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Browns training camp snapshot (Day 7): Hue Jackson defends quarterback Cody Kessler after another unimpressive outing
Published: August 3, 2017

Thursday’s developments

Cody Kessler is hanging on to the first spot in the Browns’ quarterback rotation by a thread.

He had another uninspiring performance in Thursday’s practice, the seventh of training camp.

The offense failed to gain a first down with him leading a two-minute drill. He took four sacks and had a pass batted down by defensive lineman Trevon Coley. The only noticeable bright spot the 2016 third-round draft pick provided came when he threw a short pass to running back Duke Johnson, who ran into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown.

Yet coach Hue Jackson defended Kessler, explaining he shouldn’t be criticized for the sacks.

“I don’t think that’s a fair assessment today,” Jackson said. “I’m being honest. I don’t think that was fair.

“Sometimes the sacks don’t have anything to do with the quarterback. There were three missed assignments in protection, so I know that for a fact.”

Fair enough, but Kessler has taken several sacks in this camp.

Jackson was asked how critical it is for Kessler to show him something in Friday night’s Orange and Brown scrimmage at FirstEnergy Stadium.

“All four of [the quarterbacks] have to show me something tomorrow — not just him,” Jackson replied. “They all need to go out and play well. Our offensive line needs to play well. Our offense as a unit has to play well.”

So far, rookie DeShone Kizer and Brock Osweiler have shown more positive plays than Kessler.

Kizer has split first-team repetitions with Kessler and impressed the most since camp opened. With each practice, it’s become more likely Kizer will win the starting job.

He led the only successful two-minute drill in the most recent practice. On third-and-10, he threw a 28-yard pass to wide receiver James Wright, who leaped to catch the pass over rookie cornerback Najee Murray. The play set up a field goal.

“Those are the plays that quarterbacks have to make, and he made it,” Jackson said. “He made some others. But again, I’ve seen some other guys make some plays.”

In a two-point conversion drill, Kizer threw a 2-yard pass to running back Isaiah Crowell in the front of the end zone. He also handed off twice on zone-read plays, resulting in TDs.

“He improvised and made some plays,” Jackson said of Kizer, a second-round pick.

Later, Kizer had a pass broken up by rookie cornerback Alvin Hill and another batted down by defensive end Carl Nassib. In a red-zone drill, he rebounded with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Johnson, who spun into the end zone from the 3.

As for Osweiler, his two-minute drill stalled. None of his two-point conversion plays went for a score, with rookie cornerback Channing Stribling breaking up a pass intended for receiver Jordan Payton in the end zone. But later in a red-zone period, he completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to tight end J.P. Holtz.

Even though Osweiler has only worked with the No. 2 offense in camp, Jackson reiterated he’s a legitimate candidate to start.

“He’s the one guy that I think we all know standing here that has played and has played winning football in the National Football League,” Jackson said.

Jackson has warned he could shake up the QB rotation after the scrimmage, and he stressed whoever starts the preseason opener Aug. 10 against the New Orleans Saints won’t necessarily start the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I’m not going to rush,” he said. “… It’s too important of a decision to get right for our football team.”

• A day after rookie defensive end Myles Garrett practiced with the starters, he reverted to the second unit. Jackson dismissed the move as anything significant and anointed the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft a starter. “It’s just back and forth,” Jackson said. “It’s nothing. I think we know that Myles is a starter on our football team. So I think that’s the end of that discussion to be honest with you.”

• Rookie tight end David Njoku left early in practice with a back injury. “I think it flared up right at the start of practice,” Jackson said. “Those backs are kind of tricky. Start feeling good and things lock up a little bit, so hopefully I don’t think it’s anything major. I think we’ll be fine. We’ll take a look at it.”

• Wright left practice and had his chest area evaluated afterward. Rookie defensive end Jamal Marcus, a University of Akron product, rolled his left ankle late in practice.

• Asked who has caught his attention during camp, Jackson listed Coley, linebacker Deon King, running backs Matthew Dayes and Johnson and offensive linemen Shon Coleman and Cam Erving, both of whom are competing for the starting right tackle job.

Friday’s schedule: Orange and Brown scrimmage from 5-7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium. Jackson said the first-team offense will face the No. 2 defense, and the second-string offense will face the top defense. Jackson promised live tackling.

— Nate Ulrich

https://www.ohio.com/akron/sports/browns...pressive-outing

DeShone Kizer moves closer to being named starter for preseason opener: Browns quarterback competition recap

By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com
BEREA, Ohio -- DeShone Kizer has won the first week of training camp, and has moved closer to being named the starter for the preseason opener.

On Thursday, he dazzled the training camp crowd with a 28-yard third-down pass to James Wright down the left sideline in his two-minute drill, and took another big step toward getting the nod next Thursday against the Saints.

The perfectly placed ball, with Najee Murray in tight coverage, moved the offense to the 15, and set up a would-be field goal.


"Those are the plays that quarterbacks have to make, and he made it,'' Hue Jackson said after practice. "He made some others. But again, I've seen some other guys make some plays. I mean every ball is not a long ball ... we'll keep working at it.''

The gamewinning three-pointer followed stalled two-minute drills by Cody Kessler and Brock Osweiler, who both threw picks in their two-minute periods on Wednesday. With the two-minute drill being a quarterback's showcase, Kessler and Osweiler have not helped themselves this week.

Heading into the Orange and Brown scrimmage on Friday at FirstEnergy Stadium, Kizer not only won the day Thursday, but has won the first seven days of training camp.


In fact, it's not even close. Now, all he has to do is more of the same in the scrimmage to earn the nod against the Saints.

"Obviously after we have the scrimmage and go through that process (I'll decide),'' said Jackson. "Next week, there's really two days of practice before we play.''

Jackson stressed however, that the order could flip again depending on how things go. But if all goes as expected, it will be soon be Kizer's job to lose.

"I will say to all of you -- me making a decision who may start the game may not be who's the starter for the season, too," Jackson said. "I mean I still have to go through the process. Next week, the guy that starts might not still be the starter in my mind unless that's where I am.

"I told you guys I'm not going to rush. ... It's too important of a decision to get right for our football team. So I love the pressure you guys put on but I'm not succumbing to it."

Kizer will have a chance to look especially good in the scrimmage because the first team offense will battle the second-team defense, and vice versa. Kizer has been splitting the starting reps with Kessler, but still going third in the rotation behind Kessler and Osweiler, who's working with the twos.

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So why the starting offense against the backup defense?

"Because we've done a lot of that out here already,'' said Jackson. "What it's really about is going out and having a good scrimmage and competing. What I'm going to learn, some of it I know. I'm going to learn a little bit more tomorrow night, but I feel like I have some information that I can put it together."

In addition to the only successful two-minute drill Thursday, Kizer went 3-for-3 on two-point conversions: a pass over the middle to Isaiah Crowell and two runs, by Matthew Dayes and Terrance Magee.

The Browns have emphasized situational football all week: red zone, goal-line, backed-up, two-minute, goal-line and two-pointers.

"Because (when you're) under duress and you have to make those plays,'' said Jackson. "And if you haven't been put in that situation, sometimes it doesn't work right for you. So we try to do all that.''

Kessler went 1-for-3 in two-point conversions, finding Duke Johnson on the right side of the end zone on his third try, after Crowell was stuffed the first time and Kessler sacked the second time.

Osweiler went 0-for-3 on two-pointers, getting sacked, tackled near the goal line, and having a pass to Jordan Payton knocked down by Channing Stribling.


But Jackson will still consider Osweiler to start the opener if he's not sure Kizer is ready.

"He's the one guy that we all know standing here that has played and has played winning football in the National Football League," said Jackson. "He's learning our system and how we communicate and do it. I just need to keep seeing more of those other guys. I know what he is, and I'm glad he's here. He's done a good job thus far."

In addition to four sacks, Kessler had a pass batted down at the line by Trevon Coley. But Jackson defended his second-year QB.

"I don't think that's a fair assessment today,'' he said. "Because sometimes the sacks don't have anything to do with the quarterback. There were three missed assignments in protection, so I know that for a fact."

So what does Kessler have to show him in the scrimmage?

"All four of them have to show me something tomorrow - not just him,'' said Jackson. "They all need to go out and play well. Our offensive line needs to play well. Our offense as a unit has to play well. Our defense needs to play well. Our special teams have to play well. We need to play well as a team.

"It's under the lights, in front of our fans. It's an opportunity to play a tune-up game before we play a real game next Thursday, so it will be fun to see the guys play."


And soon after it's over, Kizer will likely get the nod to start Thursday night against the Saints.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/08/deshone_kizer_moves_closer_to.html

Kessler has had some issues with pocket awareness ... whether it's batted passes, taking too much time, not maneuvering, etc ... it may have to do with inexperience, but he does need to improve

Hue Jackson won't say team scrimmage is critical for Cody Kessler to keep starting job

More takeaways from Day 7 of Browns training camp …

1. Don’t bury Kessler: Hue Jackson has said he would review the quarterback competition after Friday’s team scrimmage in FirstEnergy Stadium. Considering practice starter Cody Kessler has not exactly lit up the practice week – he was sacked four times and had a pass rejected at the line by tackle Trevon Coley on Thursday – does that make it critical for Kessler to show something positive at the scrimmage? Maybe, but the coach won’t say. Jackson jumped to Kessler’s defense on the sacks, saying three were caused by missed blocking assignments. He also disputed that Kessler is under the gun Friday night to keep his spot with the No. 1 offense. “I think all four [quarterbacks] need to show something, not just him,” Jackson said. “I think we need to play well as a team. We’re under the lights, in front of our fans, kind of a tune-up to our first game [Aug. 10].”

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2. On the other hand: DeShone Kizer had a decent day. He was the only quarterback to advance the ball in a one-minute drill, getting a chunk gain on a long, throw-it-up pass to the left sideline that receiver James Wright came down with, setting up a simulated field goal. In 2-point conversion attempts, Kizer was 3-for-3, flipping the ball to Isaiah Crowell for one, and running the ball in when the called play was covered on two others. Kessler converted 1 of 3 and Brock Osweiler was 0 for 3. Jackson complimented Kizer for “making plays” on the long throw and the 2-point plays. “Our defense been seeing thoose same [called] 2-point plays, so we had to make some adjustments. I think that’s the part I like, 1. Not turning the ball over and 2. Being able to improvise and make plays that are off schedule.”

3. Brock hanging around: Even though Osweiler gets no reps with the first team, Jackson contends he would be comfortable opening the season with him as the starter, if necessary. “Absolutely, I would. He’s the one guy I think we all know that has played, and played winning football in the NFL. I think he’s learning our system and how we communicate and do it. I just need to keep seeing those other guys. I know what he is. I’m glad he is with us,” Jackson said.

4. What happens next: Because the Browns’ first preseason game is Thursday, there will be only two full practices leading into it. Thus, Jackson is already cautioning everyone not to over-react to his choice of starting quarterback for the Aug. 10 game against the Saints. “Me making a decision of who will start the game may be not who is the starter for the season,” he said. “Next week, the guy that starts might not still be the starter, unless that’s where I am. I’m not going to rush. It’s too important a decision to get right. I love the pressure you guys put on, but I’m not succumbing to it.”

5. Myles update: A day after his big promotion to the starting defense, Myles Garrett was back with the second team on Thursday. “It’s just back and forth,” Jackson said. “Myles is a starter on our football team. I think that’s the end of that discussion, to be honest with you.” On the final play of Osweiler’s time in the one-minute drill, Garrett and a little set-to with rookie offensive tackle Rod Johnson, which resulted in Garrett pushing Johnson back by the face mask.

6. Brownie bits: Rookie safety Jabrill Peppers is still running primarily with the third-team defense. But he took the first reps on both punt and kick return on Thursday and looked remarkably comfortable with the ball in his hands … Wright, who made the catch from Kizer for about a 28-yard gain, was shaken up after the catch and didn’t return … Tight end David Njoku was a late scratch because of a back flare-up. Jackson said, “I don’t think it’s anything major,” and didn’t know if the rookie would be available for the team scrimmage.

7. Quarterback update: ESPN Cleveland’s Jason Gibbs has crunched the passing numbers and here they are during team drills: Kessler, 6 of 10; Osweiler, 7 of 14; Kizer, 5 of 12; Kevin Hogan, 1 of 4. Through seven practices: Kessler, 42 of 66; Osweiler, 41 of 75; Kizer, 34 of 66; Hogan, 12 of 21.

http://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland/post/...ep-starting-job

Notes: Hue Jackson getting DeShone Kizer ready in case he calls his numberby Scott Petrak August 3, 2017

BEREA — If coach Hue Jackson decides to go with quarterback DeShone Kizer as the Week 1 starter against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which looks increasingly likely, he wants the rookie to be ready.

Not only does Jackson continue to give Kizer, the No. 52 pick, a bunch of repetitions with the first-team offense, he has stressed situational football. On Thursday alone, Kizer went through a two-minute drill (he led a field goal drive), 2-point plays (the offense was 3-for-3) and third downs of various lengths.

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“It’s so important, because those things really happen during the season and if you haven’t experienced it … that’s when, to me, whether it’s rookies, even some veteran players, if you don’t get them back to that, that’s when they break down. Because it’s under duress and you have to make those plays.”

In the two-minute drill, Kizer hit receiver James Wright for a 28-yard completion on a corner route to the 15-yard line.

“Those are the plays that quarterbacks have to make, and he made it. He made some others,” Jackson said.

On the first 2-point try, Kizer looked like he was going to run, stopped and threw to running back Isaiah Crowell over the middle for a touchdown. The next two touchdowns came on handoffs out of the read option.

“He improvised and made some plays,” Jackson said. “That’s pro football. And I think you’ve got to continue to do that, and our guys are getting better at it.”

Jackson could announce his starter Saturday for the preseason opener Thursday against the Saints. He said it won’t necessarily be the person to start against the Steelers.

“I’m not going to rush,” he said. “I appreciate you all and I appreciate our fans. But it’s too important of a decision to get right for our football team. So I love the pressure you guys put on but I’m not succumbing to it.”

Cody Kessler continues to be first in the rotation but has struggled throughout camp. He was sacked four times Thursday, continuing a trend, but Jackson absolved him of much of the blame.

“Sometimes the sacks don’t have anything to do with the quarterback,” Jackson said. “There were three missed assignments in protection, so I know that for a fact.”

A SET-BACK

Rookie tight end David Njoku, the No. 29 pick, left practice with a back injury and didn’t return.

“It flared up right at the start of practice,” Jackson said. “Those backs are kind of tricky. Start feeling good and things lock up a little bit, so I don’t think it’s anything major. I think we’ll be fine.”

Njoku had a rough start to camp with a series of drops, then made a leaping touchdown catch in traffic Wednesday.

“I think he is frustrated that he has dropped a couple of balls. He has made some spectacular catches, as well,” tight ends coach Greg Seamon said. “We are certainly looking for consistency. He will become more consistent catching the ball, I believe, as he becomes more confident in the system and what he is doing.”

CATCHING THE COACH’S EYE

Jackson listed defensive lineman Trevon Coley, linebacker Deon King, tackles Shon Coleman and Cam Erving and running backs Duke Johnson and Matthew Dayes when asked for players who’ve stood out through a week-plus of camp.

“The kid Dayes has made plays in every practice that he’s been involved in,” Jackson said.

One series of practice Thursday was dominated by Dayes. He got a pat on the back from Osweiler after three runs, including one when he lowered his shoulder, and two catches.

BATTLE RAGES ON

Jackson mentioning Coleman and Erving as standouts indicates the competition for the starting right tackle spot won’t be decided soon.

“Shon Coleman’s had a really good camp,” Jackson said. “Cam’s done a great job at tackle. Both of those guys have really jumped out at me. We needed to see (Erving) go from center to tackle, so I think he’s proven that he’s worthy of playing out there.”

The battle for the last open starting spot on the line has been affected by left tackle Joe Thomas’ managed practice schedule that gives him every other day off and limits him when he does practice. Coleman and Erving have struggled on the left side while performing better at right tackle.

“It is a good competition. It is fun to watch them compete, especially in the room,” line coach Bob Wylie said. “Who is going to be the guy? I don’t know. I have no idea.”

EXTRA POINTS

Jackson said the first-team offense would go against the second-team defense and vice versa at the Orange and Brown Scrimmage today at FirstEnergy Stadium.

** Wright left practice and had his chest area evaluated.

** Defensive lineman Jamal Marcus rolled his ankle late in practice.

https://www.brownszone.com/?p=2433

If the media was backing Kessler, they have jumped ship. I really wish we could get more first hand accounts. The only one I know of was Milk.

As good as his decision making is, i think it also hurts him bc he holds the ball way too long.

by 3 Mississippi. the ball needs to be soaring..

Man, the consistent thing I keep reading at least is that our QBs are struggling. Something we're used to. Seems like Kizer is showing more and more promise. I'd like him to get more time to sit in order to get things ironed out, but he may very well become the starter if the other two keep floundering.

I am confused by some of the contradictory reporting. Some reporters make Kizer seem like a sure fire starter, but I have also read that he has badly missed on some simple, standard throws.

Man, I just wish we would have one guy really step up and just grab the job. It would be so nice to finally have the QB spot settled.

I agree. It probably not surprising that Mary Kay is the lead cheerleader for Kizer. Hopefully tomorrow night one of the QB's will step up big.

S
Take the MKC comments with a grain of salt. She is delusional when it comes to QB favorites.

Kessler taking sacks sounds familiar. Batted ball, again. Hue has to tell you that Kessler is the starter; it is that weak. A starter is usually clear and obvious.

Didn't care for him much last year because of some bad choices he could control. Kizer on troll? Do we see him soon? I suspect we will.

Be fair. Sometimes she lacks judgment. Just not wonderful pretty often.

Are there solid analytics for sports writers. I think that might be interesting. Especially some of the bubblehead talk from certain news networks and talking heads based on opinions and ginned up artificial controversy. Making it up is much easier than actually covering a pesky set of facts.

I think this to a T. Conflicting reporting. I literally have no idea which QB has looked best.

I am confused about people's contradictory reading around here. I see people talking about Kesslers sacks like they were his fault yesterday when Hue clearly said "Sometimes the sacks don’t have anything to do with the quarterback. There were three missed assignments in protection, so I know that for a fact.”

Do most plays called have a hot route?

j/c:

Does anyone know if tonight's scrimmage will be live streamed or televised?

SMH Just keep ignoring Hue

I know he doesn't get talked about much around here, but I think Ogbah could be a dominate player back on the line on the left side there. Sounds like he's really worked on his pass rush moves this offseason, and he's always been very powerful.

I thought Ogbah really came on at the end of last year ... from game 8 or 10 on he played his best ball and was at least a solid player ... witch is wierd cause thats usually right around the time the rooks hit the wall ..

IMO he played much better the last half of last year ... i am very excited to see him this year ...

Him, Shelton and MB will hopefully end up forces to be reckoned with ... ad that to Kirksey and Collins and u have 5 players that should be well above average ... iif Peppers is who I hope he is ... that'll be 6 ...

We have to wait and see ... but this D may very well have some top end talent on it .. we have a shot to have a really really good front 7 ...

Thanks for the link and thanks for the question Memphis ...

I can't believe I'll probably watch it ... never in a million years did i ever think I'd watch this game ... I'm actually excited for it ...

HERE WE GO BROWNIES HERE WE GO!!!!!

streamed on FB live

Thank you, kindly.

Isn't that about the time he moved back to DE from OLB?

So, to sum it up, The Browns pass protection assignments need worked on! At least when a couple of potential O-line starters are out.

Pass protection; ending drives since 1988 .

I found this interesting. Sounds like Schobert might be a better fit in the 4-3, despite having always played in the 3-4.

Browns training camp 2017: Your five-minute guide for the Orange & Brown Scrimmage | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/08/browns_training_camp_2017_your_6.html

Don't sleep on Joe Schobert
Browns linebackers coach Blake Williams brought up Schobert unsolicited on Thursday in response to a question about Tank Carder, currently the first-team middle linebacker.

“(Tank)'s doing everything he needs to be,” said Williams. “Now, so is Joe Schobert.”

Williams also said that Schobert isn't a 3-4 outside linebacker, even though that's what he played last year and in college.

In other words, the middle linebacker position should be worth watching at Friday’s scrimmage, and in the practices ahead.

Agreed, been saying Schobert belongs as 34 ILB or a traditional 43 backer SAM/MIKE/WILL every since he was drafted.

After listening to Greg William's son (the LB'er coach) - it would seem Tank hasn't really solidified that position and spoke highly of Joe.

Kinda sounds like they're trying to manufacture some competition, if you ask me. Just another guess.

I agree. The things is that neither of those guys is going to see the field much on defense (unless we are thrown a major curveball).

Agreed, but I don't think they need to manufacture competition. History tells us that both guys are bad players, just in different ways. The question is do you go with the big, plodding linebacker who can't fight off blocks, or the smaller, quicker linebacker who can't fight off blocks.

The correct answer is neither. We will only be seeing these guys on special team (my guess is that Carder doesn't make the team, but I've been saying that for as long as he's been around).

Hue Jackson unfazed by spotty quarterback play in team scrimmage

Tony Grossi

Takeaways from Day 8 of Browns training camp …

1. Back to work: What does it say about the state of the Browns’ quarterback competition when the first words out of the mouth of coach Hue Jackson after the team scrimmage in FirstEnergy Stadium is, “It was good to walk out of there without any injuries, so we’re excited about that”? Well, the first thing is the Browns are lucky that a leg injury suffered by linebacker Christian Kirksey on the third play was not serious. Jackson said he could have returned, but the cautious coach “shut that down real quickly.” The second thing is the quarterback situation remained muddled, which is to say nobody stood up and said, “I’m your guy, Hue.” Jackson divided teams into first and second teams and, on paper, the first team was loaded two deep with probable starters and top backups. For the record, the second team, wearing white, won on the scoreboard, 15-0, with six points coming on an opening kickoff return of 107 yards by Mario Alford. “We know we have some work to do before [the preseason opener] Thursday night,” Jackson said.

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2. Quarterback foibles: Unofficially, presumed No. 1 quarterback Cody Kessler was 4 of 6 for 33 yards with two sacks; Brock Osweiler was 9 of 15 for 94 yards and one sack; DeShone Kizer was 7 of 14 for 46 yards; and Kevin Hogan was 6 of 6 for 71 yards and three sacks. The numbers were deceiving because a few more sacks weren’t even called by the coach because he wanted to see time extended for the quarterbacks, particularly Hogan and Kizer at the end. Following the trend of the first week of practice, the defense dominated. Rookie end Myles Garrett was credited with two sacks, but deserved four. Cornerback J.D. Harmon had an interception of a bizarre Corey Coleman wide receiver option pass – he’s left-handed, we found out – that only served to rob Kizer of some precious practice snaps. Cornerback Jamar Taylor had an interception waved off when the whistle blew for a Garrett sack of Hogan. Safety Calvin Pryor dropped an interception when Kizer threw across his body into the end zone for Ricardo Louis. Earlier in that series, Kizer missed Duke Johnson streaking down the middle seam with a 100 mph fastball, high and wide. “There was spotty play here and there,” Jackson said. “We were mixing and matching and playing. In fairness, I thought they all tried to hold their own pretty well. That wasn’t, to me, a true indication of who they are and what they are.”

3. Now what?: Jackson reiterated that he would review the scrimmage on tape before deciding whether to shuffle the quarterback rotation. He said that if he makes a change, which would mean removing Kessler as the No. 1 quarterback, it wouldn’t be done until Monday, as that’s the first true day of preparation for Thursday’s game against the Saints. The team practices on Saturday, but it figures to be a light workout. Jackson also stressed that whichever quarterback starts the Saints game does not mean he is the starter for the regular season. Jackson insists he won’t rush the process, but it is apparent he wants to choose a starter to prepare him with the No. 1 offense for the real season. “We have a lot of work to do, but at the same time, I think there are some guys that will rise to the occasion with more work and more opportunity,” he said.

4. First-round defenders: Garrett was disappointed that Jackson assigned both he and left tackle Joe Thomas to the first team because “I was prepared to go against him.” So Garrett took out his frustration mostly on rookie Rod Johnson and wreaked havoc on Osweiler and mostly Hogan. Garrett also got some reps at left end after beginning at his customary right end spot. Peppers, who was assigned to the “brown” team made up mostly of starters and top backups even though he has worked mostly with the third team in his first week, was extremely active on defense, making at least one big hit after a catch, and also fielded three punts, returning one for 10 yards. “I saw him smack a couple of people today, which is good. That is who he is and that is what we think he will bring to the table,” Jackson said. Garrett was pleased with the overall play of the defense. “There were multiple three-and-outs and we stopped them at the goal line,” he said. “We’re happy with our progress but not satisfield.”

5. What was that?: Jackson hasn’t lost his fondness for, um, creative play calls. On Kizer’s second snap, Jackson called for Coleman to run behind the quarterback for a handoff and then throw the ball downfield. Coleman’s wobbly, under-thrown pass for Kenny Britt was intercepted by Harmon. Asked the point of that play-call, Jackson said, “We called it. That is the bottom line. At the end of the day, it was called. We didn’t execute it. I probably felt the same way you did and let’s keep going.”

6. Short takes: Receiver Jordan Leslie, a first-year player from Brigham Young who’s made a lot of catches in practice, had four catches for 48 yards … The kickers were perfect … Zane Gonzalez made field goals from 39 and 22 yards. Cody Parkey made one from 40 … The middle linebacker competition between Tank Carder and Joe Schobert heightened. Both had good games … Receiver Jordan Payton made a nice catch in traffic in the middle of the field for a 42-yard gain. In a real game, though, Hogan might have been sacked before releasing the ball. Still, Hogan made a heck of a throw there … The No. 1 running game was largely quite except for a 38-yard blast by Isaiah Crowell to start the second half.

http://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland/post/...-team-scrimmage

Incomplete: Browns’ QB competition rolls on with no leader

CLEVELAND (AP) — No touchdowns. No sensational plays. No clarity.

Cleveland’s quarterback competition doesn’t seem any closer to a conclusion.

Calling the play of his QBs “spotty” during a scrimmage at FirstEnergy Stadium, Browns coach Hue Jackson said he isn’t ready to name his starting quarterback for the Sept. 11 season opener.

“This thing is still really fluid in my mind,” Jackson said Friday night.

The three-way battle between Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler and rookie DeShone Kizer — Kevin Hogan doesn’t appear to be in the mix — hasn’t produced a clear leader and Jackson said he’s eager for one of the quarterbacks to separate from the pack.


That just hasn’t happened.

“You want somebody to be head and shoulders above everybody else, but let’s be honest, when you have four guys that you are giving a bunch of reps to, it is hard to do,” Jackson said. “Pretty soon, we have to stop that part of it and move forward with who we think can really go play quarterback for us. That is the fair thing to do.”

Jackson is expected to mix up the rotation in camp over the next few days and he’ll likely name his starter for next Thursday’s exhibition opener against New Orleans early in the week. But that choice may not be the same quarterback he sends on the field for the regular-season opener on Sept. 11 against Pittsburgh.

“It doesn’t mean whichever road we decide to travel for next Thursday, that doesn’t mean that is the starter for the season,” he said. “That might be for a game until we see more. We might need to see more. All of this is good information for me, good data for me, good data for our staff and good data for our executive team to really look at every possibility we have as we move forward.”

While the QB situation is unresolved, the Browns got more reassurance that they made the right pick with the first overall in the draft.

Rookie defensive end Myles Garrett was credited with two sacks, but probably would have had four under normal game conditions.

“I am going with whatever they call. Coach said I had four,” said Garrett. “They blew (the whistle) on two so I am just going to go with two.”

Although no official statistics were kept during the scrimmage, Osweiler unofficially had the best performance, completing 10 of 16 passes for 94 yards and leading the White team to two field goals in four possessions during a 15-0 win over the Brown team.


Kizer, who seems to be gaining more confidence with each practice, went 7 of 14 for 46 yards. But the second-round pick missed an easy touchdown when he badly overthrew wide-open running back Duke Johnson over the middle.

“For him to be that wide open and for me to miss is unacceptable,” Kizer said. “I will go back and obviously, check out the footwork on that play, check out the read, where my eyes are and make sure that we can make the correction going into tomorrow to continue to get better as much as we can. I have played better. This is a unique opportunity to go against the guys in the situation that we are in.”

Kessler completed 4 of 6 passes for 29 yards, and the second-year QB did little to distinguish himself following a rough few days of practice.

Hogan was 5 for 5 for 71 yards, but he picked up major yardage on a play where he appeared was about to get drilled by Garrett.

NOTES: The Browns got a scare on the third play from scrimmage when starting LB Christian Kirksey went down with an apparent leg injury. He walked off the field under his own power and Jackson gave him the rest of the night off. “He could have gone back in, but I shut that down real quickly,” Jackson said. ... Rookie S Jabrill Peppers returned punts and got some time with the first-string defense. “He is coming on, just more comfortable, understanding the defense better,” Jackson said. “I saw him smack a couple of people today, which is good. That is who he is and that is what we think he will bring to the table.” ... The kicking battle was a draw as rookie Zane Gonzalez made field goals of 39 and 22 yards, and Cody Parkey made his from 40.

https://apnews.com/8f2f8f937e7847ab80b5d8e0926bb783

DeShone Kizer could be No. 1 in QB order by Monday despite his 'disappointing' scrimmage

By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- DeShone Kizer didn't exactly light it up with the No. 1 offense Friday night in the Orange and Brown scrimmage at FirstEnergy Stadium, but he could still be promoted to No. 1 in the rotation by Monday.

"I've played better,'' said Kizer, who went 7-for-14 for 46 yards with no TDs and was almost picked off on his four-minute drive at the end. "For me to step out there and not play at the level that I'd like to play at is a little disappointing for myself, but once again, it's another learning opportunity.''

Despite his inability to dazzle the crowd, Kizer has likely impressed Jackson enough to move up to No. 1 in the rotation on Monday and earn the start against New Orleans Thursday night in the preseason opener here.

Browns' DeShone Kizer gaining confidence with each rep
"Absolutely, I will (look into shuffling the QBs),'' said Jackson. "I have to. We have a game next Thursday. As I said the other day, it doesn't mean whichever road we decide to travel for next Thursday that doesn't mean that is the starter for the season.''

Jackson said he'll likely keep the order of Cody Kessler, Brock Osweiler, Kizer and Kevin Hogan the same for Saturday's practice, but "as we start getting ready to play New Orleans, by Monday I'm sure it will be what it is going to be."


Jackson said if he switches the order on Monday, it doesn't necessary mean the No. 1 is his new man to beat over the

"You can look at it like that (but)...this thing is still really fluid in my mind,'' he said. "There are four good candidates. We have a lot of work to do, but there are some guys that will rise to the occasion with more work and more opportunity."

Jackson said 'it's fair' to assume he'll have his starter in place by the third preseason game in Tampa Aug. 26, but "I want to do it as fast as I can. As I said to all of you, I'm not going to rush because everyone wants to know tonight, tomorrow and the next day. What is important is that we do it the right way."

He disagreed with the notion that the QBs are making it tough by one not jumping out.

"Not really,'' he said. "You want somebody to be head and shoulders above everybody else, but when you have four guys that you're giving a bunch of reps to, it's hard to do. Pretty soon, as I said before, we have to stop that part of it and move forward with who we think can really go play quarterback for us.''

Jackson said he's had to be fair in giving his QBs an equal chance "because the other players are watching me as I conduct this competition with them.''

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He also said they understand there comes a point where it must end and the first-team work begins.

"We're getting closer to that than we are not, and that's where we are headed,'' he said.

He wasn't the slightest bit concerned about his first-team offense not scoring against the second-team defense in the scrimmage.

"I've been where we didn't even make a yard before and then Thursday night looked like gangbusters,'' he said. "No, it wasn't about that. It's about our players putting on that uniform and getting ready for Thursday night."

Unfortunately for Kizer, he didn't perform as well in the scrimmage as he did in the first seven days of camp, but it likely won't dissuade Jackson from promoting him by Monday and naming him the starter against the Saints.

In three series of work against the second team defense, Kizer failed to put any points on the board. His first drive ended on the second play when Corey Coleman was picked off on a deep ball off a reverse. But it was Kizer's uneven play on a four-minute drive in the second half that was particularly disappointing.

The drive featured several misfires, including a bullet that whistled past Coleman's upstretched hands in the end zone, another overthrown pass in the end back of the end zone to a wide open Duke Johnson, and a dropped pick by Calvin Pryor on fourth down. Overall, he went 6-for-11 for 49 yards on that march.


"Oh my gosh, yeah, Duke is a heck of route runner,'' said Kizer. "For him to be that wide open and for me to miss is unacceptable. I'll go back and obviously, check out the footwork on that play, check out the read, where my eyes are and make sure that we can make the correction going into tomorrow to continue to get better as much as we can."

Jackson acknowledged the missed opportunity to his all-purpose back.

"Yes, he missed that one,'' said Jackson. "He'd be the first to tell you that. That's a ball that he normally makes. To me, that's his first time in this stadium making that throw in that end zone. You have to be here.

"I'd be surprised if a lot of our quarterbacks don't show back up here later on tonight just to go back through that. That's what the good ones do. But we have to make those plays, and we will as we move forward."

As it was, Jackson waved off a touch-sack on a pass to the 15 to give Kizer a chance to score and fire up the crowd. He also admonished him for throwing across his body on the final play of that drive.

"That's what I told him,'' said Jackson. "You can't throw the ball across your body in the end zone with people there. That's a learning and teaching moment for him. He gets it. Those are the things that young players revert back to. That's what we have to get out of him in those situations."


Kizer wasn't too down on himself after the 90-minute live scrimmage.

"They always say it's never as good as it looks, it's never as bad as it looks,'' he said. "I'm going to go in there and watch this film and sit down with coach Jackson and (QB coach David) Lee and make sure we make the proper corrections to try to be better next time.''

Despite the outing, Kizer said, "overall, the game is starting to slow down a little bit for me. I think that I'm gaining confidence and I'm becoming more comfortable, and I'm just letting it rip and that's the ultimate goal ... to go out there, let it rip, have fun and score some touchdowns.''

Kessler, who also worked against the second team, completed 4-of-6 passes for 33 yards and was sacked twice in his three series. Osweiler, working against the first team defense, completed 10-of-16 attempts for 94 yards with one sack. He also put two field goals on the board in his four drives. Kevin Hogan, who's not in the mix to start, completed 5-of-5 attempts for 71 yards, with three sacks. He also engineered a field goal drive.

"Coach (Jackson) has done a tremendous job of giving us all opportunities throughout the course of the spring and fall,'' said Osweiler. "Coach Jackson is one of the best, if not the best, football coach I have ever been around. I really can't say enough great things about him. He's a very smart coach and he knows what he is doing. My job and the rest of the guys' job is to just trust the process.''

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/08/deshone_kizer_could_be_no_1_in.html

NOTESNotes: LB Joe Schobert finally in defense that suits him, making push to be starterby Scott Petrak August 4, 2017


CLEVELAND — Joe Schobert began last season in the defensive rotation and started three of the first eight games, but he fell out of favor and lost playing time as his rookie year progressed. He played all 16 games, with four starts, and finished with 16 tackles, a half-sack and a pass defensed.

New linebackers coach Blake Williams believes he knows the reason for the struggles.

“This is just in my opinion, he’s not a 3-4 outside linebacker,” Williams said Thursday. “That’s kind of what he played in college, that’s kind of what he played last year, but that’s not what his body is.”



At 6-foot-1, 245 pounds, Schobert is undersized for an outside linebacker in a 3-4. He was asked to play the same position as guys 3 inches and 30 pounds heavier and looked overmatched.

The Browns have switched to a 4-3 system this year.

“The former big-time high school basketball player, the guy that played receiver and came into Wisconsin as a receiver, the guy that went viral last year vertical jumping and taking the ball underneath his legs while he’s in midair dunking the ball, that’s who Joe is,” Williams said. “That necessarily isn’t a 3-4 outside linebacker, it’s more probably a 4-3 linebacker. And what’s interesting about Joe that you’ve seen this year, has reduced weight a bunch but is actually a lot stronger and more powerful.

“And then his ability to do some of these things, that basketball athleticism allows him to be a good MIKE (middle linebacker) and WILL (weakside), but then, all of a sudden, some of that time being a pass rusher in a 3-4 allows him to be a SAM (strongside), down on the ball, pass rushing. So he can really be a jack of all trades on where he’s gotten himself to now.”

Schobert, a fourth-round pick, has been working primarily at middle linebacker and is pressing veteran Tank Carder for the starting job. Schobert rotated in with the first team Friday night during the Orange and Brown Scrimmage and was active.

ON THE WAY UP

Rookie safety Jabrill Peppers, the No. 25 pick, began camp with the third-team defense but saw extended playing time with the starters Friday, working in a rotation with Ibraheim Campbell and Derrick Kindred. Peppers was around the ball often and also returned punts.

“He is coming on — just more comfortable, playing more plays, understanding the defense better,” coach Hue Jackson said. “I saw him smack a couple of people today, which is good. That is who he is and that is what we think he will bring to the table.

“I thought he caught the punts really well and kickoffs. Jabrill is a good football player. He is going to contribute to this team.”

THE GOOD AND BAD

Tight end J.P. Holtz was the leading receiver, catching six passes for 41 yards for the White team. Receiver Jordan Leslie had four catches for 53 yards for White.

“J.P. came up big tonight,” quarterback Brock Osweiler said. “Jordan Leslie had a huge night.”

** The Brown team got too cute on its second series. Receiver Corey Coleman got the ball on a reverse and pulled up to throw. Receiver Kenny Britt was double-teamed, but Coleman threw deep anyway, resulting in a Trey Caldwell interception.

“At the end of the day, it was called. We didn’t execute it,” Jackson said. “I probably felt the same way you did, and let’s keep going.”

INJURY REPORT

Starting linebacker Christian Kirksey went down on the first series, stayed down for a while and limped to the sideline with a left leg injury. He jogged to test it but didn’t return.

Jackson said he was fine and could’ve gone back in but Jackson held him out.

** Rookie tight end David Njoku participated after leaving practice Thursday with a sore back. He had a catch for 5 yards

** Receiver James Wright didn’t play after sustaining a bruised lung Thursday. He made a great leaping catch from DeShone Kizer and left practice shortly after.

** Also sitting out were: safety Ed Reynolds (knee), rookie defensive tackle Caleb Brantley (finger), defensive back Marcus Burley (face laceration), offensive lineman Gabe Ikard (concussion), defensive lineman Jamal Marcus (ankle) and rookie cornerback Howard Wilson, who’s on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury.

EXTRA POINTS

Rookie kicker Zane Gonzalez made 39- and 22-yard field goals. Cody Parkey made a 40-yarder.

** Isaiah Crowell had a 37-yard run.

** Former Browns linebacker Willie McGinest attended as part of his duties as an NFL Network analyst.

** From the head-scratching department: A fan held up a sign that said “Bring Johnny Manziel Back.”

https://www.brownszone.com/2017/08/04/no...g-push-starter/

well.... lets dump him right now!!!!!!!!!!!!