I decided to write this blog after reading a comment from one of the readers thinking we sold the farm for Brady Quinn, not having a first rounder is gonna cost us, we don't have any money for free agents, etc. And similar conversations have come up with other people I know, and to my surprise, a lot of people thought the same things. So I felt a post was in order to help enlighten the masses that Brady Quinn was the right pick and to answer all the other issues Browns fans are currently feeling.
First, the Browns did not spend a ton of money on Brady Quinn. $7.75 million guaranteed, $20 million reachable by playing incentives, another $10 million (unlikely to get) by performance incentives. In comparison, the 49ers gave Manny Lawson (the 22nd pick the year before) a contract with less incentive bonuses but still $5.9 million guaranteed. Last I checked, QB's cost more in this league.
Second, what happens with a capable QB and your starting quarterback goes down? You can go to the tape in 2002 when Kelly Holcomb started his 4th career game in Pittsburgh in the playoffs and dropped 429 yards and a 107.6 QB rating. If we could have actually ran the ball that day, we would have won. That, however, is why you need a good backup, because you cannot depend on one QB being able to start 16 games + playoffs. Especially if his name is Tim Couch. And before anyone makes the Kelly Holcomb jokes, go ask a Vikings fan who they'd rather start, Holcomb or Tavaris Jackson...go ahead, I'll wait...mmhmm, I thought so.
Third, the Browns have $30.31 million in cap space, plenty to land a big fish (or two), 8th most in the NFL. I know we will pursue a few free agents, and a few on the defensive side of the ball I want us to go after are listed below.
Fourth, we traded up to 22 last year, and that is where our pick would be this year. I don't know if there is a game breaker at 22, that won't be there or a similar player in that mold in the second round. Savage has already said if there is someone in his top 15 that slips to the back end, he'll trade back in.
Fifth, the reader that commented said the Browns would be better if they drafted Troy Smith in the 5th round. I disagree for two reasons. Reason 1, we drafted Brandon McDonald in round 5, and I think he turned out to be a great surprise to many fans out there. Reason 2, Troy Smith is not a good NFL quarterback. I watched Troy Smith play for the Ravens at the end of the year. I love Troy and sentimentally wanted him on the Browns, but he is NOT a quarterback in this league. He's a band-aid, and there is no way I could depend on him down the stretch or to win a game. Sorry. He should give Josh Cribbs a call asap.
And I disagree with the general point of drafting a QB in the later rounds, who is cheaper, to just hold the clipboard if you honestly feel you have a chance at getting someone special. Berea could be a very interesting place when Training Camp opens this year.
Free Agents to Chase:
Defensive Ends
Jared Allen - Kansas City
Justin Smith - Cincinnati
Bobby McCray - Jacksonville
Linebackers
Chaun Thompson - Re-sign
Terrell Suggs - Baltimore
Lance Briggs - Chicago
Na'il Diggs - Carolina
Victor Hobson - NYJ
Demarrio Williams - Atlanta
So hopefully, Browns fans can start worrying a little less and start looking towards the potential in the draft and for next season, because there are a lot of positives going on right now for this ball club.
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1 comment:
I think you're confusing "right now" with "potential."
Right now, Brady is a back-up quarterback. Would you spend that kind of money and a first round pick on a back-up quarterback? Never. First round picks are for impact players... and Brady isn't making an impact... right now at least.
Potentialy, Brady could be a starter. And if he does become the starting QB and leads the Browns deep in the playoffs, then it's a great trade. I would then agree that it was a coup to get him.
In reality, we won't know if it was a good trade or not until 3 or 4 years from now.
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