The Cleveland Browns have been doing all the right things to change the narrative.
Ownership has been patient, Hue Jackson seems like the perfect man for a turnaround — and a NFL franchise that has been an absolute joke for too long to remember appears to be on the up and up for the first time in a long time. I don't expect any playoff runs this year or even next, but there should be significant progress.
Cleveland has developed a nasty reputation for being a place quarterbacks go if they want to sabotage their careers. There have been 27 passers to start for the Browns since the 1999 season — and the list includes a slew of of QB's who came from various talent levels, from Tim Couch to Brady Quinn to Colt McCoy to Johnny Manziel to Robert Griffin III.
Madness.
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While there is some hope for the future with Cleveland drafting former Notre Dame QB DeShone Kizer — there isn't much clarity who will be under center in 2017-18. The Browns landed former Texans' signal caller Brock Osweiler in a trade — but the one-time Broncos' backup looked completely lost and incapable of leading a NFL team after signing a $72 million deal with Houston but delivering almost nothing.
Many thought Cleveland had no real intention of keeping Osweiler after trading for him, but here we are just a few weeks away from the start of the NFL regular season and it appears the Browns are all-in on the 6-foot-7 passer, at least for right now.
We dived into if Osweiler could really cement himself as the Browns' starting QB a few months ago — and that's still in flux — at least in our minds. But the folks who make decisions in Cleveland and sign off on their social media?
They don't have any hesitation.
Without further ado….
For those about to Brock ????????#UnitedByStripes @bosweiler17 pic.twitter.com/Uyo75ccADF
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 7, 2017
Wow. This is absolute gold. I've watched this treasure at least 10 times and don't plan on slowing down any time soon. It's that good.
I'm not even sure I can pick out my favorite parts — because there are so many. The video begins with a slow-down of Osweiler making a roughly 5-foot pass to a RB in the backfield. The Browns' video folks try to make this look like it's an extremely difficult task and that their guy just makes it look so easy. The problem? It is a simple, routine pass that requires very little skill.
Moving on.
We then get a quick slant from about 8-yards out. This is about as basic as it gets. Finally, the video climaxes with a few deeper shots — really pushing the limits, I'll tell you.
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Listen I'm well-aware I sound cynical and I'm not trying to tear down the Browns' organization. They know a hell of a lot more about evaluating talent than I do — and I truly believe this is a franchise headed in the right direction.
It's just hilarious to see any kind of hype video focused on this dude, especially after a few training camp practices. Maybe this is some bigger ploy to instill confidence in the disgruntled QB?
I'm pulling for Osweiler. The dude is already making bank but craves so desperately be a good football player. How about we see him go win a few games, pile up a few real-game highlights, and then make a video?
The whole thing just feels a bit premature and forced. Until I see Osweiler take the field and throw touchdowns on a regular basis — I'll remember him for moments like this.
we should be calling Brock Osweiler an "other team player" instead, imo pic.twitter.com/3QquNV7tJs
— Jordan Zirm (@clevezirm) May 24, 2017
