Forbes says the Browns are the 22nd most valuable NFL team
August 20, 2014Mike Pettine calls out Josh Gordon for lack of effort
August 20, 2014Brian Hoyer has been named the starter for the Cleveland Browns as they head one step closer toward the start of the regular season. If you really think about it, it’s not all that surprising. The Browns basically named Brian Hoyer the starter heading into camp. Basically. Nearly. Almost. Not quite. In a lot of ways, Mike Pettine and Kyle Shanahan would have made their lives infinitely easier if they had just gone that next step and named Hoyer the starter back when the veterans reported for camp, but they seemed to want someone to prove it. That’s understandable.
It was so hard to fathom naming Brian Hoyer the starter as he was just medically cleared to compete on the field without restrictions. The Browns weren’t convinced by some combination of Brian Hoyer’s rĂ©sumĂ©, and health when they decided to trade up to take Johnny Manziel in the draft. It only makes sense that those same doubts would lead them to holding at least some semblance of a competition for the job in training camp. Imagine if they’d named Hoyer starter and then realized his knee and confidence on that knee were somehow shattered. Talk about a disaster.
So, they opened it up. Hoyer was the incumbent with a lead and they gave Johnny Manziel a chance. Unlike previous quarterback “competitions” they let Manziel work with the first team in training camp. Colt McCoy would have dreamed of having that opportunity after the Browns drafted Brandon Weeden. Brian Hoyer would have dreamed of having that chance a year ago when the Browns crowned Brandon Weeden.1 Even worse: They crowned Weeden despite a locker room that was reportedly not behind the inexperienced, aging and soon-to-be outgoing quarterback.
From the sounds of it, this regime is doing the exact opposite. Despite his struggles this training camp, the locker room appears to be behind Brian Hoyer. Based on what we’re hearing around the media, it sounds like the team thinks he’s earned “first man up” status. This is the NFL. First man up is all that’s ever guaranteed.
There’s a lot of criticism for the Browns right now, and I get it. If you don’t hold a competition and the quarterback you choose fails, you get slammed. If you do hold a competition and the quarterback you choose fails, you get slammed. The common denominator is the quarterback failing. Short of a coin flip, there’s no such thing as a perfect way to handle a murky quarterback situation. This outcome is as good as any where neither candidate steps up and earns the job definitively.
The stakes couldn’t be any higher for Brian Hoyer. If Hoyer fails, he’s staring down off-season contract talks that will closely resemble the two-year $2 million deal he’s finishing up right now. If he succeeds, he’ll be looking for Alex Smith money in the range of three years and $24 million with about $10 million in guarantees. By all measurements that matter to regular folks, Hoyer will be a rich man, but we’re talking about a multiple of at least five if he achieves even a modicum of success. You know it’s true in a league where Ryan Fitzpatrick once got $24 million guaranteed from the Bills.
I’m not elated that this is the best the Browns can do. You can’t assume anyone in Berea is elatedâeven Brian Hoyer. If Hoyer had just grabbed the job by the scrotum, it would have been easy to delineate the situation as the present versus the future. It would have been so much more fun for Pettine to say, “Nobody is a failure, it’s all just a matter of timing. We think we have two good quarterbacks.”
Instead now all we’re left with is the idea of certain failure and picking the lesser of two evils. That kind of anti-logic is supposed to be reserved for politics. Sports are supposed to be our diversion from garbage like that, but not when you’re a Cleveland Browns fan. Instead of confidence and belief in reality you’re left with hope and faith that something will appear that you’ve never had a chance to see with your own eyes. And I guess that’s another reason why they chose Brian Hoyer. Hoyer has shaken hands at the end of an NFL game having a W next to the Browns name. Boy does that feel like a long time ago, though.
Regardless, the choice has been made. The Browns had to choose someone. It’s the mandate of every NFL team. If only Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel had the common courtesy to deliver that mandate instead.
If only…
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(Photo: Scott Sargent/WFNY)
- The idea that Brandon Weeden was crowned is so ludicrous in hindsight, but I am afraid to look at the archives to see what I might have said… [↩]
27 Comments
Nice work, Craig. The worst nightmare for the Browns (and Hoyer) is if Hoyer does “okay,” and maybe wins a few games, but doesn’t look good doing it. Then what? Which is why I wish they had just gone with Manziel from the start.
Now, just for fun, can we see the article you wrote for the “Manziel named starter” contingency?
All along this story has felt very Alex Smith/Colin Kaepernick-like. Hopefully Hoyer can hold down the fort until Johnny is truly ready, and then the Browns will have an asset.
The most interesting commentary I heard was that when camp started, the team was about 50/50, with the veterans in favor of Hoyer, and the young guys in favor of Johnny. As camp has progressed, the younger guys have come around and backed Hoyer as well. I don’t think it’s a knock on Johnny; I think it was a realization for the young guys which the veterans already knew that the NFL is much, much harder than college, and Brian Hoyer is far more ready for that now than Johnny Manziel can be as a rookie.
I also think that the analysis is right: The job was Hoyer’s, with an outside chance for Johnny to take it if either Hoyer’s ACL wasn’t up to snuff or if Manziel was just that incredible. They also probably figured that Hoyer would make it easy for them from a PR standpoint, though unfortunately that didn’t happen.
This is Cleveland. If Hoyer wins three games by throwing three picks and needing a fake FG and punt, wins a 17-6 defensive battle, and starts a game that someone else wins after he leaves in middle, people would still anoint him as Hometown Hero. Not that that’s ever happened…
All seriousness, the Browns would need to lose with Hoyer being poor at QB for him to lose the job, especially with this D making games close. If he wins games 17-13, there’s no nightmare for the Browns. If they’re losing 13-3, then Hoyer probably deserves to lose the job anyway, but at least Manziel has had more time to sit and learn. (And the stadium won’t be empty.)
But this is also Cleveland, where the starting QB can “sort of” lead a team to a 10-6 record, all the while having everyone chant for the 1st round pick to play instead. Not that that’s ever happened . . .
I think whoever the QB is they’ll be 6-10. The silver lining: two first round picks next year in a draft that will feature much better QB potentials then this past one.
Agree with all of this, Craig, but think there’s an additional factor at play: the Browns have known that they would be the first people in Johnny’s young and charmed life to attempt to interrupt his rich boy/star athlete sense of entitlement.
A part of me thinks this competition was rigged for Johnny to lose and hopefully prod him into serious and sustained professional athlete habits.
It won’t necessarily work. We can’t assume the Browns can do what his parents and Texas A &M couldn’t wouldn’t do or couldn’t do. Nothing so far has shocked Josh Gordon into responsible behavior. Gerard Warren didn’t even try to give effort until his big rookie contract expired. Even if this makes Johnny toe a more professional line, that can disappear with some success. The Browns went into this eyes wide open. This will be interesting only if he is actually a good QB, but even if he is I’d prefer straight on-field stuff, less side show.
Did you just compare Manziel/Hoyer to Smith/Kaepernick?
Sigh… yes I did.
Feels more like a choice between Colt McCoy and Charlie Frye to me đ
Time will tell, but I think Manziel’s potential is comparable to a Kaepernick. If Hoyer can be Alex Smith meanwhile, I’d happily take it…
(On the serious side I meant the story more than the skills.)
Wasn’t that story, gee both these guys are *really* good, it’s tough to pick one? Whereas our story is, neither of these guys look very good, do we have to pick one?
mmmm…..Alex Smith was considered a long time underachiever/bust barely able to keep his head above water and hold on to the job. And despite the teams success, Kaepernick isn’t superman, that’s a run-first offense where he picks his spots.
I think Hoyer/Manziel is only slightly less promising than Smith/Kaepernick was at the time.
I thought it was “hey, why’d they draft that guy, the other guy looked solid enough, shouldn’t they get him more WRs?”, followed by that guy playing solid ball to give it more time, then suddenly the young, athletic dude taking over.
Not, gee we have one QB on the roster who is coming off of two games and an injury that 7 years ago would have been career-ending, we’d better have a plan b? đ
??? Alex Smith led the 49ers to the NFC championship the year before. If he was treading water then our quarterbacks are trying to weigh anchor on the Titanic… 75 years AFTER sinking.
Colin Kaepernick on line 2!
we could always bench Hoyer at halftime of week1 vs. Pittsburgh, then trade him the next day. not that anything similar has ever happened.
Booooo…..and I’m not even going to allow for a Boo-urrns turn on it. It is Boooo.
(and mostly because it could end up that way but I desperately hope it will not)
Look, I know Manziel is a rich kid, star athlete who undoubtedly has more than his fair share of things given to him throughout his life. But he was red-shirted his first year at A&M and won the job in an open competition once Tannehill left. If you look at his high school career too, you’ll see someone who earned his playing time.
The guy hasn’t just been handed his success. He’s worked hard for it. I know people prefer the simpler “spoiled, entitled rich kid” storyline, but the facts just don’t bear that out imo.
I get the concerns about him. and I can see how a Manziel/Gordon comparison makes some sense in terms of off-field buffoonery, but what I don’t get is comparing his work ethic to that of Gerard Warren.
To me, the question isn’t about him working hard enough or wanting it. It’s about him not being a knucklehead and growing up off field.
don’t disagree. Didn’t mean to imply he’s never had to fight off athletic competition. What I mean is it appears he’s yet to face consequences for not giving his all or being mature. I’ve had a smattering of exposure to privileged kids like this .. honestly, this rant I’d like to make is too much for the comment section. I do get your point.
Ah, okay. I agree.
I know a lot has been made of it in a lot of different ways, but Manziel’s reaction to being told he got caught flipping the bird told me a whole lot about him.
After two plus years of TMZ and nonstop media coverage, the dude still does not realize that cameras are on him during a nationally broadcasted game of the National Football League. That’s such a colossal level of disconnect that it’s hard to even fathom. Even the anti-Manziel crowd apparently vastly underestimated how out of touch he is.
So yeah, he could definitely use some consequences and do some growing up. Going to be a project for sure.
that was basically his first good season though
http://i1.wp.com/www.diehardsport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Screen-Shot-2014-08-21-at-12.10.19-AM.png
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obviously you all have missed the point…….Johnny is a complete bust………. great college quarterback and that’s it…….Browns should trade this non Cleveland type player to the cowboy or raiders and take a 5th round pick and smile all the way………..
Sorry, but, I see ZERO upside here with Brian Hoyer as a Browns’ QB, much less the starter. With the way the BROWNS are playing in this pre-season, even Peyton Manning couldn’t get a win out of the next 3 games….and maybe not even (1) win the rest of this season.
I’m not really “convinced” that Brian Hoyer’s right knee (ACL tear) is really 100%. Sam Bradford & RGIII both came back too soon…so did Hoyer. But, Hoyer is desperate and knows if he loses the starting QB job to Johnny Manziel…and I believe this is inevitable…Hoyer knows his NFL career is done. 3 really brutal games coming up with very tough defenses. Hoyer doesn’t move around in the pocket well…and with the way the O-line & receivers are playing, the Browns really need a mobile QB who can extend plays in order to have any success on offense & that QB is not Hoyer.
This article is ridiculous…saying if Hoyer succeeds, he’ll be in the Alex Smith salary range and earn $24 million. Hoyer has been in the NFL for 5 seasons…a back-up QB to 3 other teams. He has passed for a total of 9 TDs & 8 INTs….and that interception he threw vs. the Rams will go down as one of the TOP 10 interceptions in NFL history…..4 Rams were around Miles Austin when Hoyer threw that pass. Hoyer has had many chances. WHY do you think those other 3 NFL teams released Hoyer? The 3rd string QB who played for the Rams the other night played better than Brian. Why does anyone really believe that “suddenly”, Brian Hoyer has become this GREAT NFL QB???
Oh, I realize that Johnny Manziel would be well served to remain the back-up for the remainder of the year…but, giving Hoyer game reps with the 1s is almost an exercise in futility…what’s to gain? Manziel needs game reps with the 1s…so he can get up to speed and be prepared for NEXT year. Regardless of who is at QB for the Browns this year, I don’t see them winning more than 2 or 3 games at best. This season needs to be a re-building year…get players ready for next year and hope that the next year’s draft will bring maybe a top WR onboard & hopefully, Josh Gordon will be back in the game.
GO BROWNS!
I totally disagree, Ezzie. Have you watched Brian play this pre-season. You really believe he’s “ready”??? Brian Hoyer is NOT a veteran QB…he’s just been IN the NFL for 5 seasons (as a back-up) for 3 other NFL teams. He has now started 4 games, lost 2 of them. Total TD passes – 9. Total Interceptions – 8. Manziel looked really sharp in the Rams game…very accurate passing and velocity on every throw.
All this talk about which players back which QB is BS. Who the starting QB is for the Browns is NOT the player’s decision. But, I AM a bit suspect that “some” of the players have not been playing full-speed when Manziel has been in the games….because, they want to see Brian Hoyer succeed. What a mess.
Manziel is NOW playing better than Hoyer…..Hoyer knows it and Pettine knows it……most of the fans know it too. Think about this, Johnny Manziel SHOULD be a Junior in college…and he’s better than Brian Hoyer…who’s been in the NFL for 5 seasons. Hoyer looked terrible vs. the Rams. The only reason he was able to make that (1) TD pass is because, the Browns kick-off returner returned the ball 68 yds. to set up a short field for Hoyer. Hoyer didn’t move the ball all night.
I’m afraid Hoyer’s going to end up like Sam Bradford. Hoyer is playing way too soon on that right leg where he tore his ACL. One bad hit and Hoyer is done. But, I don’t think THAT’s the reason Johnny Manziel wins the starting QB job soon…..the Browns have 3 of their toughest games of the season coming up…Hoyer will demonstrate WHY he’s not the guy for the job.
Jim……WRONG! Manziel is now playing better than Hoyer. And, when you think about it….Johnny Manziel SHOULD be a Junior in college. You Johnny Manziel doubters and Haters (who are Cleveland fans) don’t deserve to have Manziel on your team. How can you consider Manziel “a complete bust” when he’s only played parts of a couple of pre-season games….and like I said, he’s playing BETTER than Hoyer. Hoyer looked awful vs. the Rams!!! The BROWNS don’t deserve to have Manziel.