The Browns wrapped up Day 15 of training camp, the second-to-last practice open to the public.
Here are the best soundbites from Wednesday's session.
HUE JACKSON
"I still think right now where we are that Brock deserves the opportunity to walk out there first. I think seeing DeShone, again last week--it was in the second half. I want to see him now in the first half, and see what he can do there. I will give him an opportunity there to showcase his talent and ability, and then we will put Cody in and go from there." — on naming QB Brock Osweiler as Monday's starter against the Giants
"I think the major game in the preseason is the third game. I think hopefully we will have it all nailed down about exactly where we are headed and where we are going. I think whoever trots out there (in the third preseason game) has a very good chance of trotting out there against the Steelers." -- on when he plans to name a starting QB
"Obviously, we want all of our players out here. Trust me, this is not Joel doing this. Things happen, and so hopefully we will get him back. I know we will get him back. I am very comfortable and confident that he will be back and will be back soon – sooner rather than later – and be ready to play. You guys know how he is. He is very competitive. He wants to be out here right now. Again, we will get through this. It is nothing major. We are going to be fine." — on left guard Joel Bitonio's injury
"He has done well. I mean, he has done extremely well. We are very happy with his development and where he is headed. I think having the other players –(DL) Danny Shelton, (DL) Myles Garrett, (DL) Desmond Bryant and (DL Trevon) Coley and the other guys up front. It is only going to make Emmanuel even better because I think some things are going to naturally get pushed to him because of Myles and the other guys. I think he is going to make those plays. I think he is doing well." — on second-year DL Emmanuel Ogbah's training camp
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OL JOE THOMAS**
"To give you my philosophy, I won't be playing on Monday night, but my plan is to play in that third game, which is typically the most important one for the first unit that they will get the most work. That is my plan, and that is the plan I think that gives me the best opportunity to get ready for the season and be able to survive the full 16-plus weeks." — on when he'll play his first preseason game
"The ratings are going to plummet so I know they are going to be really upset." — on whether ESPN pushed back on his not playing in Monday's primetime game vs. the Giants
"In my 11 years, that first preseason game tends to be full of mistakes in general just all across the NFL – penalties, missed assignments and formation errors – because it is you first opportunity to go out there and play against somebody else. I don't think that is too uncommon, but certainly, as we look forward to the second game, we are hoping to clear some of that up so the offense can get into more of a rhythm because when you are constantly being pushed back on first and second down from sacks, loss yardage runs or penalties, it does put you out of your normal offense. You don't get an opportunity to try to execute your normal offense on a normal down and distance, and get into that rhythm that all coaches want to see in preseason." — on making a jump in Week 2
"From an Xs and Os standpoint, I'm not sure because I don't sit in their meetings, and I don't understand his position in the way I would have to to evaluate his progress, but from a comfort, confidence and leadership standpoint, which is what I can grade and what I think as a quarterback is very important, you do see that maturity and that growth happening. You see that confidence coming, and I think that is one of the most important things for a quarterback. He has to be confident getting back into his drop that he can go through his progressions quickly, throw to his spot, someone is going to be there and it is going to be a completed pass. He has to have confidence in knowing that he understands the defense and the route concepts. In that respect, I do think he is making some nice progress, and I am excited for his future." — on rookie QB DeShone Kizer
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TE DAVID NJOKU**
"It was hard, but it was the smart thing to do. I have to make sure that I am healthy and ready to go before I go so I agree with coach Jackson's choice of holding me out, and I will be ready to go." — on missing the preseason opener (back)
