Daily Dawg Tags: Quarterback decision on the horizon

Cleveland Browns head coach is still weighing the starting quarterback role, but history reveals that the decision may already have been made.

The Cleveland Browns released their “unofficial” depth chart on Tuesday as they prepare for their next preseason game.

Perhaps the most unofficial part, or at least the most flexible, comes at the quarterback position, where veteran Brock Osweiler is listed as the starter, followed by Cody Kessler, DeShone Kizer and Kevin Hogan.

That may change today, however, as head coach Hue Jackson continues to weigh the choice between sticking with Osweiler as the starter or rolling the dice with Kizer. (Kessler and Hogan are out of the picture, please accept that if you have not already.)

While Jackson said he expects to pick a starter today for the game against the New York Giants, that player may not necessarily be the one that starts the season opener on Sept. 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to clevelandbrowns.com:

"“We are still just heading into our second preseason game. There are still going to be two more after that to continue to evaluate if we need to, but I think it is important that for this game – I will say it again, just for this game – we are going to head into it hopefully in a way I feel very comfortable with. It could change or things could not change, and we will just kind of go from there.”"

The quarterback decision may still be ongoing in Jackson’s mind, but if history is any indication the decision has already been made about who will open the season under center:

With that, we’ll leave you with today’s edition of the Daily Dawg Tags.

Cleveland Browns news:

The battle for right tackle is over

The first preseason game brought clarity to one position battle. The battle at right tackle is all but settled after Cameron Erving and Shon Coleman left the field last Thursday night. After watching the game film with a coach’s eye, there are definite reasons on film as to why Shon Coleman should be the starting right tackle.

Deadspin takes its annual shot at the Browns

Deadspin is currently running its “Why Your Team Sucks” series, and the installment on the Cleveland Browns offers up a humorous look at the upcoming year.

Gregg Williams doesn’t “believe in starters” (clevelandbrowns.com)

"The question posed to Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was where Nate Orchard, who shined in Thursday’s preseason opener, fits on a deep defensive line as training camp winds down. Williams, whom the club hired in January, used it as an opportunity to outline a greater philosophy when it comes a young defense filled with potential across the board."

Practice order points to Osweiler remaining the starter (ESPN)

"Hue Jackson will not name his starting quarterback for the preseason game next Monday night against the New York Giants until Wednesday or Thursday of this week. But if his actions since the Cleveland Browns resumed practice remain consistent, the decision is pretty clear. Brock Osweiler will start, and it’s likely that rookie DeShone Kizer will be the No. 2, ahead of Cody Kessler."

NFL news:

Maybe Jay Gruden isn’t a good football coach (Washington Times)

"There is perhaps nothing in sports that is more fraudulent and unfair than NFL preseason football. Professional wrestling has more credibility than preseason football. But even in pro wrestling, there are good fake performances and bad fake performances. The Redskins turned in a bad fake football performance in their 23-3 Thursday night loss in Baltimore against the Ravens. The concern? Coach Jay Gruden’s ability to prepare a team to play."

Eagles release Ryan Matthews (ESPN)

"The Philadelphia Eagles released running back Ryan Mathews after he was medically cleared to practice on Tuesday. Mathews suffered a herniated disk in his neck last season during a Week 16 game against the New York Giants."

Ezekiel Elliott files appeal to six-game suspension (NFL.com)

"Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott officially filed his notice of appeal to the six-game suspension he received last week for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, the NFL Players Association announced Tuesday."

First-round rookie review from Week 1 of the preseason (PFF)

"NFL teams make their first-round selections every year in the hopes of finding an impact performer to add to their roster. Each week PFF will review the performance of each of the first-round draft picks from this year’s NFL draft."