BEREA: Virtually everyone who watched Browns rookie quarterback Cody Kessler in the preseason had doubts about whether he would be ready to function in a regular-season game this year.
But Kessler’s rocky preseason could have been misleading. Forced into action because quarterbacks Robert Griffin III (fractured left shoulder) and Josh McCown (fractured left collarbone) suffered injuries in the first two games, Kessler has been solid in two starts and will lead the offense again Sunday when the Browns (0-4) host the New England Patriots (3-1).
“That’s how it goes sometimes. You just don’t know till you know. It’s funny. The same was true for Andy Dalton,” Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins, who played with Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals, said Friday. “I can remember 2011. It was the same the thing. You didn’t get a great feel from the preseason. The first game we played the Browns. He ended up coming out in the second quarter [with an injury], didn’t finish the game, and there was a lot of questioning. Then he turned into what he is.
“Cody has a lot of Andy Dalton in him. He actually reminds me of him a lot. He has a great grasp and he studies a lot. Sometimes the pressure makes diamonds and sometimes it bursts pipes. I think with Cody, by us needing him, he stepped up to the plate.”
The Browns would be thrilled if Kessler, a third-round draft pick from the University of Southern California, were to develop into a two-time Pro Bowler like Dalton.
Kessler has completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 467 yards and a touchdown with an interception, posting a passer rating of 83.5. His third-down completion percentage of 81.8 (18-of-22) ranks first among the 31 quarterbacks the NFL lists in its third-down passing leaders category. He ranks seventh in the league with a third-down passer rating of 106.6.
“To see that he can function and play fairly efficient situational football is something that is important to us and is something that of course we are going to have to continue to do as we move forward,” associate head coach-offense Pep Hamilton said.
Kessler, 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, takes immense pride in third down.
“You have to understand that third down is really big and not only for your offense but for your defense,” he said. “Keep them off the field and allow them to get more rest and get a little breather. You want to extend drives. When you convert on two or three third downs in one drive, it really is big for your offense, your momentum and to get in a rhythm, and it is difficult for the defense when you keep converting on third down.”
One aspect of the offense the Browns haven’t emphasized since Kessler entered the lineup is downfield passing. The long ball had been a weapon for Griffin and McCown. But Kessler, criticized in the pre-draft process for lacking prototypical size and arm strength, hasn’t unleashed it much and ranks 28th in yards per attempt (6.4).
“He can throw the ball down the field,” coach Hue Jackson said. “We had several called last week and just all of a sudden, the coverage dictates otherwise. That is going to happen from time to time. I think you guys know my history. That is part of what I love to do. I love to throw it down the field and not just throw it short.
“We will continue to take our shots. I think we have done a good job because at the end of the day, we have been in these games at the end and maybe [that’s] because we have done some right things with the ball by not taking some chances. I think we all know that is how you score a little bit more points is by taking those chances. We have to take calculated opportunities down the field, and we will do that.”
Of Kessler’s 36 aimed passes Sunday in a 31-20 loss to Washington, 29 did not travel farther than 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, according to ProFootballFocus.com.
“If we get the looks we want and the opportunity is there, then definitely take shots,” Kessler said. “I missed [rookie wide receiver] Ricardo [Louis] on one last game. We had an opportunity there, and I have to complete that.”
Now Kessler is preparing to play in a showcase game with Patriots quarterback Tom Brady returning from his four-game suspension from Deflategate.
“No matter what the game is or the pressure that comes with it, I have always tried to stay level headed,” Kessler said. “You just have to stay calm.”
Welcome to Believeland
Jackson had a blast watching the Cavaliers win the NBA championship and now he’s pulling for the Indians during their playoff run.
“Someday we hope to give our fans something to scream about, too,” Jackson said.
A Los Angeles native, Jackson has made a concerted effort to entrench himself in Cleveland.
“I don’t want people to think I’m here just for a cup of coffee,” he said. “I plan on being here a long time, contrary to what everybody thinks. I will be here a long time.
“I have a real appreciation for our fans and for the city and what we are trying to accomplish here. I know right now it looks like we are a little ways off, but I promise you, like I said before, we are going to get there. I truly believe that.”
Bouncing back
Kicker Cody Parkey said it was “huge” for him to make both of his field goals (51 and 45 yards) this past weekend after going just 3-of-6 in his Browns debut the previous week.
“You’re going to miss kicks as a kicker,” he said, “but I really believe it’s how you bounce back.”
Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said he views Parkey, 24, as a potential long-term kicker for the Browns.
“This is an awesome opportunity for me to come into an incredible organization with incredible coaches to really just come and be a guy they can trust for years to come,” Parkey said.
Hoping for havoc
Defensive coordinator Ray Horton is confident rookie defensive end Carl Nassib will be effective while playing with a cast on his surgically repaired broken left hand. Nassib missed the past two games after suffering the injury Sept. 18 against the Baltimore Ravens and is listed as questionable for Sunday, but Horton spoke as if the third-round pick will play.
“Many players have played with a cast on,” Horton said. “He is going to come out and give us great [effort]. We know that. How much will that affect him? He will have to get used to playing with how they prepare him medically to play, but it won’t affect his ability to make plays for us. Now, will it affect his ability to grab a jersey? I’m sure it will to some extent, but he can still create havoc out there, we hope.”
Debut on horizon
Tight end Connor Hamlett will make his NFL regular-season debut Sunday.
“I’m getting my shot,” said Hamlett, 6-7 and 259 pounds. “I’m just going to go out there and make the most of it. I feel very confident that I can make plays. The coaches have seen it.”
Tight ends Randall Telfer (high-ankle sprain) and Seth DeValve (knee) have been ruled out for Sunday, so Hamlett will be summoned. He had a strong training camp with the Browns but was waived last month during cutdown day. He was promoted from the practice squad Tuesday.
“He is going to have a role,” Jackson said. “Obviously, Connor was a tough release for me earlier. He did some really good things, so I’m not surprised by what he is doing right now. He is a big guy. He is long, rangy and tough. He works at it. To get him promoted and him have an opportunity to compete in this game was great.”
Extra points
• In addition to McCown, Telfer and DeValve, the following Browns players have been ruled out: wide receiver Corey Coleman (broken hand) and centers Cameron Erving (bruised lung) and Austin Reiter (torn anterior cruciate ligament). The Browns listed Nassib, safety Ibraheim Campbell (hamstring) and cornerback Tramon Williams (shoulder) as questionable.
• Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor was fined $9,115 by the NFL for his touchdown celebration Sunday. Pryor imitated LeBron James’ chalk toss after his second-quarter touchdown catch and was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. The referee announced Pryor used the ball as a prop.
• Washington All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman was fined $9,115 for pretending to draw a bow and shoot an arrow after his fourth-quarter interception against the Browns. He also was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Hamilton on running back Isaiah Crowell: “It’s been a pleasant surprise. He showed flashes in the past. To see him go out and dominate football games and break long runs like he has been able to do up to this point is really impressive.”