Factory Of Sadness
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Browns: Two Games In, Two Quarterbacks Down, and Carson Wentz

By Kristopher Grimes

Oct 4, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) warms-up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown (13) warms-up before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns center Cameron Erving (74) lays on the ground injured during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns center Cameron Erving (74) lays on the ground injured during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Second Half Woes And The Injuries Piled Up

That’s when the game fell apart for Cleveland. After halftime, the offense failed to find the magic they had in the first quarter, and the Ravens took full advantage. They outscored the Browns 13-0 in the second half, and 25-0 overall from the second quarter on.

Despite a shot to attempt to win late, a controversial taunting penalty on wide receiver Terrelle Pryor cost the Browns prime field position. That resulted in McCown forcing a throw which resulted in an interception.

What started out as a magical game ended up like so many Browns games in the past. There was a blown win, bruised egos, and multiple injuries. McCown’s shoulder injury from the first quarter needed further evaluation, rookie defensive end Carl Nassib left the game with a broken arm, and center Cameron Erving was rushed to the hospital with a bruised lung.

While the loss was detrimental to the team, the injuries were the worst blow to the team. Not only were the Browns down their first string quarterback in Griffin, but now they’re without their backup in McCown, and their starting center.

That means two games into the season, Cleveland will be starting Kessler at quarterback and moving guard John Greco to center. In a perfect world, Kessler wouldn’t have even seen his uniform on game days.

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He’d be inactive on Sundays, leading the practice squad, and carrying a clipboard for 16 games. Yet here he is, starting in what will be his third career NFL game.

It’s not the scenario that anyone in the organization envisioned. That is unless a team like the Dallas Cowboys or Minnesota Vikings had offered a high draft pick for McCown when their starters Tony Romo and Teddy Bridgewater went down.

So now the Browns will have to find a way to win with Kessler for the foreseeable future. In what ways can the Browns coaching staff help Kessler and the offense succeed?

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