CLEVELAND -- The big day is finally here.
After months of work reshaping and training the roster of players, the Cleveland Browns will kick off the 2018 regular season and do so against a familiar opponent, their chief rivals in the AFC North Division, the Pittsburgh Steelers, at FirstEnergy Stadium this afternoon.
Here are three things to watch for in today’s regular-season opener:
QUARTERBACK PLAY
After watching the Browns struggle with rookie and second-year quarterbacks at the helm of the offense in 2017, trading for veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor was one of the first moves general manager John Dorsey made when the new NFL year started in March.
During his seven-year career with the Baltimore Ravens and Bills, Taylor completed 793 of his 1,271 attempts (62.4 percent) for 9,056 yards and 51 touchdowns against 18 interceptions. Of those 793 completions, 116 went for at least 20 yards and 22 more were 40-yard gains.
In his three seasons with the Bills, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Taylor completed 774 passes for 8,837 yards and 51 touchdowns against 16 interceptions.
During the preseason, Taylor completed 20 of his 28 attempts (71.4 percent) for 186 yards with one touchdown against no interceptions. Despite being sacked twice for 18 lost yards, Taylor carried a 101.2 quarterback rating through three exhibition games.
“My expectations are high,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. “It is well documented. I have said it, everybody has said it I think. This guys has come in and gone in head first with no hesitation. He is all in. He works his butt off of the field. He works his butt off on the field.
“He is a very good communicator, which is very critical at that position, obviously. He has the ability to throw the ball and run the ball. He is very smart, which helps us in the run game. He has to make a lot of decisions there, getting us out of good runs. My expectations are high. I think that my hope is we have not seen the best of Tyrod Taylor.”
ROOKIE LEFT TACKLE
Following a trouble-filled stay at The University of Texas, which included multiple failed drug tests, as well as suspensions, and later, being shot in the leg, Harrison spent two years away from the game before getting his life and collegiate career back on track.
Fast forward several years, and now, Harrison went from being an undrafted rookie free agent who missed a lot of training camp and most of the preseason because of a toe injury to the opening-day starting left tackle against the Steelers.
“He’s been outstanding since he’s been here,” Jackson said. “He’s handled that part right, or else, he wouldn’t be where he is. We’re looking for the total player because we need guys that are going to be dependable, accountable, who are going to be there all the time.
“He’s demonstrated that, so I think he’s earned it. He’s earned it through his play and his work ethic and doing things the right way, on and off the field.”
WEATHER CONCERNS
Football is an all-weather sport played in a multitude of conditions, and some adverse situations may arise when the Browns and Steelers share the field Sunday.
As the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon makes its way through Northeast Ohio, severe downpours are expected throughout the day with steady rains remaining in the area until Monday morning after settling in Saturday night.
“We feel like we are a weather-proof offense,” Jackson said. “Whether it is rain, sun, mud or whatever, you have to be able to line up and play.
“I think (offensive coordinator) Todd (Haley) understands that. I think that our offensive players understand that. We are going to do what we do. Are there certain situations where you have to be aware of the weather? Yes. For the most part, we feel like our offense is weather-proof.”
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