BEREA, Ohio: The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback scenario stays cloudy, and considerably convoluted.
At least they’re constant.
Coach Kevin Stefanski declined to announce his starter for this week’s recreation towards Jacksonville on Wednesday, saying he desires to judge practices earlier than selecting between Joe Flacco and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
“We’ll make that decision at the appropriate time,” Stefanski stated earlier than follow. “But I want to see how this week goes.”
It’s potential Stefanski has already settled on the 38-year-old Flacco, who was just lately signed by the Browns and performed past expectations in his first begin in almost a 12 months final week.
It’s additionally potential that Stefanski desires to maintain the Jaguars (8-4), who’re coping with their very own QB points after starter Trevor Lawrence suffered an ankle damage on Monday night time, guessing so long as potential.
And, there’s additionally an opportunity he goes again to Thompson-Robinson, who made two straight begins earlier than sustaining a c oncussion on Nov. 26 at Denver.
Flacco’s sturdy efficiency towards the Rams — his first recreation in 11 months — would appear to make him the potential favourite. The Super Bowl 47 MVP handed for 254 yards with two touchdowns in a 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
While he confirmed little rust, Flacco did throw a expensive interception within the fourth quarter that led to the Rams scoring the sport’s last 16 factors and handing the Browns (7-5) their second straight loss.
Thompson-Robinson returned to follow however stays in concussion protocol after taking a nasty hit towards the Broncos.
Before Thompson-Robinson went down, the fifth-round choose from UCLA who was thrust into Cleveland’s beginning lineup when Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending shoulder damage, confirmed main enhancements in his all-around recreation.
Stefanski wouldn’t say if Thompson-Robinson will regain his beginning job as soon as he clears the league’s protocol for head accidents.
“We’ve got to see how it goes,” Stefanski stated. “I think that’s what’s important in this situation. Dorian obviously hasn’t cleared just yet, but he’s going to practice, so I want to see how it looks.”
Stefanski might have his desire for a starter, however that doesn’t imply it aligns with the plans of Cleveland’s entrance workplace or possession.
The Browns have already displayed religion in Thompson-Robinson by making him the backup earlier than the season and by returning to him following a tough NFL debut earlier this season towards Baltimore.
“Dorian continues to get better,” Stefanski stated. “Just think back to preseason — he got better throughout the preseason, I think has gotten better throughout this season. I think we’ve all seen his skillset and know what type of player he is, but I think he’s working very hard to continue to improve as this season wears on.”
But with playoff implications driving on the end result, do the Browns threat taking part in a rookie over a veteran who has made 181 profession begins?
Flacco’s mere presence on the sector appeared to have a chilled impact final week for the Browns, by no means thoughts that Cleveland’s offense moved extra crisply with him behind heart than it has since Watson obtained damage.
The 6-foot-6 Flacco isn’t almost as cell as Thompson-Robinson, however he makes up for any deficiencies as a runner along with his arm and huge expertise.
While RPOs (run-pass choices) and elusive QBs are in vogue, Stefanski agreed there may be nonetheless a spot within the recreation for pure pocket passers resembling Flacco.
“Obviously, yes, in his instance,” Stefanski stated. “We’ve all seen that this position go through different changes. I was just talking about Randall Cunningham yesterday, where he was ahead of his time just thinking about what he would be doing in this league.
“It’s cyclical maybe. There’s multiple ways to play this position. There’s multiple ways to be impactful for your offense and regardless of who our quarterback is, you have to play through the strengths of your quarterback.”
NOTES: CB Denzel Ward returned to follow after lacking two video games with a shoulder damage. Cleveland’s secondary has sorely missed Ward, who was having an All-Pro-caliber season earlier than getting damage. … WR Amari Cooper (concussion), RB Kareem Hunt (groin) and DT Maurice Hurst II (calf) had been all out. … DE Myles Garrett, LG Joel Bitonio and TE David Njoku weren’t on the sector however usually get relaxation on Wednesday.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
