Kizer looks like the starting QB

Rookie plays impressively at times during first half against Buccaneers

• DeShone Kizer had an up and down night against the Buccaneers in his first NFL start. But there were enough positive moments for him to be named the starting quarterback for the season opener against the Steelers, though Coach Hue Jackson has not made that official yet.

Kizer completed 6 of 18 passes for 93 yards. Four of his completions were on third down for first downs – three of those to Corey Coleman.

Not everything was roses for Kizer. He misfired after early success and threw an interception, but he showed confidence throwing downfield, bought time in the pocket without being sacked and he did not run once. His chances of surviving increase when he doesn’t take off running at the first sign of danger.

• Coleman looked like a firstround draft pick against the Buccaneers. He made three

“Kizer completed 6 of 18 passes for 93 yards. Four of his completions were on third down for first downs – three of those to Corey Coleman.”

difficult catches on passes thrown by Kizer and got a raw deal on what should have been a fourth catch. He made 33 receptions last year and looked lost at times, but he looks much more comfortable this season, and not just from the game with the Buccaneers.

• The Browns are in trouble if Kenny Britt is their second-best receiver. He dropped a pass from Kizer inside the 5 and was called for a personal foul after Duke Johnson fumbled. A pass from Brock Osweiler in the preseason opener should have been a touchdown, but Britt failed to get two feet down in the end zone.

• Jackson has to be furious with the unforced errors the Browns committed – five of them in the first half. Veteran linebacker Jamie Collins jumped offsides on fourthand-4 on the opening drive as the Buccaneers were lining up for a field goal. Pinned inside the Browns’ 5, rookie tight end David Njoku and veteran left tackle Joe Thomas were each called for a false start.

Kizer was forced to call a timeout to avoid a delay penalty. Rookie defensive end Myles Garrett was called for a neutral zone infraction on the Bucs’ final possession of the first half. The penalties especially are correctable with better concentration.

• Rookie safety Jabrill Peppers is the real deal. He kept the game scoreless on Tampa Bay’s first drive with an interception. The pick saved the Browns after the mental error committed by Collins. He earned the starting job at strong safety while Ibraheim Campbell was out with a concussion.

• Garrett played much better than his final numbers reflect. Even when he doesn’t get the sack, he affects the play. Garrett earned an unofficial assist on a sack credited to linebacker Christian Kirksey in the first half. Pressure applied by Garrett sealed off any escape route for Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston on Winston’s left.

• Tampa Bay played without top receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson, so the Buccaneers weren’t at their best. But the Browns third-down defense was a perfect seven-for-seven in the first half.

This is going to be a theme throughout the season. The Browns are going to have to hold opponents to under 17 points to win games. They are not going to win 31-30 shootouts.

PHELAN EBENHACK — ASSOCIATED PRESS DeShone Kizer throws a pass as tackle Joe Thomas blocks Buccaneers defensive end Robert Ayers on Aug. 26 in Tampa, Fla.