Ron Schwane, Associated Press
On DeShone Kizer, Cody Kessler, Corey Coleman and more from Browns minicamp
BEREA, Ohio -- The defense turned up the heat on the first day of Browns minicamp, with an interception, three batted balls, a couple of fumble recoveries and a few would-be sacks.
Jamie Collins was all-Berea, with a pick-six, a batted ball and one of the fumble recoveries.
Cody Kessler is still the man to beat in the open quarterback competition, but DeShone Kizer is getting more reps with the first-team offense.
Joel Bitonio took some baby steps in individual drills, which is a great sign for his return from Lisfranc foot surgery.
Here’s more on those topics and other takeaways from the first day of mandatory minicamp.
By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
1. Kizer working with 1st teamers
Kizer was still third in the quarterback rotation behind Cody Kessler and Brock Osweiler Tuesday, but all of his reps were taken with first-teamers, which is significant.
Kessler also worked with the first-teamers, but Osweiler, who went second in most drills, worked primarily with the second-team offense.
It’s noteworthy, because Jackson wouldn’t be wasting those precious first-team reps on a player he felt had no chance to start at some point this season. Kizer has displayed excellent physical skills and he’s picking up the offense quickly. It doesn’t mean he’ll start on opening day, but the Browns didn’t draft him in the second round to "sit around and watch" -- as he put it.
Kizer is having the normal rookie ups and downs, but it’s evident the lights are coming on. He found Ricardo Louis on a deep left corner route and hit Seth DeValve with a short right flat pass against Jabrill Peppers. He also quickly scooped up a bad snap and ran with it.
On one play deep in his own territory, though, he telegraphed a pass and Jamie Collins picked it off and returned it for a TD.
Jackson downplayed Kizer’s first-team reps, likely because they want to keep the hype in check.
“Honestly, it hasn’t changed,’’ said Jackson. “That’s the way it’s been since OTAs have started. We’re just mixing and matching and giving guys opportunities. As I told you, I’m going to find out about guys, that’s what I have to do over these next couple of days before we go to training camp.’’
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
2. Not so fast
Jackson kept the QB order the same for minicamp, including Kevin Hogan at No. 4. He may not shake it up anytime soon.
"I didn't feel any need to change it yet," he said. “It's still way early, right? We're just in a minicamp. I said I may [change the QB order] and may not. I didn't for the most part. It doesn't mean that I won't. But this is the first day we're back out there, guys are flying around and so I'll go watch the tape and see where we are after today."
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
3. Cody Kessler's batted balls
Kessler, the shortest of the QBs at 6-1, had three balls batted at the line, two by Emmanuel Ogbah and one by Collins. Was it just a rough day? Or something that needs to be addressed during the break?
“Oh, I’ll take a peek at it, but I’m excited by it,’’ said Jackson. “That means our defensive line is getting their hands up. We’ve got some tall guys over there, too, and I think our defense is playing good. They’re playing relentless that way and their hands are up and we’ve got to find holes to throw the ball in. it’s a good problem, but also we do need to take a peek at it and see if we can fix that, too.
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
4. Jamie Collins' big day
Collins set the tone Tuesday with the pick-six, a batted ball, fumble recovery and several would-be tackles. He’s part of an aggressive, swarming defense that’s giving the offense all it can handle. Granted, the offensive line was without most of its starters, and their best receiver, Corey Coleman, is idle. But the defense is flashing big-play ability.
"That was my vision," said Jackson. “That’s what I was looking for. You guys know my feelings about Gregg (Williams), what he brings to the table and that’s what he’s doing with the rest of the defensive staff. They’re all doing a great job.
"That’s what we need to see on offense. We need that combative, tough environment. That’s how you get better, that’s how you start building a football team, and that’s what we’re trying to do.’’
Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
5. Corey Coleman should be ready for training camp
Okay, they weren’t real reps, but it was a start. Coleman lined up for two offense-only reps without his helmet on and jogged the route, but it was better than nothing. He’s close to returning from a tweaked hamstring and another undisclosed injury, and Jackson said he’ll be ready for training camp in July.
“Corey is very close,’’ said Jackson, who declined to specify the injuries. “He’s closer to playing than he’s not to playing, so he’ll be back out there very soon. I anticipate that when we get back he’ll be ready to go and if we decide to stick him out there before then, then I’ll talk to him about his status and where we are.’’
John Kuntz, cleveland.com
6. Joel Bitonio sighting
Bitonio eased his way back into a few individual drills Tuesday, his first action since undergoing Lisfranc foot surgery in October. Joe Thomas has been resting throughout OTAs and minicamp, but participated in the walk-through Tuesday. Center JC Tretter was idle and Gabe Ikard started in his place.
“I looked out there and saw a whole bunch of guys,’’ said Jackson. “Today was a good day. It’s good to see all of our players participating, even the guys that have been injured doing a little more than what they’ve been doing.
"My job as a head coach is to get these guys through OTAs, through the minicamp and get them to training camp with the best team that we can have with a healthy football team, so we can have the best shot at working towards winning and that’s what’s important.’’
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