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. 
