Jacoby Brissett 3 biggest strengths will keep Cleveland Browns in contention
By John Suchan
Despite the recent suspension of Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns have a good quarterback in Jacoby Brissett to fill in and keep them in contention
The Cleveland Browns learned this week that franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson would be suspended for the first six games of the regular season. It’s definitely a decision that will affect the team’s plans going into the year.
However, they’ve been preparing for some type of suspension which is why they picked up three other quarterbacks this offseason including Jacoby Brissett. The veteran quarterback will now take over as the starter until Week 7.
While Brissett isn’t a household name, he’s a good quarterback who has stepped into other situations in the past and played well. It will be important that Brissett rely on his strengths as he takes the lead role. Let’s take a look now at those strengths of Brissett and see why fans of the Browns should be optimistic as Week 1 approaches.
3 strengths of Brissett will help Cleveland Browns contend
Jacoby Brissett strength No. 3: He’s a big and athletic player
Many who haven’t followed Brissett’s career might be surprised to know he’s 6-foot-4 and 240-pounds. Playing in the AFC North Division where it’s important to have not only an athletic quarterback but one that also has height and strength too will help Brissett stay upright in the backfield.
No, he isn’t fleet of foot, like the guy he’s substituting for over these next two months, but he’ll be able to do other things athletically for this team.
When Cleveland needs three or four yards for a first down, if the play calls for the quarterback to try and get the yardage needed, Brissett is excellent at using his huge frame and power to drive forward through tackles to gain that extra yard or two.
You aren’t going to see Brissett falling backward but rather falling forward.
Cleveland hasn’t had too many tall and powerful quarterbacks. If you go back and look at past Browns quarterbacks in recent memory the team had Brandon Weeden at quarterback who was 6-3 but he wasn’t as powerful in the lower body as Brissett. Cleveland also had DeShone Kizer a few years ago. The 6-foot-4 235-pound former Notre Dame quarterback had the size but not the skill set to make it in the NFL.
You look at the Pittsburgh Steelers and who have they had at the quarterback position for years? That’s right a tall and powerful quarterback named Ben Roethlisberger who was always a struggle to sack in the backfield. He stood 6-5 and 240 and had the ability to stay upright because of his ability to absorb hits on sack attempts.