The Browns fell short in DeShone Kizer's first career start 21-18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kizer showed a lot of promise in his first career start, going 20/30 for 222 yards in the air. Kizer threw one touchdown and one interception. Kizer also ran for 17 yards and a touchdown. He made normal rookie mistakes like, over throwing wide receivers and holding the ball too long resulting in sacks.
All in all Kizer gives the Browns hopes for the future. Now for the fun of it let us look back on other Browns quarterback's first career starts since '99.
Tim Couch: First start was week two of the 1999 season. Couch went 12/24 for 134 yards and a touchdown in a 26-9 loss against Tennessee. Couch was sacked seven times and lost a fumble. Obviously Couch's career was derailed because of a terrible offensive line.
Charlie Frye: First start, week 13 in 2005. Frye went 13/20 for 226 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-13 loss against Jacksonville. Frye was the first of a few guys, who Browns fans hoped would be our starting Quarterback of the future who was drafted in the mid-rounds.
Brady Quinn: Quinn didn't start a game until his second season in 2008 because of the success of Derek Anderson in 2007. Quinn's first start was week 10 in 2008 against the Denver Broncos. Quinn threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns on 23/35 passing in a 34-30 loss.
Colt McCoy: McCoy was forced into starting because of injuries in 2010. He took on the Steelers in week 6. The Browns lost 28-10 but McCoy went 23/33 passing for 281 yards, a touchdown and two picks.
Brandon Weeden: Brandon Weeden was the first rookie quarterback since the Browns came back in 1999 to start week one of the Season. Kizer was the second since 1999. Weeden's first start was horrendous...and it might not be the worst one on this list. Weeden went 12/35 for 118 yards and four picks in a 17-16 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Johnny Manziel: As I mention the worst "rookie" quarterback debut. Johnny Manziel takes the cake. We all know the situation the Browns were in 2014. Manziel's first start was in week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Manziel went 10/18 for only 80 yards and two interceptions. This was probably the beginning of the end for Manziel in Cleveland...
Cody Kessler: Last year Cody Kessler debuted in week three of the season because of injuries to Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown. Kessler's situation was almost the exact same situation Colt McCoy was forced to make his debut. Kessler put up a winning effort but (unfortunately/fortunately) for the Browns sake lost his debut against the Miami Dolphins 30-24 in overtime. Kessler was 21/33 for 244 yards and only had one turnover which was a fumble.
Looking back at all these quarterbacks, Kizer's debut was basically par for the course. But Kizer's football abilities are far superior then any of these former Browns starters. It should be fun to watch Kizer develop going forward. And boy...and I glad the Browns "Got wiser...and Started Kizer".
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