Cleveland Browns: Week 8 NFL power rankings
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns have plenty of problems, as their 0-7 record indicate, but apparently all anyone cares about is the quarterback situation.
Cleveland Browns fans may not have heard, but their favorite team has used a lot of quarterbacks this season.
The number is officially at five – Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler, Charlie Whitehurst and Kevin Hogan – with wide receiver Terrelle Pryor thrown in for good measure.
We bring this up as the quarterback situation seems to be the only talking point surrounding the team, at least at it concerns the weekly power rankings. Not a running game that is currently second in the league in yards per carry (5.1), or the fact that Danny Shelton may be playing at a Pro Bowl level, or that the defense is on pace to set a franchise record for most points allowed in a 16-game season.
Since it is Cleveland it is all about the quarterback.
Cameron DaSilva at Fox Sports:
"No. 32: Cleveland has always been a quarterback carousel, but this season is taking that term to new heights – or lows. They’ve used five quarterbacks this season and for as bad as the team is as a whole, they’ve hung in games and at least been competitive. They’re 0-7 but it’s unlikely they finish the year winless. (Pittsburgh No. 9, Cincinnati No. 19, Baltimore No. 21)"
Chris Simms at Bleacher Report:
"No. 31: Are you a living, breathing human being currently living in the Cleveland area?Then congratulations! You’re eligible to play quarterback for the Browns next week. Chances are they’ll need you to start.I hate docking head coach Hue Jackson in what has been a laughably tragic inaugural season. But for crying out loud! Kevin Hogan is the sixth Browns QB this season. No team has had that many throwers in the first seven games of a season since 1987.I didn’t even address the defense. A.J. Green’s end-of-half Hail Mary catch should tell you everything you need to know about the bad-luck Browns. (Pittsburgh No. 11, Cincinnati No. 14, Baltimore No. 22)"
"No. 32: When is the last time a quarterback ran for over 100 yards in a game while throwing for 100 yards or less? Browns QB Kevin Hogan’s 104-yard rushing outburst Sunday (he threw for exactly 100 yards) was the first such game of the NFL season. In fact, it marked only the eighth time since 1960 that a quarterback pulled off that feat. It’s also the only time since 1960 that a quarterback rushed for over 100 yards in his first career action. Wow. Oh, the Browns are 0-7. (Pittsburgh No. 12, Cincinnati No. 19, Baltimore No. 23)"
ESPN:
"No. 32: Six Browns have thrown a pass this season. The researchers at Elias Sports Bureau say the last team in a non-strike year that had six players throw a pass in the first seven games: the 1976 Buccaneers, who went 0-14. The 0-7 Browns are halfway there and host the Jets this week. (Pittsburgh No. 8, Cincinnati No. 13, Baltimore No. 21)"
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"No. 31: Speaking of 0-16, there aren’t many obvious spots for the Browns to get their first win this season. Sunday against the Jets might be one of the best chances they’ll get the rest of the way. (Pittsburgh No. 10, Cincinnati No. 17, Baltimore No. 21)"