TODAY’S GAME
Browns at Lions, 1 p.m., WHIO-TV Ch. 7, AM 1290, News 95.7 WHIO
Jackson defended benching Kizer in two games and sitting him out in Houston in favor of Kevin Hogan. Going into today’s game at Detroit, Kizer is last among starting QBs with three TD passes, and he hasn’t had one since Week 3. He’s tied for last in the NFL with 11 interceptions.
“I’ve heard all of the things said about taking this guy in and out,” said Jackson. “That’s part of the growth of a quarterback. If a guy’s not getting the job done ... you have to put somebody else in, and hopefully, they’ll learn and grow from that and get better. I think he’s done that. He gets it.”
Jackson believes the success of Rams second-year quarterback Jared Goff bodes well for Kizer. Goff went 0-7 as a rookie, with five touchdowns and seven intercep- tions. He earned a 63.6 rating and plenty of criticism as the No. 1 overall pick. But the Rams built around him in the offseason, adding offen- sive linemen and receivers Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.
Goff is 6-2 with a 97.9 rating this season, with 13 TDs and only four interceptions. The Rams, 4-12 last season, are on pace to become the first team in NFL history to go from fewest points per game (14.0) to the most (32.9) in consecutive seasons.
“Sometimes it takes a little bit more time than what you think and maybe some things you thought were this aren’t just that,” he said. “That’s okay, but as long as you have a plan to keep getting this guy better and you can see out the other side of it, then good things will happen.”
He’s seen enough growth in Kizer, including during the 33-16 loss to the Vikings, to keep the faith. In that game, the rookie was intercep- tion-free for the first time in seven starts.
“I totally believe in DeShone,” said Jackson. “I don’t want anybody to think that I don’t . ... What’s important is that he’s here, he’s playing and he has to continue to get better. That’s what he’s in charge of. My job is to keep creating the environment for him to be the best he can be.”
He acknowledged it’s too soon to judge Kizer, espe- cially considering an unproductive receiving corps. Kizer is last in most QB catego- ries, including rating (51.1) and completion percentage (52.1). But help is on the way. Corey Coleman will be back next week against the Jaguars, and Josh Gordon can play Dec. 3 against the Chargers.
“I’ll still go on record saying I think this guy is going to be a really good player in time, but there’s work to be done,” Jackson said.
The pursuit of McCarron was another wakeup call for Kizer, just like the benchings. By the end of the season, he could have the mental callouses necessary to succeed in the NFL.
“It’s just another way of ting me know that I need to step my game up, knowing that I have another opportunity this week to be the starting quarterback here,” Kizer said.