Five things to know about new Browns quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese…
- Zampese, who spent the past 15 seasons as an assistant with the Bengals, has a long history with Browns head coach Hue Jackson. The pair worked together for seven years in Cincinnati and in 2015 helped make the Bengals offense one of the league's most explosive. When Jackson — who was the Bengals' offensive coordinator from 2014-15 — left for Cleveland, Zampese took over that role before he was dismissed this past September.
- Before that, Zampese served as the Bengals' quarterbacks coach for 13 seasons. Notably, Zampese and Jackson — who returned to Cincinnati in 2012 for his second stint with the team — helped develop quarterback Andy Dalton into one of the league's better signal-callers. Dalton recorded a franchise record 106.3 passer rating in 2015 by completing 66 percent of his throws for 3,250 yards and 25 touchdowns against seven interceptions.
- In Zampese's first year with the Bengals, he played a significant role in scouting and drafting Carson Palmer with the first overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Palmer, the former USC star and 2002 Heisman Trophy winner, played his first eight seasons in Cincinnati and remains one of the team's most prolific passers. Palmer, of course, also played for Jackson's 2011 Oakland Raiders, as the pair have a history dating back to their days at USC.
- For three seasons (2000-02), Zampese was part of the St. Louis Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf" under then-head coach Mike Martz. Zampese was the team's wide receivers coach in 2001 and passing game coordinator the following season, working with the likes of quarterback Kurt Warner and wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt.
- Zampese inherits a Browns quarterbacks room that includes DeShone Kizer, Kevin Hogan and Cody Kessler. Kizer, who went through highs and lows as a rookie this past year, passed for 11 touchdowns and a league-high 22 interceptions. Cleveland, armed with the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, could be poised to take one of the top college quarterbacks.
