Fans who demanded change this off-season have certainly gotten their wish. The Cleveland Browns have been extremely active thus far in the off-season making moves via free agency and trade. So far the Browns have signed Scott Fujita, Tony Pashos, Ben Watson and Jake Delhomme in addition to parting ways with Brady Quinn, Corey Williams, Derek Anderson, and Kamerion Wimbley.
The Brady Quinn trade should come as no surprise. The signing of Jake Delhomme to a $7 million per year deal clearly indicated that Brady was expendable. Fans are angry and confused at the money thrown to Delhomme, but keep in mind that this is an uncapped year and the deal is incentive loaded. I like the Delhomme signing. I think he ha
d a terrible year in 2008, but so did Brady and DA. Delhomme has terrific experience and has had good success while in Carolina. He is year removed from surgery and I expect that a change of scenery will do wonders for Delhomme. I do not see him as a long term answer, but as a solid player to hold down the fort while the new regime looks at QB's in the draft either this year or next. Next year's draft looks to be loaded at the QB position, if we don't find our guy this year. Delhomme gives us flexibility at the position without giving up valuable draft picks.
While trading Quinn was inevitable, I am skeptical that we received enough in return. The Browns received Peyton Hillis, a BIG RB/FB, who I think will be productive in Cleveland. In addition, we received a 6th in the 2011 draft and a conditional late round pick in 2010. Brady Quinn is a good team player and I like him a lot. I wish he would have performed in Cleveland, but his inability to stay on the field hampered his development. Of course, the way he was handled by the organization over the last 2 years played a huge role in ruining the early years of his career. One problem I have with Browns fans are that they are too loyal to local products. Brady Quinn is from Dublin, Ohio, near Columbus. He grew up a Browns fan, and while that is nice, I don't really care if he can't help the team win. The bottom line with Quinn is that he was not an accurate passer, a trait that is probably the most important in making a successful NFL QB. People questioned his arm strength, but the bigger problem was his accuracy, even on short and intermediate routes. I appreciate what Brady Quinn tried to do in Cleveland and I appreciate his comments upon leaving Cleveland. He wished the team well, had only good things to say about the Browns and went out of his way to say how great the fans are. (Take a hint DA, that's why you got booed you a-hole)
The Kamerion Wimbley trade I do not feel as good about. Wimbley had a great rookie season and looked as if he was returning to form. I think the Browns thought they should trade him while his value was high, but I think a mid 3rd is not enough in return. I don't think Wimbley is a pro-bowl type of player, but he was productive as a pass-rusher and was improving every year in coverage and against the run. The Browns must have thought that it was the scheme that generated the second highest sack total recorded by the team since its the return and not any one-on-one mismatch created by Wimbley. In a sense I agree, I saw pressure come from everywhere when the defense was playing disciplined. However, I would not have traded Wimbley for less than a second rounder. It will be interesting to see if the Browns use this arsenal of picks to move on draft day or to target a Restricted Free Agent. Kamerion also had good things to say on his way out the door, so I guess I'll hope he does well too.
The Brady Quinn trade should come as no surprise. The signing of Jake Delhomme to a $7 million per year deal clearly indicated that Brady was expendable. Fans are angry and confused at the money thrown to Delhomme, but keep in mind that this is an uncapped year and the deal is incentive loaded. I like the Delhomme signing. I think he ha
d a terrible year in 2008, but so did Brady and DA. Delhomme has terrific experience and has had good success while in Carolina. He is year removed from surgery and I expect that a change of scenery will do wonders for Delhomme. I do not see him as a long term answer, but as a solid player to hold down the fort while the new regime looks at QB's in the draft either this year or next. Next year's draft looks to be loaded at the QB position, if we don't find our guy this year. Delhomme gives us flexibility at the position without giving up valuable draft picks. While trading Quinn was inevitable, I am skeptical that we received enough in return. The Browns received Peyton Hillis, a BIG RB/FB, who I think will be productive in Cleveland. In addition, we received a 6th in the 2011 draft and a conditional late round pick in 2010. Brady Quinn is a good team player and I like him a lot. I wish he would have performed in Cleveland, but his inability to stay on the field hampered his development. Of course, the way he was handled by the organization over the last 2 years played a huge role in ruining the early years of his career. One problem I have with Browns fans are that they are too loyal to local products. Brady Quinn is from Dublin, Ohio, near Columbus. He grew up a Browns fan, and while that is nice, I don't really care if he can't help the team win. The bottom line with Quinn is that he was not an accurate passer, a trait that is probably the most important in making a successful NFL QB. People questioned his arm strength, but the bigger problem was his accuracy, even on short and intermediate routes. I appreciate what Brady Quinn tried to do in Cleveland and I appreciate his comments upon leaving Cleveland. He wished the team well, had only good things to say about the Browns and went out of his way to say how great the fans are. (Take a hint DA, that's why you got booed you a-hole)
The Kamerion Wimbley trade I do not feel as good about. Wimbley had a great rookie season and looked as if he was returning to form. I think the Browns thought they should trade him while his value was high, but I think a mid 3rd is not enough in return. I don't think Wimbley is a pro-bowl type of player, but he was productive as a pass-rusher and was improving every year in coverage and against the run. The Browns must have thought that it was the scheme that generated the second highest sack total recorded by the team since its the return and not any one-on-one mismatch created by Wimbley. In a sense I agree, I saw pressure come from everywhere when the defense was playing disciplined. However, I would not have traded Wimbley for less than a second rounder. It will be interesting to see if the Browns use this arsenal of picks to move on draft day or to target a Restricted Free Agent. Kamerion also had good things to say on his way out the door, so I guess I'll hope he does well too. 
So hat do you gents think of Dan Lefevour or Tony Pike in the third round?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I am not enamored with any one QB in this draft class. None stand out to me as a clear cut starting caliber QB. I am skeptical of LeFevour coming out of the MAC and a spread offense. I am skeptical of Pike because he reminds me of DA.
ReplyDeleteWe are beginning to hear praise (smoke screens?) from the head man in charge about how much they like Bradford. I have a hard time believing they like him enough to trade up from 7 to 3, 2 or probably 1 to get him.
Recently, Colt McCoy has emerged as a "dark horse" to be picked, probably in Round 2. Personally, I like McCoy and think of all the QBs in this class, he has the "it" factor to potentially become an elite NFL QB, meaning all the leadership and intangibles that people credit Tebow for having, plus he can already throw. I would keep a close eye on his Pro Day and any personal workouts in the coming month.
I wouldn't take any QB in this draft before the 3rd round, and the two Michael mentioned are system QBs that I feel won't do anything in the NFL. Dan Lefevour is a player but is too small. Tony Pike played in a system fit for QBs (the backup came in and played just as good). I would take Tim Tebow with a 3rd rounder. Why not, he has all the talent in the world.
ReplyDeleteLet's understand how the NFL works. A QB can only be as good as his team. Peyton Manning wouldn't have done shit had he been drafted by the Browns. Matt Cassell and Philip Rivers are two examples where a QB can take over a perfect system and play great when the starter leaves, no matter how good he is. Look at the Rams when they were good. They went from Trent Green to Kurt Warner to Marc Bulger. All played great. On the flipside, you throw a good QB to the wolves, and no matter how good he is, if your team is bad he can't do anything. I'm sure one of the QBs we've had could have been great had they had a good team. I'm sure of this.
Regarding the article, both trades suck. Are you really saying Ratliff, Wallace and a 6th rounder are better than Quinn? Are you really saying whoever we draft in the 3rd round will be better than Wimbley? If no to both, you have to be mad at both of these picks. The Browns have a deep pocket and in an uncapped year they don't have to worry about how much they spend. Regardless, these two were not getting top-10 cash and neither can be considered busts or at their prime. Stupid, stupid moves.
I disagree, Taylor. I don't think Quinn is a very good pro QB. While he's only had limited opportunities to play, I feel like he is as much a system QB as you say Pike is. Brady doesn't like to throw the ball deep and when he does he has no control over where it goes. Even though he likes to throw short he cannot even do that with accuracy. At least Chad Pennington who is also knocked for having a weak arm throws a catchable ball. Brady throws wobbly passes that often are short and behind his intended receivers. I agree that we didn't get much in return for Quinn (or Wimbley) but this move was more about starting over than anything. Maybe Quinn will resurrect his career in Denver but I would put my money on no. Peyton Hillis will be a bigger factor than Quinn, especially in 2010.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Wimbley goes, I think we got what we could for him in a year with a very talented draft class. He's entering the final years of his rookie deal, which he can void after this season but was relatively expensive for his production (or lack thereof). I don't think this was an indictment of Wimbley's ability, as I think he was improving last season under Mangini/Ryan before getting hurt, but more of the front office and coaching staff believing in the scheme and the younger linebackers on our roster. Trusnik, Maiava and Bernard all played well in spot duty, plus add Fujita and last years second round pick, Veikune to the mix. Wimbley was expendable. Again, probably not the value I would have anticipated in return but look for us to package these extra picks to sign RFAs or move up in the draft to get targeted players. No way we bring in 12 draftees to training camp.
I agree with Charlie's comment. This is considered a very deep draft. For that reason, you'll get a 3rd rounder for Wimbley instead of a 2nd and you'll get a 6th and a conditional for a quarterback with starting experience.
ReplyDeleteYou have to look at all of these moves from the perspective of the new administration: they came in to a team that was a laughing stalk of the league for the last 11 years; they inherited a team where the fans wanted change EVERYWHERE and where, frankly, change was needed just about everywhere. When Mangini came in, they said only 2 players on the roster were safe: Joe Thomas and D'qwell Jackson. I'd argue that when Holmgren came in, the only player safe was Joe Thomas (and MAYYYYYBE Josh Cribbs).
They did exactly what they should have done. They demolished the poor foundation of a bad team in order to get a fresh foundation laid. The more picks they have, the more guys they can bring in that fit their idea of what they want on the team.
As far as Wimbley is concerned, he should have been traded years ago (or never drafted by us, better yet). This is a guy who excels at DE in a 4-3 scheme, and we have been using him wrong the entire time. He isn't a LB, not even a rush LB, and ESPECIALLY not a drop into coverage LB. Asking him to drop into coverage was a liability EVERY play. Getting him out of here is smart not because he is a bad player, but because he doesn't fit our scheme. He'll do much better in the 4-3 that Oakland runs, and we'll be much better off if we put a proper OLB in his place.