Let’s hope rookie quarterback Cody Kessler, who suffered a chest/ribs injury in Sunday’s 33-13 loss to the New England Patriots, is healthy enough to start when the Browns play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
In addition to the fact that the 0-5 Browns desperately need a win, and Kessler gives them a better chance to get that than Charlie Whitehurst or any other veteran quarterback they would sign off the street, it’s that head coach Hue Jackson needs to see Kessler play as much as possible this year so as to have a good read on him heading into the offseason.
Can Kessler be the quarterback the Browns have been looking for since the expansion era began in 1999? If not, then can he a competent backup? Should the Browns take a quarterback with their pick at, or near, the top of the 2017 NFL Draft?
The Browns need to know the answers to these questions by the end of the season, and the only way to do that is for Kessler to play and play and play, and play some more. It’s all about having the quarterback. All great teams at all levels, all the way down to the youth leagues, have a great one. If you have that guy, then you have a chance. And if you don’t, then you don’t. It’s no more complicated than that.
The Browns haven’t had a good one since 1999 – not even close. This season was never really about winning. It can’t be, because the Browns are way too young and inexperienced for that. It was about trying to find that quarterback, because they are never going to get where they eventually want to go without one.
I don’t care about the other positions right now. I care only about the quarterback – the position is that important – so that’s what, or who, I want to watch over these remaining 11 games.
If the Browns have to trot Charlie Whitehurst, knee injury and all, out there in Nashville in place of Kessler, then the game against the 2-3 Titans becomes a whole lot less compelling. And watching a winless team play is already not very compelling as it is,
So root for good health for Kessler. Moreover, go to church and light a candle if you can.
