2015 Browns Position Previews: Quarterbacks

With training camp in Berea revving up to top gear, we finish off our Browns position previews with the most important position, the quarterback position. Over the last many weeks, I have looked at all of the positions of the 2015 Cleveland Browns, except for the signal caller. This group is always the most talked and troubling position for the Browns since 1999. Once again we will most likely see a new starting quarterback start the first game of the season. So today, let’s take a look at the final group of the Cleveland Browns, the quarterbacks.

2015 Browns Position Previews: Safeties | Cornerbacks | Inside Linebackers | Outside Linebackers | Defensive Line | Tight Ends/Fullbacks | Running Backs | Offensive Line | Wide Receivers | Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks

Additions

Josh McCown (Free Agency – Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Thaddeus Lewis (Free Agency – Houston Texans)

Subtractions

Brian Hoyer (Free Agency – Houston Texans)

Tyler Thigpen (Free Agency – Unsigned)

The Starter: Josh McCown

As all Browns fans know, the team has had 22 different starting quarterbacks since 1999. Unless Johnny Manziel overtakes Josh McCown somehow, McCown will be the 23^rd quarterback to take the field to open a game. Coming into the season, though, it seems that the starting spot is not up for debate and that there is no competition; McCown is the starter. Last year with the Tampa Buccaneers, Pro Football Focus graded his season with a minus-8.3 grade. (The top quarterback PFF grade, plus-40.4, went to Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers.)

Josh McCown and the Cleveland Browns are hoping they get the production that McCown had with the Chicago Bears two years ago rather than last season’s lack of production with Tampa Bay. In 11 games with the Bucs last year, he completed 56.3 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,206 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. A lot of last season can be blamed on the horrible surroundings he had in Tampa Bay. With the Browns, he will have better protection, a better running game, and a better defense to back him up. McCown brings experience and leadership to the quarterback spot. When he has time in the pocket, he can be accurate, leading the receiver with his throw. But will we see the efficient quarterback of Chicago or the mistake riddled quarterback of Tampa Bay? This is the big question this coming season.

The starting quarterback spot has been a question mark on the Browns for pretty much every season since 1999. McCown will need good play around him in order for him to be successful this season. The pass protection could be the key for McCown returning to his form when he was with Chicago. He has shown that he cannot be a quarterback who can do it by himself and that he needs players around him to be successful. The Browns and the fans will be hoping that McCown can take control of the quarterback spot and do a rare thing for a Cleveland Browns signal caller: stay healthy and play all 16 games.

The Backup: Johnny Manziel

The most talked about quarterback is not Josh McCown, but his backup Johnny Manziel. His rookie season last year was a mess, completing 51.4 percent of his passes for 175 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions, along with 29 rushing yards and a touchdown. He was ill prepared and acted unprofessionally off the field, leading to a stay at a rehab facility during the offseason. This coming season is a great unknown for Manziel. He will first need to show the coaches that he is dedicated and ready to be a pro. Then we will see if he can improve on the field and be the player the team hoped they were getting when they drafted him. In college, he showed good accuracy, anticipation, and athleticism. But it is still a huge question as to whether his game will ever translate to the NFL after a disastrous rookie season. Manziel will likely only see the field if McCown gets injured or if he is completely horrible.

Other Quarterbacks on Roster: Thaddeus Lewis and Connor Shaw

Thaddeus Lewis has returned for his second go-around with the Browns. He did not play a game last season, last seeing the field in 2013 with the Buffalo Bills. Lewis is a player who has athleticism and the intelligence to make good decisions. But he is a smaller quarterback (6-foot, 200 pounds) with inconsistent accuracy. Lewis is a solid backup option with experience of playing in the league. It will be hard for him to make the squad over McCown and Manziel unless the team decides to keep three quarterbacks.

Connor Shaw played better in his one start last season than Manziel did in his multiple stints playing. In that one start, Shaw completed 50 percent of his passes for 177 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. Shaw has the athleticism, makeup, and intelligence that coaches look for in a NFL quarterback. He lacks, however, size, arm strength, and consistent accuracy. His intangibles are very good, but quite frankly he does not have the throwing talent to be a quarterback with the Browns. Just like Lewis, it is very hard to see Shaw make the squad.

Biggest Strength: Experienced Starter

The Browns biggest strength at the quarterback position is that they are relying on an experienced quarterback in Josh McCown to run their offense. McCown has ample experience in the league, going through a lot of different hardships that will prepare him for whatever comes his way this season. McCown is not Aaron Rodgers or Payton Manning, but he is a guy who can lead a team and be a solid quarterback. His experience will help him versus the many different looks defenses will show the Browns this season. The one thing the Browns can rely on with the quarterback position is that McCown will not get flustered or confused by being a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Biggest Weakness: Franchise Quarterback

The Browns biggest weakness is the same that it’s been for years: the lack of a franchise quarterback. The team is starting a bridge quarterback in Josh McCown and it is still up in the air whether they have a franchise quarterback on the roster or if they will need to get one next offseason. McCown will most likely not win a game by himself like some NFL franchise quarterbacks can do. The team will need to play well around him in order for McCown to be successful. It is yet another year where we start the season with a question about who can be the Browns franchise quarterback.

Biggest Position Battles: Johnny Manziel vs. Thaddeus Lewis vs. Connor Shaw

The biggest battle at the quarterback position will be for backup quarterback , and that most likely will not be much of a competition. Johnny Manziel will battle Thaddeus Lewis and Connor Shaw for this spot. Manziel is the huge favorite because he was a first round pick and his talent (should) exceed that of his two competitors. Manziel will need to show he is reborn since his horrible rookie year and that he is dedicated to being an NFL player. Lewis and Shaw will need to completely blow Manziel out of the water to overtake him for the number two spot. This is highly unlikely; the only real hope for Lewis and Shaw is that the Browns decide to take three quarterbacks into the season.

Grade: C-

Once again, the Browns will go into a season with the quarterback position being the weakest position on the team. The team is still looking for their franchise quarterback. But with the addition of Josh McCown, I believe the team has slightly improved the quarterback spot from last season. McCown has more experience and talent than Brian Hoyer, who helped take the team to a 7-4 record last year. McCown will throw behind one of the best offensive lines of his career, which will limit the situations where he’s pressured, which is something he really struggles with. I believe the Browns have a solid option with McCown this season, but his health will be a major deciding factor in the team’s success. Manziel is too much of an unknown for the team to have to rely on to start. So, in my opinion McCown is an upgrade over Hoyer, but is far from being a franchise quarterback.

All stats (unless noted otherwise) are from ESPN.com