The Revolving Door at Quarterback Might be Turning Again for the Browns
By Bob Turner
Dec 1, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) watches as the ball gets away after being stripped by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Jason Babin (58) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
What’ more fragile than a Browns quarterback? This season, it seems like nothing.
The Browns have had five different quarterback changes in 2013, something most teams can’t imagine. For a young team trying to establish themselves, it’s an impossible burden.
Now, the team may be looking at its sixth.
ESPN’s Pat McManamon reports that Brandon Weeden suffered a concussion during Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. Weeden was examined and diagnosed after the game when he exhibited concussion symptoms.
The severity of his condition is not yet clear, and Head Coach Rob Chudzinbski will probably speak about it in Monday’s press conference.
But Weeden’s injury creates yet another question about who will play quarterback. Jason Campbell missed the Jaguar game because of a concussion he received last week against the Steelers. Brian Hoyer is out for the season with a torn ACL. If Weeden can’t play, and Campbell is still not ready, the Browns’ new acquisition, Alex Tanney, could get his first start with Cleveland.
When I say new acquisition, I mean that Tanney just rolled into town last week. The second-year QB was hired from the Dallas Cowboy’s practice squad. One of the things that made him attractive is that Dallas runs an offense similar to that of the Browns. Hopefully, if Tanney gets the nod this week, Norv Turner and Chud will be able to get him up to speed in time.
Speaking of Coach Chud, he called the 32-28 loss to Jacksonville “unacceptable.” The Browns looked like they had the game won when Josh Gordon caught a 95-yard touchdown pass with 3:55 left in the 4th quarter.
That reception made Gordon the first receiver in NFL history to have back-to-back 200-yard or more games.
But then Jacksonville got the ball back, and all the fun stopped. The 2-9 Jags worked up an 80-yard drive against Cleveland’s fourth-ranked defense that ended with a touchdown to win the game.
McManamon called the loss one of the worst since 1999. Considering all the hope and excitement that the fans have given this new coaching staff, front office, and these players this season, I might be inclined to agree.