Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans Preseason Preview: Key Battles To Watch

The third preseason game is traditionally the “dress rehearsal” for a team's starters, followed by the fourth preseason game, which is the last chance for younger players and rookies to catch the eyes of coaches with the hope of earning a roster spot before the final cut.

For the Browns, their biggest battle seems far from being one, and that is their quarterback competition.

Other teams, like the New York Jets, that had quarterback competitions have already moved on and named their regular season starters (the Jets said Mark Sanchez is their man).

The Titans will be playing their fourth preseason game, out of five, so it is not known if they will be playing their starters for very long, but it will still be a battle.

The following are a few key battles to watch for in Saturday's game.

Derek Anderson vs. Brady Quinn

You already know know this story. Moving on...

The Browns starting offensive line vs. the Titans starting defensive line

Eric Mangini has been moving the Browns' offensive linemen around (with the exception of LT Joe Thomas) to see how versatile his guys are, but he has yet to find his core starters.

Against the Titans, the starting offensive line may be the opening day line, so pay attention to who the starters are. The Browns line needs to be cautious, though, because even though Albert Haynesworth is not with the Titans anymore, they still have one of the best defensive lines in the game.

Hopefully, the Browns line can get a big push against the Titans and not only open up holes for the backs, but protect their quarterbacks.

Browns defensive line minus Shaun Rogers vs. getting getting pressure on the Titans quarterbacks

Mangini has said that he doesn't need to see Rogers play in the preseason because he knows what Rogers brings to the table.

That is fine, since Browns fans would rather see a fresh and uninjured Rogers start the regular season, but he is the key to the pass rush attack for the team.

Without Rogers, the Browns have been having trouble getting consistent pressure on the quarterbacks in their first two preseason games by only getting one sack so far.

Rogers is such a dominating force on the line that he usually gets double- and triple-teamed by the opposition, which frees up the linebackers to get into the pocket and cause destruction.

The Browns need to find a way to get to other teams' quarterbacks without Rogers against the Titans, and, in order to do that, don't be surprised to see more blitzes and perhaps a few more all-out nine-man blitzes.

Abram Elam vs. himself

Elam came to Cleveland with many predicting he would become a possible breakout player in 2009, but, after two preseason games, Elam has made two crucial mental errors.

First versus the Packers, when he let Donald Driver behind him for a 50-plus-yard score, and the second against the Lions on a holding call during the opening kickoff, when Josh Cribbs took it to the house for a 95-yard touchdown.

Yes, it is preseason, so these mental errors have time to be corrected, but with the regard that Mangini has in Elam, it is time to step up and play like a starting safety.

Josh Cribbs vs. the Titans special teams and defensive backs

Cribbs was electric against the Lions, and all Browns fans want more!

Cribbs has improved by leaps and bounds in his transition to becoming a receiving weapon on offense. Even though this has been three years in the making, fans are finally seeing the true talent that Cribbs has unfold in front of their eyes.

It is a beautiful thing to watch, and what's insane is that he is only getting better at what he does.

Whether the Browns win or lose, most Cleveland fans will tell you that as long as the games are competitive and entertaining, that's all they can really ask for in a preseason game.

---

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