Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Since the Cleveland Browns returned to the city of Cleveland in 1999, they have easily been one of the league’s more irrelevant franchises. Only one playoff appearance since their return speaks loudly in two areas. One, management has been poor and coaching turnover has been way to frequent. The other would be the lack of a franchise quarterback.
The Browns decided to take a big risk when drafting quarterback Johnny Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft. I mean, every draft pick is a risk, but with Manziel’s persona and troubled past it didn’t seem to bode well for the position he plays. Of course you want your franchise quarterback to have a big and accurate arm, with mobility to make plays with his feet. What people tend to forget is how that player also needs to be able to command a huddle and an organization.
Johnny was immature. That isn’t a recipe for success in the NFL at the quarterback position. Is Andrew Luck immature? How about Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? Nope. Not only are they talented pocket passers, but they are outstanding leaders and the epitome of professionalism.
The team realized they couldn’t head into the 2015 season with their stock completely invested in Manziel, so they decided to sign veteran journeyman quarterback, Josh McCown. Will we see the 2013 McCown that boasted a 109 passer rating in eight games with the Chicago Bears, or the one who was a career backup for a plethora of teams?
This positional group is easily the most fascinating on the team. So what do we have with this current group of Browns quarterbacks? Well, let’s delve into it. Here is my breakdown of the Cleveland Browns quarterback position heading into the 2015 season.
Next: Josh McCown
Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) throws a pass during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Josh McCown
Unfortunately, there seems to be no quarterback competition this season as head coach Mike Pettine named free agent acquisition Josh McCown the starter back in May. So what should we expect out of McCown this season?
Let me be blunt about this: besides eight starts in 2013, McCown has been a tire fire in his NFL career. With a career passer rating of 76.1 and almost as many touchdowns as interceptions, I just don’t know how anyone could expect much from him this season. There are only two reasons this move to anoint McCown the starter makes any sense.
One, they hope he can rekindle some of his magic from 2013, when he threw 13 touchdowns to just one interception in Marc Trestman’s offense – not to mention, three games where he hovered around the 350-yard passing plateau. It very well could be a fluke stretch, but hey, why not take a flyer on the possibility of him replicating it?
Related: Mike Pettine: Josh McCown is Browns QB1 For Now
Another reason has to do with the immaturity of Manziel. After a disastrous rookie season, and his recent rehab stint, how could they trust Manziel to be their starting quarterback week one? McCown, to me, serves almost as an insurance policy, knowing that he’s a veteran player who understands what comes with the position.
Like I wrote in my first piece, I think the offensive line is the key to this offense. If the Browns can run the football successfully on first down and keep McCown out of third-and-long situations, I think he fits the mold as more of a game manager.
At the end of the day, I think he plays about half the season and struggles, leading to the call for Manziel to step in and get experience at the position. I just don’t think McCown has much success considering his very underwhelming resume.
Next: Johnny Manziel
May 26, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) during organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Johnny Manziel
Johnny seems different this year. Now, I’m not sold on his style of running around and trying to make plays, but at least his attitude has changed. Remember last season when he said he wouldn’t change for anyone? Well, that arrogant response must have upset the football gods because Manziel’s rookie season was a train wreck.
He was mocked by opponents, and embarrassed himself both on and off the field with his actions. Leading to just 35 passing attempts and a 42 passer rating in the five games he appeared in. I personally think he will be much better in 2015, and I’ll tell you why.
Related: Browns 2015 Position Preview: Running Backs
I’m a big fan of body language and presentation. How people present themselves means a lot to me when sizing someone up. When Manziel checked himself into rehab this offseason, and told the media he is giving up the money sign, I saw growth. I saw a more mature Johnny.
I’m not saying he will all of a sudden turn himself into a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback, but he presents himself as a more coachable individual both on and off the field, rather than the brat he portrayed himself to be last season.
Could the drafting of Manziel been an attention grab more than anything else? Probably. Ownership knew it would increase excitement and jersey sales, and it did just that. I’m not sold that Pettine wanted the drafting of Manziel, but at some point this season he will get his shot. Sooner rather than later in my opinion because, after all, he was a first-round pick.
Next: The Other Guys
Jun 16, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Connor Shaw (9) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Thaddeus Lewis (3) during minicamp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Other Guys
If the Browns have to rely on either Thaddeus Lewis or Connor Shaw this season, you know something went terribly wrong. Both quarterbacks are considered reclamation projects rather than starting quarterbacks, with very limited NFL experience.
As a rookie last season Shaw saw time under center for Cleveland where he started one game as an undrafted free agent. Coming out of college, he wasn’t considered by many as anything close to a starting quarterback at the NFL level, and it still baffles me why the Browns have decided to keep his services.
Related: Browns 2015 Position Review: Wide Receivers
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Lewis on the other hand, has been in the league since 2010 when he went undrafted out of Duke University. He’s bounced around just about everywhere and this is his second stint with the Browns. He’s shown to be a viable backup quarterback with his limited snaps both with the Buffalo Bills in 2013 and Cleveland in 2012.
I personally do not see them keeping both Lewis and Shaw. I think Shaw has so much developing to do that keeping him as the third-string quarterback makes little sense. Lewis has been around for quite sometime, and seems like the more trustworthy option if need be.
How do you see the quarterback situation working out for the Browns?