Game preview: Packers vs. Browns
Posted: Aug. 12, 2009
When: 7 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Lambeau Field.
All-time regular season: Packers lead series, 9-7.
All-time preseason: Browns lead, 11-9.
Coaches: The Packers' Mike McCarthy is 28-22, entering his fourth NFL season. The Browns' Eric Mangini is 23-26, entering his fourth NFL season and first with the Browns.
Last meeting in regular season: Browns 26, Packers 24 on Sept. 18, 2005 at Lambeau Field. This was an embarrassing one for the Packers, who at halftime retired the number of Hall of Famer Reggie White. Browns QB Trent Dilfer won for the first time in nine trips to Lambeau Field, throwing three TDs - two to TE Steve Heiden, including the 62-yard game-clincher with just 2 minutes remaining, and an 80-yarder to Braylon Edwards - while coach Romeo Crennel won his first game with Cleveland. Brett Favre passed for 342 yards and three TDs, but also tossed two INTs. It was the Packers' third consecutive loss in a home opener.
Last meeting in preseason: Packers 38, Browns 31 on Aug. 15, 2003, at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Packer spotlight: With the Family Night scrimmage having been cancelled on Saturday due to inclement weather, this will be Green Bay's first true live-game action since opening training camp on Aug. 1. The Packers have been able to avoid major injuries to their key players thus far, and probably the biggest story heading into this matchup will be how the defense looks in its 3-4 alignment under new coordinator Dom Capers. At least one of the expected key cogs on that unit, rookie DT B.J. Raji, isn't expected to play as he has yet to sign a contract. LB Clay Matthews, the second of the Packers' two first-round picks, might not see the field either as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury. Positions to watch will be RT, where Allen Barbre begins in earnest to try and lock down the starting job; OLB, where Jeremy Thompson could win a starting spot ahead of Matthews; P, where neither Jeremy Kapinos nor Durant Brooks has been particularly impressive thus far; and RB, where Brandon Jackson might be able to gain some ground back on DeShawn Wynn as primary backup to Ryan Grant.
Browns spotlight: Coming off a disastrous 4-12 season that resulted in the firing of Romeo Crennel and hiring of Mangini as coach, Cleveland has plenty to improve upon heading into 2009. Probably the biggest story in the preseason for the Browns is who will start at QB - former Pro Bowler Derek Anderson or young upstart Brady Quinn (who just so happens to be the brother-in-law of Packers LB A.J. Hawk). Trade talks involving star WR Braylon Edwards have not surprisingly quieted now that WR Donte Stallworth is expected to miss part, if not all, of the season due to suspension. Browns first-round draft choice, OL Alex Mack, is signed and in camp. Former Brookfield Central and University of Wisconsin star Joe Thomas, the Pro Bowl left tackle, enters his third season with the Browns. Two former Packers are currently listed on Cleveland's roster: DT Corey Williams and RB Noah Herron.