Jackson’s delay in naming QB just postpones inevitable
File this under the worstkept-secret category: Rookie No. 1 overall draft pick Baker Mayfield is a lock to be named the starting quarterback of the Browns.
It’s a no-brainer decision, but coach Hue Jackson explained Friday he wouldn’t announce his call on how the Browns will proceed at quarterback until after he meets with his players Monday morning.
Jackson has given them the weekend off to bask in the glory of their 21-17 win over the New York Jets on “Thurs- day Night Football,” and he doesn’t want to publicly disclose his plan out of respect for those involved, especially Tyrod Taylor, the starting Taylor suffered his third quarterback the first three documented concussion in games and a team captain. 13 months. As the starting
“Not until I’m able to talk quarterback of the Bills, he to the players will I officially had one in a wild-card play- say where I am with that,” off game on Jan. 7 against Jackson said during a conthe Jacksonville Jaguars an ference call. “... We’re all “There were some adjustanother in a preseason game going to know soon enough ments that we made on the on Aug. 26, 2017, against the on Monday.” sideline to fix some things Baltimore Ravens.
Mayfield is set to become we weren’t doing correctly, “We’ll work through all the 30th quarterback to start and we were able to work that,” Jackson said. “I think for the Browns (1-1-1) since those things out,” Jackson the most important thing is 1999 when they visit the said. “That’s unfair because let’s see where he’s at phys- Oakland Raiders (0-2) on that’s some of the things ically first and foremost.” Sept. 30. If all goes well, he’ll Tyrod had to deal with, but Mayfield joined John finally halt the quarterback obviously that’s football.” Elway, Andrew Luck, Mat- carousel that has haunted Mayfield finished 17-of-23 thew Stafford and Jeff George the franchise throughout passing (73.9 percent) for 201 as the only rookie quarterits expansion era. yards with a rating of 100.1 backs taken first overall to
After Taylor suffered a con- and took one sack. At least appear in a 14-point come- cussion, Mayfield came off a couple of his passes were back win, according to the the bench with 1:42 left in dropped. Elias Sports Bureau. the second quarter, sparked Jackson and General Mayfield’s outing was also a rally with his team trail- Manager John Dorsey had remarkable because Jackson ing by 14 points and led the planned to enter this seasaid the reigning Heisman Browns to their first victory son with Taylor as the starter Trophy winner hasn’t taken since Dec. 24, 2016. They since the Browns traded a “many reps with the ones at ended a 19-game winless third-round pick (No. 65 all” during practices since streak as Mayfield electri- overall) to the Buffalo Bills the regular season began. fied FirstEnergy Stadium for him in March. But TayHis only time with the startin front of a national televilor, for the most part, strug- ers in training camp and the sion audience in prime time. gled in his three starts, going preseason lasted two series
“It was as good as I thought 41-of-84 passing (48.8 per- when Taylor suffered a hand live,” Jackson said of Maycent) for 462 yards and two injury on Aug. 23 in the third field’s regular-season NFL touchdowns with two inter- exhibition game against the debut. “He made some treceptions for a rating of 63.7, Philadelphia Eagles. mendous throws, obviously taking 13 sacks and rushing “So that even makes it was able to move the team, for 125 yards and a touch- more impressive what he did played with a rhythm, got down on 16 carries (7.8 aver- last night,” Jackson said. “It the ball into the playmak- age). means he’s doing the extra ers’ hands and gave them He went 4-of-14 passing studying. It means he’s really chances to make plays.” (28.5 percent) for 19 yards engaged offensively in what
Asked which one of Maywith a rating of 39.6, rushed we’re trying to do and how field’s throws was his favorfour times for 22 yards and we’re trying to do it and that ite, Jackson said, “I had quite took three sacks against the he’s starting to really grow a few of them, too many to Jets. He left the game for through the process. I think talk about.” good after being sacked by he showed that.”
The Browns had been shut linebacker Avery WilliamAnd he’s on the verge of out by the Jets (1-2) until Mayson with 2:55 remaining in being able to show much field took control. the first half. more.