'Cleveland Browns have their reasons for wanting Josh McCown and other weekend notes -- Terry Pluto'
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ssf/2015/03/cleveland_browns_have_their_re.htmlBy Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer on March 07, 2015 at 9:35 AM, updated March 07, 2015 at 10:36 AM
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As you read this, keep in mind that I'm giving you the Browns' perspective. Other than the statements from the public relations department, we've heard very little about why they signed quarterback Josh McCown.
And very few people have been excited about it, including me.
Anyway, I wanted to know what the Browns were thinking, so here we go:
1. They believed Brian Hoyer would probably sign elsewhere once free agency began on March 10. Of course, the Browns weren't willing to make any sort of real commitment, either. In the end, it seemed best for both sides to move on.
2. The free agent QB selections are very limited -- Mark Sanchez, Jake Locker, etc. There will be a lot of competition for mediocre quarterbacks. McCown was available now, whereas Locker and the rest can't sign until March 10. Signing McCown before free agency opened ensured the Browns have at least one veteran in place.
3. The Browns studied every snap taken by McCown in the last two years. In 2013, he threw 13 touchdown passes compared to one interception while starting five games in Chicago. Last season, he had 14 interceptions against 11 TDs in 11 games. What was the difference?
4. Last season, the Browns used play-action fakes on 29 percent of their plays for Hoyer. Tampa did it on only 9 percent for McCown, second fewest in the NFL. The year before in Chicago, it was 21 percent for McCown.
5. In Chicago, McCown had Matt Forte (1,339 yards rushing). Last season, he had Doug Martin (494 yards) and Bobby Rainey (406). The Bears' strong running game helped set up McCown's passing.
6. Tampa often used empty backfields and multiple receiver sets. Chicago's Forte was not only a weapon in the running game, he caught 79 passes in 2013. So he was always on the field, receiving lots of defensive attention.
7. Tampa ranked 29th in rushing. The Bucs scored only seven touchdowns on the ground, and three belonged to McCown.
8. The Browns ranked 17th in rushing with 17 touchdowns. There is no doubt that the Browns have a much better ground game.
9. McCown had good receivers in both places. In Chicago, it was Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffries and Martellus Bennett. In Tampa Bay, it was Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans.
10. Both teams have superior receivers when compared to the 2014 Browns.
11. The difference for McCown was the Bears' running attack and a much better offensive line than Tampa Bay. Chicago's offensive philosophy put McCown in formations that fit his skills.
12. Football Outsiders rated Tampa Bay as the NFL's worst offensive line, 29th protecting the passer. The Browns were 24th overall, 15th protecting the passer. The Browns expect a big upgrade with the return of Pro Bowl center Alex Mack and some help in the draft.
13. Profootballfocus ranked the Browns as the No. 6 offensive line in 2014. They had Tampa at No. 25. No matter the ranking, McCown is coming to a much better line.
14. The Bucs were 2-14. McCown certainly had a hand in the problems, but they were widespread. A week before the season, offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford became ill and had to resign. It was just a mess with the lousy blocking and running game.
15. The Browns know that McCown will be 36 on July 4. They know he is a stopgap. New offensive coordinator John DeFilippo worked with him in Oakland. The Browns believe they can duplicate the offense they had with Hoyer early in the season and make it work with McCown.
16. McCown also is willing to work with Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw or a Quarterback To Be Named Later. At this stage of his career, he wants to start -- but knows he has real value as a backup.
17. I could not get a sense if the Browns plan to draft a quarterback -- or sign another one. Their salary cap room gives them options for another quarterback.
ABOUT MONEY AND QUARTERBACKS
Some fans were shocked by McCown's three-year, $14 million contract.
First of all, that $14 million means nothing. The key to any NFL contract is the guaranteed money. For McCown, it's $6.2 million. That's right, $6.2 million for a guy who had a 1-10 record as a starter with Tampa Bay last year. McCown made $4.75 million with the Bucs.
Veteran backups make good money, and it will keep rising. Buffalo paid $5.4 million to Kyle Orton in 2014. He retired, and the Bills tried to sign McCown. The Browns out-bid them.
Then Buffalo traded for Matt Cassel, who signed a two-year, $10.5 million contract with Minnesota in 2014. He was guaranteed $5.6 million. His career record is 23-33.
Before 2014, Chad Henne signed a two-year, $8 million deal with Jacksonville -- $4 million guaranteed. Before 2014, Matt Moore received the same contract from Miami. Matt Schaub signed a two-year, $13 million deal to back up in Oakland -- with $6.5 million guaranteed.
Free agency opens on March 10. Some very mediocre quarterbacks such as Mark Sanchez and Jake Locker will be paid a lot of money.
I'm very curious to see where Hoyer ends up. I thought Buffalo would be a great spot, but the Bills traded for Cassel. They apparently want to see if 2013 first-round pick E.J. Manuel can win the job.
The Browns signed Hoyer to a two-year, $2 million deal in 2013, so they had him at a bargain price because he had played so little in the NFL.
THE RUNNING GAME
The Browns feel very good about their young backs. Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell combined for 1,280 yards, 12 touchdowns and a 4.0 rushing average. Both were rookies, both should improve.
He didn't have a single carry, but the Browns really like Glenn Winston. Look for him to receive a lot of attention in the summer and preseason. They want to find out if he can be in the mix. Depth is needed because running backs do get hurt -- a lot.
If they do add a back, it may be more of a third-down pass catcher. That is what the Browns need to work on. West and Crowell combined for only 20 receptions. No matter the quarterback, the team needs a running back who can help as a receiver.
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