Who is winning Cleveland Browns Training Camp Battles?
With the Cleveland Browns first preseason game just around the corner, which players are winning their respective position battles?
A lot can change in a week, but heading into the Cleveland Browns first preseason game, which will be played at home against the Saints, here’s who has a leg up in various position battles.
Quarterback: Cody Kessler v. DeShone Kizer v. Brock Osweiler
The quarterback competition is going about as expected. Kizer’s physical tools help him standout in camp and his ability to find the end zone with his legs has also been a highlight of camp.
Kessler’s been Kessler He’s still undersized, he doesn’t have the arm strength and he he’s holding onto the ball too long, as pointed out by Browns play-by-play man Jim Donovan. At camp Aug. 2, there was a series where he got sacked “three times in a row. but that’s been expected.
Osweiler came in the same drill, and boom, boom, boom, Brock got read of the ball. This isn’t to make Osweiler John Elway, but to show what a veteran quarterback who’s one games in the NFL should be doing at training camp.
ESPN Cleveland’s Jason Gibbs breaks down every quarterback throw. Here’s where the Browns’ field generals stand through Aug. 2: Kessler, 6 of 13, one interception; Osweiler, 3 of 7, one INT; Kizer, 6 of 11; Kevin Hogan 1 of 2. Six-day totals: Kessler, 36 of 56; Osweiler, 34 of 61; Kizer, 29 of 54; Hogan, 10 of 15.
There’s a good possibility Kessler gets the start in preseason Game No. 1, but don’t read too much into it. Kizer will be able to get more playing time against backups, and Jackson can go back to practice and build him up more for start in preseason Week 2.
Who has the leg up? How does Kizer not start the season? Coach Hue Jackson has to win games, and he, along with quarterback coach Andy Lee are spending a lot of time with the Notre Dame product, going everywhere he goes, according to Donovan.
Strong Safety: Calvin Pryor v. Jabrill Peppers
Strong safety is unique because it may not actually be a position battle. Calvin Pryor is a run stopping safety, which is what Jabrill Peppers projects to be.
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With that said, Peppers could be playing all over the field and might not be restricted to just strong safety.
Back in minicamp, defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said Peppers and Pryor will play similar roles, but not the same. There’s even the possibility both players will be on the field at the same time.
At free safety, Derek Kindred appears to be the leading candidate to start. During my day at camp July 31, Kindred was someone you couldn’t help but notice.
Who has the leg up: In preseason game No. 1, look for Pryor and Kindred to be the Brown’s starting safety. Peppers just hasn’t seen enough snaps with the first-team defense.. However, it won’t be a surprise to see Peppers listed as the No. 1 strong safety when the regular season commences.
Right tackle: Shon Coleman v. Cameron Erving
Who has the leg up: Coleman
With the Browns’ full offensive line practicing for the first time together in “awhile,’ as described by The Athletic’s Zac Jackson, Coleman started at right tackle.
Slot WR: After Duke Johnson‘s emergence at the position, you’ve got to wonder how the front office feels about 2016 draft picks Rashard Higgins and Jordan Payton. Ricardo Louis can’t be lumped into the group here because he’s better suited for the outside.
Kicker: Cody Parkey v. Zane Gonzalez
The two kickers appear equal a week before the preseason opener.
In Training Camp Aug. 2, Parkey was 4-5 on field goals (miss 39), while Gonzalez was 5-5 including a nice boot from 55 yards.
However, on July 31, Parkey was better, going 5-for-5 (got redo after miss on low snap on one attempt). Z-Gon was 3-for-5, missing both times wide left. On July 29, both kickers went 3-of-5.
People forget Parkey was once a Pro Bowler. Sure he had his struggles last season, but he was cast into the role pretty quickly.
On the other hand, Gonzlaz is a draft pick and he makes less money.
Next: If there's a plan to name a starting QB, what is it?
Who has the leg up? Gonzalez. This draft-pick loving front office wouldn’t cut one of its own, would it?