Ohio State beats Michigan: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
November 29, 2016All the video highlights from Ohio State’s fifth straight win in “The Game”
November 29, 2016The Cleveland Browns mercifully have entered their bye in Week 13 of the 2016 NFL season. The previous 12 weeks have not produced a win. Most recent weeks have seen the remaining glimmers of hope on the offensive side of the team fade away as injuries, inconsistency, and a general lack of proficiency of any sort have ruled. There is one burning question though as full health might return to the quarterback position for the first time since Week 1. If both Cody Kessler and Robert Griffin III are able to play, then who will start at quarterback against the Cincinnati Bengals after the bye?
Oddly enough, the quarterbacks could not be more different in skillsets. The strengths of one are the weaknesses of the other. Under the guidance of some offenses, the answer would be obvious. However, head coach Hue Jackson has shown an ability over the years (and even during this trying season) to mold his offenses to the skillset of the quarterback behind center, which makes the question even more intriguing.
Mobility
Starting right guard John Greco has joined starting left guard Joel Bitonio on the Injured Reserve list. The depth of the Browns offensive line has demonstrated no proclivity for filling the void left by those no longer playing. Having a quarterback who is capable of avoiding undeterred pass rushers is at a premium. Having a quarterback who is capable of giving additional rushing yards to a team without ability to block for a traditional rushing attack can further assist an offense.
RG3 is, by far, the more mobile quarterback. Kessler has good pocket mobility, but he is not a true threat to run. Hue Jackson went as far as inserting Kevin Hogan as a Wildcat QB when Kessler was starting and there was a need for non-traditional rushing. Griffin, at his best, can be both the passing and running quarterback.
Arm Strength
The Browns invested heavily in upgrading their receiving options from 2015. Most notably, Terrelle Pryor was trusted as a true receiving option, and a first-round pick was utilized to select Corey Coleman. Both receivers are better deep-route threats than short-route targets. Well, at least hypothetically as with McCown and Kessler starting most games, the long game has not been used to the extent that it could have been.
All that could change under the direction of RG3. Griffin has many faults, but Griffin proved with DeSean Jackson in Washington that he has the arm strength to sling those passes over a defense. Even the threat of these throws is another way that could help the struggling rushing attack as the threat of Griffin going over the top could worry opposing defensive co-ordinators to keep a safety back rather than in the box.
Accuracy
Despite the potential of the big, athletic receiver going deep, there is a reason Terrelle Pryor had his breakout game with Cody Kessler at quarterback. Kessler had elite accuracy in his throws. The result is that receivers are granted the chance to accumulate yards after the catch and they are not as often led into big hits by opposing defensive backs as they are left defenseless while adjusting to off-target throws. Additionally, Duke Johnson and Gary Barnidge are among the better receiving options on the team and both routes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. If Kessler can find a way to keep the safeties more honest, then his abilities in the short-to-midrange area of the field can be lethal.
Griffin does not possess this ability. Deep passes require less perfect placement as receivers can adjust to the ball in flight. Shorter throws expose even the smallest inaccuracies especially when dealing with defenses who understand the quarterback will not have time to allow the deep routes to develop.
Awareness
There are multiple facets to a quarterback having awareness. One portion is being able to break down defenses pre-snap and post-snap to determine where to throw the football. Another is the ability to feel a rush and move within the pocket, while still keeping eyes downfield on the receivers running routes.
Griffin, for all his mobility, has not shown a proclivity for keeping his helmet focused downfield once he starts moving from the pocket. His eyes search for running rather than passing lanes, which allows intelligent defenses to converge. RG3’s inability to break down defenses was also part of his demise in Washington that saw him drop to emergency quarterback behind both Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy. He only played in Week 1 for the Browns, but neither that start nor his preseason work demonstrated that his tendencies are changing under Hue Jackson’s direction.
Kessler is not perfect in awareness. He still needs to learn to throw receivers open rather than rely on separation. He will hold onto the ball too long when a defense makes him unsure of his reads, which has led him into more sacks. But, Kessler has shown that he is capable of breaking down defenses and his ability to remain Calm in the Cauldron1 is an important tool.
Development
In the lost season that is the 2016 Cleveland Browns, the real question comes down to development. Can the veteran RG3 develop further than what he has shown as a starting quarterback in the NFL to prove he is worth his 2017 option? Can the rookie Kessler overcome his weaknesses to become the Browns quarterback of the future? If neither quarterback is the answer, then who is the player that will help the rest of the offense develop furthest?
Hue Jackson and the Browns coaching staff is on the clock to make a decision for Week 13. Who do you want to be starting?
- ITP’s Mark Schofield uses that term to describe quarterbacks who remain focused downfield despite a rush around them. [↩]
31 Comments
My recommendation: Pick a QB we don’t like too much, because they’re going to be getting hit a lot. There’s no point in trying to win a game this year, we should be instead trying to preserve any investments we can.
hi DAVE … tell that to Hue.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/767caa379532d8e7987ace5593d2e0ca1d49c4eee58c910ba40ef15516c6ab79.gif
i would rather see Kessler in there , but he’s already had 2 concussions this year … let RGIII takes a few lumps the rest of the way. i think we know what Kessler can do … and i think many over here are right … at worst , Kessler will be a fine back-up QB. RGIII was brought in to be the starter , put him in there.
O-line : i’d like to see what Shon Coleman or Jonathan Cooper can do … Erving , with Alvin Bailey next to him would be downright scary.
there was talk about the bye week in week 13 … imo , it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Browns … everyone from Haslam to the waterboy needs a mental break. i think the time & effort spent , only to be at 0-12 has to be majorly disappointing for all.
their best chance to win , regardless of the opponent , may be right after the bye week.
RG3. I’m done with Kessler for the year. I get it, he’s not bad. But I don’t want the Browns to fall into the trap of thinking they have something.
Also, his brain is going to melt out of his ears if he is concussed again.
I must call out the misleading headline, and the wishful thinkling behind it.
Given the further weakened state of an already epically awful O-line, given that Griffin is fragile, limited in reading defenses and lousy at avoiding big hits, given that Kessler is slight, holds the ball too long and was already concussed twice in the past month, given that McCown is staggering to his career finish line like Rocky at the end of Rocky III … Folks, we’re probably going to see all 3 again this season. Plus Hogan, or Hoban, or whatever his name is.
Yep. Pretty perfect situation for Johnny and his bros to stagger in about 12:17, burp, stretch a little, and do his chicken-sans-head thing for a few hours. At least that would focus the carpet-bagging broadcast team on a subject dear to their little hearts and create a bunch of new viewer drinking games.
RGIII. We might as well find out if he can play given all the doubts about him, but also his potential. We have nothing to lose. Kessler is a career backup and McCown is finished.
LMAO at “Season’s Beatings” !!
Lets see for RG3 is worth keeping around next year… Play him and if he plays smart and stays healthy then maybe you keep him… But, if RG3 plays reckless like history has shown, you cut him…
http://nflspinzone.com/2016/11/28/cleveland-browns-hue-jackson-cannot-go-back-to-cody-kessler-in-2016/
Thank you for posting that. It makes a very good argument against Kessler.
The beatings will continue until morale improves…or apathy washes its warmth over all of us. (Hey, we’re close!)
What the hell—might as well run with RGIII. That glassman hasn’t taken his share of lumps this year. Time to earn your pay (in some sick way I suppose)
harsh (but I’m chuckling)
this article implies that Kessler is stunting the growth of everyone else on offense … not so sure i agree with that. it certainly isn’t Kessler’s fault that he was thrust into the starter’s role.
as above , it’s not Kessler’s fault he ended-up being the starter … the Browns best chances to win came in his early starts … and we all know he didn’t play like a rookie (making bad decisions & turning the ball over) … sure , he may not be “the guy” , but i think he deserves a little bit of credit
i would say it is the O-line that is stunting the offenses growth … not Kessler.
Most of Bob’s good performances in DC came with Hankerson and Santana. Jackson didn’t arrive until the Knee-Brace Era of his career in 2013. Anyway, the guy can throw it. I don’t think that’s ever been argued against.
https://media.giphy.com/media/2ewfG9FR3NKiA/giphy.gif
Agreed. I think he explains pretty well that Kessler isn’t a bust but rather isn’t equipped at this point in his career to be a benefit to the development of the other players on O. He would be better served to focus on regaining his health and working on football technique issues in the off season prepared to compete next spring. I don’t think the Browns have any illusions about him being the face of the franchise but I do think he has a solid career ahead of him as a quality, above average backup and we need one of those.
While I agree the OLine has their issues I do not think they have been as bad as is typically portrayed. I think the incredibly long (by NFL standards) release times of both Kessler and McCown lead to sacks and pressure and make the OLine appear worse than they are. Missed wide open receivers show up repeatedly on tape week in and week out. Neither of these QBs sees the field particularly well or processes what they see particularly quickly and all of that hampers the growth of the other 10 players on O. Don’t know that Griffin will fare much better but Kessler is by far the worst of the three.
Colt McCoy with better accuracy is how I have him tabbed, and Washington is still quite happy with Colt.
Fair. Jackson is just who I think of when Griffin flicks that wrist and sends a pass lofting over the defense. That skill did not erode after the injury. Still waiting on him seeing that pass as an option when he rolls outside the pocket though.
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RGIII’s $7M 2017 option will dictate his playing time. If he plays, they are still interested. If not, he’s gonzo.
Don’t think he can play.
1. The HBT isn’t going to play him on the off chance he leads the Browns to an inconsequential win that may knock them out of the top spot in the draft.
2. They have to keep him healthy if they want an outside chance of trading him for anything.
3. They’re just not going to pay him $7M out of principle.
1. SF will beat Chi. HBT isn’t looking to live with the stigma of 0-16.
2. No chance of trading him. They’ll cut him and move on.
3. $7M is pocket change by NFL standards.
IMHO.
I’m with you on 1 and 2, but never underestimate the value of pocket change to Moneyballers.
“10. Josh McCown, QB, Cleveland Browns
“It looks harsh to criticize McCown’s performance given he was sacked seven times against the Giants, because that suggests the kind of unmanageable pressure that QBs just can’t play against. He was actually at fault for more of the sacks than any other individual player (two) and the architect of much of his own woe by holding the ball too long and making life more difficult for his pass protection as he tried to find somewhere to go with the ball. McCown ended up throwing for 322 yards, but completed just 58.1 percent of his passes, and his passer rating when under pressure was only 48.6.”
-PFF
$7M for a QB is big time moneyball. If they don’t renew him, they’ve given up hope he can win games for them.