pass-protection schemes.

Babin and Cole take wide-9 alignments outside of each offensive tackle. Having a tight end on either side will supplement the protection for first-year quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The tight ends can chip Cole and Babin and offer double-team capability, preventing them from getting a clean speed rush off the edges. It's not as if there is a shortage of tight ends on the Browns roster.

Try some double moves against the Eagles press man coverage

The Eagles are blessed with two physical cornerbacks in Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Both are expert in press man coverage and the Browns should try and defeat this aggressive technique with some double moves on the outside.

The Browns lack proven talent and reliability at the wide receiver position, but one thing they should have is speed. Youngsters Josh Gordon and Greg Little should be able to stretch the field and attack the vertical zones against any defense.

Weeden has the arm to get them the ball and they might be able to fool the Eagles with some early up-and-go and out-and-up moves. They at least have to try and use Philly's aggressive coverage techniques against them.

Test the middle with a heavy dose of Trent Richardson

Okay, saying the Browns need to feature running back Trent Richardson is a painfully obvious statement. However, just because the Eagles know it's coming, that doesn't mean they will be able to stop it.

Their wide-9, double 3-technique defensive line schemes left them exposed to the run through the middle last season. It's why they traded for mike linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

However, even though the personnel has changed, the scheme still has a weakness in this area. The Browns can exploit it with clever blocking and by using Richardson's great initial quickness.

Running quick counters behind trap blocking targeting Ryans will give Richardson the chance to get to the second level and use his speed in the open field. Despite preseason knee surgery, Richardson will play against the Eagles, according to the Akron Beacon Journal and the Browns can't be shy about using him.

After all, pounding a defense and controlling the clock is why the Browns took Richardson with the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. It makes no sense to waste that potential now.

Conclusion

There's no denying the Browns face an uphill battle against the Eagles. However, the potential exists for some big plays against a true "feast or famine" defense.

Cleveland will likely need those big plays to put the points that can keep the game close and ease the pressure on their own defense.