The Browns head into the AFC playoffs with Joe Flacco as QB1 and Jeff Driskel as QB2. Who had that combination on their Browns Playoff Bingo Card? (Cleveland Browns)
Browns DC Jim Schwartz lost to rookie QB Joe Flacco in the playoffs in 2008
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns practice and interviews …
C.J. Stroud has had a great first season – a rookie-of-the-year season -- as quarterback of the Houston Texans. But the playoffs are a pressure-cooker the rookie from Ohio State has yet to experience in the NFL.
Andrew Luck had a fabulous rookie season, then didn’t throw a touchdown in 54 pass attempts in his first playoff game.
Robert Griffin III had a similar TD-to-INT ratio as Stroud, and threw for 84 yards in his first playoff game.
Matt Ryan didn’t win his playoff game in his rookie season. Neither did Bernie Kosar nor Dan Marino nor Dak Prescott nor Lamar Jackson.
Brock Purdy did. So did Mark Sanchez and T.J. Yates.
You just can’t predict how the pressure of a playoff game will affect a rookie QB.
“I don’t know,” defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. “I’m sure it just depends on the guy. It’s the playoffs. Every mistake is amplified. Every big play is amplified. A mistake can send you home. A big play can help you advance, and that’s what it is. It’s single elimination football.”
The list of rookie quarterbacks to win their first playoff game is not long.
“Joe Flacco is one,” Schwartz said.
“He beat me. 2008 Titans. Just could never make him make a mistake. I think we turned the ball over like four times in the plus 20 [yard-line]. [Running back] Chris Johnson started off the game. He had like 100 yards in the first quarter and then got an ankle sprain and missed the rest of the game. But yeah, Joe was a rookie and it was a low-scoring game, but he got it.”
It's a great story, but Flacco’s win over the Titans in 2008 was actually his second post-season victory.
The week before, Flacco was the quarterback of record in a 27-9 Baltimore Ravens win over the Dolphins. Flacco earned the W, but was 9 of 23 for 135 yards.
It was the start of a trend. In six postseasons with the Ravens, Flacco never lost his first playoff game.
“So I’m glad Joe’s on our side and I’m glad history’s sort of on the other side,” Schwartz said.
A new QB2 emerges
Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt confirmed that Jeff Driskel – and not P.J. Walker – will serve as Flacco’s backup in Houston.
Driskel was signed off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on December 29 and started the meaningless Game 17 in Cincinnati, completing 13 of 26 passes for 166 yards. Behind a makeshift offensive line, Driskel came back from two interceptions and tossed two TDs to David Bell in the fourth quarter in the 31-14 Bengals win.
“Thought he did a good job,” said Van Pelt, who was quarterback coach when Driskel played with Cincinnati in 2018. “[Was] put in a tough spot, come in and just go after a week of being around. It wasn’t always perfect, but he did some really good things.”
So the Browns have now had five different starting quarterbacks and three No. 2s this season -- Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Walker and Driskel.
Faith in Riley
Special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone said that Dustin Hopkins has begun kicking on the side after suffering a left hamstring injury chasing kick returner Dameon Pierce in the first Houston game on Christmas Eve.
But Ventrone affirmed it’s “highly unlikely” Hopkins would be ready for Saturday’s game, meaning Riley Patterson will be the Browns’ kicker for a third straight game.
In two games, Riley has made 6 of 7 PATs and one field goal from PAT range. Ventrone feels confident in the 24-year-old kicker.
“He’s actually hit a pretty high percentage in his career (88.1 percent on field goals) and he has playoff experience,” Ventrone said. “Last year he actually hit a game-winner against, I think it was the Chargers, in the first round of the playoffs. So he’s done a good job.”
With the Jaguars in 2022, Riley made of 3 field goals and 4 of 4 PATs in two playoff games, including a 36-yard field goal against the Chargers as time expired for a 31-30 win.
Safety Grant Delpit was a welcome addition to the practice field in his first appearance since a groin injury on December 10. (Cleveland Browns)
Brownie bits
Safety Grant Delpit, who was designated for return from injured reserve, completed his first practice since undergoing groin surgery five weeks ago. He was limited and is not expected to be ready for the Houston game. “He’s been working extremely hard,” Schwartz said. “I mean, you talk about a driven dude. I mean, he’s been really driven to get back. We’ll see where it goes.” …
With all three starting safeties essentially out the past four games, the Browns have gotten an interception from all three replacements – Ronnie Hickman, D’Anthony Bell and Duran Harmon. “I can’t say enough good things about those guys,” Schwartz said. “Ronnie really became the glue of our secondary and communicated as good, if not better, than any rookie safety I’ve been around, and he’s made plays.” …
Receiver Amari Cooper (heel) did not practice but said he’ll be good for Saturday. Said he could’ve played in Cincinnati if that game meant anything …
Defensive end Myles Garrett was back at practice after missing Tuesday for personal reasons.
