Cleveland Browns Week 17 Winners and Losers
December 29, 2014Infographic: The Cleveland Browns Quarterback Situation
December 29, 2014I want to talk about Johnny Manziel today, but it seems more important to do so by talking about Connor Shaw. I won’t be making any decisive proclamations about what the Browns “have to” do or even what I think they “need” to do, because honestly I have no idea. The Browns made a statement to Johnny Manziel when they fined him and then banished him from the sidelines. They know what kind of impact he’s having on the overall culture of the team. I can try and get close to that answer, but only the Browns know for sure with all their access to all the information that we don’t have. Rather than talk about Manziel directly though, I want to talk about the man who helped expose just how little Manziel actually accomplished this season as an NFL rookie. Because some will call what Connor Shaw did on the field yesterday a wake-up call for Johnny Manziel, and maybe that’s true. More importantly, I think Connor Shaw’s performance yesterday served as a wake-up call for anyone who thinks about making the most of an opportunity.
To overstate Connor Shaw’s performance for the Browns against the Ravens would be a mistake, but I don’t want to understate it either. There are many ways to look at Shaw’s 14 for 28 passing performance, but I’d like to look at it from a larger perspective than just the stats. The Cleveland Browns’ unknown rookie from the practice squad had the Browns leading on the scoreboard in the second half of a game thanks to a pretty nice throw – a nice individual play – to set up an easy Browns touchdown.
Again, you don’t want to risk overstating that one play, but it’s instructive to a fan base that couldn’t have been more disappointed in Johnny Manziel. Browns fans and commentators had placed such mediocre expectations on Manziel, and he still managed to fail completely in his attempt to live up to them. But here was Connor Shaw, standing strong in the pocket, feeling the pressure, leaking out to the right, poised to take a giant shot to his mid-section and delivering a catchable ball to Taylor Gabriel who took it down to the Ravens one-yard-line. Terrance West punched it in a play later and the Browns led 10-3 on the road as a massive underdog in a meaningless game for everyone but the Ravens.
In that one play, Connor Shaw proved so much. No, he didn’t prove he’s the next Cleveland Browns starting quarterback. No, he didn’t do much to impact the Cleveland Browns off-season to-do list regarding football’s most important position. What Shaw did was cement himself into the category of viable backup NFL quarterbacks in a league that places a decent premium on that categorization. It’s no small feat for an undrafted 23-year-old out of South Carolina who spent the majority of 2014 on the Cleveland Browns practice squad running scout team. Connor Shaw put himself into a category of player that gets the opportunity to make millions in a career without having to play much at all.
I don’t know this for a fact, but it’s easy to cast the Shaw story line against a Manziel one. Shaw had nothing handed to him and had to work to prove he was something. Manziel just waited around for the opportunity to be handed to him and thought he could float along on the abilities he’d shown at a previous level. In a quarterback room with Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw seems to have followed the Hoyer path instead of the one lit up with spotlights, selfies, and late night parties. And now, he gets to reap the rewards, as modest as they might be from an NFL perspective.
Again, I don’t want to overstate the Connor Shaw performance, but it’s just so hugely indicative of more. For all the complaints that the Cleveland Browns culture might be to blame for turning both their first round picks in 2014 into behavioral problems. As Scott said this morning, some want to play that blame game and point at everyone except the actual parties who are responsible for their own actions. Of course Ray Farmer is responsible for bringing guys to Cleveland and Mike Pettine is responsible for coaching them up. But these same guys who drafted Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert paved the way for K’Waun Williams, Pierre Desir, and even Connor Shaw.
Don’t give me the excuse that a lack of progress from these guys is the responsibility of the coaching staff. I can point to just as many guys, if not more, who used the culture and environment the Browns have set up in Berea and made the most of their situation this year. It might not have always been possible in every Browns regime, but it certainly seems that it will be in this one. Connor Shaw didn’t show us who the next Browns starting quarterback will be, but he at least showed us that.
36 Comments
Please, please stop with these two narratives:
1. “The Browns sent a stern message” — they didn’t. They allowed children to perpetuate their immature actions by sending them to their rooms without supper. You know what I did when I got sent to my room without supper? I ate the food I’d been stashing in my room prepping for that punishment.
2. “Ray Farmer is responsible for bringing guys to Cleveland” — Ray didn’t draft Gilbert or Manziel, that’s your Head Coach and Owner. Ray had Teddy dead in his sights and was overruled by Yosemite Jim.
If people needed to watch Shaw to know about Manziel then they really aren’t football fans. I don’t know what has been so unexpected about the drama Manziel has brought on and off the field. This is exactly why I started saying months before the draft please don’t let this team select him. Oops. Oh well. Now more time will be wasted trying to make an effort to get him to work when honestly he should be traded (for anything) and if that doesn’t work then just eat it and cut him.
As far as Shaw goes he’s Brian Hoyer 2.0. I liked him in college he showed he has guts, desire and intelligence unfortunately he doesn’t have the physical characteristics including an arm. So in short between Hoyer, Manziel and Shaw there isn’t a #1 starter but what else is new. I’m personally leaning towards resigning Hoyer making Shaw the backup (unless a veteran backup can be found) and jettisoning Manziel. Gordon can go as well. Use the draft and free agency to continue to rebuild the team don’t go wasting picks on another project Heisman bust QB especially.
Of course all of this is subject to change as time goes by but it’s how I feel after a horrible end to what once was a great season.
Shaw’s younger and less beat up than Hoyer. Might as well make him the back-up to whoever they end up with as their QB. He showed he takes his job seriously by being ready to play, unlike the current back-up.
I thought Shaw did a great job as a back-up. He kept the Browns in the game and barely made any mistakes. I think his performance speaks for itself and he definitely proved he’s ready to be on an NFL team’s roster as a dependable back-up QB.
The Browns have to figure out who their #1 QB is going to be, which is one of the worst situations to be in when you’re essentially a .500 team. They also need to figure out the right side of their O-line in a bad way and their D-line needs serious help. It’s going to be a few more rough years, but hopefully by sticking with a coach and a GM, they can build a team those guys feel will give them what they need.
I don’t know who will be the starter honestly right now I’m leaning toward bringing Hoyer back with Shaw or veteran backup. The only thing I don’t want to see is another first round pick used even if it’s the last pick in the first round. This team needs an injection of young talent and depth. If you keep using picks on questionable quarterbacks you will just continue what has become 22 QBs in 15 years.
I think the even bigger story for Shaw is his level of preparedness.
All I heard during Manziel’s time as a starter was how he was at a disadvantage because of limited time in practice, limited reps with the “ones”, limited this, limited that.
Shaw had even less of this time and showed at least a comprehension and command of the team.
Our owner is a redneck. A complete Jerry Jones wannabe.
I have no doubt, that the JFF pick was completely his decision.
“Connor Shaw didn’t show us who the next Browns starting quarterback will be…”
But, he did show us who it won’t be. I’m looking at you, JFF.
I don’t care how they do it. They just need to find someone reliable and then stick with him for a few years and develop him rather than adding to the obscene number of QBs the Browns have used since coming back.
It’s not clear who was responsible on draft day. One story is that post Hooters-wings night-boys night out, Loaggins was driving Jimmy’s replica General Lee Dodge Charger at the time, when he got the Johnny text about wrecking the league (Jimmy was in the passenger seat with two lady friends on his lap). Jimmy is calling frantically, but Farmer wasn’t taking their calls, so they raced to Berea. Jimmy gave the go ahead to ram the General into the board room, delivering the message to draft Johnny. The other version of the story is that only one lady friend was on Jimmy’s lap.
/sources
Re: #1. I hear you, I REALLY do. BUT…if we cut them, what message does that send? If you don’t like the situation you’re in, just screw off enough until you get kicked out so you can then go choose your next situation? If instead of getting sent to your room without supper, you got kicked out of the house, you would just see which friend’s mom had cooked up the best supper and pull up a chair.
We’re damned if we do, damned if we don’t. If we keep them around, we look like we just tolerate their insubordination. If we cut them, then they latch on somewhere else and thrive and we look stupid (at least Gordon – I don’t see Manziel thriving anywhere). Since we’re not gonna get fair value for Gordon, if someone wants to offer us 75 cents on the dollar, I’d probably take it. Manziel and Gilbert are on rookie contracts and probably wouldn’t fetch anything on the market, so keep them around, make them earn their spots, and if they keep this act up, suspend them without pay.
Leaving this here
Good story but you forgot about the homeless guy that Jimmy hired as a special QB consultant and the statistics firm we paid $75,000 to.
Sweet jeezus. I totally forgot about that report. I suspect after telling Ray to draft JFF, Jimmy lit the report on fire and then lit his cigar with it. Ok that’s a better ending to this sad story.
I’m too lazy to sign up for an account, but my God we as Cleveland fans are awful. Connor Shaw had one physical throw longer than 17 yards. He has zero potential as a starter. Look at the qbs in the playoffs. They have great arms. Hoyer has a noodle arm, always has. Teams brought their best against Johnny when he played two playoff teams. Baltimore gave everything over the top and dared Shaw to throw it. Get rid of Hoyer. Keep Shaw as a backup. Give Johnny the shortest of short leashes. Draft a QB if needed. Manziel has talent but is a complete idiot. If he doesn’t fit, trade him.
So in your scenario Manziel is the starter next year? Interesting.
Yep. And, it does take more than just sheer talent to make it out there. It takes integrity and drive, neither or which Manziel has demonstrated. Shaw wants it enough to work for it but not just for himself. He is and has always been a selfless team player, wanting the spotlight on the team and not on himself. Manziel just thinks it will continue to be handed to him on a silver platter. He can say he has grown up all he wants to, but that just doesn’t make it true. He should have grown up long before he went out to play with the big guys. Whatever the outcome is down the road for Shaw, he can hold his head up high knowing he not only did his best but did it with class. I, for one, hope he is given the opportunity to help this ragged mess
Ur gonna need a new #
Fair points all around, but here’s the problem with “keeping them around”…
You’re sending a message that these individuals “potential talent” trumps their flawed character and lack of commitment to being a professional.
Its a slap in the face to players like Dansby, Whitner, Thomas etc that cause you to lose the entire locker room quickly.
In other words “if Johnny gets to stay up late, then so can I”.
Man, we gotta stop with the kid/parent comparisons, my entire childhood is flashing before me.
Can I also use Connor Shaw to talk about Brian Hoyer?
I think I’m where you are on Shaw’s performance: Didn’t do enough to win it, certainly didn’t do anything to lose it though. It reminded me of watching Hoyer for most of the year.
Squint hard enough and number 9 sure looked like number 6 out there yesterday, and I’m simplifying the analysis here, but that’s probably enough for me to say Hoyer probably isn’t the answer we’re looking for at QB.
We’ve had so many gawdawful QB performances that would have been worse than 32nd best in the league if statistically possible, over the past 5 years (let alone the past 15) that a bottom-third-of-the-league type QB looks extremely competent in comparison. In reality we still need to do better. No idea what that plan should look like, but latching onto the 28th best starting QB in the league (give or take), probably doesn’t get us very far unless we’re already done on Manziel and looking for a bridge to yet a new QB era.
As usual, no one talks about or even thanks the QB who came in and showed character,heart,talent,leadership. He got smashed into the ground multiple times, got up, and got ready for it again. It’s all about Manziel. Well, I, for one think he did a great job, against a dangerous defense, in a hostile environment. I think he deserves a chance to develop his arm, and a chance to play behind a better oline, with the elite receivers.
THANK YOU CONNOR SHAW, you helped keep us in a game which was supposed to be a blow out.
“Manziel has talent but is a complete idiot…” Stop. Do not pass go. Do not continue to make plans around a player who is referred to in any capacity as an idiot.
Arm strength is somewhat overrated if you have the right pieces around you. I just rewatched the Browns/Ravens game last night. There were only two or three long passes where arm strength would have come into play – and the receivers still had the ball on their fingertips and just couldn’t reel it in. Not Shaw’s fault. All the other passes were 2 to 6 yard tosses. Neither Brady nor Manning in their current state have a significantly stronger arm than Shaw. I don’t know if Shaw is the answer, but arm strength shouldn’t be the only determining factor.
This ^.
#1 is a blank and meaningless statement. What should the Browns have done to “send a stern message”??? A public whipping? Until you can provide a viable alternative, you are not even demonstrating that the Browns did anything wrong other then express a vague opinion. Football organizations have to balance the actions with one player with how other players and prospects will react to that action. For point 2, you are basing your whole argument on speculation.
you know football less than most people. By your logic, we should have kept Weeden because he has a stronger arm than Manziel, Hoyer and Shaw combined. As Hoyer clearly demonstrated, arm strength, while important, is less important than mental toughness, accuracy, commitment, leadership, and football intelligence. In fact, arm strength alone cannot overcome any of the other things I listed for more than a couple games. Once the other team realizes you are a moron, you are toast. Manziel is so bad at the mental aspects, people are probably wondering is he already has long term brain trauma from playing football.
This is so spot on – expect for the first 8 or so games of the year. Other than that awesome 6-3 record and TD to INT ratio that had everyone impressed. Hoyer is a B QB. he is better than most backups, but not as good as most starters. He can win more games than he loses and could really help the team in 2015-16 as we find a longer term solution. Remember – Hoyer is starting the 2nd 1/2 of his career. Even if he was an A- guy, he isn’t going to be around for long. I’m not a huge fan, I don’t think he is “the answer” but he maybe a way to delay the decision so we can find and train up “the answer”. 3 years, 20 million, 10 guaranteed, 3rd year is a club option. Friendly to Hoyer, and doesn’t commit the Browns long term.
The stern message is to immediately cut all three players for repeated organization procedural failures.
Regarding “balancing actions for other players and prospects”, if you are afraid of losing prospects because you took a hard stance with immature behavior, you have Cleveland Battered Fan syndrome. It’s cool, I’ve seen it before.
I still haven’t seen any of this “talent” either.
Well now see here and all that. This punk asked to be picked with a knowledge of the history of a fan base hungry for a competitive Browns team. This here punk is not hungry enough to put forth the effort needed. His success came early in college with little preparation and he is not like other athletes who are purpose driven not only for the game but a better life for not only themselves but family.
I am completely on board with everyone who thinks Manziel needs to grow up and grow up fast but am I the only one who absolutely hated the play calling by Shanahan when he was in there? The reason Connor Shaw played decently is because we ran the same offense as we did when Hoyer was in, which is exactly the same offense we should have ran when they put in Manziel.
Shaw did a better job the both of Cleveland’s QBs. If he had more team reps and had more time to learn the tendencies of his receivers he would have played better then he did. And he had a solid game and earned the respect of both teams and the Cleveland locker room and Coaching Staff. Look up some of the thing Pettine said about Shaw. Shaw has the ability to start in the NFL one day. And do it for a long time. There is going to be a competition next season for QB in Cleveland. With at minimum 3 young QBs. You open the competition, Manziel, Shaw and whoever they draft. The one who plays the best during the Pre-season gets the start. If done right this could be the turning point for Cleveland as a franchise. Either they stay terrible or they become a club that wins games and become a team in the AFC North. A division that had three teams in the Playoffs this season. The 7-9 Brown were the only team in there Division not to make the Playoffs. So that’s 6 games minimum against Playoff squads. And they went 2-4 in Division. They turn that into 4-2 and they go 9-7. Enough of the personality crap, and all the noise. Can he play the game of football? Shaw proved, no matter how small, that he can play. Manziel showed the opposite, and the rookie they bring in this years has gotten the opportunity. This next season for Cleveland with be interesting to see how they progress and see if they can get over that hump.
j manziel he doesn’t have what it takes to be a pro .Gordon is the same way. farmer should make their lives hell next season .when preseason starts they should give them a real ass kickin on the practice field. every time manziel forget a play let him get run over by d-line;let Gordon be a punt returner
all you whiteboys was all over manziels cock last season
cut gordons ass
shaw will beat drunkass out in qb competition