The Browns make a minor roster move that may signal at the health of two different quarterbacks.
Just over a week ago, the Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Jacob Sirmon after his time at rookie minicamp and waived their third kicker Lucas Havrisik. Now, they have done the reverse.
Havrisik is back with the Browns and Sirmon has been waived to make room for him. While this may seem unusual, this is a great sign for the health of the Browns’ quarterback room as Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are set to begin in Berea.
Leading up to this week, there were still health questions about quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson as offseason activities get underway. However, the waiving of Sirmon indicates both players could be set to see more reps this offseason than initially thought.
Watson is still recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his season, while Thompson-Robinson is fighting back from a hip injury that ended his. Both will likely be on a pitch count this offseason leading up to training camp, but it is promising they will be getting some work in during OTAs.
With two quarterbacks not full go with OTAs on the horizon, the move makes sense
After he impressed during rookie minicamp over the weekend, the Cleveland Browns have signed quarterback Jacob Sirmon to the 90-man roster.
This makes him the fifth quarterback on the roster, joining Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Tyler Huntley.
Playing eight games for the Northern Colorado Bears, Sirmon threw for over 1,200 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 56 percent of his passes.
This is more likely an indication that multiple quarterbacks may need to be eased into the offseason with OTAs still head of training camp. Watson, while he is back to throwing, could be on a pitch count, and Thompson-Robinson is still recovering from a season-ending hip injury.
Sirmon is likely an arm to suffice during OTAs. Who knows? If one or both is ready to go by training camp, a quarterback would likely be cut from the roster.
Who has the edge at quarterback on Saturday? We preview the QBs in our ‘Tale of the Tape’.
The LSU Tigers welcome in Central Michigan Chippewas for their first taste of playing at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. It will be an atmosphere that CMU is very much not used to. Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain is familiar with the electricity in Death Valley, but not something that his team is.
“You don’t see these places in the Mid-American Conference like this,” McElwain said on Wednesday. “Believe me when I tell you this, the difference between playing at Missouri and playing at LSU in Death Valley at night is quite a bit different. It starts with the fans, the fans are great. They are rabid about their home team. They make it something special and they don’t cut you any slack when you go in there, I’ll tell you that.”
How McElwain’s young quarterback handles the atmosphere and the crowd noise will be a key for the Chippewas to do the unthinkable. Can he outgun a fellow sophomore quarterback in Max Johnson when the lights come on?
Central Michigan vs LSU QB Tale of the Tape
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
How do the two quarterbacks measure up?
Jacob Sirmon
vs
Max Johnson
6-5
Ht
6-5
230
Wt
219
RS-Sophomore
Class
Sophomore
35
Comp
44
61
Att
73
57.4
Comp %
60.3
405
Yards
491
6.6
Yards/Att
6.7
4
TDs
6
2
INTs
1
The two quarterbacks are somewhat similar in size and stature. Looking at their stats, the slight edge goes to Max Johnson. He has a better completion percentage, more yards, more touchdowns, and one less interception. Johnson has the opportunity to build some real confidence heading into the SEC opener next week against Mississippi State.
Sirmon is in his third season of college football. However, this will be the seventh game that he has played in. In 2019, Sirmon appeared in three games for the Washington Huskies. Last season it was just one game. He transferred to Central Michigan ahead of the 2021 campaign. Prior to this year, he had thrown a total of four passes.
It is still relatively unknown what kind of quarterback he can be. Sirmon is still learning, as is Johnson. Johnson has the upper hand with game experience. The CMU quarterback got his first taste of SEC play in the season opener against Missouri. He completed 23 of 45 attempts for 295 yards, completing 51.1% of his passes. Sirmon had one touchdown but threw two interceptions. Derek Stingley Jr and Eli Ricks will prove to be another test for the young quarterback. How will he handle the raucous crowd in Death Valley?
