To almost no surprise, the Cleveland Browns have named rookie DeShone Kizer the starter for this Saturday’s game. Although it’s still the preseason, the third preseason game is often the “dress rehearsal” for NFL teams. This suggests that Hue Jackson will likely be going with Kizer for the regular season. If that’s true, Kizer will be the Browns 27th starting quarterback since coming back to the league in 1999.
Cleveland Browns Name DeShone Kizer Starting Quarterback
Physical Attributes
Why did Jackson name Kizer as the starter? Well, just one look at the guy and it’s pretty easy to see why. Standing at 6’4, 240, Kizer has the prototypical size for any quarterback in the AFC North. He also has the biggest (and most talented) arm of any quarterback on Cleveland’s roster by far. In short, Kizer looks the part of a star quarterback. But what happens when we go beyond physical attributes? Does Kizer still hold up? Let’s find out.
Let the Kid Play
The elephant in the room with DeShone Kizer is that he is still very green to the NFL. Yes, the Browns selected Kizer only a few short months ago in the 2017 NFL Draft. But really, it’s crazy, the strides he has already made. First of all, Kizer has barely been seen without a Browns playbook in his hands since being drafted. Additionally, on the nine preseason drives the Browns have given him, Kizer has led the Browns to 24 points. That’s 17 more than the nearest competitor, Cody Kessler.
Against the New Orleans Saints, Kizer showed his incredible potential to hit deep passes, going 11 of 18 for 184 yards. Against the New York Giants this past Monday night, Kizer impressed fans (and apparently coaches) once again. Sure, it’s only preseason, but past Browns coach Sam Rutigliano has a really good quote about rookie quarterbacks. You really don’t know what you have until you put them in hot water. And it seems that Hue Jackson and the Browns are ready to dip the DeShone Kizer teabag right on in.
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