Browns vs. Jets: 5 players to watch on Sunday
By Thomas Moore
Aug 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve all heard the plan for the Browns offense this season: run the ball, don’t make mistakes, let the defense do the heavy lifting and, above all, minimize the importance of the quarterback position.
That is all well and good, but at some point quarterback Josh McCown – the 13th different quarterback to start an opener for the Browns since 1999 – will have to do his part.
McCown doesn’t have to be spectacular by any stretch, he just has to avoid making mistakes and not try to do too much. Especially on Sunday against a New York defense that features Darrell Revis at cornerback. Get the offense in and out of the huddle in a timely fashion, don’t do too much, trust your line and running game, and good things should happen.
“I think Josh gives the offense some stability and some calm in that he is going to get us into the right play and protection,” DeFilippo said. “Most every look he has seen, he has seen before in his career. That gives us a sense of comfort that Josh is going to go out there and perform well.
“I told all of our guys this morning, no one needs to go out and play like Superman for us to win this game on Sunday. Just go out and do your job, and we will be just fine.”
It all sounds good on paper; now it is up to McCown and the offense to deliver.
“I have not dealt with that pressure from the Browns standpoint, but I have dealt with that pressure ever since you strap the helmet and cleats and play quarterback,” McCown said. When you decide to play quarterback that is part of it. The beauty of what we have in our locker room is that we are a team and we know that we are going to go out and win ball games together.
“It gives me confidence going into games going out – I don’t need to overreach or step outside of myself. Just let the game come to me and do my part to help this team win football games.”
While Sunday won’t make or break the season, winning the opener for a team that is 1-14 on opening day since 1999 would be nice, especially since the Browns really need to come out of the first quarter of the season no worse than 2-2.