The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Jackson won’t rush to choose QB starter
Coach says Kizer needs to improve
“I think DeShone did some really good things and there are things that we have to get cleaned up with him real quickly. But did he take a step? Obviously he did.”
— Browns coach Hue Jackson
One day after DeShone Kizer led the Browns to a dramatic come-from-behind 20-14 victory over the Saints in the preseason opener, anyone who could get Coach Hue Jackson’s ear had the same question:
“Are you ready to name Kizer the starter for the next preseason game?”
“Cool it,” is Jackson’s answer in so many words in announcing he isn’t ready to announce anything.
Winning is so rare for the Browns that when it does happen, fans, the media and even front office personnel rush to conclusions. Even Browns president of football operations Sashi Brown is asking the same question.
Jackson has been coaching since 1987. He isn’t rushing to anything, and he doesn’t have to; the Browns don’t play another game until they host the Giants on Aug. 21 in a Monday Night Football game.
“Besides you guys, Sashi and the fans?” Jackson asked Aug. 11 in a conference call. “I think everybody is asking me that
question about our quarterback and where we are. I would say and I have said the same thing to them: We have very high-level conversations about where we are, and they trust my opinion and I trust what they have to say, too. But at the same time, it’s the making of the quarterback and I think we all know that. It’s the raising of a quarterback. That takes time. I don’t think you do things out of a knee-jerk reaction.”
Kizer threw the winning touchdown pass Aug. 10 with 1:52 remaining to lead the Browns past the Saints in the preseason opener. The 45-yard pass to Jordan Payton was completed on fourth-and-2.
“I’m still working through the tape, working through practice,” Jackson said. “I think DeShone did some really good things and there are things that we have to get cleaned up with him real quickly. But did he take a step? Obviously he did.
“Anytime you can win the game and make some of the plays he made, there were positives from that. We’ll take those positives and work through them but also work through the negatives we have to get squared away.”
Kizer completed 11 of 18 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. He had a 114.1 passer rating.
Jackson said Kizer has to become more proficient calling the play in the huddle and executing the play at the line of scrimmage. He said Kizer sometimes holds the ball too long while trying
to read the defense.
“There’s a process to all of this,” Jackson said. “You want to do what’s best for your team and your players. It’s not just because people see a bomb thrown downfield from 45 yards. There’s more to playing quarterback than just that. We’re not there yet.”
On the positive side, he said Kizer threw the ball downfield, made plays with his arms and legs, and showed poise.
Brock Osweiler started the game against the Saints. The offense didn’t make a first down with him at the controls until his fourth possession, although he was hampered by penalties on each of his first three possessions. Kenny Britt, on Osweiler’s fourth possession, failed to get both feet inbounds on a pass in the back right corner of the end zone.
“There are throws he could have made (better),” Jackson said. “I think he’ll be the first to tell you that. I think there are some where our receivers could have gotten open a little bit better. It’s a combination of both. It’s not just one area, but it’s a unit issue as an offensive football team. We had some chances. We didn’t take advantage of them, and we have to continue to do those better.”
Osweiler, who completed six of 14 passes for 42 yards, worked with the starters for only two practices before the game with the Saints.
Cody Kessler finished up the first half and notched one touchdown in two series. He led a 21-yard scoring drive that ended with rookie running back Matthew Dayes scoring from the 1.