CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt understands the Browns can’t do exactly the same offense for Jacoby Brissett as they did for Deshaun Watson.
“There are definitely different aspects of offense that we’re going to run with Deshaun that we might not run with Jacoby and vice versa, to be honest,” Van Pelt said before the Browns’ practice Tuesday. “Both guys bring different skills, but they’re both experienced guys and have played a lot of games in the NFL, so we have to do our best to get the best out of them.”
Brissett will be the Browns’ quarterback for the first 11 games, and the transition of first-team representatives exclusively to Brissett really took hold Tuesday. Watson worked on the scout team.
Van Pelt said he’s seen Brissett take command of the Browns offense in recent weeks and called his backup quarterback a natural leader and applauded the extra work he’s doing.
“I’ll look out my window 45 minutes later after practice and he’s still on the field,” said Van Pelt. “He’s an intelligent guy. He has played a lot of football in his career. Very happy with where he is.”
Brissett has started 37 games in his career and has appeared in 60. He started full playing time for Indianapolis in 2017 when Andrew Luck was injured and again in 2019 after Luck abruptly retired.
His experience was valuable for a team that needs a stable presence while awaiting Watson’s return in December.
“He brings that skirt into the dressing room and onto the offense of football,” said Van Pelt. “Even if we went back too early in training camp, we were maybe two weeks old and we had really bad training offensively and he was the first to call the group and just bring up the issues we were having at the time. He’s a guy who’s been there and made it.”
behind Brissett
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Joshua Dobbs vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Aug. 21, 2022
As it stands, Joshua Dobbs is one play away from becoming the Browns’ starting quarterback. Brissett has generally remained healthy throughout his career when he started, but there is no sure thing when it comes to health in the NFL.
Dobbs, who has attempted 17 regular-season passes since joining the league in 2017, looked sharp in last Sunday’s preseason game against the Eagles. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 141 yards and rushed four times for 47 yards and a score.
The Browns are expected to play at least some of their starters against the Bears in Saturday night’s preseason finals, but Dobbs will get another opportunity to shine at some point during the contest, whether he starts or comes after Brissett.
“(Dobbs) has a great understanding of the offence. He is a very intelligent young man. He’s doing a lot of good things,” said Van Pelt. “He’s athletic, obviously with the runs he’s had this preseason and the scrambles. Very excited about his development so far.”
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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper catches a pass during single practice at Berea. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
The Browns’ depth at receiver was a question mark, but Van Pelt definitely likes what he’s seeing on the depth chart above.
“I was really impressed with Amari (Cooper),” said Van Pelt. “He’s a guy I’ve always admired from afar as a post-college receiver. Explosive. A real pro. He showed all of that on the field in the practice reps he was given.
Van Pelt also praised Donovan Peoples-Jones, who is being targeted for the No. 2 receiver role, as a solid player who puts a lot on offense in both the pass and run games.
Here’s what Van Pelt said about some of the other players in the room:
“(WR Demetric) Felton (Jr.) has now come on as a slot receiver. In his second year, I like a lot of the qualities he brings to the table. Behind it is a group of young guys. The boys have potential. There are some hard workers. (WR) Mike Woods (II) is a guy who hasn’t been on the field that much, but when he was on the field he was productive. (WR Mike) Harley (Jr.) is a guy who can just walk all day. He’s an energizer bunny.”
Van Pelt also praised Anthony Schwartz for recovering from a tough performance in Jacksonville and he’s seeing rookie David Bell starting to get the offense.
“Schwartzy has been putting together some really good practices here lately,” said Van Pelt. “He’s doing everything we asked him to do. He makes guys open with his speed alone. He made a few moves on the ball in the last game and in training. David Bell is just a young man. He’s just learning his way. He’s getting better every day – I saw that in him. He was just a little unsure at first that maybe he was going on offense and now you can see his pace of play is increasing and he’s starting to get a better understanding.
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