Cleveland Browns: Is Quarterback DeShone Kizer playing in 2017?
By Ryan Rosko
The debate has already begun as to when Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer will play. However, could such discussion already be over?
In recent seasons, multiple teams have drafted quarterbacks early. Some has played their QBs from the start, while others waited a bit. For the Cleveland Browns, what are they going to do with DeShone Kizer?
Cases can be made for both sides of the coin, but is it really that clear and obvious of an answer right now?
The Browns did not start former quarterback Johnny Manziel from the start. Even if they had, such results would not have changed Manziel’s era in Cleveland.
Today, EVP of football operations Sashi Brown discussed Kizer’s role in 2017 on 92.3 The Fan.
I strongly believe that waiting for Kizer to debut during the regular season is the best thing for both he and the team.
Related Story: Kizer must sit and learn
Even if Cleveland went with another quarterback, my belief would not have changed. This year’s quarterback class had talent, but none are ready from day one.
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At least now we have an understanding of the Browns’ vision for Kizer. Will that stay true at the end of the summer and early fall? That remains to be seen.
Remember when the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted quarterback Blake Bortles and their plan was to have him watch his rookie season? Well, their approach did not stay the same for long as NFL fans saw Bortles a lot sooner than expected.
The same could be said for Kizer. After all, the former Irish signal-caller could be the best option for some to wins games in 2017. Is that the opinion of the majority of Cleveland fans? No, and it should not be either in Cleveland’s headquarters.
Yet, that should not be rule out so soon. At the end of the day, it is clear that to build their roster the right way, risking early play when it is not needed is not worth it. That does not mean though Kizer is not going to play at all in 2017.
Ideally, Kizer does not get one down of action in 2017. However, so the franchise has a better idea of what they have prior to the 2018 draft, a small sample size could be given. When Cleveland is blown out or the game is already settled, and it is just a matter of wasting out the clock in garbage time, Kizer could use those reps.
If not, outside of the plays he is given in mini and training camp, along with the opportunities during the preseason, Cleveland will have to go off of what they see in practice and during film study.
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I am glad to see Brown say what he said about Kizer. Hopefully though, that plan stays in place all of this season.