Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas stands with team owner Jimmy Haslam prior to a game last season. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI |
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BEREA, Ohio -- Brock Osweiler will make his second straight preseason start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns when they face the Giants on Monday night at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, but head coach Hue Jackson's main mission is getting an extended look at rookie DeShone Kizer. Osweiler played four series in the preseason opener and might get less time against the Giants.
"It doesn't mean anything for the regular season," Jackson said. "This is this game. (Osweiler) will walk out first. (His playing time) could decrease. I want to see these young guys play quite a bit. That's why I'm putting (Kizer) out there second."
Second-year quarterback Cody Kessler will follow Kizer. Kevin Hogan will play in mop-up time in the fourth quarter.
Browns All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas said Osweiler should start the season opener against the Steelers on Sept. 10.
"I could be totally wrong. I might be going out on a limb here, but I think they're grooming Brock to be the starter in Week 1 based on what I've seen," Thomas said. "To be honest, I don't think DeShone will be the starter in Week 1. It is a competition, but I would expect Brock to win because of his experience.
"A rookie quarterback is the hardest position to get ready to play in your first year. There's no doubt he could win it. I definitely expect Brock to win it just because, like I said, my personal philosophy is it takes at least two or three years to have a basic level of NFL defenses and offenses to be able to operate proficiently out there."
Jackson said he wants to name his regular-season starter before the Browns play their third preseason game on Aug. 26 in Tampa.
--Starting left guard Joel Bitonio and starting nose tackle Danny Shelton suffered knee injuries and are "week to week" in their recovery process. Neither will play against the Giants, but Jackson expects both to be ready for the opener.
--The Browns, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton and Greater Cleveland Sports Commission have submitted a bid to host the 2019 or 2020 NFL draft in northeast Ohio, the Browns announced on Thursday.
The announcement coincided with a visit to the team training complex in Berea, Ohio, from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell sounded enthusiastic about the plan, but he said 23 other cities have also submitted bids.
"This area being the birth place of pro football, and obviously the way the draft has evolved is a tremendous reflection on the community," Goodell said. "The passion for football here on all levels right down to youth football and sports in general, this would be a great community (to hold the draft).
"I'm thrilled northeast Ohio submitted an application. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but I'm sure it will be great."
