CLEVELAND: Browns coach Hue Jackson said he saw potential in the top-rated quarterbacks last week at the NFL scouting combine, but he insisted Thursday night he isn’t completely sold on North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz or California’s Jared Goff as the franchise’s future yet.
“Until I can spend more time with those players will I know for sure,” Jackson said during the Cleveland Auto Show at the I-X Center. “Obviously, my eye was on the quarterbacks, but I think it’s way too early to know.”
Jackson said he “felt good” about Wentz and Goff competing at the combine and meeting with the team. But his main takeaway was, “I need to keep seeing them.”
One will be the first quarterback drafted on April 28, likely second overall by the Browns.
Even if Jackson does have a favorite, he certainly wouldn’t reveal his preference. On the other hand, there are several steps left in the pre-draft process.
“We’re not anywhere close to being able to make a decision on what is best for us,” he said.
Jackson reiterated he’ll attend the private workouts and pro days of Wentz and Goff, and you can bet the Browns will parade them through team headquarters for official pre-draft visits.
Wentz’s pro day is March 24. Goff’s is March 18.
“How fast can I get there?” Jackson said. “Yes, I will be there.”
Although Jackson was guarded with his answers, he addressed a few specifics about Wentz, Goff and the position in general.
• On Goff reportedly interviewing poorly when he met with the Browns at the combine: “I don’t know where that came from. I think all the young men that we talked to did a great job.”
• On Wentz playing lower-level college football: “When we took [Baltimore Ravens quarterback] Joe Flacco [out of Delaware], everybody said the same thing. I think we’d love to have him right now, wouldn’t we? If a guy can play, he can play.”
• On Goff playing in a shotgun, spread system in college: “Everybody says I play in a gimmicky offense. That’s what everybody says. I don’t think that has anything to do with it. ... I don’t get concerned about what school they come from, what kind of offenses they play in. I get concerned about can they do the things that I’m looking for a quarterback to do.”
• On the first thing he watches when he evaluates quarterbacks: “My eye really goes to their poise under duress. Can a guy really manage and hold himself back there when everything’s bearing down on him? Is he willing to stick his back foot in the ground and be compact and deliver the ball down the field? If a guy will demonstrate that, it tells me he’s not scared. But a guy that has a soft back foot, you better look out. He can’t play long in this league.”
• On the importance of hand size: “Hand size is important because in the AFC North, there’s snow, there’s rain, there’s all kind of elements that you have to deal with. And sometimes if a guy doesn’t have a big enough hand, he can’t hold onto the ball and the guy can get stripped. I’ve seen it happen too many times. But that is not the only characteristic that you look for. But it is something that does go into an evaluation.”
• On Goff’s hands measuring 9 inches, which is below average: “As long as he can hold the ball and he doesn’t get stripped, it’s not a problem to me. But if there’s a problem that way, then it would be a consideration.”
Before Jackson met reporters at the auto show, his first public appearance since being hired Jan. 13, he reiterated in a radio interview the Browns are inclined to draft their quarterback of the future rather than sign one in free agency, which opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
“We’re going to take every shot that we can to find a franchise quarterback, and I think we all know you don’t find them in free agency, you draft them,” Jackson told WKNR (850-AM). “That’s when you find the right guy.”
Jackson also complimented veteran quarterback Josh McCown and said he could serve as a bridge starter next season if necessary. However, Jackson said the organization is looking toward the future. Wentz or Goff will likely represent it.
“We want to draft a quarterback,” Jackson said on the air. “But it’s got to be the right fit, it’s got to be the right person, it’s got to have the right feel.”
Extra points
• Jackson said he would love to retain three-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack, who opted out of his contract Wednesday and is set for free agency. How valuable is an elite center? “You can put it up there with the quarterback when you have a guy like that,” Jackson replied.
• The Browns would like to acquire two or three starters in free agency. “I would say that would be one of the goals,” Jackson said.
• Martial arts expert Joe Kim of Avon has been hired as the Browns’ assistant strength/skill development coach.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.