{"id":33325,"date":"2017-11-03T12:43:33","date_gmt":"2017-11-03T16:43:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=33325"},"modified":"2017-11-03T12:43:33","modified_gmt":"2017-11-03T16:43:33","slug":"second-quarter-cleveland-browns-season-grades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/11\/03\/second-quarter-cleveland-browns-season-grades\/","title":{"rendered":"Second Quarter Cleveland Browns Season Grades"},"content":{"rendered":"

We have seen exactly one half of the 2017 NFL season. Currently, the Cleveland Browns<\/a> stand at 0-8, and are seriously<\/em> running out of time\u00a0to turn this thing around. Sadly, that narrative sounds all too familiar in Cleveland. But\u00a0why<\/em> exactly are they winless at the bottom of the AFC North? Let’s take a look, and give out some Browns season grades for the second quarter of the 2017 season.<\/p>\n

Second Quarter Cleveland Browns Season Grades<\/h2>\n

Quarterbacks: D<\/h3>\n

This quarterback room, as it currently stands, is a\u00a0disaster<\/em>.\u00a0DeShone Kizer<\/a><\/strong> has thrown seemingly countless red zone interceptions in the season’s first half, although he has slightly improved recently. Honestly, that’s one of the things that keeps this grade from being an F. Outside of the menial improvement, this Browns quarterback room has been a wreck.<\/p>\n

Kevin Hogan<\/a><\/strong> looked awful in the week six loss to the Houston Texans<\/a>. Now, he doesn’t even dress, in favor of\u00a0Cody Kessler<\/a><\/strong>. Kizer has begun to look alright, but still has not looked like a franchise guy. It seems that, as usual, the Browns could be looking for a quarterback at the top of the draft next year.<\/p>\n

Running Backs: C<\/h3>\n

The running back grade here stays steady. Although\u00a0Isaiah Crowell<\/a><\/strong> has continued his utterly disappointing season,\u00a0Duke Johnson<\/a><\/strong> has emerged as an electrifying playmaker for this team. Crowell’s and Johnson’s grades cancel out here, and leave us with mediocrity. The running backs haven’t been great, but they have been at least alright, all things considered.\u00a0Hue Jackson<\/strong> might finally be figuring out how to use “The Duke” correctly, though, which is certainly a welcome sight.<\/p>\n

Wide Receivers: C-<\/h3>\n

I’m going to give this wide receiver grade a serious shot in the arm.\u00a0Josh Gordon<\/a><\/strong>, if he stays on the field, is one of the best receivers in the National Football League.\u00a0Corey Coleman<\/a><\/strong> is out with an injury, but he should be back sometime soon this season. Additionally,\u00a0new receiver signee\u00a0Bryce Treggs<\/a><\/strong> looks pretty good.<\/p>\n

Kasen Williams<\/a><\/strong> has not been the player we thought he could be, but hey, neither has\u00a0Kenny Britt<\/a><\/strong>. Speaking of Kenny Britt, he has been…well, less than mediocre. But, on the plus side, Hue Jackson has taken a liking to benching Britt due to his lack of work ethic. Without Britt on the field, the offense actually seems to run more smoothly. Hopefully, Jackson keeps this philosophy up. Britt is just dead money at this point, and will continue to be until morale improves.<\/p>\n

Tight Ends: B<\/h3>\n

David Njoku<\/a><\/strong> has really come into his own in recent weeks. He’s only a rookie, but in weeks five through eight, he has collected nine receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown. Rookie tight ends rarely ever light up the league, so Njoku is doing just fine as of right now. He has looked more comfortable in the offense, and should continue to do so as one of Kizer’s favorite targets.<\/p>\n

Seth Devalve<\/a><\/strong> has looked solid, at least. He was a middle-round pick, but he has pleasantly blossomed into a functional starter for the Browns. Once the Browns continue their rebuild, he might struggle finding a role in the offense. Right now, though, he has been a serviceable option for Kizer to throw to.<\/p>\n

Offensive Line: B-<\/h3>\n

A moment of silence for\u00a0Joe Thomas<\/a><\/strong>. The Ironman went down in week seven, and you could hear a pin drop in FirstEnergy Stadium. 10,363 consecutive snaps to start his career, and with a torn tricep, it was gone in an instant. However, the offensive line kept on keeping on. In week eight,\u00a0Spencer Drango<\/a><\/strong> stepped in as the next man up.<\/p>\n

Against\u00a0Everson Griffen<\/a><\/strong>, Drango allowed only one sack. Griffen is in the prime of his career, and honestly should have terrorized Kizer. But Drango kept the faith, and along with\u00a0Joel Bitonio<\/a><\/strong>, kept Kizer upright. Keep up the good work, left side of the line.\u00a0Outside of those two,\u00a0Kevin Zeitler<\/a><\/strong> and\u00a0Shon Coleman<\/a><\/strong> have looked at least decent. Looks like this line is finally starting to gel together. Get well soon, Thomas.<\/p>\n

Defensive Line: A-<\/h3>\n

Perhaps the most frustrating player on this Browns team is\u00a0Myles Garrett<\/a><\/strong>. Why? Well, because we have\u00a0seen what he can be, and it’s\u00a0awesome<\/em>. However, he just cannot consistently stay on the field. Even with injury concerns, though, he completes this defensive line.\u00a0Emmanuel Ogbah<\/a><\/strong> is great, but having Garrett across from him makes him so much better. With those two working the edges,\u00a0Danny Shelton<\/a><\/strong> can come in screaming for a sack.\u00a0Jamie Meder<\/a><\/strong> is a meat grinder, and\u00a0Caleb Brantley<\/a><\/strong> is coming into his own a little bit. Please, football gods, let this defensive line get healthy. It is\u00a0phenomenal when at full strength.<\/p>\n

Linebackers: C+<\/h3>\n

Look, I’m not giving the linebackers a C+ because they haven’t performed. The linebackers are getting a C+ because they have\u00a0underperformed<\/em> a bit.\u00a0Christian Kirksey<\/a><\/strong> is still solid, but is not racking up the monster numbers that he did last season.\u00a0Jamie Collins<\/a><\/strong> was in concussion protocol, so I will spare him in this grading.\u00a0Joe Schobert<\/a><\/strong> has stepped up tremendously in Collins’s absence, so as an individual, he gets an A.<\/p>\n

Secondary: C<\/h3>\n

Like I said in my first quarter season grades, this secondary is just so\u00a0weird<\/em>. It still feels unnatural with\u00a0Joe Haden<\/a><\/strong> not in brown and orange. Additionally,\u00a0Jabrill Peppers<\/a><\/strong> seems to be lost at points, despite being freakishly athletic.\u00a0Briean Boddy-Calhoun<\/a><\/strong> has been a solid cornerback option, but one corner does not a secondary make.\u00a0Ed Reynolds<\/a><\/strong> is now a free agent, despite having a solid season in 2016. Please,\u00a0Gregg Williams<\/strong>, figure this one out. You are a secondary away from making this a truly solid defense.<\/p>\n

Main image credit:<\/p>\n

\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n