Cleveland Browns: An irrational Brock Osweiler take

Cleveland Browns preseason football creates an unjustified sense of optimism every year for fans — my blind faith in Brock Osweiler is no different.

First off, I know a bevy of fans need some classic, Cleveland Browns irrational logic when it comes to the possibility of Brock Osweiler starting Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I’m just the man for it.

After recent statements by veteran left tackle Joe Thomas, and head coach Hue Jackson naming Osweiler his starter for Monday’s preseason matchup, it seems the era-of-Brock is inevitable. A quarterback finding success after a change of scenery is nothing new in the NFL. Often times, those in the history books overcome great obstacles throughout their journey to NFL lore.

Want a few names? Well, look no further (all statistics are courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com):

Rich Gannon

Drafted in the 4^th round of the 1987 draft by the New England Patriots, Gannon had a rough go of it from 1987-1993. In 23 games started, split between the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins, he compiled a 20-19 record with 43 touchdowns and 43 interceptions. Several insignificant years with the Kansas City Chiefs later, Gannon blossomed.

In six seasons with the Oakland Raiders from 1999-2004, the gunslinger compiled a 45-29 record, won an MVP award, and led his team to the Super Bowl in 2002.

First five NFL seasons:

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table

Jim Plunkett

Plunkett was the No. 1 overall selection by the New England Patriots in the 1971 NFL Draft — it’s safe to say it didn’t work out in Boston. Plunkett amassed a woeful 23-38 record during his time with the Patriots, throwing 62 touchdowns against 87 interceptions.

After two more mediocre seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, he found a home with the Raiders franchise. The former first-overall selection won two Super Bowls with the team (1980, 1983) during a miraculous four-year run. From 1980-1983, Plunkett went 29-11 with the Raiders — including earning the 1980 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, and the Super Bowl XV MVP in the same season.

First five NFL seasons:

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table

Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner burst onto the national spotlight in 1999, after three record-setting seasons in the Arena Football League, from 1995-1997. The Northern Iowa product first earned a spot on an NFL roster with the St. Louis Rams in 1998. In 43 starts from 1999-2001, Warner racked up a 35-8 record, threw for 98 touchdowns and 12.612 yards – while also winning a ring in 1999, and falling just short against some guy named Tom Brady in 2001.

Even more impressive than his historic run with the Rams, Warner fell off drastically after the 2001 season. He proceeded to start just 16 games over the next three seasons with the Rams and New York Giants. What solidified his Hall of Fame status was his 2007-2009 resurgence with the Arizona Cardinals, resulting in another Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl appearance.

First five NFL seasons:

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table

Bart Starr

Understandably, Starr’s statistics are skewed due to playing in an era that mitigated the air-attack. With that being said, the 17th-round draft pick was dreadful his first five seasons in the NFL, by any standard. Starr’s 11-20-1 record, and 40 interceptions against just 23 touchdowns, prove as much. But, the Hall-of-Famer’s turnaround was a swift one.

From 1961-1971, Starr racked up an astounding 83-37-5 record — solidifying his status as a true legend of the game. More importantly, Starr’s five NFL Championships and two Super Bowl wins with the Green Bay Packers remain the reason his name continues to be mentioned among the position’s greatest.

First five NFL seasons:

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table

Now, some may consider comparing Osweiler to the likes of Gannon, Plunkett, Warner and Starr to be irresponsible, and idiotic. While that may be true, Osweiler’s numbers suggest he is on a path to greatness:

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table

How do his five-season totals stack up against the NFL legends mentioned? Quite well, actually (Warner’s early NFL success hinders the exercise, but Arena Football League statistics are irrelevant).

QB Record (W/L/T):

1. Warner (35-14)
2. Osweiler (13-8)
3. Gannon (11-12)
4. Plunkett (23-38)
5. Starr (11-20-1)

Completion Percentage:

1. Warner (66.7%)
2. Osweiler (59.9%)
3. Gannon (55.5%)
4. Starr (53.6%)
5. Plunkett (48.5%)

QB Rating:

1. Warner (98.2)
2. Osweiler (77.4)
3. Gannon (74.2)
4. Starr (63.3)
5. Plunkett (59.7)

TD/INT Ratio:

1. Warner (1.58)
2. Gannon (1.22)
3. Osweiler (1.18)
4. Starr (-0.58)
5. Plunkett (-0.71)

While these numbers may mean absolutely nothing, it is important to note Osweiler has won a postseason game. The then-Houston Texans quarterback’s takedown of the Derek Carr-less Oakland Raiders may come with an asterisk, but it’s a victory, nonetheless.

Of the five quarterbacks being discussed, only Warner and Osweiler were able to do so in their first five NFL seasons. Does this mean Brock-O, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback, is heading to Canton?

Only time will tell…

This outrageous exercise of comparing Osweiler to some of the game’s most accomplished gunslingers is inspired by my equally outrageous decision to purchase a jersey of the Arizona State-product.

Mocked by friends, co-workers and family — I believed myself to be in a lone-wolf-pack of Osweiler supporters. That is until a fellow Twitter-user joined the movement, by coming to my defense in a spat with a non-Brock believer — and #BrocksNation was officially formed.

While my blind optimism in an Osweiler career renaissance seems far-fetched, at least historically-irrelevant statistics back the possibility of it possibly coming to fruition.

Next: 5 surprises from preseason Week 2 depth chart

At this point, an Osweiler 2017 Pro Bowl-bid is more likely than Josh Gordon passing a drug test.