Pettine Creates A Problem With QB Situation

Cleveland Browns Head Coach Mike Pettine has created another, in a long line, of quarterback controversies by replacing Brian Hoyer on Sunday with Johnny Manziel and then naming Hoyer the starter for this Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. Pettine indicated that his decision was based on the belief that Hoyer gave them the best chance to win. If that is the case, why put Manziel in against Buffalo early in the fourth quarter with the team down 20-3? After all, Hoyer has been the master of fourth quarter comebacks.

What Pettine probably didn't expect was the drive Manziel directed which ended with Johnny Football running in for a touchdown to make the score 20-10 with plenty of time remaining. In that same drive, Manziel showed a stronger arm than Hoyer and obviously provided more of a running threat. Johnny Football gave the offense a much needed spark, something that has been lacking over the last few games. 

In full disclosure, I did not want the Browns to draft Manziel. I questioned his ability to play his type of game in the NFL and be successful. Pettine's decision to name Hoyer the starter was the right one to make at the beginning of the season. In the first 7 games of the season, Hoyer threw for 8 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. What made him successful was limiting turnovers. However, the last five games have been a disaster. The stat line shows only 3 touchdown passes and 8 interceptions. These numbers include the win on a Thursday night over Cincinnati where Hoyer didn't throw a touchdown or an interception. It makes the numbers even worse. 

Many are saying that the Browns are still in the playoff hunt so it would be foolish to hand the fate of the team's playoff chances to a rookie quarterback. That's all fine and dandy but let's have a reality check. In order for the Browns to make the playoffs they are going have to win the division which means that they will need to beat Cincinnati and Baltimore and win one of the games against Carolina or the Colts and that might not still be enough. If they happen to make the playoffs, they are not going to the Super Bowl. So I guess until they are mathematically eliminated, the Browns will keep Hoyer as the starter and delay the evaluation process of Johnny Manziel. In a word: stupid. 

I've heard some say that the Browns should give Hoyer the remainder of this season and the beginning of next season before your consider replacing Hoyer with Manziel. Really?? People want to compare Hoyer to Brian Sipe but he is no Sipe. In 1980, Sipe was the AP NFL Most Valuable Player. Somehow I don't see Brian Hoyer being an NFL MVP. I don't see him being a Pro Bowler either. 

Based on what I've seen this season, Hoyer is a serviceable back-up quarterback. He is not a franchise quarterback. Johnny Manziel?? I'm not sure if Johnny Football is the answer but I would like to find out now. In the 2015 Draft, the Browns have two first round picks that could be packaged to move up to take a Marcus Mariota. That's why the Browns need to know if Johnny is the guy. They can only find out if he plays. 

If Hoyer starts off the Indy game like he has in the last two games, the crowd at First Energy Stadium will be surly and Mike Pettine will have a full blown quarterback controversy on his hands. A controversy he created.