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July 28, 2010Dating back to 1999, the weeks approaching training camp are typically surrounded with question marks with regard to the Cleveland Browns quarterback position.
For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Browns know exactly who will be starting under center come Week 1. And while the questions may still loom with regard to the level of talent calling plays in the huddle, Browns team president Mike Holmgren remains optimistic with the newly-acquired Jake Delhomme, the 14th different starting quarterback for the franchise since their return in 1999.
After a relatively strong minicamp and voluntary slate of organized team activities, Holmgren claims he’s ready to forget about last season and plan of the future.
“He didn’t surprise me at all,” said Holmgren in a Wednesday morning press conference. “I’ve said all along I think he’s a fine player. I think he has played a long time, had a lot of success. His last year was documented, it was crummy and we’ve talked about that. I think you saw too, I hope you did, the ball is getting where it’s supposed to be.”
Holmgren was obviously referencing the tumultuous 2009 season that saw Delhomme provide career lows in almost every measurable category, including completion percentage (55.5), interceptions (18) and passer rating (59.4). Playing in only 11 games after signing a contract extension with the Carolina Panthers, Delhomme was subsequently released where he would ultimately wind up with the Browns on a two-year contract.
Stepping in for the Derek Anderson (released) and Brady Quinn (traded), Delhomme will be asked to lead a team that struggled mightily when possessingthe ball. With young and inexperienced receiving corps, a pair of running backs with only a handful of starts between them and an offensive line that experienced key additions in the offseason, Holmgren feels that the team is undeniably improved from one year prior.
Unfortunately, the Browns finished 2009 dead last in the NFL in terms of total yards – there is nowhere to go but up. But while the 2009 version did most of its damage on the ground, Holmgren expects this season to feature a more polished air attack.
“I think the team should be better,” said Holmgren. “I think that our quarterback play should be more consistent, so start there. Just start there. If you did nothing else, if you had more consistent play at quarterback and everyone else played the same, you should be better.”
“I expect us to be better. I expect us to move the ball better. I expect us to pass the ball better for the reasons I stated earlier: more experience at wide receiver, one more year under their belt, more consistent play at quarterback. ”
Again, Holmgren reiterated his unhappiness with how last season’s games were won, but did give credit where credit is due, claiming that while he was unsure exactly how those games were won, fact of the matter was that the Browns did eventually come out as victors for four games in a row to end the season.
Naturally, Delhomme is going to be pegged to many as “Holmgren’s man.” It was after the team president’s arrival that both Anderson and Quinn we sent about their ways with Delhomme, Seneca Wallace and Colt McCoy being added to the roster. And while it is widely accepted that the team’s new No. 17 will not be the team’s quarterback of the future, the one they call “The Big Show” fully expects of the 35-year-old Delhomme to lead this Cleveland Browns team back on the right track in terms of improved offense, leadership and an win total until the next man – whomever that may be – is ready to take over.
“I talked about Jake being a bridge of sorts until we can find the next young guy to come in here and hopefully be the quarterback for a long time,” said Holmgren. “I am really glad we have him. He is already made an imprint on this football team. We needed the leadership, in my opinion. We needed the leadership there as much as anything. The passing I didn’t worry about too much, but I needed someone to bring everyone together and I think he’s done a nice job of that so far.”
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Jake Delhomme Mark Duncan AP
12 Comments
As bad as Delhomme may have been last year, was he worse than DA? I doubt it. How about Quinn? Again, I doubt it.
In fact:
Player A: 81/182 (44.5%), 888 yards (4.88 yds/att), 3 TD, 10 INT – 42.1 rating
Player B: 136/256 (53.1%), 1339 yards (5.23 yds/att), 8 TD, 7 INT – 67.2 rating
Player C: 178/321 (55.5%), 2015 yards (6.28 yds/att), 8 TD, 18 INT – 59.4 rating
Other than the picks, Player C is by far the best of the three.
And you can probably guess who he is.
4.88 yards/att… and that’s passing. Wow.
but playerA+playerB had more passing yards on the year with more TDs and less INTs.
playerC is not a great leap forward if he plays like last year’s stats. the good news is that was likely an anomaly based on the rest of his career (unless he just fell off a cliff)
“Player C is by far the best of the three”
Not really sure about that.
2/1 pick to TD ratio? Not so much.
That being said, I still think Delhomme is a better option for this team, this year. For reasons other than last years stats being “better” than DA or Quinn though.
With the improving line and additions at fullback and running back, it looks to me like they’re going to be running more than not anyway. If they are successful, it will improve the passing game, no? Paper-based ifs and buts, the life of a Cleveland Browns fan.
It is increasingly difficult to get excited about Delhomme. If this offense does anything, it will because of our running attack.
I fear that Defenses will force MoMass, Robiskie and Delhomme to beat them.
Hey, get that red Kool-Aid outta here! I chug only orange Kool-Aid!
I just think it’s really funny how much disrespect Delhomme gets from Browns fans after watching the 2 QBs we had to watch last year. Really?
@8 – did you watch Delhomme vs. the Cardinals in the playoffs in ’08 or at all last year?
he was one of the very few QBs in the league with enough pass attempts to qualify and finish BELOW Derek Anderson in QB Rating.
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we are all hoping he returns to his more career-norm’s, but with the QB carousel we have had here, it’s not like his recent history should make us as warm and fuzzy as drinking straight jack.
Nobody is saying Delhomme is Joe Montana. I don’t live under a rock, I realize the guy was terrible last year. But you can spit out all the stats you want, as bad as Delhomme was, he was still better than DA or Brady Quinn. I watched every single Browns snap last year and I stand by that statement wholeheartedly. That’s how bad the CLE QBs were last year.
Apparently Holmgren agrees, and I’ll take his opinion over yours and anyone else’s on this board, quite frankly.
Just upgraded my tix at CBS. New grill & table for tailgating in the muni lot. Man, I love football season. HERE WE GO BROWNIES, HERE WE GO..
I just got my upgrade turned down at CBS (really? people still are getting tickets to make me be able to not move up) and also bought a new grill for tailgating, although I dont mess with the Muni. God help us to not lose more than 6 home games so I dont crash my Buick into on coming traffic on my way back to Columbus.