The Browns have had four quarterbacks in their last four games (and yes, they’re 0-4): Johnny Manziel and Austin Davis started in Weeks 16 and 17 of the 2015 season, Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown were under center in Weeks 1 and 2 of the 2016 season.
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“You’d love to have that luxury [of a veteran], but sometimes you’re not afforded that”, Browns Coach Hue Jackson told reporters Monday.
Kessler will be the 26th different quarterback for the Browns since the 1999 season.
After the performances from Griffin and McCown in the first two games, it is hard to guess what can be expected of Kessler in his first National Football League start. Kessler will be the second rookie quarterback to face Miami; Jacoby Brissett filled in for Jimmy Garoppolo after Garoppolo was knocked out of Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury.
The Cleveland Browns added some much-needed quarterback depth Monday when they signed Charlie Whitehurst to a deal, per SportsTrust Advisors.
Without another center on the roster, Jackson said the Browns will look to bring in another center. I would like to go through the week and practice and really start a gameplan. “But maybe we’re just not that pretty”.
“I don’t want to be out there without my guys”, McCown said after the game.
Everyone who saw the game knows where this one is going. The 37-year-old was injured in the first quarter but didnt come out.
In all, he has 10 touchdown passes and seven picks in his 25 games and has never played in more than seven in an individual season.
Jackson was asked if there was any fear of hurting his growth by throwing him in before he’s ready, but Jackson said the Browns really have no choice.
Coincidentally, Brissett and Kessler were drafted two picks apart in last Springs NFL draft, Brissett first at 91st overall and Kessler 93rd.
Pitta said that he expected to feel aches and pains following Sunday’s game, but only the normal soreness of playing in the NFL. Pitta also took a couple of big hits, but bounced back each time. “I took some shots in that game, but fortunately my body held up and I’m doing good”. McCown threw his second interception of the day following the play, and finished the game going 20-33 for 260 yards and two touchdowns.
“He has the complete trust and respect of the locker room because of what he does and how he goes about it and he’ll fight to the bitter end”, Jackson said. He wanted us to go out there and win.
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The Browns will continue to evaluate all options at quarterback and do “everything we can to see if we can help the position first and foremost”, Jackson said. “Here we go. We’ll see what that statement was all about”. Nassib will undergo surgery, but Jackson said it’s possible the former Penn State standout may be able to play in the future with a protective cast. “We are going to keep chopping wood”.
