CLEVELAND — Charlie Whitehurst, in at quarterback for the Browns, made Patriots defensive end Chris Long miss with a nice up-and-under move and tried to run for a first down. That’s when he was belted by Malcom Brown short of the first down.
It was exciting for a second, but it didn’t produce the desired result.
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That’s kind of how next week will feel if Whitehurst — dubbed “Clipboard Jesus” for his flowing locks — will earn the distinction of being the Browns’ 27th different starting quarterback since 1999. Whitehurst replaced Cody Kessler, who left with a chest injury in a 33-13 loss Sunday to New England. Even Whitehurst left briefly with a knee injury, replaced by wide receiver Terrelle Pryor.
“Charlie came back in the game, as you know,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said. “It is a knee, but he came back in the game and finished. I think that will be day to day but there is obviously a chance Charlie will be up and going.”
The prognosis on Kessler wasn’t as favorable.
“Cody, right now, has a chest/rib-type deal that he’s dealing with,” Jackson said. “He is going to be day to day. We will find out more about him this week as we go through the week.”
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In other words, more injuries, more bad news at quarterback in Cleveland. The Browns are 0-5, one loss for each quarterback who has seen action this seen when you include Pryor. Those quarterbacks have combined for 240.2 passing yards per game with five TDs and five interceptions.
The best news of the day might have been that rookie Carson Wentz and the Eagles lost to the Detroit Lions. It’s all recycled one-liners and another nameplate on that infamous jersey.
The whole “Clipboard Jesus” thing will be fun for about 15 minutes leading up to Week 6 if he is tabbed the starter against the Titans in Week 6. Cleveland will get a look at Marcus Mariota, the No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
That’s when they should start thinking about starting QB No. 28. The Browns are going to have at least a top-five pick, probably a top-three pick and perhaps the No. 1 pick. They need to spend that on a quarterback — DeShone Kizer, Deshaun Watson or whoever else — no questions asked.
That’s the first part.
The second part would be sticking with that quarterback. The Browns have drafted four quarterbacks in the first round since 1999. Tim Couch had 59 starts and a 22-37. That’s the closest thing to giving one of those guys a chance the Browns ever did, and he simply got sacked too much. First-round picks Brady Quinn (3-9), Brandon Weeden (5-15) and Johnny Manziel (2-6) combined for a 10-30 record. The record is secondary to the fact those quarterbacks combined for two-seasons-and-change as starter.
So draft the top quarterback. Develop the top quarterback. Give the top quarterback more than a season or two to succeed (or fail). It’s better than going through Robert Griffin III, Josh McCown, Kessler, Pryor and Whitehurst through five weeks.
Pick, and stick with No. 28 instead. That is, if it can stay at 27 before the end of the regular season.
