Browns vs. Chargers: 4 keys to victory
Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets safety Calvin Pryor (25) and New York Jets linebacker Demario Davis (56) hit Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) and force a fumble during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
I really wanted to get through this post without talking about the quarterbacks. I almost made it 1,000 words, so bear with me.
There is no question that a quarterback’s play is crucial to a team’s performance. But I am not here to talk about that obvious fact.
I am here to talk about how poor play by McCown early on will have season-long implications because of a certain Mr. Manziel who serves as the backup quarterback. You may have heard of him in every Browns post written since the 2014 NFL draft.
If McCown struggles, all the focus will be on Manziel. No touchdowns and a few interceptions in the first half could lead to Manziel actually entering the game this Sunday in San Diego. It would be a detriment to his development and to the team as a whole.
There needs to be consistency at quarterback for a team that is made fun of for the lack of said consistency. Unless McCown dives head first toward defenders much larger than him like he did against the Jets, there is no reason to pull him from the game.
I wish this did not even have to be something that was talked about, but there is a general sense of fear every time McCown makes a mistake, because Manziel needs to mature. But since it’s the Browns, the logical decision will often be dismissed. Let’s hope Mike Pettine has better sense than his predecessors and sticks with the plan, which involves McCown.