Browns can accelerate rebuild with Kizer implemented as starting QB
After impressing during the preseason with a series of performances that belied his raw statistical output, rookie DeShone Kizer won the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback role Sunday.
The first-year pivot is being groomed to become the face of the franchise by head coach Hue Jackson, who ardently believes the 21-year-old is destined for stardom. Upon committing to their quarterback of the future, the Browns no longer have to enlist in half-measures and can accelerate their rebuild with their most important position secured for the time being.
Need a good laugh on a quiet Sunday evening before "Game of Thrones" or the 49ers-Vikings preseason clash? Look no further than the laundry list of quarterbacks the Browns have trotted out in years past.
Brady Quinn never completed over 54 percent of his passes in a single year. Colt McCoy looked lost in space. Brandon Weeden started the 2012 campaign as a 28-year-old rookie, an oxymoron if there ever was one, flaming out after two seasons before improbably cultivating a journeyman role with the Texans. Will anyone remember the Jason Campbell/Brian Hoyer/Josh McCown starting trio from 2013-2015? We've gone this far without touching on the ill-fated attempt to revive Robert Griffin III's career, nor have we addressed the Johnny Manziel saga - a modern American tragedy with a dramatic arc fitting of an Aristotelian archetype.
One can be forgiven if they're relentlessly skeptical of Kizer taking over the reigns, but he's putting the Browns in the best position to succeed long-term.
Kizer is Jackson's unreserved choice and the pairing will be tied to each other as the two central figures behind the Browns' rebuild - with due apologies to 2017 first overall pick Myles Garrett. If Kizer fails during his rookie year, he will likely avoid scrutiny and the decision to throw the second-round pick into action will be viewed as a bold coaching decision gone awry. However, if Kizer excels, or is even merely competent during his rookie campaign, he will receive due credit for taking over a moribund franchise.
It's a win-win scenario for the rookie as Jackson slowly bides his time in eventually trying to turn the Browns into a Super Bowl contender.
Sashi Brown, Hue Jackson and DeShone Kizer all at some point said they'd rather not HAVE to start him Week One. There was No. Other. Choice.
- Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) August 27, 2017
With Kizer cemented as the starter, barring disaster - a tenable proposition considering the franchise's history - the Browns can afford to spend their draft capital elsewhere, shoring up their positions of need. Cleveland largely focused on improving its defense during the 2017 Draft, while adding tight end David Njoku in the first round and Kizer in the second.
The Browns still need to make drastic improvements at several positions, namely at cornerback - as Joe Haden continues his precipitous decline - wide receiver, defensive tackle, and inside linebacker. If Kizer proves to be this year's version of Dak Prescott, the Browns can attack their positions of need and ascend from the AFC North basement quicker than most anticipated.
Precisely 12 months ago, Kizer was billed as a potential first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft before falling out of favor during his final season at Notre Dame. The cottage industry of scouting prospects has often proven to be fickle and collegiate scouting is an inexact science. If Kizer proves to be the genuine article, the Browns can finally move on from their long-standing nightmare at quarterback and address their other needs without feeling capsized.
Onward, to the Kizer-Jackson era, a pairing the Browns desperately hope to be fruitful, as opposed to another relic in the haunted house of quarterbacks past.
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