Cleveland Browns FINALLY add a 1 to the Winning Column
The Cleveland Browns had just about enough of being the laughing joke of the NFL 2016 season. At least for week 15…the laughs stopped. The Cleveland Browns team was able to treat its Ohio fans to a rare 20–17 win over the San Diego Chargers (5–10). Phillip Rivers attempted to drive the Chargers on a game winning drive, but came up unsuccessful. The drive would end with a missed a 45yard field goal attempt by Chargers’ kicker Josh Lambo. Many critics would say this will be Rivers final season with the San Diego franchise. So with Hue Jackson getting his first win as first year coach to the Browns, he has to know the average tenure for head coaches these days when losing is two seasons. So to get back to winning ways (which isn’t common) in Cleveland…serious decisions have to made in the off season. The biggest question mark will be the quarterback position. The Browns acquired former Washington Redskins quarterback, Robert Griffin III last summer. Griffin after a sensational rookie season in Washington has been plagued with injuries every since (two torn MCL/ACL). Griffin won the starting job in Cleveland during training camp, but was hurt in the season opener with a shoulder injury that sidelined him for majority of this season. Griffin in his three games since coming back from week one injury has a 1–2 record, throwing for 300 yards, 2 interceptions, and no touchdowns. The former Redskins qb signed a two-year contract worth $15 million with $6.75 million guaranteed. With one game to go, Hue Jackson & the Browns organization will have some once again...heavy decisions to make in the off season. Jackson isn’t keeping it a secret that he likes what he sees from the injury prone quarterback (Griffin) and wants to see more. The first year head coach doesn’t have much time left with one game to go in the season. Most would say this is a no brainer. Go ahead and get prepared to draft top NFL ready, Clemson qb Deshaun Watson. Watson who is preparing to playing in his second consecutive National College Playoff game versus Ohio State New Years Eve in Arizona. The Junior Tiger qb (Watson) was also invited to his second consecutive Heisman ceremony, but again losing to sophomore Louisville Cardinals qb Lamar Jackson. What we’ve seen from Deshaun Watson so far: he has proven himself to be a leader on & off the field, a winner, known to over come adversity, nightmare to opposing defensive coaches being that he is in fact a dual threat, but probably most important…he is Durable. Deshaun Watson has thrown for over 4,000 yards in the past two seasons, 86 touchdowns to just 30 interceptions, and extremely efficient with a passer rating of over 150 in each of his three seasons at Clemson. Watson is a passer first and runner last to either prevent a sack or take over a game/play. All of these things are great about the presumed number one overall pick in the upcoming 2017 draft, but what is also on paper is the number of times the Cleveland Browns have drafted a quarterback multiple quarterbacks since 2000 and have started…24. The latest disaster was Johnny Manziel (2014). Make no mistake, Deshaun Watson is no Manziel and in fact is the positive leader you want on your team. But does Hue Jackson have time to wait for him to transform into that winning leader? Odds say no. So what do you do? The Browns organization have a long way to go, but not far if their only goal is to exceed its winning total from this 2016 season of One. The Browns play in one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. The AFC north is known to take at least two teams to the post season and just two seasons ago took three. The Browns was the only team not to make the playoffs. The Browns have a long way to go to return to winning ways. So who gives you the best chance: a veteran injury prone qb who has been successful in the past (Griffin) or a young qb who hasn’t played a snap in the NFL, but did just about everything right in college as a quarterback, but still has a blank professional resume?
