Rival Report: Browns defeat Buccaneers; Kizer named starting QB
The Cleveland Browns entered their third preseason game riding a wave of wins; two wins that bettered their win-loss record of the entire 2016 NFL season. On Saturday, the Browns came from behind to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 13-9, to be undefeated in preseason play with just one game left against the Chicago Bears to determine the roster they’ll have when they open the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kizer earns starting spot
The Browns have been all over the place on who they believed would be their starting quarterback – or No. 1 – this upcoming 2017 regular season. They drafted Deshone Kizer. They paid to bring in Brock Osweiler. They have been rotating guys during the preseason, like most teams. On Saturday, it was Kizer’s turn to make his first NFL start.
Against the Bucs, Kizer completed six-of-18 passes for 93 yards in the first half of the game but was nicked by an interception. It wasn’t a flawless performance, but combining his preseason totals (25-0f-49 passes for 351 yards and a touchdown; eight rushes for 47 yards and another score) has shown coach Hue Jackson what he needed to declare the rookie as the Browns’ ‘starter’ at the quarterback position.
That’s what I like about him. I think he’s doing everything I’m asking him to do. I think he’s doing everything I think he needs to do to prepare himself for this opportunity … Obviously, he did some good things and he made a jump. – Hue Jackson
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Peppers heating up
Rookie safety Jabrill Peppers, the 25th overall draft pick in 2017 and former multi-purpose star at Michigan, got hot early against Tampa Bay. On the first defensive series for the Browns, Peppers grabbed a toss by quarterback Jameis Winston on the goal like; his first interception of the preseason. The play set a tone for Cleveland’s defense that kept the Buccaneers out of the end zone and held them to just three-of-15 third-down conversions.
He’s just a good young player on this team that knows ball … I’m just happy for him and he just needs to keep pushing. He loves the game, so you can tell he’s never satisfied. – Joe Haden
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Coleman put on a show
One area that the Browns have hoped for more production from has been at the wide receiver position. Corey Coleman, the first-round pick in 2016, made one spectacular catch after another on Saturday night. In four receptions on eight targets, Coleman registered 66 yards.
I’m feeling good, really blessed … I’ve got to keep on getting better and remain focused and keep on climbing that ladder. – Corey Coleman
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Fellow receiver Jordan Leslie also had a good outing, grabbing four receptions for 34 yards and a touchdown pass from quarterback Kevin Hogan.
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