Cleveland Browns: 2015 Mid-Preseason Review Part 1 QB’s and RB’s

QUARTERBACK

It all begins here. They say the most successful teams have successful quarterback play. Well, finding a successful quarterback in Cleveland has become nearly a two decade struggle. We all know the story of the jersey that sits in a downtown business window with 20+ QBs names on the back. We are reminded of it every season.

The ever revolving door of quarterbacks continues to swing through Berea (suburb of Cleveland) since Bernie Kosar was ushered out of town by Art Modell and Bill Belichick. Last season it was Brian Hoyer, 2014 first round pick Johnny Manziel, and undrafted rookie Connor Shaw.

Hoyer was the hometown hero from the Cleveland area who led the team to 7 wins in 2014, but the front office did not believe in him after he faltered late. He wasn’t re-signed after the season. Manziel got his shot to start, but proved he was too immature and unprepared to take the reigns of the team in two brutal starts against the Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers.

Even Connor Show got a shot to start in the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. While his performance was admirable, and the Browns were in the game for 3 quarters, his limited arm strength and inexperience got the best of him as the Ravens ran away with the game late. So who’s in at QB this season? Fan favorite Hoyer is out and former Tampa Bay QB Josh McCown has been signed.

Manziel is back after an offseason spent in rehab, while Shaw and free agent Thaddeus Lewis were battling to be the third QB on the depth chart. Since the beginning of the preseason, Browns head coach Mike Pettine has quelled any ideas of a quarterback controversy. Feelings throughout and around the organization tied Pettine to putting his support behind 36-year old veteran QB Josh McCown since before training camp even started.

Perhaps this had to do with Manziel’s rocky offseason and three month stint in rehab, but McCown does have a track record that shows success. Through the majority of training camp and the first two preseason games has Josh McCown rewarded that faith? Has Johnny Manziel overcome his demons to prove he deserves to start and become a player of legend like he was at Texas A&M?

Next: Hometown Hero To Zero? Or Step In The Right Direction?