Browns RB Jackson gets shot at former team

Akron Beacon Journal

BEREA

Brandon Jackson isn’t seeking revenge, but he wouldn’t mind flaunting what his former team will miss because of his departure.

“Anytime you play against your old team, you want to go out and show greatness,” he said.

Jackson, of course, recently signed with the Browns as an unrestricted free agent. He was the starting running back for the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers during most of the 2010 regular season.

The Browns will host the Packers at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in the preseason opener for both teams.

Jackson can’t wait for the reunion.

“I’ve been playing those guys in practice and little scrimmage games for four years now,” Jackson said. “I know them pretty much inside and out, and I’m just trying to make the best of this opportunity to go out and play an old team.

“I’m pretty sure they’re gonna blitz a lot and [I’m] no stranger to that. I’m just gonna go out and have fun. It’s gonna be a great opportunity for me to show the head coach and everyone that I’m a great fit for this team.”

Browns coach Pat Shurmur already knows Jackson is an ideal weapon for his West Coast offense. The 5-foot-10, 216-pound Jackson spent the past four seasons in the Packers’ West Coast system after they selected him out of the University of Nebraska in the second round (63rd overall) of the 2007 draft.

“He had a major contribution for [the Packers] in a system which I feel he is a scheme fit because a lot of their terminology is similar to [ours],” Shurmur said. “He was able to get in here and get up to speed. I love the way he practices. He finishes all his runs. Every time he touches the football, it’s an opportunity to score. You’ve all seen him. We all wish we looked that good. He’s a stocky and well-built guy. He’s a good pass protector, and I’m glad he’s here.”

In his first three NFL seasons, Jackson was seldom used. But after standout running back Ryan Grant suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 1 of last year, Jackson became a major contributor. He started 13 games, ran 190 times for 703 yards (3.7 average) and three touchdowns and caught 43 passes for 342 yards and a touchdown.

Jackson’s role, however, diminished in the playoffs. Rookie James Starks emerged as the Packers’ starter and go-to ball carrier in the postseason. The team also picked running back Alex Green in the third round (96th overall) of this year’s draft.

Jackson, 25, knew it was time to move on. He joined the Browns by signing a two-year deal reportedly worth $4.5 million.