It’s been a while

There wasn’t much doubt, but Browns coach Hue Jackson made it official on Sept. 28: Rookie Cody Kessler will start at quarterback against the Redskins on Oct. 2.

Jackson left open the possibility of Josh McCown starting if doctors cleared McCown, but the 37-yearold is still recovering from a broken collarbone and was ruled out for this week as the Browns resumed preparation for Washington.

Kessler made his first start on Sept. 25 and completed 21 of 33 passes for 244 yards without throwing a touchdown pass. He will have the distinction of being the first Browns quarterback this year to start back-to-back games.

“I think comfort-wise, you have your first start and played your first game so you have a little bit experience-wise and feel a little more comfortable, but no, it doesn’t change my attitude or my thought process or anything,” Kessler said. “My attitude, I’m going to continue to do what works for me, and that’s stick to my preparation all week, stick to my process and keep working hard.”

Washington coach Jay Gruden admitted having only one game tape of Kessler to study leaves the Redskins in the dark a bit, but he said it’s more important to know the opponent’s tendencies. In that regard he has an advantage because he coached with Jackson in Cincinnati, although Jackson replaced Gruden as the Bengals offensive coordinator when Gruden was named the Redskins head coach in 2014.

The Browns haven’t beaten the Redskins on the road since 1988, when Marty Schottenheimer was the head coach. In those