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Hue Jackson, Cleveland Browns block out 'noise' about starting Baker Mayfield over Tyrod Taylor

Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson has said the team has blocked out the noise about starting Baker Mayfield over Tyrod Taylor.
Credit: Matt Florjancic, WKYC Digital Sports
Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson gives out instructions during a drill on the final day of practice in front of fans at training camp in Berea.

BEREA, Ohio -- There has been plenty of talk about Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield and the performance he put forth against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey last Thursday night.

But despite the talk that has permeated the media and fan-base, veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor remains at the top of the depth chart as the Browns focus on Friday’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills and continuing their preparations for the 2018 regular season.

“We block out all noise,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said. “We do not get it. Tyrod does not worry about that. I hope that our football team does not. It is something that we will talk about as we go. I do not worry about it. It is not about the noise. It is about the work that we put in as a football team.

“Tyrod is doing outstanding. Baker is doing good things. Drew Stanton is doing good things. Brogan (Roback) is doing good things. I just think that as a group, it is a really good group. I think that they are playing well. I will say it again: Tyrod is our starter, and Baker is our future. We are going to keep going. I just want our guys to keep getting better every day. That is what we talk about.”

Taylor spent extra time after a recent training-camp practice working on route-running and pass catching with second-year tight end David Njoku, and that work paid off in the form of a first-quarter touchdown against the Giants.

Njoku caught a 16-yard throw from Taylor at the 20-yard line, and then, outhustled Giants defenders down the field before diving across the goal line for the score, which gave the Browns a 7-3 lead over the Giants with 2:55 to play in the first quarter.

With a no-huddle look to the offense, Taylor needed just four plays to lead the Browns 66 yards down the field for the go-ahead score.

Earlier in the drive, the Browns faced a third-and-one from their own 43-yard line when Taylor found wide receiver Rashard Higgins along the right sideline for a 21-yard gain down to New York’s 36-yard line.

Taylor finished the night five for five for 99 yards and the one touchdown.

“I just think he is a pro NFL quarterback who likes to compete, likes to play, wants to win, wants to be the leader and wants to lead an offensive football team, a football team and our organization,” Jackson said of Taylor.

Credit: Matt Florjancic, WKYC Digital Sports
Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor hustles down the field after escaping the pocket during a drill on the final day of practice in front of fans at training camp in Berea.

During his seven-year career with the Baltimore Ravens and Bills, Taylor completed 793 of his 1,271 attempts (62.4 percent) for 9,056 yards and 51 touchdowns against 18 interceptions. Of those 793 completions, 116 went for at least 20 yards and 22 more were 40-yard gains.

In his three seasons with the Bills, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Taylor completed 774 passes for 8,837 yards and 51 touchdowns against 16 interceptions.

“He was the right fit for us at the right time,” Jackson said. “To me, he has been everything that I think he should be when he walks in and more. The guy is a tremendous leader, tremendous worker and he is trying to do everything the right way. That is a great example for a young player to follow. I think he is a great example for Baker.”

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