It's full speed ahead for Jacoby Brissett as Browns starting QB during Deshaun Watson's 11-game suspension. (Cleveland Browns)
Browns reassert confidence in Jacoby Brissett to replace Deshaun Watson during 11-game suspension
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns interviews and joint practice with Philadelphia Eagles …
Are the Browns content with a quarterback tandem of Jacoby Brissett and Josh Dobbs during Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension?
For now, yes.
“We brought in Jacoby and we feel very good about Jacoby,” GM Andrew Berry said. “We like what we have seen throughout the spring and we have liked what we have seen throughout the summer, so we have a high degree of confidence in him.”
Then came this caveat: “No different than any other position on the roster, we will continue to evaluate our team over the course of the camp, but really pleased with Jacoby.”
During Watson’s suspension, the Browns play Carolina, the Jets, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, the Chargers, New England, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Miami, Buffalo and Tampa Bay.
If he complies with NFL-mandated counseling and treatment, Watson will be eligible to play against Houston, Cincinnati, Baltimore, New Orleans, Washington and Pittsburgh.
So Brissett gets the first round of AFC North blood baths against the Steelers (home), Ravens (road) and Bengals (home).
Watson is available for Bengals (road), Ravens (home) and Steelers (road). Those three games could determine the AFC North champion and home playoff berth.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said of Brissett, “I have been around him now since April and watching him at practice, we are confident in his abilities. We are pretty comfortable with how we are operating right now, knowing that we will get Deshaun back after 11 games.”
While the Browns have shown no interest in available 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to compete with Brissett for the starting job, it’s possible Berry could seek a competitor for Dobbs as the primary backup.
One possibility is Nick Mullens, who had one decent start for the Browns last year and departed to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Mullens is competing with Jarrett Stidham for the Raiders’ backup job behind Derek Carr. If Mullens is cut by the Raiders, the Browns could consider bringing him back.
In the meantime, Watson continued to take snaps with the No. 2 offense in the first joint practice with the Eagles on Thursday – ahead of Dobbs, who was relegated to third team.
Prior to the practice, Stefanski said, “I think part of it is making sure we get a lot of work for Jacoby and for Deshaun because eventually he will be playing. We want to get a good look at some of our scheme versus another scheme, if you will. Ultimately, as we transition out of this week, Jacoby will get really all of the reps.”
Stefanski said that Watson would not play in the two remaining preseason games and his reps would be reduced significantly next week.
“More working off to the side than taking the reps, per se,” the coach said.
Stefanski will play Dobbs and Josh Rosen in the game against the Eagles on Sunday, and then go with Brissett and Dobbs, and possibly Rosen, in the third and final preseason game against the Chicago Bears.
Joint practice observations
One-on-ones
Receiver Amari Cooper beat Eagles cornerback Darius Slay for a catch.
Receiver Demetric Felton laid out for a catch on cornerback Josiah Scott.
Receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones couldn’t shake off cornerback Mario Goodrich’s coverage.
Receiver Anthony Schwartz made an over-the-shoulder catch from Brissett against cornerback Zech McPhearson.
7-on-7s
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert beat Ronnie Harrison to snare a perfect, thread-the-needle throw from quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Cornerback Parnell Motley turned in the Browns’ first turnover with an interception of quarterback Reid Sinnett.
11-on-11s
Linebacker Jacob Phillips stepped in front of tight end Jack Stoll and intercepted Hurts.
Schwartz caught a deep ball from Watson against cornerback Avonte Maddox.
Dobbs made a nice connection with tight end Miller Forristall in the middle of the field.
Cornerback M.J. Emerson was physical with Eagles receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown and fared well. Emerson defended a pass for Smith near the far sideline and also bottled up Brown downfield. Brown did defeat Emerson on a quick throw from Hurts in stride.
Eagles guard Landon Dickerson drew “oohs” from the Philadelphia bench for a block that flattened Phillips to the ground on a run play.
Cornerback Greedy Williams pulled hard on Smith’s arm all during a deep route, resulting in jawing between the two of them as Williams left the field.
Overall, both defenses had the better of the offenses.
“They gave us a run for our money today,” said Philly’s Goedert. “They’re a great defensive team, they got some really good players. Myles wasn’t here today. I think we handled it pretty well. Our O-line is going to get its work this week. Their secondary has good players. Just going to make us better working against them.”
Brownie bits
Defensive end Myles Garrett was excused a fourth straight day. He could be back on Friday …
Cornerback Denzel Ward did participate in 7-on-7s but not in team drills against the Eagles …
Left tackle Jedrick Wills was on the sideline for the last period of team practice. Alex Taylor took his place …
Kickers Cade York and Jake Elliott did not compete in field-goal drills. Showtime could come on Friday for them.
