The Browns have done the easy part.

 

In DeShone Kizer, they’ve identified someone who could – could – become the franchise quarterback the club has looked for since the beginning of the franchise era.

 

Now comes the hard part in trying to build him into that kind of player.

 

That development won’t be easy or quick. It never is with rookies, especially the ones who play quarterback. Indeed, there will be growing pains.

 

And so, then, the Browns had better have a lot pf patience. They can’t get too giddy when he plays well, or too disappointed when he doesn’t. They can’t give him too much to learn, too soon, or else it will cause him to gag. At the same time, they can’t be too slow to feed him new things once he digests what he’s already been given, or else he’ll get stale and quit growing.

 

It’s a delicate balance, to be sure. And it’s hard to determine what to do, when, so as to be able to maximize his ability and his chance to be successful.

 

This is where Browns head coach Hue Jackson comes in. This is exactly the task for which he was hired, to take a young, talented quarterback under his wing and bring him along at just the right pace.

 

Mike Pettine couldn’t have done this.

 

Pat Shurmur couldn’t have done this.

 

Rob Chudzinski was never given enough time to do this.

 

Eric Mangini couldn’t have done this.

 

Romeo Crennel couldn’t have done this.

 

Butch Davis couldn’t have done this.

 

Chris Palmer couldn’t have done this.

 

Perhaps Jackson won’t be able to do it, either. We’ll just have to see. But at least his credentials make him much better suited to do it.

 

The fans play a part in this as well. When Kizer messes up, they can’t boo him incessantly, lest they turn FirstEnergy Stadium into a home-field disadvantage for him.

 

This is a like riding in a boat during a storm. You have to hold on tight – with both hands.

 

And the ship sets sail in a little less than two weeks.