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On how QB Brock Osweiler looked with the first team offense today:**
"He looked good. Obviously, Brock knows how to play. He is very conscientious, works extremely hard. I think he has gained a lot of respect in the locker room because of the way he prepares. He did a good job today. Obviously, it was his first opportunity with those guys so we just need to keep fine-tuning some things."
On if he would like to see Osweiler take ownership of the team, even though the QB competition is not over yet:
"I think that is his personality, and if I know Brock well, that is what he will try to do, Like you said, it is not over yet, but I would love to see him go play well on Thursday night and lead the team and run our offense to the best of his ability."
On the factors that led to naming Osweiler the starting QB for the preseason opener:
"Like I said, I was going to put everything into the equation. I talked to our executive team and I just felt like at this time, this was the best opportunity for us and the best thing for us for a couple reasons. For one, we have a veteran player who has played in games and knows how to win, and I need to give him an opportunity to demonstrate that. No. 2, we still have some young quarterbacks that need to play a lot of football. If I stuck one of those other guys out as a starter, they weren't going to play a lot of football because they probably would come out when the other veterans come out. When you sit down and think through it all, and you think what is best for our football team, it is best for me to trot Brock out there, see if he can go lead this offense and lead the team, and in the process, keep getting these young guys more reps of playing football. They just need to play. (QB) DeShone (Kizer) needs to play more. (QB) Cody (Kessler) needs to play more. (QB) Kevin (Hogan) needs to play more. I thought this was the way to do it."
On naming Osweiler the starter specifically for the preseason opener and if he or another QB could start the second preseason game:
"You never know. I want to just work towards this Thursday night first and foremost. This is about this week, this opportunity and then we will keep going from there because there is still a lot about Brock I need to know, too, playing in a game. He hasn't done that for me, as well. I think we will find out a lot about our quarterbacks and our football team this Thursday night."
On if the Browns have to 'fast track' Osweiler so he can build chemistry with the first team offense:
"Yeah, a little bit, but it is the same offense. We are calling things the same. We are not calling anything different with Brock playing quarterback than we did with any of the other guys. Brock is a very heady guy, and he has been into it from the day he walked into this building. If I know him well enough, like I said, he will continue to do so."
On Osweiler separating himself from other QBs in the Orange & Brown Scrimmage and how much that played into the decision to start him on Thursday:
"I think we all watched him compete with the twos and move the ball and move the team. It had something to do with it. Like I said, I put everything into the equation. You are talking about a player that has played and won games in the National Football League so there is talent there. There is no question about that. That is why we are stepping him out there, but at the same time, we also have some other young talented players that just need more seasoning, need more football work. This thing is not over by any stretch, but this is the decision I have made at this time."
On if he has decided how much Browns starters will play on Thursday:
"I have not just yet. I know we are going to play. We are going to play a little bit (laughter) because we need to. We need to get out there and play football, but I don't know how far it will be. You kind of do some things by feel, and I don't want those guys to know what number of plays before they say, 'OK, I am going to check out.' We will keep everybody into it, and take them out when I think it is time to take them out."
On if TE Randall Telfer is the No. 1 TE as was listed in the team's unofficial depth chart in the weekly release:
"Yes, he is."
On why Telfer is the No 1. TE:
"Randall is a blocker. Randall can get after you that way. As you guys know, we play in a lot of different packages, a lot of different personnel. I haven't decided what the first play is going to be so it could be a whole bunch of tight ends out there on the first play. We will see how that all unfolds."
On if DB Jabrill Peppers being listed as a FS is significant:
"No, I don't think so. You have seen all of the different packages that we play in on defense. We move that free safety and strong safety. They are kind of interchangeable. I wouldn't even read into that at all."
On if Osweiler has the chance to 'be the guy':
"I think he has the chance, just like all the other guys. That is what I have meant by that. The guy that goes out there has a chance because if you go play well and knell it and do great things, I will be looking for you to play the next week. That is what I meant by that. He is going to get an opportunity. I think he is excited about the opportunity, but he understands where it all is. I met with all the guys –very honest and very upfront with them. I think everybody knows the situation they are in and where we are. We will go accordingly from there."
On if QB DeShone Kizer will not take any more snaps with the ones:
"No, I don't think that is over. I am not going to say that it is over. I don't think anything is really over right now. Today, we did practice a little bit differently. I think that is what you guys saw on film, but DeShone is progressing. (QB) Cody (Kessler) is progressing. I just have to get them more snaps in a game of playing and that is what I am trying to do."
On reports that the Dolphins inquired about Osweiler:
"It has never been brought to my attention. I wouldn't know. No one has mentioned that to me."
On if there is a rotation for the QBs:
"Yes, the rotation will be Brock will go first, Cody will go second and DeShone will go third, and I would love to get Kevin some snaps. I want those other two young guys to play a lot of football if they can."
On if there is any disappointment that Kessler didn't take command of the job and run with it:
"No, I have said since the beginning that this thing is an opportunity. You have to nail it. If you don't, it was going to be fluid. I have done exactly what I said I was going to do. I think that is only fair to the players, the players in our locker room and our organization. My job is to put the best guy out there that is going to give us a chance – not saying that Cody still can't be that guy – but right now, what I'm feeling is let's go in a different direction, let's see if we can give Brock an opportunity and let's take these young guys and keep getting them ready, keep getting them better and see if they can meet up to the standard that we have set and go from there.'"
