Krunch Time With Katelin: Quarterback Controversy In Cleveland?

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE


The Cleveland Browns have a Quarterback controversy on their hands. Okay its not a big controversy but Hue Jackson does have a decision to make. The battle for starting quarterback is between rookie Cody Kessler vs veteran Josh McCown. And there is an argument for both players to start for this team. 

Yes, both are hurt and it seems logical to keep Kessler in because he hasn't played bad enough to lose the job. Kessler's stats are 54/81 529 yards two touchdowns and one interception. Now we all understand that Kessler isn't going to be the future starting quarterback for this team, but this year has been a perfect year for Kessler to learn the game and develop on the run. Again he hasn't played bad at all, and his worst throw was the interception which was against Josh Norman. Kessler is the game manager every team wants in a backup, which is why the Browns drafted him in the third round. 

Here is the unfortunate thing though...the Browns are still winless through five weeks and are the last winless team in the NFL. With Tennessee coming up this week, it seems very likely the Browns are going to start Josh McCown. 

McCown gives this team the best chance to win every week especially with the lack of playmakers with Corey Coleman out for another few weeks. And that's not a knock on Kessler either, but when the Browns are trying to develop a young offense with rookie wide receivers starting the veteran quarterback could help quicken the development. But again, McCown gives this team the best chance to win a game and going into week six that is what the Browns are searching for. We might be having a different conversation if Cody Parkey hits that game winning field goal against Miami but that is neither here nor there. 

It also seems extremely likely that McCown will play because of the recent roster moves. The Browns released quarterback Charlie Whitehurst and then signed Kevin Hogan (rookie quarterback from Stanford) to the active roster from the practice squad. So it seems unlikely that the Browns would have a rookie starter and a rookie backup even if its just for one week. 

We Browns fans are used to quarterback controversies, but this one seems different. Its only week six, with 11 weeks to go. I'm sure the number two guy will be back playing in a few short weeks anyways because Cleveland...And don't worry Hogan will be the fourth starting quarterback of the season and the 27th different starter since '99. But lets just hope this tornado of a year ends with a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end...allowing the Browns to have the number one overall pick in the draft for the first time since 2000. 

On The Mark 10.10.16: New England Patriots @ Cleveland Browns Recap

Guess who's back?  The Patriots dismantle the Browns 33-13 as Tom Brady returns from suspension
By Mark West, @Markw2112

Today was the day many in the NFL waited for, the return of the New England Patriots Tom Brady from his 4 game suspension for his part in "Deflategate" 2 years ago with their Super Bowl win.  And, like clockwork, Brady stepped in like he never left, destroying the Cleveland Browns defense on it's way to a decisive 33-13 win.  The Browns were never any match for the Patriots either on offense or defense.

Brady finished the game 28-of-40 for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns.  He made it look effortless against a Browns defense that stood no chance.  He threw to 7 different receivers, including Martellus Bennett who caught all 3 of Brady's touchdowns.  Chris Hogan and Rob Gronkowski both had over 100 yards rushing with Gronk setting up the first touchdown of the day by shedding blockers like they were paper dolls.  

As for the Browns, it was a step backwards against the mighty Patriots.  Cody Kessler had a good start, going 5-of-8 for 62 yards with a touchdown to Andrew Hawkins.  However, Kessler would leave the game with neck and chest pain after a blown call led to a crushing sack, making Kessler lose the ball which then went out of bounds in the end zone for a safety.  Bring in Charlie Whitehurst, just signed a few weeks ago, who would lead the Browns to a late game touchdown but wasn't very effective.  He did go for 14-of-24 for 182 yards and that touchdown and an interception Near the end of the game, Whitehurst was hurt which led to Terrelle Pryor to be the third quarterback of the day for a series.

The run game, which had been so good the previous weeks, was shut to a stand still by the Patriots line.  Isaiah Crowell only rushed for 22 yards on 13 carries.

Thoughts: It was a step backwards for the Browns.  The worst part was having 3 quarterbacks in one game due to injuries. Injuries, bad luck and no respect from the referees can be blamed, but the biggest reason why the Browns are so bad is the lack of talent on the roster.  It's going to take years for the Browns to get any kind of respectability.  The long road keeps getting longer though.  

Player of the game: Tom Brady was unstoppable.  

Next up:  the Browns travel to Tennessee to play the Titans next week at 1 PM.

On The Mark 10.6: #Browns & #Buckeyes Recaps

Blow Out By The Bucks & Amazing Comeback By The Browns
By @MarkW2112

For this weeks On The Mark, I will be recapping both the Buckeyes and Browns in one article!

First, the Buckeyes.  Ohio State made quick work of the Maryland Terrapins with a 52-24 blow out in College Park.  J.T. Barrett is opening eyes all over with his poise and precision, going 18-of-23 for 267 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Ezekiel Elliot lead all rushers with 139 yards on 24 carries.  Barrett ran for 71 yards and a touchdown to go along with his impressive throwing yards.

The defense was mostly solid with 4 interceptions.  Maryland was never really in it and while C.J. Brown started the game, Caleb Rowe came in the second half to try and spark their offense.  And while they were able to get 24 points, it seemed the Bucks offense were always able to respond with a touchdown of their own.  The Buckeyes, as expected, were the better team all around, a nice way to go in to another off week with their first Big Ten win.

As for the Browns, all you can say is perhaps these are the 2014 version of the Kardiac Kids.  The Browns defense were as bad as they have been the first 3 games, giving Jake Locker a ton of time to throw the ball and providing holes for their running backs to scoot through for big yards.  One of those runs by Locker was for a touchdown, in which he was hit in the helmet by Chris Kirksey.  This hit had an effect not only on Locker, but his teammates for the rest of the game which killed themselves with penalties later on.  Locker was knocked out of the game for good after hitting his throwing hand on Buster Skrine's helmet who was then penalized for roughing the passer.  Enter Charlie Whitehurst, who then threw a touchdown to Kendall Wright.  Whitehurst,before the end of the first half, threw a 75 yard touchdown to Justin Hunter, who beat Skrine by a long mile to make it 28-3.  The offense also couldn't get it going though were able to get a touchdown for a 28-10 deficit before halftime.  That's when the real fun began.

Brian Hoyer, 21-of-37 for 292 yards passing, is proving that he belongs as the Browns starting quarterback, leading back from 25 points down, which is not only a Browns record but a road team record.  Travis Benjamin had both touchdowns for the Browns in the second half, including the game tying TD with 1:09 seconds left in the game.  Ben Tate throughout was a beast, rushing for 123 yards on 22 carries.  The other big play of the second half was a blocked punt by Tank Carder, making the game 28-15.  The safety was a huge turning point for the team as the Browns defense buckled down in order for Hoyer to lead his offense back.  It was a thrilling win for a franchise in desperate need of wins.

My take: the Bucks are on their way to winning their Big 10 division while the Browns are still in the thick of the AFC North division with this huge comeback win today.  To go along with the Cavs first preseason game, it was a great weekend for Cleveland sports fans.  That said, the Browns defense needs a lot more work.  If Locker had not been knocked out of the game, it could have been a loss for the Browns.  But a win is a win.

Up next: the Buckeyes are idle next weekend while the Browns play the hated Steelers in Cleveland next Sunday.  It would be nice if the Browns could put together a full game.