KRAVITZ: Conversation with Cleveland Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot
Bob Kravitz talks with Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot about Sunday's game.
INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — This week, Kravitz has an email conversation with Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
OK, so we know the Browns haven’t had a solid quarterback since Bernie Kosar. Is DeShone Kizer the answer? Finally? Or will the Browns be back in the QB sweepstakes come next year’s draft?
Kizer has already shown flashes of being the Browns’ quarterback of the future despite his horrible outing last week in Baltimore. Kizer threw three picks and was stripped once in that 24-10 loss to the Ravens, but I attribute that, in part, to the fact he was suffering from a head-pounding, brain-rattling migraine during that game.
Kizer, the 27th QB to start a game for the Browns since 1999, has demonstrated amazing arm talent, good mobility, football instincts and the smarts to play the position. He sees the field well and has a natural feel for the game. He can sense the rush and has the athletic ability to avoid it – and will get much better at doing so when the game slows down for him.
Right now, his head is still swimming. Of course, it was a baptism by fire to open at home against the Steelers (a 21-18 Browns’ loss) and then go on the road against the Ravens, who are scary good on defense this year. They’ve already forced 10 turnovers in two games.
I think he’ll look better against the Colts defense and in the following two weeks at home against the Bengals and the Jets. He will continue to have his growing pains and doesn’t have the best supporting cast in the world.
His top receiver, Corey Coleman, will miss some time with a broken hand. Free agent pickup Kenny Britt, who was supposed to make folks forget about Terrelle Pryor, has two catches for 15 yards through two games.
Once Kizer finds some reliable targets and the game comes into sharper focus for him, he has the chance to be the real deal here – finally. The Browns have two No. 1’s and three No. 2’s next year, but they may be able to pass on a quarterback.
It looks like the 27th time will be the charm.
So we worked together in Cleveland many years ago, so long ago, in fact, the Browns were actually good and would have reached the Super Bowl twice if not for The Drive and The Fumble. I’m curious, though, as a long-time beat reporter, what’s it like covering a franchise that can’t seem to get out of its own way. I know we’re supposed to be objective, but does it ever wear you down, covering teams that are consistently awful and consistently in flux? How do you maintain your sanity (besides wine)?
Actually, it’s more like whine than wine. There’s never any shortage of Browns news, and that’s what keeps it interesting. Have you noticed that the Browns are making headlines every day? They had the No. 1 overall pick this year, so that kept things interesting. Last year, they were in jeopardy of going 0-16, so the NFL world was on Browns watch. And in 2014 and 2015, we had the bizarre world of Johnny Manziel, which was the gift that kept on giving.
There have been almost as many coaches here as quarterbacks, so there’s always something new to write about. I almost feel sorry for the poor saps covering the Patriots, because perennial success must be so damned boring.
Just when things start to slow down here, Josh Gordon always seems to be eligible to come back and rock the Browns’ world. It never ends.
From the looks of things, however, the Browns look like they’re about to get their act together and go on a run of sustained success.
I’m bored just thinking about it.
There’s a special place in heaven for Browns’ beat writers. Anyway, the pick: I see this as a pick’em game, but Jacoby Brissett should have more familiarity with the playbook and the Colts say they’re going to open things up. We’ll see. Colts, 21-17. Do I feel strongly about this? Not really.
The Cleveland offensive line is coming together, which should help the run game this week. And the young, scrappy defense should force at least two turnovers. Browns 20, Colts 17.
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