Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Browns: Reaction And Fallout Of RG3 As The Starter

By Joe Russo

Jul 31, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III signs autographs following practice at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility in Berea, OH. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Robert Griffin III signs autographs following practice at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility in Berea, OH. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Just because the Cleveland Browns named their starting quarterback, does not mean that there is nothing to discuss regarding their QB position.

The Cleveland Browns have officially named a starter for 2016 far ahead of most fans’ expectations yesterday when Robert Griffin III was announced as the leading man for the offense by coach Hue Jackson. While there is plenty to speculate about what is in store this season, there is also plenty to consider in the short term.

1. The Battle for #2 Begins

Josh McCown is easily the best option to back up Griffin, but don’t overlook the fact that Cody Kessler was taken in the third round in this year’s draft. In fact, he was Jackson’s personal selection.

More from Factory of Sadness

Being a such selection means that there is no way he is not being looked at very closely for the job. With Friday’s preseason opener against the Packers looming already, the backup quarterback is now the position battle to watch.

2. Do Not Overlook The Value Of McCown

I know I know, I just got done saying McCown will be pushed for the QB2 spot. But there are not very many great options as a backup in the NFL. Did you know McCown was 22nd in QBR last season? That is not great in isolation, but it is ahead of Derek Carr, Andrew Luck, Blake Bortles, and Ryan Tannehill.

Did you also know he was 13th in yards per game? That’s ahead of Kirk Cousins, Andy Dalton, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. That leads to my next point.

3. This Was A High Upside, Low Risk Move

Newsflash: The Browns won’t be contenders in 2016. So why not take a chance for a former NFL Rookie of the Year to rediscover what made him so electric before injuries and a run of bad play ruined the start of his career?

Having a trusted and more than serviceable backup like McCown gives Jackson the ability to make that choice. With the youth all over the roster and at least some semblance of a plan, Griffin is the right choice given the rest of the depth chart behind center and the chance to catch lightning in a bottle.

More from Cleveland Browns

4. It’s Important To Eliminate The Drama

No Browns QB battle to dominate the headlines will drive much of the Cleveland media crazy. Last year it was 1,000 reasons why Manziel should have started over McCown. Only one of them is even in the league at this point.

It seems as if this city is not happy unless there is a debate about who should start at quarterback. Hue Jackson knows well enough that by eliminating at least one major debate from camp, his offense can focus on real, actual goals instead of public opinion on QB1.

This is a young team that has enough issues. One less distraction is a great thing.

5. Don’t Forget, Quarterback Wasn’t the Problem

It is a quarterback driven league, yet somehow that wasn’t the biggest problem in Cleveland last year. For all of the attention on naming Griffin the starter, it is pulling attention from the real changes that need to be made in camp.

The defense was atrocious by nearly every metric and your average middle aged Browns fan stood a good chance of rushing for 100 yards against the Browns front. Joe Haden was also activated off of the PUP list Monday.

Next: Browns Officially Name RG3 As The Starter

Desmond Bryant is out for the year. Armonty Bryant is just as likely to serve the rest of his jail sentence as he his to be a Browns starter this year.

Home/Cleveland Browns