The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
QBs will be under microscope
Taylor will ‘orchestrate our offense’ early on before Mayfield gets first NFL game reps
Preseason games are soon forgotten, and if any proof is needed, do you recall the Browns were 4-0 in practice games last summer before going 0-16 in the regular season? Probably not. Nevertheless, Coach Hue Jackson is eager to see if the improvement he has seen in practice translates into game competition when the Browns kick off their preseason at 7 p.m. Aug. 9 against the Giants at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The game will be televised in the Cleveland area on WEWS-TV 5.
Rookie Baker Mayfield will get the bulk of the work at quarterback when he follows starter Tyrod Taylor into the game.
Jackson said he has in mind a number of plays he wants the first-team offense to play, but he would not specify that number. Typically, the starters play one or two series in the first preseason game.
“Hopefully, have some success moving the ball, find some chemistry amongst the group and let them play. “– Browns coach Hue Jackson
“I need them to be out there together and experience some things,” Jackson said after practice Aug. 7 in Berea, the team’s last workout open to the media before the preseason opener. “Hopefully, have some success moving the ball, find some chemistry amongst the group and let them play. I’m looking forward to watching Tyrod orchestrate our offense.”
Other starters Jackson will watch closely include:
• Joel Bitonio will be making his first NFL start at left tackle after four seasons at left guard. Jackson said he has no plans to give Bitonio extended time at the new position; when Jackson decides to pull the starters, Bitonio’s night will be over, too.
Bitonio is in his fifth NFL season, so even though the position is new, he knows what to expect. Rookie Austin Corbett, the 33rd overall pick of the 2018 draft, will be with the first team at left guard in his first NFL start. Eyes will be on him, too.
• Tight end David Njoku, except for one bad practice, has shown improvement in his second training camp. Jackson wants to see Njoku play the same way against
an opposing defense.
• Carlos Hyde, the fifthyear player, and rookie Nick Chubb, have both been impressive at running back, although the defense has won most of the goal line battles in training camp. The game with the Giants will give Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley an idea of how much improvement is needed before the regular season opener Sept. 9 against the Steelers.
• Denzel Ward at left cornerback, Terrance Mitchell
at right cornerback, Damarious Randall at free safety and Jabrill Peppers at strong safety are listed as the starting defensive backs in the unofficial depth chart released by the Browns. Special focus will be placed on the two cornerbacks; if Mitchell doesn’t succeed, T.J. Carrie is ready to take his place.
Derrick Kindred is competing with Peppers for a starting job. One of them can take the lead Aug. 9.
• Jarvis Landry is established
at wide receiver, but how will Rashard Higgins play if he gets the chance to start? Jackson wants that answer.
Rookie Antonio Callaway was given the opportunity to start, but Callaway was cited for marijuana possession and driving with an expired license during a traffic stop Aug. 5 in Strongsville. Jackson on Aug. 7 said he hasn’t decided whether Callaway will play against the Giants.
Mayfield will be surrounded by backups by the time he gets into the game. He will likely play against the Giants backups, but that doesn’t detract from the excitement Mayfield feels anticipating his first NFL game.
“Anytime I get the chance to play ball, I get excited,” Mayfield said Aug. 7. “However much I play, I’ve got to take advantage of the opportunity. That’s for sure. I think it’s going to be a good test for us to see how we translate what we’ve been working on, take it out against somebody else and see if we can execute.”
Jackson has said it over and over; Mayfield is not competing for the starting job. Jackson named Taylor the starter the day the Browns acquired the eighth-year veteran in a trade with the Buffalo Bills on March 14.