So, they sit — or they stand there — and wait.

And wait.

And wait.

And wait some more.

We’re talking about the Browns’ backup quarterbacks, Jameis Winston, the well-traveled veteran, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the young up-and-comer.

They see what’s going on out there with starting-to-get-on-your-nerves starting quarterback Deshaun Watson and the offensive offense. Both are bad, terrible, struggling mightily, putrid, unwatchable or whatever you want to call it. It sure isn’t pretty.

As such, they, like you and me and the rest of those of us in the free world, have to be wondering what in the name of incompetence is going on.

Yeah, what is going on?

If your refrigerator operated that poorly, then you would get a new one, lest the food spoils and the ice cream melts.

If the roof on your house was that lousy and leaky, then you would get a new one, lest everything inside the home gets soaked and ruined.

And if your car was that undependable, then you’d get a new one, lest it conks out and you get stranded in the middle of nowhere.

The Browns’ movers and shakers are part of the you group, just like you and me. And, if their — or our — refrigerator, roof and car were as described, then they — or we — would not hesitate to make a change. It would be common sense.

Even if what they — or we — went to as a replacement was just mildly bad, it would still be a huge upgrade. After all, it can’t get any worse, right?

Right.

This is the worst starting quarterback situation the Browns have ever had in terms of performance, the chances for even mild improvement and the costs in money and assets involved. And it’s not even close.

Concerning the guy you’re thinking about — the one who used to wear that monicker — in Mike Phipps from 50 years ago, keep in mind that he actually led the Browns to some significant wins, including a last-second, comeback one over Pittsburgh at home that helped the club get to the AFC playoffs in 1972 when only four teams per conference qualified. Watson has done nothing even remotely comparable.

So, then, why don’t the Browns make a change — now, when the season is still young and salvageable?

That’s a great question to begin asking — and to continue asking — so as to hold those movers’ and shakers’ feet to the fire.

Steve King