Cleveland Browns Finally Hit Rock-Bottom at Quarterback in 2016

It took one of the best teams in the league in the New England Patriots, but the Cleveland Browns finally found rock-bottom at quarterback

The Cleveland Browns’ chances of winning or even being competitive against the Patriots lasted as long as rookie quarterback Cody Kessler did—about one quarter. Kessler left the game with an injury to his chest and ribs (x-rays negative) after Dont’a Hightower came through unaccounted for and crushed Kessler, causing a fumble which went out of bounds in the end zone for a safety. From that point on, the rout was on and a young Browns team got to see what it is to be helpless in a football game.

Charlie Whitehurst did what he could, but he was simply unprepared. He hadn’t been with the Browns long, had virtually no reps in practice and it showed. Whitehurst would leave briefly for his own injury issue after hyperextending his knee, but did finish the game.

Bill Belichick set to do what he does best, scheming his defense to take away the opponent’s strength. In this case, the Patriots focused on taking out the Browns running game. After a month of outstanding production, leading the league in overall rushing as a team, the Browns as a team ran the ball 22 times for 27 yards. Isaiah Crowell had just 13 carries for 22 yards while Duke Johnson had just four carries for a single yard.

Tom Brady, fresh off his suspension, carved up the Browns to the tune of 406 yards passing and three touchdowns. The Patriots would go on to win 33-13 and even took Brady out after three and a half quarters.

Hue Jackson blamed himself for Kessler’s injury:

Hue Jackson blames himself for missed assignment that saw Hightower take out Kessler.. "Not on the players, it's on me"
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) October 9, 2016

As important as that contrition is on Jackson’s part, it means little in light of the body count the Browns have at the quarterback position. Kessler was the third quarterback to have to miss time with injury. And it’s entirely possible Whitehurst’s knee could cause him to become the fourth after the results come back from x-rays.

Combined with Terrelle Pryor having taken snaps at quarterback, the Browns are five games into the season and have already had five different players throw passes. If Kessler and/or Whitehurst are forced to miss time, the Browns are then likely going to promote Kevin Hogan to the active roster from the practice squad.

Oct 9, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (15) leaves the game with an injury during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Patriots won 33-13. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

After Hogan, the Browns may be pretty close to having open tryouts for people to come out and play quarterback. It’s become that weird, that unlucky and that bad.

Jackson also said in his press conference that Josh McCown will get x-rays to see where he’s at in his recovery. Given how McCown is, he’ll probably do everything he can to get himself out there as soon as possible.

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The Browns need some kind of normalcy at the quarterback position if they are going to resemble a professional football team the rest of the season. While none of the quarterbacks that have played have looked like a savior at the position, they’ve at least allowed the team to function, be competitive and develop. Be it Kessler, who is said to be day-to-day, McCown or Griffin—who are at various points in their recoveries—the Browns need to keep someone healthy at quarterback. Failing healthy, at least functional.

Hue Jackson and his staff deserve credit that they have had three different quarterbacks play and have been able to be competitive. The problem is they now also deserve some of the blame for why they find themselves in this position now.

They must do a better job of designing their offense to protect the quarterback. This is about play-calling as much as it is about pass protection. More running of the football, quicker passes, and keeping more in to block when they do try to go down the field is necessary at this point.

There’s certainly an element of this which comes down to horrendous and unbelievable (unless you follow the Browns) luck. Unfortunately, along with incompetence, that is becoming the Cleveland Browns brand. Now at 0-5, Hue Jackson and the organization have to find way to change their luck as well as making the right football decisions. And that might prove to be a much more difficult challenge than Hue ever anticipated when taking this job.

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