DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns' starting QB battle might be Cody Kessler vs. a rookie

I'm with you ... he's a rookie ... if he plays well it could be fools gold ... look no further than RG3 and Kap .... after there rookie years many had there busts started ... its there rookie year ... no way is it any where near enough info ... to much going on ... look at RG3 and Kirk Cousins ... who'd a thunk how that draft class turned out ...

Would u have MORE INFO ... yup ... but still no where's near enough to decide what we need to invest at the position next year ...

Nah. I think most posters are tired of the arm chair QB's predetermine the outcome, rather than to just let the competition determine the result.

I am fine with any of the options, each has plausible positives and negatives.

If past history is any indication, we will see all of them, anyway.

Yeah as for now Cody will be IMHO the starter in week 1.

All I really hope is Hue hasn't predetermined who is going to start.

I don't think Hue has, but it seems pretty apparent that a lot of our fans have predetermined that Cody should start.

I don't know. I have a feeling he is wanting the rook to play, but we'll see.

That isn't to say Kaiser shouldn't start. We'll see how he does over the next few weeks.

I do remember Hue saying he wanted to settle things early on. How early is early, and how early is too early?

I feel like if you don't know by preseason. Then none have shown enough. And it's "not ganna matter" anyways.. that's just me tho.

before the start of preseason week 1?

Uh yes.

My personal preference is knowing who the starting QB is before Preseason.

I feel like we're the only team that never does.

fixed*

lol

I think that's what everyone wants - And I wouldn't want any coach ever that put any merit into what was perceived to be what the fans want. Ugh. I hope they have forgotten a 100 times more football than the average fan ever knew to begin with.

This has nothing to do with Hue.

But I wouldn't put it past a coach, say one that's on the hot seat, to start "the favorite" just because it may give him more time..

Heck on the flip side of that, I always felt that when Rex Ryan had Sanchez, and then they got Tebow, but never started him, even though they sucked, that Rex purposely kept Sanchez in.

Because if he makes the switch to "not his guy" and they start winning. Then he looks even worse.

Browns' Britt: Kizer is 'going to be one of the great ones'
https://www.thescore.com/news/1341716

DeShone Kizer continues to draw rave reviews in the first training camp of his NFL career.

Following up some high praise from head coach Hue Jackson, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kenny Britt shared a belief Sunday that his young signal-caller is already on a path to greatness.

"I actually asked him yesterday if the offense has slowed down for him, and he said yes. And I was like 'I can tell.' He's looking at certain things, he's seeing defense before the snap count. And once he lines up, he knows certain things that he has to do," Britt said, via Pat McManamon of ESPN. "He's going to be one of the great ones."

Britt seemingly supporting Jackson's notion, suggesting that Kizer is progressing far more quickly than anticipated, adds further intrigue to an already compelling quarterback competition.

The second-round pick almost certainly enters training camp as an underdog to both Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler, but he'll have every opportunity to establish himself as the quarterback of the future.

His early impressions would appear to suggest that he's taking steps in that direction

Welp. It was a fun ride.

But a Browns Training Camp article claiming a player is ganna be great is basically a death sentence...

24 hour news cycles have hurt sports imo. No one can just let things "happen" anymore. They have to be predicted, and then you spend months dissecting predictions, and then after one practice you adjust you predictions...

By the time games start happening.. you're careers already over.

I really hope Kizer ends up being a franchise QB. After all the misses we've had since the return in 99 we sure are past due to hit on a QB. Hopefully Kizer will be the man for at least the next decade or more.

Start Kizer. That's what the team should do. It's my opinion, but the "starting a guy too early" argument is silly. If you think he's the guy to lead you for the next 10 years, let him get some on the job training. That will prove more valuable than any "sitting" will do.

There are so many ways to protect a QB who plays early within the game. Play calls, game plans, etc. There is no substitution for actual game experience. The OL is not a question mark. It's a good OL, ranked top 5 in many preseason predictions/rankings. He is going to be protected. We should have a good run game.

IMO, there is zero reason not to start Kizer unless the guy is showing a lack of interest. I haven't read that at all. Just the opposite.

Start Kizer. That's the only option IMO. I think that's what Hue wants to do as well. Showcase Osweiler, trade him to a QB needy team. Start Kizer, Kessler #2, Hogan #3.

Start Kizer.

So wait, are you saying we should start Kizer?

I wasn't sure.

I'm starting every paragraph with "Start Kizer" for the foreseeable future. Even if it's in the Cavs thread.

DeShone Kizer needs to play big and Cody Kessler sacked 3 times in 2-minute: Browns Quarterback competition recap

9
Updated on July 30, 2017 at 9:02 PM Posted on July 30, 2017 at 9:01 PM

BEREA, Ohio -- On the second straight day in pads, Cody Kessler took a step back with three sacks in his two-minute drill, DeShone Kizer didn't play enough tall ball and Brock Osweiler threw three touchdown passes in his goal-line drill.

But Kizer, although he's making the typical rookie mistakes, continues to make steady progress, and could be in line for more first-team reps soon.

First, we'll give you their final numbers for the day, and then we'll break them down:

* Kessler went 3-of-7 with 1 touchdown pass and three sacks.

* Kizer went 5-of-10 with 1 TD, 1 sack and one batted pass.

* Osweiler went 6-of-12 with 3 TDs and two sacks.

The quarterbacks all participated in an anything goes "siren'' period march down the field, a regular offensive period, a two-minute drill, a red zone period and a goal-line drill.

None of them had a full supporting cast because many starters had a scheduled day of rest. They included starting receivers Corey Coleman and Kenny Britt, starting running back Isaiah Crowell, and starting offensive linemen Joe Thomas and Joel Bitonio.

As usual, Kessler went first, followed by Osweiler, Kizer and Kevin Hogan, who's not really in the mix for the starting job.

Kessler and Kizer worked with the ones and Osweiler the twos.


The siren period

In this live tackling period, Kessler went 2-for-4, with a nice pass on a shallow cross to David Njoku. Osweiler went 2-for-4 with a couple of short completions, and Kizer went 2-for-5 with one pass in the end zone that appeared to be tipped by Dominique Alexander that Njoku couldn't secure. It was the second straight play on which Alexander got his hand on the ball, which likely prompted Jackson to call for more tall ball from the 6-4 Kizer.

Kizer to Njoku, also 6-4, should be more of a jump ball in the end zone that the 6-0 Alexander can't deflect. Kizer also had a ball batted at the line of scrimmage by Nate Orchard. Kizer is tall enough that the bats should be rare.

"A couple of throws DeShone had, he could have used the guy's size to his advantage,'' said. "That's a learning thing, which is a good thing to find out so guys understand that they have to play big that way.''

The two-minute drill

The two-minute is where a QB earns his money, showcases his skills and puts the team on his back to win games. Again, Kessler didn't have Coleman, Britt, Crowell, Thomas, or Bitonio, but he still shouldn't have taken three sacks in the period. There was also a false start.

Was he just holding the ball too long?

ADVERTISING

"I have to look at the tape and see before I draw any conclusions that way,'' said Jackson. "I'm sure it is a combination of everything. We just have to do it better. We have to do those things better."

Osweiler went 1-for-2 in the two-minute with a short completion, a throw that sailed on him and touchdown pass to Jordan Leslie that was wiped out by the touch sack by Joe Schobert.

All told, the defense had six sacks in the 11 two-minute plays.

"Obviously, we don't want the sacks,' said Jackson. "I want the defense to get more turnovers. I want the offense not to give up the sacks and take care of the ball better and all that.''

Kizer went 1-for-3 in the two-minute, with one nice 11-yard completion, a pass that was broken up by Jamar Taylor and a high throw that Rannell Hall juggled. He was also sacked on a blitz by Ibraheim Campbell.

The red zone

Kessler went 1-for-2 with a fine 20-yard TD pass to Hall and Osweiler went 0-2 with one pass that went off Josh Boyce's chest and a deep overthrow. Kizer won the drill by going 2-for-2 with a beautifully-thrown 15-yard fade to Jordan Payton for a TD.

The goal line

Kessler went 0-1 on the goal line, with Ricardo Louis catching a short pass out of bounds.


Osweiler won the drill hands down, firing a TD pass to Rashard Higgins in the back right corner, another TD to a diving Duke Johnson on the left side and a third on which Johnson caught the short pass and stiff-armed his way into the end zone. Osweiler worked against the second-team defense, but made the plays he was supposed to make and Jackson was not about to throw a parade over them.

"He just made the plays that were there,'' said Jackson. "Cody made some plays that were there. DeShone did, too, and Kevindid, too. We just have got to make those plays consistently. That's an element that we did not have a year ago. We just got to make them when they are there because they will be there. When they are there, you have to make them. They go away really quickly. If you do not hit it when it is there, then it closes up really fast."

Jackson insisted he'll still have good to tape to evaluate even without the starting receivers and Crowell on the field.

"I think you have to because there might be times when you don't have those guys,'' he said. "You still have to make plays. You still have to be able to put the ball in the end zone and find a way to get your offense executed. We will evaluate this tape just as hard as we would if those other guys were there."

Browns quarterback drills on Day 4 of training camp

Where things stand

Kessler lost some ground in the two-minute, and Kizer took a few more steps forward. Osweiler maintained his status as the only experienced veteran on roster, one who's hoping to hear his name called if the coaches don't think Kizer is ready. It will be interesting to see if Jackson tweaks the rotation during the off day on Tuesday.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/07/deshone_kizer_needs_to_play_mo.html

My son is probably going to camp later this week (he lives in Berea) and I'm hoping to get an unbiased opinion when it comes to the QBs

It's only a matter of time.

Hue has a tough job picking the starting QB this year. It's a good problem to have that all the QBs are playing better than expected. May the best QB win. I admit I am rooting for Kessler to hold onto the job though to see if he truly improves or not this season from last season.

He's already picked him. So much for the QB competition.

It's inevitable that he'll start fairly soon. His upside is too great to let him sit IMO ... not to mention his competition is not very good.

I agree. It's pretty short-sighted and ill-conceived to say that. I understand he's trying to encourage and support a teammate, but it also puts unneeded pressure on him.

I don't get the feeling that the qbs are playing better than expected. Contrarily, I get the feeling that they have been underwhelming, especially the fan-favorite---Kessler.

I don't think there is anything wrong w/Britt praising Kizer. I think you are making something out of nothing.

Will you please elaborate? I have no idea who he has picked.

It sounds like you are already starting in on Hue.

I agree ... underwhelming .... thats what i was worried about ....

BO's a BUM ... and the thing i am not sure u ever understood ... i want CK and am rooting for CK cause he's the UNKNOWN between him and BO ... i could put words in your mouth like u do to me all the time ... but i won't ... your welcome ... *L* ...

BO STINKS ... CK STUNK last year ... he's not near the finished product BO is ... can/will BO improve .. i would guess ... but this is his 6th year in the league .. he sat on his ass for 3.5 and then was a starter for 1.5 ... hes way more of a finished product and who he is going to be than CK is after his rookie year ...

The question to me has always been " WHO HAS THE MOST UPSIDE" and since CK is way more of an unknown .... i was/am rooting for him .. the other question for me is "HOW MUCH WILL HE IMPROVE" ... AND thats the unknown ... if BO starts were going to have bad QB play .. if CK starts we could very well have bad QB play but theres the possibility its only slightly below average as opposed to really bad ... *shrugs* .. thats very sad but IMO its the REALITY of our QB stable right now .. i would like Kizer to sit as opposed to play cause he "HAS TO" due to the ineptness of the other two (hogan is going to be cut IMO, if not he will be a GIMMICK QB ... he is a HORRIBLE passer ... ) ....

U always want to make this about something its not ... witch is that CK has a lot of fans on here rooting for him cause we have some vested interest in him ... i can't speak for others .. but i just laid it out as to why i hope he WINS the job as opposed to get it by default ....

I watched Cody play last year and he reminds me of watching grass grow. However, I think that qb competition is wide open and am just hoping for one of the guys to step-up and claim the job as his own.

I think your take on Brock is short-sighted, but I don't feel like arguing about it.

I already get the feeling that if Brock does "win" the starting job, many fans will be on his ass. They will jump to criticize each and every bad throw/decision he makes. It will be reminiscent to how they treated DA when BQ was here.

No, I am not starting in on him. I just get the feeling Hue isn't thrilled with Kessler and at least from afar, it doesn't seem like Brock is given any credit. Seems whenever Kaiser does something well, be gets praised. When asked about Brocks 3 TD passes it was something the effect that he is supposed to do that.

I am not being harsh on Hue, and am not dissing Kaiser either. Just yesterday Haslam was saying that 18 should be the year we really hit the ground running. As a coach, Hue has to know that the team can't keep winning 1-2-3-4-5 games and him keep his job. I don't think Hue feels a hot seat by any means, but he has been around long enough to know his job can't remain secure if we keep winning just a few games a year, no matter which way we want to point our finger. The coach is almost always the first to go...you know that. It's not a matter of being fair or unfair, it's just the way it has been forever, and will remain so.

I don't think Hue wants to go in to next season with Kaiser as his guy with no experience. I think that Kaiser probably is the best prospect out there, thus it is my opinion that Hue wants to invest in him because he thinks his future is going to depend on what the kid does.

I also think that if Kaiser can't play, for whatever reason once the real games begin, Hue is going to want people to see that. Not march him out there in 18 and have him flop like a fish out of water.

As I have said many times, unless Hue does something really stupid this year, he is safe this year. Next year is a different story. If we head to the bye and we are 2-7 or whatever, we will see the wagons circling, and Hue probably won't be on the inside looking out.

Another though before I close. I think Brock seems stuck with the 2's for a reason. Actually a couple. The big reason is we can showcase him from there so we might be able to trade him. The other reason is I think Hue knows that Kaier can beat out Kessler. He might not be as sure that Kaiser can beat out Brock. I keep calling him Brock because it is easier to spell and not because we are on a first name basis. He doesn't want Brock to beat him out for some of the reasons I mentioned earlier.

I think you are too harsh on Kessler. I'm not saying he should be the starter, but he was kind of thrown in the deep end last year. They weren't getting him ready to start in training camp, he was the developmental guy. Hue seemed pretty all in on RG3 (earth moving, etc) who promptly broke himself. McCown was next man up who got hurt, too. Kessler got thrown in with few 1st team reps when everything was already starting to unravel. He was just trying to keep his head above water. I think we'll get a better look at who he really is if he's getting "starter" reps. Who that is remains to be seen. Maybe he can swim, or maybe he'll only be able to continue treading water.

It'd be great to have a guy get the reps and play the whole season. Finding that guy has been elusive though. Doesn't look like it is really happening this year-they're still doing the split reps deal. Brock hasn't been getting first team reps, so I don't think his chances of taking over are that high. I think continuity could be beneficial until Kizer is ready to take over.

Kizer*

I'll get it sooner of later. Now you know why I insist on saying Brock.

To be fair to myself, I had a good friend when I was young who spelled it Kaiser.

"Brosweiler"

Pronounced Bro - Swy - ler

I think your take is dead on, Peen. QB competition? What QB competition? Kessler isn't lighting it up, Brock isn't getting any credit and has been relegated to the two's, and Kizer is the fair-haired boy. And I too believe the decision has already been made. If this is the perception four days in, It'll likely only get further skewed as we move forward. The only way to keep Hue from starting Kizer, IMO, is if Brock lights it up with the ones in the pre-season games. Assuming he gets some opportunities to do so.

"Well, I believe in God, and the only thing that scares me is Keyser Soze"