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January 28, 2016The Cleveland Browns finished another disappointing and dysfunctional season in 2015, ending the season tied for the worst record in the NFL at 3-13. This past season brought on a lot of change, including a whole new front office led by Sashi Brown and Paul DePodesta and a new coaching staff led by head coach Hue Jackson. With the changes, the franchise has brought out new hope to their fanbase.
Over the course of the next couple weeks, I will take a look at what the Browns have going into the really important offseason, examining through each position of the team. The first position we will take a look at is the most important, the quarterback spot.
Quarterbacks on the Roster
- Johnny Manziel
- Josh McCown
- Austin Davis
- Pat Devlin (Restricted Free Agent)
- Connor Shaw
Recap of 2015 Season
The Browns once again had a season where they were forced to play three quarterbacks. But, the problems in the season were centered on the quarterback spot like the past few seasons. The quarterback spot was not the problem. But, it still was not good enough.
The opening game starter was Josh McCown. McCown played in eight games, completing 63.7% of his passes for 2109 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. In an offense with little to no running game, McCown played solidly. He was able to get the ball to the few playmakers the offense had, allowing Travis Benjamin and Gary Barnidge to have big years. He was a quarterback who ran the system and gave experience to a very young offense. McCown was troublesome in the pocket sometimes, holding onto the ball too long and making some bad decisions. But, overall he was a solid starter who was able to move the ball and allow his playmakers to get the ball.
Johnny Manziel on the field and off the field was erratic. In nine games, he completed 57.8% of his passes for 1500 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also added 230 yards on the ground. Manziel showed improvement from his rookie season, throwing with better accuracy and showing better football intelligence. He seemed to improve during the season, but late in the season it seemed the whole train fell off the tracks. The off field transgressions started to arise, while his play started to plateau. At the end of the day, Manziel just did not do well enough to fix the big problems that plagued him, his footwork, decision-making and off field character. His season ended once again in a down swing.
Austin Davis was average in three games this season. He completed 59.6% of his passes for 547 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Davis showed what he is, a backup quarterback. He had glimpses of good and then glimpses of bad. He is a player who will be a solid option as a backup quarterback. Connor Shaw is another player who could be a solid option as a backup quarterback, but he might not be around to be that after missing the season with an injury. Pat Devlin is simply not a NFL-level quarterback and is likely not to return next season.
The quarterback spot was not the overall problem this season. It was a position where the player did not singularly harm the team. But, it still was not at the level the franchise needed. The search for the franchise quarterback continues.
2015 Season Grade: C
Offseason To Do List
- Get rid of Johnny Manziel
Johnny Manziel needs to go. His time with the Browns has been tumultuous with most of the headlines coming from his off-field doings rather than on-field. He is not a professional and has shown that he quite frankly is not a quality starting quarterback. The Browns just need to cut ties with the headline maker.
- Go all out to find their franchise quarterback
Yes, this has been the main focus for the Browns since 1999. But after another failing attempt with Johnny Manziel, the Browns need to once again go all out to find their franchise quarterback. Whether they use their No. 2 pick or a later one, the team must evaluate the quarterbacks in the draft to investigate if one of them can be their man. Some of the top names the team may consider in the draft are Jared Goff or Carson Wentz. In free agency, the Browns could have a few options to look at—say Robert Griffin III if he is released or Sam Bradford. But, no matter how they go about it, the Browns need to go all out to find their franchise signal caller.
- Keep Josh McCown
Josh McCown was a solid quarterback this season. With not much talent around him, he was able to move the ball and a score points for the Browns. He is a perfect veteran quarterback to have as a mentor and a bridge quarterback to whomever the Browns choose to be their future quarterback. McCown has everything a coach looks for in a backup quarterback in the NFL.
38 Comments
Depending on how they work out, I’d be ok with a QB at #2, but no way, no how, should we put together some outrageous package of picks in order to move up to #1.
And I have no doubt that current GMs around the league will be trying to pull a Butch Davis on our rookie FO.
“manziel had 7 td’s & 5 receivers” ?? i am guessing your wife / girlfriend walked by you totally naked , winked at you & gave you “that look” when you were at that point in your article … happens every time with me. *smile*
hi Joe … let’s say the browns take a QB at #2 overall … should he play right away ? will hue want to play him right away ? is the best way to learn on the bench , or by playing , like mariota , winston , bridgewater & carr ?
i personally think whoever we take at #2 needs to contribute right away … even if it’s at QB.
hi RGB … i can see our new gurus liking some QB later in the 1st round or later in the draft … i can see us trading down to acquire more picks , but not trading up …. and sashi has already come out & said as much.
I’d wager they will go a new route and carry 4 QB on the roster next season, with 2 developmental players.
Just a hunch.
MKC thinks we should trade up to 1, packaging our 32 and more in order to do it….Bahahaha
Accuracy through quantity.
I like it, but it doesn’t sound very analytically efficient.
This hasn’t worked regardless of whomever is doing it. The time has come for this team to pick the first QB in a draft class rather then one who is leftover for a reason. Besides the fact that no single one player is going to turn this team around next year. So in my book take the QB you feel is best and groom him accordingly.
Go into season with McCown, Manziel and drafted QB. Start manziel, drafted QB can start in 2017
She’s been hanging out with Gordon too long…
maybe , just maybe , our new gurus will think that someone other than goff , lynch or wentz is THE guy … you never know. i’m okay with taking a QB at #2.
hi NATE … do you really think manziel will even be here next year ?
Let’s just hope our Harvard boys don’t over think this one. Sit at No 2 and take Goff or Wentz. One of them will be there. Tell the Titans, Cowboys and Niners to GFT.
I would be okay with the opening day starter being McCown, with the overall plan being to have his replacement in the wings. Unless, we get someone in that blows the doors off. Either way, #2 pick has to be a homerun for this regime. There is a running gag about the Browns drafting in round 1, and whether these new guys like it or not, they are deemed responsible for every failure the Browns have ever had. This year has to be great…
good post …
Or if he’s really lucky, they both did. *big smile*
OBVIOUSLY, the reason for hiring Hue was to get Pryor back on the field at QB.
Who knows. I think we need to worry less about what he is doing off the field if he is successful on the field. As long as he is not breaking the law, let him play.
Manziel is gone, period.
Amen.
That’s quite a standard. Btw we already know what he’s doing off the field as there have already been reports of him in a bar/club in Dallas. I might be wrong but I’d think for a person supposedly in recovery that’s one of the last places he should be but who cares it’s not illegal or anything.
I just don’t see it in Wentz but much like Goff I’m waiting for much more information.
Bad draft to have a top 5 let alone top 2 pick IMO. Go figure. If no QB presents himself as a possible franchise player then they should trade down because regardless of whomever is drafted at #2 overall the chances of them having any significant impact are low.
Where the Browns Stands: Quarterbacks — a live look in:
https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/2701962/dumpster-garbage-fire-gif.0.gif
Seriously…I’m okay if they take a quarterback at 2, 32, 64, 99, 138 etc…take an effing QB at every spot until you hit on one.
Works for the Buckeyes.
I think it depends on the quarterback they draft. Goff seems to be able to play right away while Wentz may need a year
If Manziel isn’t under consideration for you as a long-term solution, there’s no benefit to keeping him instead of Davis as the third guy (behind McCown and the drafted guy), and a ton of downside to having him remain on the roster.
help is on the way !! …
yes, the fireman are sashi , depodesta , berry & hue … our heroes.
Edit: “Where the Browns Stained: Quarterbacks.”
Actually dedicated more resources to a position of more importance aligns analytically, IMO.
http://awesomelyamazing.com/now-that-is-funny/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/1357081368933618.jpg
One of reasons why I believe Wentz is going to the Cowboys (he can sit behind Romo).
Pryor w/ Manziel backing him up, sign RGIII, draft Braxton Miller. Keep Devlin for ST and just in case of injury.
Then, unleash the 4-QB offense where all QBs can also run and catch!!!
Yes! http://24.media.tumblr.com/713dca8d7ce51f59919370f1d8d98e4a/tumblr_mgfb77EA9B1rldcgyo1_500.gif
Precious.
I would be fine with Keeping Manziel another year if only because as an Old Bad Team we really cant get much worse, and when hes actually playing the games are far more watchable than replacement level quarterbacking.
While I may not agree with his decision to go out on the town every night if its just partying (assuming he stops missing concussion checkups) I don’t see any reason to cut him
IMO It just makes sense to pay a premium for a QB prospect(either of our top 2 picks this year) only if they are either a sure thing OR they can get you to the playoffs that year, neither of which seems true. That said if Goff or Wentz was a value pick/draft slider to 32 I wouldn’t hate it either.
Connor Shaw should get a look at. He fits the description that Hue Jackson gave for what he’s looking for in players. Hard Working motivated players. Shaw is you guy and if you give him some reps and let him play he can be the guy your looking for. Imagine if, after all the draft picks and all the drama with the QB position in Cleveland, a Undrafted Free Agent became the QB that saved the Browns. It would be insane.