The Cleveland Browns have a quarterback dilemma.
This is nothing new, the team has been looking for a signal caller since they returned to the NFL for the 1999 season.
Tim Couch is the closest to being a guy fans could identify as the QB for the Browns, as he was the starter for five seasons (’99-’03), but he absorbed so much punishment in those years, that his career ended after the 2003 campaign at age 26.
This year’s problem is a little different though. The Browns do not want to rush rookie second round pick DeShone Kizer, they would rather let him learn at the beginning of the year and get used to the professional game.
Unfortunately, the two veterans on the roster, Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler, don’t seem to want the gig. This may force coach Hue Jackson’s hand, and he may have to go with Kizer, who seems to be clearly playing the best.
Osweiler was the starter in each of the first two games, and he has completed 12 of 22 passes for just 67 yards, with an interception and hasn’t been sacked. A bigger issue is the offense hasn’t scored with him at the helm.
FYI, an average of three yards an attempt is awful for an NFL quarterback.
Kessler played with the second unit in the first pre-season games, and the threes last night against the Giants. He is 12 for 17 (70.6%) for 97 yards and did lead Cleveland into the end zone in the exhibition opener. He is averaging 5.7 yards per pass attempt, and has been sacked once.
The rookie has had the most opportunity, playing the entire second half against the Saints, and about two and a half quarters last night.
He has completed 19 of 31 (61.3%) for 258 yards (8.3 yards per attempt), and a touchdown pass and a TD run. He has also been sacked five times.
After last night’s game, we wonder what Kessler would look like if he played with the first team. That’s how little we have thought of Osweiler’s performance, and also how little we want the Browns to throw a rookie out there in the season lidlifter against the Steelers.
Remember, Kessler started training camp as the starter, and didn’t play well in practices and the intersquad scrimmage at First Energy Stadium. That’s why Jackson turned to Osweiler.
If the coaching staff wants to protect Kizer, then they should probably go back to Kessler.
However, if they go with Kizer, they need to approach games the same way the Seahawks did when Russell Wilson was a rookie, meaning try to win games with your defense and running game.
In our opinion, putting the burden of the attack on a rookie before he is ready is detrimental to his future. We don’t want to see Kizer firing 35-40 passes in the opener or in any games at the beginning of the schedule.
And we would feel better if Jackson eliminated the read option from the Browns’ offense too.
Based on the first two pre-season games, it doesn’t seem like Jackson has any choice but to hand Kizer the keys to the engine.
It isn’t the ideal situation, but it probably gives the Browns the best chance to win games, which after a 1-15 season in 2016, they desperately need to do.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 