Cleveland Browns Week 10 Stock Report
The Cleveland Browns are coming off a major Week 9 loss in which they fell to the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals, 31-10. Now, they have another AFC North test ahead when they travel to Pittsburgh to face the rival Steelers in Week 10.
So who is doing the helping and who is doing the hurting on the Browns' roster now? Here is the Browns' Week 10 stock report.
Stock Up: QB Josh McCown
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It's not yet clear who exactly will start at quarterback for the Browns on Sunday, but head coach Mike Pettine has kept his heels dug in about a healthy Josh McCown serving as the team's No. 1 quarterback.
"I want to wait to hear that [McCown's] healthy in order to make it, but if he's ready to go and able to execute the game plan and not have to change the way you call a game to protect a guy, then yeah, he will be [the starter]," he said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
McCown missed the team's Week 9 game against the Bengals with a rib injury, and though Johnny Manziel looked competent—particularly in the first half—Pettine still believes that McCown gives the team the best chance to win.
"We've said all along that Josh McCown started the season as our No. 1 quarterback, and he's been out due to injury and potentially coming back," Pettine said. "I get the call for 'Hey, why not [Manziel]?' but we're tasked as coaches to put the roster out there that's going to give us the best opportunity to win."
Cabot reported that McCown participated in Wednesday's practice on a limited basis, but determining Sunday's starter could wait until Sunday, if need be.
At the very least, the team wants to see how McCown feels on Thursday and Friday.
Though McCown may not play if he's still in considerable pain, his stock remains on the rise for one reason: He has the support of the coach who determines the playing time. For that reason, a healthy McCown will always be on the field before the inexperienced Manziel.
Stock Down: QB Johnny Manziel
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Even if Josh McCown cannot play on Sunday, that doesn't mean that his backup, Johnny Manziel, will see his stock on the rise.
Head coach Mike Pettine has been emphasizing all week that Manziel will only be on the field for the foreseeable future in instances in which McCown is hurt, and nothing more.
According to Cabot, Pettine said on Tuesday that it would be "a disservice" to the Browns as a whole if he chose to turn to Manziel and other young players for evaluative purposes, citing again his desire to win games and that McCown is the quarterback most capable of doing so for Cleveland this year.
Pettine also left the door open for third-string passer Austin Davis to potentially unseat Manziel as the No. 2, telling reporters on Wednesday that, "Austin is doing a nice job for us and he is a competitive guy. We are glad that he is here. I think that room generates a lot of competition. There aren't many jobs on this team that are etched in stone, if that answers your question."
At the the very least, these comments are not a good sign that Pettine will be turning to Manziel on a permanent basis any time soon.
Even if he does get the start on Sunday and leads the Browns to victory, if McCown is healthy in Week 11, the offense will be his yet again—for better or for worse.
Stock Up: RT Mitchell Schwartz
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Browns right tackle Mitchell Schwartz has received much unwarranted criticism during his tenure in Cleveland. But this week saw Schwartz's efforts vindicated: Pro Football Focus named Schwartz the NFL's midseason All-Pro right tackle.
Indeed, at least based on PFF's metrics, it is true. Schwartz is the site's seventh-ranked offensive tackle in the league at present, with the six ahead of him all being left tackles.
His plus-9.9 grade is mostly attributed to his prowess in pass protection, where he's given up three sacks, five quarterback hits and 14 hurries in 643 snaps played. He gave up just one hurry in Week 9 against the Bengals.
Though Cleveland's offensive line as a whole has struggled this year both in creating running lanes as well as in pass protection—Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel have been sacked a combined 30 times this year—Schwartz is not the weak link on the line.
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Stock Down: LG Joel Bitonio
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It has not been a good year for Browns left guard Joel Bitonio. In 2014, his rookie season, Bitonio looked like the next big thing among NFL offensive linemen, ranking as the fifth-best guard, playing 1,078 snaps and giving up just a single sack.
But 2015 has been a much different season. He's currently ranked 31st (out of 81) among guards and has already given up two sacks, five hits and 17 hurries.
One of those sacks, one of those hits and three of those hurries came in Week 9, when Bitonio was the Browns' worst-performing offensive lineman.
And he won't have a chance for redemption in Week 10. Bitonio injured his ankle against the Bengals and has been ruled out for Sunday. Rookie Cameron Erving will be taking his place. And if Erving looks comfortable at guard—which he didn't in his few snaps last week—Bitonio's starting job could be in jeopardy.
The pass protection issues are that serious in Cleveland.
Stock Up: WR Dwayne Bowe
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Browns wide receiver Dwayne Bowe saw his most action of the year in Week 9, thanks to fellow receivers Andrew Hawkins and Brian Hartline both being sidelined with concussions.
Though he played only 15 snaps—out of a possible 55—it was the first time Bowe has made a positive impact on the Browns offense.
It could mean more playing time moving forward.
Bowe caught three passes on five targets for 31 yards, including a long reception of 16 yards. Most notably, he accounted for the only two first downs the Browns earned in the second half of the game.
Though Hawkins and Hartline could return this week, Bowe definitely showed that he is capable of being an asset for the Browns. Perhaps Week 9's budding momentum can carry into Week 10 and Bowe can see even more playing time.
Advanced statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
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