1. Kizer still in mix to start opener
Kizer might not be ready today, but he’s still in the mix for Sept. 10 because of his impressive physical skills. He’s been promoted to No. 2 for the Giants game so the coaches can see him against better talent. If he outplays starter Brock Osweiler, he’ll gain consideration to start against the Steelers. Kizer continues to make dazzling throws in practice, including a 57-yard drill-winning Hail Mary to Seth DeValve, that have the coaches excited.
“He’s got a great long arm, but he can throw corner routes, post routes, skinny post on a line,” said quarterbacks coach David Lee. “He doesn’t limit you. You can throw whatever you want to because he’s got such great arm talent.”
But that’s not all. Kizer had the football acumen to succeed at this level, as evidenced by a play in the first preseason game in which he cleared out the linebacker with a shoulder-shrug and completed a 22-yard comeback route on third-and-24.
2. Myles Garrett has ‘another level’
Garrett has spent most of training camp storming past fifth-round pick Rod Johnson and will soon face better tackles and frequent double-teaming and chipping. He didn’t get the work he hoped for against 10-time Pro Bowler Joe Thomas this camp and will face better players soon. He has a bull’seye on his back, and they will be coming for him.
“Myles walked in here with the right mindset,” said Jackson. “He was going to earn the right to show his teammates and coaching staff that he was who he was. He’s done that every day.
“I still think there is another level for him to get to. I think he is talented. I think he is still learning the National Football League game and just the grind of it all. It is going to be different for him, but I think he has some good mentors on defense and coaches who are going to get him through it.”
3. Receivers need to step up
Jackson is looking for playmakers, and he’ll play the receivers who can find the end zone. Kenny Britt had a chance to catch a touchdown pass from Osweiler against the Saints but failed to get his second foot inbounds. Overall, he caught one of his three targets for 4 yards. Corey Coleman caught two of his four targets for 11 yards but is still shaking off the remnants of a pulled hamstring.
The two starting receivers are being pushed every day by Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins, Ranell Hall, Josh Boyce and Jordan Leslie, and Jackson served notice this week that he needs more.
At the rate he’s been going in practice, Louis could find himself rotating in with the starters.
4. Bitonio, Shelton aim for opener
The Browns almost emerged from six straight days of practice unscathed but lost Joel Bitonio (knee) and Cam Erving (calf ) on Wednesday and Danny Shelton (knee) on Thursday.
All are “week to week,” meaning they could miss the rest of preseason. But Jackson sounded optimistic last week that Bitonio and Shelton will be back for the opener against the Steelers. Of the three, the one who could be out a little longer is Erving.
In the meantime, Bitonio will be replaced by veteran John Greco, who also underwent Lisfranc foot surgery in December.