CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hue Jackson wisely resisted the urge to name rookie DeShone Kizer as the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback after his performance in Thursday's preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints.

Kizer is tempting.

The Browns coach loves a quarterback with a strong arm, and Kizer has that. Jackson loves a big quarterback who is mobile. At 6-4, 230 pounds with quick feet, Kizer has the physical gifts of an AFC North starting quarterback.

Jackson loves a quarterback who is open to coaching, and that has been Kizer. He has made several adjustments when it comes to his throwing mechanics.

The best thing about Kizer's impressive pro debut was this: He looks like a first-round talent. When was the last time we could say that about a quarterback drafted by the Browns?

The orange helmets pick quarterbacks most years -- Cody Kessler, Johnny Manziel, Brandon Weeden, Colt McCoy and Brady Quinn. All of those quarterbacks were drafted in the last 10 years. Weeden, Manziel and Quinn were first-rounders. None had the combination of size, arm strength and athleticism that Kizer possesses.

That doesn't mean Kizer should immediately start. Nor does it mean he will be the "Franchise Quarterback."

I'm so sick of hearing "Is he a Franchise Quarterback?" It doesn't matter what Brown is the subject of the question. There are very few such players, a quarterback who consistently has his team in the playoffs and contending for the Super Bowl.

I'd love to have one for the Browns.

How about finding a quarterback capable of starting for a few seasons?

Question: Who was the last Browns quarterback to start the opener for three seasons in a row?

Answer: Tim Couch, 2000-02. Couch also played in the 1999 opener, replacing Ty Detmer at halftime.

In the last eight years, the Browns have had seven opening day quarterbacks. The Browns can't even find a mediocre starter.

THE QUARTERBACK ORDER

1. I still favor Brock Osweiler to open the regular season, unless he is a disaster in the remaining preseason games. As for Kizer? I agree with Jackson. "It's just too soon," Jackson said Friday.

2. Jackson has not decided on a starter for the next preseason game, Aug. 21 vs. the New York Giants. "I don't feel very comfortable," he added. "That's why I haven't made a decision."

3. A strong performance by Osweiler would have made the choice easy. But the veteran struggled, 6-of-14 passing for 42 yards. His offensive line and receivers didn't distinguish themselves. But Osweiler also had at least three clear overthrows.

4. A good teammate, Osweiler didn't blame his line for penalties. Instead, he said: "They did a tremendous job. I don't think a finger was laid on me."

5. Osweiler wasn't sacked. He wasn't hit hard. He did a good job of getting rid of the ball before the defense reached him. But tackles Cam Erving and Shon Coleman each were flagged for a false start and a holding penalty. That's four penalties from two tackles in less than two quarters.

6. Kizer started slow in the third quarter, then finished with some eye-popping throws. There was a 52-yard pass to Richard Mullaney and a 45-yarder to Jordan Payton. Both passes went at least 55 yards in the air, and Kizer made them look natural.

7. When Mullaney caught that ball, I wondered, "Who is Richard Mullaney?" He was an undrafted free agent in 2016, signed and cut by both Houston and Dallas. He signed with the Browns in June. He caught 38 passes for Alabama in 2015. He previously played at Oregon State. He now has one terrific catch on his game film.

8. In the next game, I'd start Osweiler simply because he's more experienced. He had only two practices with the starters. I thought it was odd Jackson called 14 passing plays of the 23 snaps Osweiler was on the field. Maybe he wanted to see him throw. The penalties also set up passing situations. But Jackson seem to ignore the run. For the game, the Browns had 42 passes compared to 22 runs.

9. In the next game, Kizer should be the No. 2 quarterback, relieving Osweiler.

10. That leaves Cody Kessler at No. 3. Of the three, Kessler is the least likely to be a viable NFL starter. He has durability issues, including two concussions last season. He started eight games, but was knocked out of three with injuries. At this point, Jackson should spend most of his practice time preparing Osweiler and Kizer to play.

DRAFT PATIENCE PAID OFF

1. In the draft, the Browns traded the No. 12 pick to Houston. The Texans took Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was 15-of-25 for 179 yards in his first preseason game.

2. The Browns added the No. 25 pick, which became safety Jabrill Peppers. The Michigan product had some good moments in Thursday's opener at safety and as a return man on special teams. The Browns also picked up Houston's 2018 first-rounder.

3. The Browns selected Kizer with the No. 52 pick. It was a second-round selection the Browns received in a deal with Tennessee in 2016. Three years from now, it will be fascinating to see who has become the better NFL quarterback: Watson or Kizer?

4. Give V.P. Sashi Brown and player personnel director Andrew Berry credit for being patient. They didn't trade up for Kizer. They knew many in the NFL had major questions about the Notre Dame quarterback. Jackson keeps talking about things Kizer "needs to clean up." He means play calling, reading defenses, etc.

ABOUT THE BROWNS

1. Gregg Williams could be the best thing to happen to the pro careers of Joe Schobert and Nate Orchard. Williams plays a 4-3 defense, not the 3-4 of former defensive coordinator Ray Horton. Schobert looked good at middle linebacker. I thought he played better than starter Tank Carder. Orchard was very comfortable at defensive end. Jackson praised both young players in his Friday press conference.

2. Joel Bitonio and John Greco both played, great news as each was coming off serious foot surgery.

3. Another player who had me checking the media guide was Trevon Conley. The 310-pound undrafted defensive lineman has been on practice squads with Washington and Baltimore. He had four tackles, forced a fumble and had a sack.

4. Rookie defensive end Myles Garrett looked like an elite prospect. As Jackson said, "His initial quickness off the ball was outstanding. He played the run extremely well ... I love the hustle plays he made."

5. One of my favorite Browns is Briean Boddy-Calhoun. The undrafted 5-foot-9 cornerback was claimed from Jacksonville and started six games last season. He makes plays that you notice. He had two tackles for a loss in Thursday's game.

6. I will be talking about the Browns and other Cleveland sports at the Nordonia Hills Library on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m.