As lifelong fans of the Cleveland Browns, I feel as though many of us are connoisseurs of mediocre-to-bad quarterbacking. We have sampled so many different types of these quarterbacks that we often can properly assess them and see the differences between them, while a New England or Indianapolis fan would just shrug them off as a bad quarterback. Instead, we can taste the mild difference in a recipe with cumin and fennel in place of thyme.

This finely developed and tuned skill is certainly being put to the test this offseason as the Browns search for quarterback 23 to potentially put on the list of starting options since 1999. Yes, they will likely retain Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw , but it is imperative for the collective mindset of the roster that they find another viable starting quarterback. And, there are a bunch of potentially viable options, though the odds are that the lava cake is not molten no matter what Jon Favreau tells you.

Brian Hoyer

The best argument to re-sign Brian Hoyer is to keep a sense of continuity in quarterback. However, given the closing stretch of games that Hoyer played in, the actual on field arguments have been mostly muted. He did give us a fantastic stretch of average quarterback play between 2013 and the first half of 2014, but when the defenses adjusted to him, he over-cooked the steak .

2014 Statistics

Record Cmp% TD INT QBrating YPA 7-6 55.3 12 13 76.5 7.6



Assessment: He proved in 2014 that he can be a capable quarterback when everything is going well with the rest of the offense, but things fall apart pretty quickly when they are not. I believe that the team is ready to move on from him and I will wish him well wherever he lands.

Cost: Small veteran contract.

1999-Present Browns QB equivalent: Brian Hoyer is too obvious, so Kelly Holcomb (good backup and spot-starter)

Josh McCown

As has been reported, Josh McCown has been cut by Tampa Bay and visited with Chicago, Buffalo, and our very own Cleveland Browns. He is not in a rush to sign anywhere because he has a few weeks before free agency opens, which allows him to assess the market and find the best possible team where he can compete for the starting job. And, teams are in no rush to sign him because he is Josh McCown.

2014 Statistics

Record Cmp% TD INT QBrating YPA 1-10 56.3 11 14 70.5 6.7



Assessment: After an unsustainable 2013 season, Josh McCown regressed downward to even below his career averages in 2014. He is not as good as his numbers suggested in 2013, and he is not quite as bad as his numbers suggested in 2014. But, if we do end up signing him, I would not expect things to go all that well as he will not have Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall, Vincent Jackson, or Mike Evans on our team.

Cost: Small veteran contract.

1999-Present Browns QB equivalent: Brian Hoyer (good backup and spot-starter)

Mike Glennon

Compared to Josh McCown, the 25-year-old Glennon has much more potential and also had a much better year with the same team. Tampa is also in position to draft either Mariota or Winston in the draft. To top things off, Mike Glennon’s may have only won a single game last year, but he beat the Steelers. However, it is imperative that we not take in all these things without considering the context. He is the same quarterback that lost the quarterback competition in August and the same quarterback whom Lovie Smith gave up on in November to start the aforementioned Josh McCown.

2014 Statistics

Record Cmp% TD INT QBrating YPA 1-4 57.6 10 6 83.3 7.0



Assessment: Overall, Glennon puts up good numbers. He did so behind a poor OL but to good and big WRs, which makes it hard to evaluate him. The main objection to him from the fan base was that he would go quarters, halves, and even games without moving the offense at all. (Sound familiar?) That being said, if he was on the free agent market, then he would be the most sought after quarterback in this group. However, he will require a somewhat costly draft pick to pry him away from being Tampa’s veteran backup.

Cost: 3rd round draft pick but still on cheap rookie contract.

1999-Present Browns QB equivalent: Tim Couch (looks good at times and many blame OL for when he looks bad)

Sam Bradford

It sometimes amazes me how much love the media has for a quarterback that has never had a winning record, never thrown over seven yards per attempt, and has handcuffed his teams salary cap with his outrageously big contract. I do understand that there are plenty of good things to say about Bradford. He doesn’t throw many interceptions, he has a high completion percentage, and his WRs have been mostly non-descript in his time with the Rams. But, his inability to make plays down the field coupled with his extensive injury history has always soured me on him.

2014 Statistics

Record Cmp% TD INT QBrating YPA 3-4 60.7 14 4 90.0 6.4



Assessment: In the optimal environment, it is possible that Sam Bradford could stay healthy and put up big numbers. He reminds me a lot of Erik Kramer from the Lions . However, I don’t think it is worth the investment in the multiple high draft picks that the Rams are apparently seeking for compensation.

Cost: High draft picks and huge contract with only one year left on it.

1999-Present Browns QB equivalent: Colt McCoy (often injured and most plays within 10 yards)

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Houston has to make a decision with Ryan Mallet. If they choose to go with Mallet as the starter, the odds are that they would want to keep Fitzpatrick as the backup especially considering that Mallet ended up being lost for the 2014 with a torn pectoral muscle and has never made it through a full season . Ryan might be had for the right draft compensation though and he is right in line or better than the other veterans we are discussing here.

2014 Statistics

Record Cmp% TD INT QBrating YPA 6-6 63.1 17 8 95.3 8.0



Assessment: Ryan Fitzpatrick has flown under the radar pretty well while putting up decent numbers the past 5 years. I do not think he could put up his 2014 line with the Browns next year, but something closer to his career averages would be acceptable and could potentially help us take the next step.

Cost: Middle round draft pick and small veteran contract with only 1 year left on it.

1999-Present Browns QB equivalent: Kelly Holcomb (good backup and spot-starter with potential for big numbers at times)

Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez came in and put up decent to good numbers for the Eagles offense after Nick Foles was injured, but Chip Kelly and the Eagles seem okay with letting him go this free agency period. Chip seems to think that the offense is more responsible for the output than his individual signal callers. Based on the recent results of Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez, he could be correct.

2014 Statistics

Record Cmp% TD INT QBrating YPA 4-4 64.1 14 11 88.4 7.8



Assessment: Mark Sanchez demonstrated with the Jets early in his career that he is capable of being a game managing quarterback that can make a few plays when needed. However, he also showed during that time that he is not a quarterback to rely on being the offense. In this field of quarterbacks though, that puts him near the top.

Cost: Medium size veteran contract.

1999-Present Browns QB equivalent: Derek Anderson (if everything is perfect, then maybe. But we’ll wait for the other shoe to drop)

Ryan Mallet

Ryan Mallett had a somewhat promising start to his career this year, but it was cut short when he tore his pectoral muscle. In his first start, we got to witness him casually dissect our defense as our strategy was to sit back and make him take the short passes, which he did. Cincinnati put more pressure on him and he had a horrible game against them

2014 Statistics

Record Cmp% TD INT QBrating YPA 1-1 54.7 2 2 67.6 5.3



Assessment: From the limited amount of game tape though he appears to look for the dump pass far too quickly. He looks the part, has a gun, but still wants to play WCO QB with short dump passes. He is my least favorite type of quarterback.

Cost: Probably need a good size veteran contract to convince him to leave Houston.

1999-Present Browns QB equivalent: Brady Quinn (Captain Checkdown)

Jake Locker

It is only fitting that we discuss Jake Locker immediately after Ryan Mallett though Jake’s career more closely resembles Sam Bradford. He is another quarterback that has looked good at times, bad at times, but has just not been able to stay healthy.

2014 Statistics

Record Cmp% TD INT QBrating YPA 1-4 58.9 5 7 70.9 6.8



Assessment: Jake had a career worst season for a team that was falling apart around him. He should bounce back closer to his career averages, but the biggest question with him is if he can stay healthy. His mobility adds a dimension to his game, but it also increases the chances that he winds up back on the IR. I do like watching him play, but he has got to stay healthy to help.

Cost: Medium size veteran contract.

1999-Present Browns QB equivalent: Jeff Garcia (mobile and capable)

Zach Mettenberger

I get it. He is tall, he can throw a beautiful pass. But, he makes absolutely horrible decisions in the pocket and was a big reason that the Titans got blown out in 5 out of the 6 games that he started. Just because he can pad his stats when the defense is in prevent does not mean we should trade for him.

2014 Statistics

Record Cmp% TD INT QBrating YPA 0-6 59.8 8 7 83.4 7.9



Assessment: No thank you.

Cost: Middle round draft picks but a cheap rookie deal.

1999-Present Browns QB equivalent: Brandon Weeden (well, a younger version)

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Jake Delhomme Division

Veteran quarterbacks that have great name recognition, but not great skill anymore.

Matt Schaub and Michael Vick

Philip Rivers Division

Average to above average quarterbacks that see their name mentioned in trade rumors, yet it feels like it is more motivational than actually having them be attainable.

Nick Foles and Jay Cutler

Matt Ryan Division

Rookie quarterbacks that will likely be drafted higher than we can likely climb in the draft.

Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston

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Final Thoughts

So, there is not a ton of great options available and the guys in the draft that might be able to start in week1 are likely to be gone. The best option for the Browns is for Johnny Manziel to work his tail off and actually wreck the league instead of his own team. However, there is no way that the front office should rely on that happening.

My suggestion is for Ray Farmer to go after Jake Locker, Mike Glennon, or Ryan Fitzpatrick. You could probably even talk me into Mark Sanchez. Any of those quarterbacks could be our Andy Dalton. Yes, I believe the team is getting to the point where if we can get average quarterback play, then we can contend for the playoffs. But, getting that type of play has been seemingly out of reach these past 15 seasons.

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