BEREA, Ohio _ The Browns have had a plan at quarterback all offseason, and they're not about to change it late in the preseason.
Coach Hue Jackson sent the message loud and clear Monday after the 17th practice of training camp, which will break Tuesday with two preseason games remaining, Thursday's "dress rehearsal" at home against the Philadelphia Eagles and Aug. 30's exhibition finale on the road against the Detroit Lions.
Although Tyrod Taylor has taken all of the first-team snaps throughout camp, Jackson was asked whether he'll give rookie No. 1 overall draft pick Baker Mayfield any first-team repetitions in camp.
Jackson didn't just say no. He said no five times.
"No, no, no, no, no," Jackson replied. "Everybody's asked me that a ton of times. Why? I'm going to tell you the reason why. We are learning a new system, and I think Tyrod needs every rep that he can get with the ones. I think Baker's doing outstanding with the twos. If something happens and we need to put him there, we will. Right now, that hasn't happened."
General Manager John Dorsey's quarterback strategy this offseason was to acquire a veteran who could help the Browns regain respectability after they went 1-31 the past two seasons and then to draft a player who could begin his career by watching and learning from the veteran.
Taylor became the veteran in March when Dorsey traded a third-round pick (No. 65 overall) to the Buffalo Bills for him. Mayfield became the drafted player when Dorsey took him first overall in April.
Ever since then, the Browns have been adamant Taylor will be their starter entering the regular season, which they'll kick off Sept. 9 at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
On July 25, the day before camp opened, Jackson left the door open for Mayfield to take some first-team snaps.
"Tyrod Taylor is the starter," Jackson said nearly a month ago. "I don't envision any situation where all of a sudden (Mayfield) is getting a bunch first-team reps _ unless, God-forbid, something happens (with an injury). But, at the same time, there might be a day _ please no one hold me to it _ where Tyrod, all of a sudden, maybe does not go, and Baker's out there and people go, 'Oh my gosh.'"
Well, as camp has unfolded, Jackson has obviously become opposed to that day coming soon.
