Cody Kessler out to “prove his worth” in tonight’s Preseason finale

CLEVELAND, Ohio

The fourth game of the preseason seems like such a waste of time and money to most NFL fans. However, to some players like Browns rookie QB Cody Kessler, tonight could be just the stepping stone needed to proving his NFL worth.

Drafted in the third round of this past April’s draft out of USC, Kessler was immediately thrown into an unexpected spotlight on that fateful night. Kessler, by most draft experts, was a “shocking” pick to most, however, his track record spoke otherwise. After a somewhat disappointing Senior season at PAC 12 powerhouse USC (10-4 is disappointing?) and less than desirable measurables, Kessler’s stock dropped to the point where most draft experts, such as the ESPN’s Todd McShay and the NFL Networks’s Mike Mayock, had him going anywhere from late in the 5th round to being undrafted altogether.

Kessler is used to the spotlight. He was a US Army High School All-American out of High School, and then going on to play for one of College Football’s most historic teams, the USC Trojans. He’s dealt with coach after coach (5 in his tenure at USC) and is no stranger to change. Despite all of this, Kessler’s teams were Bowl Eligible each season he started.

This article is not to anoint Cody Kessler as the next Joe Montana (who was also a third round pick), but to point out this young man has battled adversity, and when given a chance, he has succeeded with what has been provided to him. Tonight will go a long ways in determing not only if he is the Browns long-term answer at QB at some point, but if he is able to do what he has done time and time again,…..prove his worth. Browns Head Coach Hue Jackson sure hopes so.