BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Jacoby Brissett will start Saturday night’s preseason finale against the Chicago Bears.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski made the announcement following Thursday’s practice.
“Jacoby is going to play,” Stefanski said. “The starters are going to play. We’ll see for how long, will play that one kind of … we have a number in mind, but play that one by ear but Jacoby will play.”
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus plans to play his starters for most of, if not the entire first half.
“Yeah, I know what coach Flus is doing,” Stefanski said. “We’re going to do our own thing.”
There was a brief moment of angst during Thursday’s practice when Brissett hit his hand on a defender during practice. After shaking it off, the quarterback was fine.
His head coach on the other hand was turning a different color.
“I was seeing red for a minute there,” Stefanski said. “That’s a rule. Our guys have done an awesome job all camp of staying away from the quarterback and we just have to continue to do a good job there.”
The Browns are turning to the veteran to hold things down while Deshaun Watson serves an 11-game suspension as the result of the disciplinary settlement with the league following allegations of sexual misconduct from two dozen women related to massage therapy sessions Watson booked with them.
Brissett hasn’t played this preseason but took over the first team reps for Watson early last week in preparation for the opener September 11.
“Yeah, I think we want to see what we do in the drives that Jacoby’s in there,” Stefanski said. “If we feel like he needs more time, if we feel like he needs certain plays full speed in the game setting, we’ll do that. But it’s just a constant communication with the coaches to make sure we get what we need.”
Sky’s the limit – Myles Garrett and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah shared a podium Thursday, which gave Garrett ample time to gas up his teammate and friend in front of reporters.
“I think he'll be a big-time player honestly,” Garrett said when asked about Owusu-Koramoah’s potential. “He's does very well at using his frame and even though he's a smaller linebacker, I wouldn't say that he plays small just because he's great at throwing his weight around, great at using his hands and he flies around at such a high speed that he makes up for that lack of power that sometimes you can't get if you're not moving off the ball. I think as long as he stays within the frame of the defense and he keeps polishing up those moves he can be a really great talent for us.”
What does Garrett think JOK need to do better to elevate his game in year two?
“I think just a little bit more play recognition and he will be one of the best linebackers in the game,” Garrett said. “He has the pass rushing ability, he's able to come up and make hits on the run. You're not scared of going and facing anybody. He doesn't really have an deficiencies in his game, and any of the weaknesses that you do think apply just from looking at him, mentally, he's all there.”
Owusu Koramoah has paid close attention to Garrett.
“Everything you see me do I learned from this guy,” Owusu-Koramoah said. “Whether it's the shedding, whether it's on the line and certain moves that he does, I just try to model my game after him, he's taught me a lot in reference to hand movement and the fundamentals of the game whether it's being patient on the run, even some passes where he has to drop back, I learn some stuff from him, great mentor, great guy to learn from and even off the field he's taught me some stuff.”
Jurassic Myles – Garrett was named the first ever community science ambassador for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History Thursday.
“I've always prided myself on trying to study the arts and being more in tune with what science and, not only human history, but paleontology and pre-history,” Garrett said. “For them to select me when they have so many others that could be an ambassador, it really means a lot, just keep on trying to make sure that I'm the person for that spot and that role.”
A three-time Pro Bowler, Garrett is a known lover of dinosaurs and science and he will collaborate with the museum to promote its exhibits and programs.
Three back – Receiver Amari Cooper, cornerback Greg Newsome II and running back Jerome Ford returned to practice Thursday after sitting Wednesday’s session out.
“Really good to see Greg out there,” Stefanski said. “Going to bring him along appropriately, but he is progressing well.”
Roll call – S Ronnie Harrison Jr., WR Michael Woods II, WR Daylen Baldwin, DE Chase Winovich, OT Chris Hubbard, and DE Jadeveon Clowney did not practice.
Up next – Preseason Game 3: vs. Bears Saturday at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.