Cleveland Browns Vs. Detroit Lions: A Quick Preseason Game Preview

Seven games ago the Cleveland Browns' offense got into the endzone on a long run by running back Jerome Harrison.

That was on Nov. 17, 2008 and that was also over nine months ago.

On Saturday, the Browns will face a team that made history last year by becoming the first team to not win a game during the regular season.

That Detroit Lions team from a year ago, is not the same team anymore.

They drafted highly-touted Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, tight end Brandon Pettigrew, and safety Louis Delmas. They also signed free agent linebacker Larry Foote, wide receiver Bryant Johnson, cornerback Phillip Buchanon, defensive lineman Grady Jackson, and also traded for cornerback Anthony Henry and linebacker Julian Peterson.

The Browns have also gone through a make-over and on Saturday there will be a battle royale between two clubs that have been looking up, from the bottom of their respective divisions, for a long time.

After last week's debacle versus the Green Bay Packers, the Browns first and foremost need to focus on the mental mistakes that were made and have better focus during each and every play. These mistakes included: jumping for a pass when it's unnecessary to jump, twitching at the line of scrimmage during a field goal attempt, or not properly reading a defensive blitz.

Those simple mistakes need to be reduced immediately.

Offensive Views for the Game against the Lions

The Quarterback Battle

This is an obvious choice. Bottom line, if Derek Anderson has another poor performance then it could be said that Brady Quinn will be the front-runner for the starter.

Eric Mangini will not tolerate two bad games in a row from Anderson, or from any other player on this team for that matter.

Wide Receiver Josh Cribbs

Josh Cribbs has shown that he is ready to step into the spotlight, not only as a returner, but as a receiver too. Many experts have said that one of the Browns' two rookie receivers would wind up becoming the starter opposite Braylon Edwards, but Cribbs has been raising a lot of eyebrows with his transition into a more featured role on the offense.

Other contenders include rookies Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, but veteran Mike Furrey has also shown that he still has a lot left in the tank and he can assume the slot/possession role for the team.

The Offensive Line and Running Backs

Mangini upgraded the offensive line with bigger bodies to devote more plays to the running game. That did not show up for the Packers game and hopefully the Browns will spend more time controlling the clock and pounding the trenches versus the Lions.

The Defense

Rookies David Veikune and Coye Francies

These two rookies have been making a splash in Training Camp and each were on the receiving end of a errant Packers pass for an interception. They both play with the second team defense, so watch for them in the second and third quarters of the game.

You can't miss Veikune when he is on the field because he has "Polamalu-like" hair coming out of the back of his helmet.

Safety Abram Elam

Abram Elam was brought on by Mangini to be the Browns' starting safety when Sean Jones left for free agency, but Elam needs to make sure he does not let any other receivers get past him for long touchdowns.

Will Shaun Rogers Play More?

Rogers' presence on the line creates many more opportunities for other defenders, since he usually gets double, and sometimes triple teamed.

If Rogers is in the game more, look for a better pass rush from the defensive first team.

In the end, let's just all hope that the Browns' offense can score a touchdown to end the drought this Saturday night.

(Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source)