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The Cleveland Browns aren’t known for making good decisions, especially with their quarterbacks. Sitting Manziel last season and making Brian Hoyer the main quarterback was a good idea at the time. When Hoyer signed with the Texans, the Browns had to shop around again for another starting QB before deciding on Josh McCown. The Browns repeatedly announced that there was not going to be a QB battle between McCown and Manziel, but that McCown would be their starting QB for the majority of the season. Obviously the Browns didn’t count on McCown getting injured during week 2 and now it looks like there is going to be a battle for who will start for Cleveland.
As the original starter, it’s only fair to start with Josh McCown. At age 36, McCown has played for many teams including the Cardinals, Bears, and Buccaneers to name a few. McCown doesn’t really have the best experience in terms of teams, considering how poorly those teams’ recent years have been. In his 13 seasons so far, McCown has thrown 63 touchdowns to 60 interceptions, including one during Cleveland’s game against the Raiders which pretty much cost the Browns the game, and 56 career fumbles. The reason why Cleveland picked McCown is obvious. They wanted a veteran who Manziel could build off of and give themselves a pretty solid quarterback for the year until they believed Manziel could step up.
Then there’s none other than Johnny Football who had an embarrassing rookie year and was looking for another chance with the Browns. After a complete makeover, including Manziel checking himself into rehab, he tried to make a better name for himself including ditching the nickname “Johnny Football” and giving up his money sign trademark. In his two games starting, Manziel faced the New York Jets and the Tennesse Titans. In those two games, Manziel threw a total of three touchdowns, one interception and completed 21 of 39 passes. The win over Mariota had to feel good for Manziel though, because of how much praise Mariota has received. It has been reported that Browns player would prefer to have Manziel play over McCown, considering how much he has improved and McCown has yet to bring them a win.
Their frustration is understandable, but going to the media anonymously was probably not their best idea and what was nothing is now something. In the beginning, the Browns refuted reports that there was going to be a quarterback battle, but now that seems inevitable. In his three weeks with the team, McCown has two losses while Manziel has one win. Starting Manziel would be the smart decision as unbelievable as that sounds, but if the Browns have any chance at making the playoffs, they’ve got to let Johnny Football do his thing.
