The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Osweiler eager to start in 2017
Brock Osweiler
POSITION » Quarterback HEIGHT, WEIGHT » 6-foot-7, 240 pounds BIRTHDATE » Nov. 22, 1990 YEARS PRO » Sixth season COLLEGE » Arizona State RANKING » Fifth of 25 OSWEILER’S BACKGROUND » Acquiring Brock Osweiler will go down as one of the greatest trades in Browns history if he is given a legitimate chance in training camp and beats out Cody Kessler and DeShone Kizer for the starting job at quarterback.
The Denver Broncos selected Osweiler in the second round of the 2012 draft – about six weeks after they signed Peyton Manning. Osweiler during his first three years in Denver did what all Peyton Manning backups do – he stood and watched. He played in 13 games, all in mop-up roles, and attempted a total of 30 passes.
The 2015 season was different. A foot injury sidelined Manning. Osweiler made seven starts and finished 5-2. Manning returned for the playoffs and retired after winning the Super Bowl.
The timing was perfect for Osweiler because he was a free agent in the winter of 2016. He cashed in on the 5-2 record by signing a $72 million contract with Houston. The Texans gave up on him after one season. Rather than get stuck with his $16 million guaranteed contract in 2017, they found a willing partner in the Browns, who had plenty of salary cap room to absorb Osweiler’s contract. The Browns got Osweiler, a sixth-round pick in 2017 and a second-round pick in 2018 in the deal. The Browns sent a fourth-round pick to Houston.
WHY OSWEILER IS RANKED FIFTH » At worst, Osweiler should be the No. 2 quarterback for Hue Jackson when the season starts. Since no Browns quarterback since Tim Couch in 2002 has started 16 games, the backup quarterback figures to get his chance at some point of the season.
2016 RECAP » Osweiler went 8-6 as the Texans starter. They expected better results after paying him all that money. He threw 15 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. His 72.2 passer rating was 20 points lower than the one Kessler posted while going 0-8 as the Browns starter. Osweiler allegedly was involved in an altercation with Texans head coach Bill O’Brien in the last game of the season.
WHY OSWEILER IS IMPORTANT IN 2017 » Osweiler is the only quarterback on the Browns roster that has won in the NFL. That has to count for something. Head coach Hue Jackson and other coaches have gone out of their way to say Osweiler has shown high character since joining the Browns.
PREDICTION FOR 2017 » Osweiler certainly deserves the chance to prove last year was just a bad experience for everyone involved. He showed arm strength and accuracy in minicamp. Anything can happen – he could start the season opener or, if a quarterback from another team goes down in training camp, the Browns could trade him and clear the way for DeShone Kizer. The prediction here is Osweiler will be starting for the Browns by Oct. 1.