The Browns QB Controversy: Hoyer or Manziel is More Like Finkle and Eihorn
Mike Pettine, the Cleveland Browns Head Coach has a problem. It’s the problem that most losing teams face–horrible quarterback play. Pettine’s choice of starter is really no choice at all. Brian Hoyer, the current Browns’ starter has struggled. So much so that he was benched in the fourth quarter of the team’s Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Then there’s Johnny Manziel. Manziel is a rookie, who arrived late to camp, and doesn’t have a full grasp of the Browns playbook. Pundits will call this a typical QB controversy for the Cleveland Browns. We call this competition picking the lesser of two evils. USA TODAY Sports’ NFL writers discussed the Browns QB situation and the other biggest storylines from Week 13 in the NFL.
Pros and Cons of Browns’ Quarterbacks
Brian Hoyer
You know what you get in quarterback Brian Hoyer. He is a serviceable back up quarterback that can lead your team in emergencies. Hoyer is not a long-term solution. He was born and raised in the Cleveland area, ventured away from home for college, went undrafted, bounced around a few NFL teams, and has since found his way back to Ohio. Ultimately Hoyer signed with the New England Patriots, where he was Tom Brady’s backup for three seasons. In May 2013, though, the Browns signed Hoyer to a two-year contract to back up their first-round draft pick and future of the franchise, Brandon Weeden. For now, however, Weeden is sidelined and all the buzz is about the present state of the team—in Hoyer’s hands.
Johnny Manziel
In terms of Johnny Manziel, he has potential, but several shortcomings. Indeed that’s a pun. Manziel won’t be able to wear a huge armband with his plays and he didn’t play in a pro-style offense at Texas A&M. We don’t think Johnny Football will succeed in the league, but we do like the model he is allegedly hooking up with, Lauren Hanley.
The scouting report of Manziel coming out of college was that he’s an extraordinary competitor and leader with outstanding mobility. He can hurts opponents with his legs and ability to make all the throws. His negative qualities were that he lacks ideal size, could be injury-prone, and could succumb to off-the-field distractions. In all honesty, Lauren Hanley could distract us too. To conclude, the lack of talent at quarterback is screwing Mike Pettine and the Cleveland Browns.
The Comedy of Ace Ventura
If you don’t get the headline reference, go re-watch Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and get a sense of humor. The Cleveland Browns QB controversy could be just as funny.