Let's stop with the constant columns debating what the Cleveland Browns should do. No more do we need to rant and rave on Twitter about what the right move may be.
Cleveland's quarterback question has been answered: the name's Football, Johnny Football.
Manziel is the 007 to Hoyer's 1-6, as in the one touchdown he's thrown against six interceptions in his last four games. Hoyer is completing just 50.8 percent of his passes in the last three weeks. The Browns are 1-2 in that stretch.
Brandon, isn't Cleveland in the playoff hunt at 7-5 under Hoyer this season though?
Great question, glad you asked. Sure, the Browns could make the playoffs. But they have a losing record in their conference and have to compete with the rest of the teams from the AFC North, all of which are above .500. The Chargers, Chiefs, Texans, Bills and Dolphins are also very much alive in the post-season race. After a 26-10 loss to Buffalo too, I'd say a playoff berth is about as likely as Roger Goodell voluntarily stepping down as Commissioner.
Brandon, isn't Hoyer 10-5 as Cleveland's starting quarterback though?
Great question, glad you asked. Yes, Hoyer owns the second best winning percentage in history among Browns' starting quarterbacks. His 10 wins, however, came against opponents with a combined winning percentage of just .425. Not exactly a murderers row of competition.
Hoyer has proven to be nothing more than an average quarterback, which admittedly, is much better than what Browns fans are used to. Hoyer is also a pending free agent. But the Browns have to realize it's unwise to overspend for mediocrity at the position. Just ask the Bengals and Bears.
The time is now to roll with Manziel.
Manziel entered Sunday's game with about 12 minutes left (Hoyer had been pulled after two picks). The rookie QB immediately completed three of four passes for 54 yards and lead the Browns to their only touchdown drive of the day. Naturally, it ended with a 10-yard Manziel scramble for the score. Manziel, the inspiration for rapper Drake's "Draft Day" needs to patent his own money sign emoticon ASAP. Dude is going to find himself in the endzone a lot if he keeps playing.
Overall, the former Heisman Trophy winner finished five-of-eight passing for 63 yards with two carries for 13 yards and a touchdown. That's a 98.3 QBR for you advanced metrics folks out there.
Browns general manager Ray Farmer said back in October that he thought Manziel would be the starter at some point. Why not now? If Hoyer were somehow to tag along for a playoff berth, it would only increase the price for a free agent quarterback who is no better than decent. Manziel could be great.
Beyond Manziel's on-field potential, it's obvious that the rookie phenomenon is a much needed injection of life into what has a mostly been a dormant franchise. He's in the top 10 for Jersey sales this season, despite only attempting all of nine passes. And did you know that Google has a list of the 100 most "trending" athletes of 2014? Manziel came in at 36, ahead of MVP candidate DeMarco Murray, G.O.A.T. Roger Federer and World Series champion Buster Posey. Hoyer wasn't even ranked.
The Bills gave Ryan Fitzpatrick a sizable contract with comparable stats to Hoyer's. Josh McCown turned five good games last season into $10 million. Cleveland, don't make the same mistake. Sparks of competence from Hoyer aren't enough to douse a potential inferno from Manziel.
Make the right move. Go with Johnny Football right now.
