National Football League

Will Connor Shaw be Browns' 22nd QB in 15 years?

Published Dec. 24, 2014 2:18 p.m. ET

foxsports

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns have had an annual tradition to close out many of their seasons since they returned to the NFL in 1999.

Unfortunately, it's not a good one.

Besides losing the final game, they tend to close out their seasons with their third-string quarterback. This week is trending toward the NFL debut of undrafted rookie free agent Connor Shaw.

If Shaw starts, he will join the likes of Thaddeus Lewis and Bruce Gradkowski, who both started season-ending games. The Browns have used at least three quarterbacks in a season six times.

Johnny Manziel was placed on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury against Carolina. Meanwhile, Brian Hoyer suffered an injury to his throwing arm/shoulder area and hasn't been able to throw the ball.

However, Hoyer is holding out hope that he can still play.

"I'm not (giving up hope) until this week is over," Hoyer said Monday. "Right now, I'm focusing on trying to get as healthy as I can. I want to play for the guys in this room. I look next to me -- Jordan Cameron, Joe Thomas -- I want to play for those guys. To get to 8-8 is something that this organization hasn't done in a long time.

"I'm trying and I will see what I can do," he said. "That's really what I'm focused on. There are months and months to think about that after this week is over."

Hoyer said he thinks he can play even if he doesn't practice, pointing out that he didn't get first-team snaps last week as Manziel was the starter.

Hoyer sat out Wednesday's practice and Pettine said there is still no clarity on if Hoyer will play.

"We'll know a lot more about Brian after (practice)."

Shaw (6-1, 210) was 27-5 at South Carolina, which stands as the top record in South Carolina history. He completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 6,074 yards with 56 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He rushed for 1,683 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Last season, Shaw had 23 touchdown passes and just one interception.

If Shaw starts, he would be the 22nd quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999.

"Connor's a guy that's been outstanding for us all year," Pettine said. "He's done everything that we've asked. He's a guy that -- very similar to what you saw at South Carolina -- he's not the biggest guy. He's not the fastest guy. He's not the strongest guy, but he just found a way to be productive.

"I think that his strength lies in his competitiveness," he said. "He's a guy that I wouldn't be surprised for him to... If he does have to play that he goes out there and plays well. He showed flashes of it in the preseason. It wouldn't come as a surprise because we all know what type of kid he is."

Shaw describes himself in a similar way.

"I'm a tough, gritty guy," he said. "I feel like I'm smart with the ball. It's similar to Johnny's play like I did in college. We'll see. I haven't had a whole lot of reps in the NFL, especially live reps, so we'll see how it plays out if I suit up."

Pettine said the Browns liked him coming out of college and described Shaw as having the "it" factor.

"Both the visit when we went down to work him out and when we had him up here, I've spoken on it before -- just that 'it' factor that a guy...You just look at him, and does he pass the eye-ball test? No," Pettine said. "He doesn't have the strongest arm, and he's not the fastest. He's not the biggest, but he just found a way. He's just got something about him.

"He's well-respected by his teammates," he said. "He goes out, and he works his tail off on the practice field. He's a guy that you like having around just because there's a lot of positive energy coming from Connor. He was a guy that we did like. I don't know exactly where he ended up in the final draft rankings. He was a guy that we targeted, and we felt very fortunate to get him here after the draft."

Shaw says he feels that he'll be as ready as he possibly can be.

"Yeah, I'm really excited about it," Shaw said. "It's been a long season. I've done everything they've asked, and I feel like I've done a good job. We'll see what happens at the end of the week. Right now, I'm just focused on the game plan and seeing if I have to suit up against Baltimore."

Shaw said he feels he has a good grasp on the offense, despite being on the practice squad.

"Well, I did everything Johnny and Brian did except for play," he said. "I was in the meeting rooms. I was doing everything they were. I was trying to stay as sharp as possible because you never know when you're going in. It just happens to be that way this week, and we'll see how it all turns out at the end of the week."

Pettine said that Shaw has shown a "good handle" of the offense in his preparation.

"It's a lot to ask of a guy who's been playing off of cards all season," he said. "He has had a pretty good handle on (the offense)."

Pettine spoke about what he expects from Shaw if he gets the start.

"For him to go out and execute and do his job," Pettine said. "We need to build a smart plan around him and our formula for success will not be different from what it's been before. We're not a team that's built on spreading out five guys and throwing drop-back passes every snap. Our success will be predicated on if we can run the football."

Shaw's only extended playing time with the Browns was in the preseason this year and he feels that was enough for him to think he could play in the NFL.

"I think I proved to myself that I can play in this league, and hopefully, if I get that opportunity, I'll make some plays and we can come out with a win."

Shaw said he isn't intimidated by not being drafted.

"I really didn't focus on that too much," Shaw said. "I knew I'd have to prove myself once I got in the locker room anyways if I got drafted or signed as a free agent after the draft so it worked out. I was here all through the season, and hopefully, I'll get an opportunity this week."

Shaw said he doesn't look at playing as auditioning for a chance to compete for the starting job with the Browns next season.

"I don't see it that way, and I really can't focus on it like that," Shaw said. "If I have the opportunity to play, then I'm going to play with the best of my ability the only way I know how. We'll see how it all turns out after the season."