Browns roster: Time for Browns to attract the curtain on QB DTR

The Cleveland Browns arguably reached the excessive level of the 2024 season on September 8 at about 4:35 p.m.

As Dustin Hopkins’ 51-yard discipline aim sailed by way of uprights to present the Browns a 3-0 lead over the Dallas Cowboys, nobody knew that all the things was about to return crashing down for Cleveland.

Associated: Browns, Dolphins Winners & Losers: Week 17 contains no offense with DTR, Tyler Huntley’s straightforward day

That was the start of a seven-game stretch that noticed quarterback Deshaun Watson put up traditionally horrific numbers earlier than being misplaced to a season-ending harm for the second consecutive 12 months.

Act II introduced quarterback Jameis Winston because the starter. And whereas he was marginally higher than Watson, the bottom of all doable bars to clear, the offense with Winston operating the present was nonetheless traditionally horrible.

Associated: Browns vs Ravens Week 18 scheduled as standalone nationwide recreation for Laborious Knocks

With nothing left to play for and no purpose to proceed with the Winston “experience,” head coach Kevin Stefanski opted to open Act III with second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the controls. The choice falls beneath the at all times widespread “see what we have” class because the Browns begin turning an eye fixed towards the 2025 quarterback room.

After two video games, it’s clear that the lesson has been discovered: Thompson-Robinson will not be a viable possibility as a beginning quarterback, and there ought to be legit doubt about whether or not or not he can function a backup.

In his two begins, Thompson-Robinson has accomplished simply 54.3 % of his passes (44-of-81) for 327 yards, throwing three interceptions, dropping a fumble, tacking six sacks, and failing to throw a landing move.

He additionally continued the season-long pattern of the Browns failing to hit 20 factors, which they’ve achieved 13 instances: seven beneath Watson, 4 beneath Winston, and twice beneath Thompson-Robinson.

For his brief NFL profession, Thompson-Robinson has made 5 begins and accomplished simply 52.4 % of his passes, with one landing move, 10 interceptions, 13 sacks, and a quarterback ranking of 44.8.

Principally, Thompson-Robinson is enjoying like a fifth-round draft alternative who tries arduous however simply doesn’t have that further one thing wanted to achieve success. That isn’t to excuse his play, however some perspective regarding expectations ought to be utilized right here.

Sadly, Browns followers have seen this earlier than from quarterbacks who discovered the highlight far too shiny, together with:

Todd Philcox in 1992 towards the Seattle Seahawks. In his first begin following the discharge of Bernie Kosar, Philcox’s fumble on the primary play of the sport was returned for a landing by the Seahawks. Philcox went on to complete nine-of-20 for 85 yards and two interceptions in a 22-5 loss.
Spergon Wynn in 2000 towards the Jacksonville Jaguars. Making his first NFL begin, Wynn was five-of-16 for 17 yards and took 5 sacks because the Browns managed 53 whole yards of offense and minus-9 web passing yards.
Luke McCown in 2004 towards the Buffalo Payments. McCown led the Browns to 26 yards of whole offense, was sacked seven instances, and completed eight-of-20 for 62 yards and a pair of interceptions.
Bruce Gradkowski in 2008 towards the Pittsburgh Steelers. Within the season finale, Gradkowski was five-of-16 for 18 yards (sure, 18 yards!), was picked off twice (one in every of which returned for a landing), and led an offensive assault that managed simply 126 whole yards and solely crossed midfield as soon as.

Picture by Andy Lyons/Getty Photos

Johnny Manziel in 2014 towards the Cincinnati Bengals. The unquestioned all-time worst efficiency from a Browns quarterback, Manziel made his first NFL begin a memorable one by going 10-of-18 for 80 yards, with two interceptions and three sacks in main the offense to 107 yards in a 30-0 loss.

We may go on, however the level has been made. (And, candidly, it does nobody’s psychological well being any good to maintain speaking about unhealthy quarterback play.) This isn’t to excuse Thompson-Robinson’s efficiency on Sunday towards the Miami Dolphins, however somewhat to focus on that the hyperbole about how unhealthy he performed must be dialed approach again.

So what do the Browns do now because the season finale looms on Saturday towards the Baltimore Ravens? They need to know what Thompson-Robinson brings to the sphere and there doesn’t look like a lot worth in throwing him on the market towards a Baltimore group that can be enjoying to win.

Slightly, it may very well be time for Stefanski to drag one other favourite technique from previous doomed seasons and provides Bailey Zappe the one-and-done closing week begin at quarterback.

A season that started with promise and unofficially got here to a detailed in early September will formally attain its conclusion Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

And even with yet one more recreation to play, it’s in all probability time to drop the curtain on Thompson-Robinson’s time because the beginning quarterback.