ABOUT THE QUARTERBACKS

When the Browns say they aren't sure about their quarterback situation ... well ... it's because they aren't sure about their quarterback situation.

Cody Kessler opened every practice with the starters, and that probably will continue once regular training camp opens next month. But Kessler is vulnerable. He had three passes batted down when I was at Tuesday's practice.

Coach Hue Jackson tried to turn that into a positive, praising his defense, which has indeed improved. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has defenders coming at the passer from many angles.

But it's still disturbing to see Kessler having problems getting the ball over the outstretched hands of athletic defenders.

Some QB thoughts:

1. Kessler had several good throws on short passes. His arm strength doesn't match that of Brock Osweiler or rookie DeShone Kizer.

2. Kessler's advantage is knowing Jackson's system. The coach often mentions "not turning the ball over" among QB priorities. Kessler seldom has turnovers, although those tipped passes could become interceptions.

3. The Browns thought it was very unfair to Kessler to be tossed into action in the third game of his rookie season. A third-round pick, he was third on the depth chart behind Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown. But those two veterans were hurt in the first two games, and Kessler started Game 3.

4. Kessler's work ethic and maturity appeals to the coaches. But he isn't an ideal height (6-1) and limited in arm strength. Can he make up for that with his other attributes?

5. It's a purely personal opinion: I thought Kessler would look better simply because he has more experience in this system than Osweiler and Kizer. But he has just looked OK.

6. I'm biased toward Osweiler partly because so many media people lashed out at him when he joined the Browns. You'd swear he was a poor man's Charlie Frye, and it would be impossible to even imagine him ever winning another game.

7. The media were not allowed to watch every practice. I wasn't at every practice open to the media. So this is really a quick opinion. Of the three quarterbacks, I'd start Osweiler if the season opened tomorrow.

8. But the season doesn't open tomorrow, or next month. The opener against Pittsburgh is Sept. 10. A lot can happen. As QB coach David Lee said: "I have been coaching quarterbacks for 43 years. You have to get them in a game. You need people in the stands and to put them in pressure situations to rank them 1-2-3-4."

9. I'll add one more factor: Playing in a game where QBs are tackled. In practice, no one hits the quarterback. It's a lot easier to stay in the pocket.

10. Kizer has the size (6-4, 220 pounds) and arm strength of a prototypical NFL quarterback. He threw some of the best passes in the practices that I watched. He also threw some awful ones, not reading the defense or the receivers properly. As Lee said, "He is going through a lot right now and his head is swimming."

11. But Lee also talked about Kizer's excellent release: "He has one of the most beautiful releases and whip in his arm ... he has a chance to be special."

12. But how fast can Kizer process everything? Who knows? It won't be easy. But he is talented.

13. I don't want to hear the argument, "Just put him in there, find out what you have in this kid." Kizer played only two years at Notre Dame in a spread system, never taking a snap under center.

14. If a quarterback is not prepared to start in the NFL, he has no chance to succeed. Starting him too soon is a good way to make a bad decision about a young quarterback.

15. For what it's worth, I feel better about Kessler, Osweiler and Kizer than the group of three last year (Griffin, McCown, Kessler). Part of the reason is the durability issues with Griffin and McCown.

16. Big questions remain. Jackson made it clear he's not close to deciding on a starter. "I'm not going to rush," he said. "Let's take in all the information. Let's give these guys a legitimate chance."

17. I'll leave you with this: The Browns have averaged three starting quarterbacks per season since 2010.

18. Final note: The Browns do have another quarterback. It's Kevin Hogan. He had one very good practice last week. But the Stanford product is No. 4 at the position.



ABOUT THE DEFENSIVE LINE



1. I'm feeling so much better about the Browns than six months ago, when they were coming to an end of the 1-15 season. That's especially true after watching a few of the OTA and mini-camp practices. The talent has been upgraded. The coaching staff is superior to a year ago with the arrival of Williams as coordinator.

2. The defense not only is more aggressive, it's quicker. There are better athletes there. In Tuesday's practice, Emmanuel Ogbah batted down two passes. He's playing his natural position -- defensive end in a 4-3 defense. Last season, he was an outside linebacker in Ray Horton's 3-4, then moved to the line late in the season.

3. The Browns drafted and are built for a 4-man defensive front. Not only is that Ogbah's best scheme, but a 4-3 defensive end is better suited for Carl Nassib, the team's third-round pick in 2016. It's also the natural position for Nate Orchard, who had 15 sacks at Utah in 2014 only to become 3-4 outside linebacker here.

4. I haven't mentioned Myles Garrett, the top pick in the draft. He was playing mostly with the third team. So was Jabrill Peppers, a first-round pick who will play safety. Williams doesn't believe in simply handing a rookie a starting job.

5. Garrett did have some nice moments in the spring workouts before he injured his left foot in Wednesday's practice. He sustained a lateral sprain and it's not supposed to keep him out of fall camp in late July.

6. You never like to see the top pick in the NFL draft in a walking boot. But some fans are already convinced Garrett will be injury-prone, "the next Courtney Brown," as a few wrote.

7. I wonder what some of those fans would have written had the Browns passed up Garrett, considered by nearly every draft expert as the draft's top player.

8. The Browns have some defensive ends who should be able to rush the passer with authority. The middle of the line has talent, especially with the emerging Danny Shelton.

9. Rookies Caleb Brantley and Larry Ogunjobi have promise at tackle. I have always liked Jamie Meder. I wish I could say the same about Xavier Cooper. Finally, there is veteran Desmond Bryant.

10. Main point: The defensive line is deeper, quicker and in the right system.

11. I will be speaking at the Lakewood Library on June 28 at 7 p.m. Call 216-226-8275 for information. It's free.

12. I will be speaking at the Mayfield Library on July 10 at 7 p.m. You can register online or call 440-473-0350. All my library talks are free. We talk Cleveland sports and have a lot of fun.