I’m just glad Mamba is finally out
April 14, 2016Browns 2016 schedule released
April 14, 2016As discussed earlier, the Cleveland Browns were impacted dramatically by the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans trade that gave the Rams the pick ahead of the Browns. Instead of getting their pick of quarterbacks, it appears one of the players will be gone at the sport’s most important position. Or, maybe the Browns saw the market set should they choose to trade down. There are just so many moving pieces. So, let’s talk about some various permutations.
This is the same team that traded draft rights to RG3, right?
But first, remember when the Rams rubbed the RG3 trade in Washington’s faces by putting all those acquired players at the center of the field as captains?
It’s really kind of interesting that a team that was so secure in their ideals about draft value and trading picks could now find themselves in the position to trade a ton of picks to move up and presumably take a QB. Total weirdness, man. Total weirdness.
No, this shan’t be called “The Trade”
I hope we’ve long since given up trying to add events to the littany of Cleveland sports miseries. I hope all that died with “The Decision” and “The Return.” It does beg the question about what Browns fans will be rooting for in the future regarding Carson Wentz. You know, presuming he’s the guy who gets selected by the Rams No. 1 overall.1 Will Browns fans, even the ones who were infatuated by the potential of Wentz playing in Cleveland, be the ones rooting hardest against him? I would like to say that won’t be the case, but I’ve been a member of the Cleveland sports populace long enough to know that it probably will come to be.
Does this set up a Jard Goff vs. Carson Wentz career rivalry?
We’ve seen these kinds of quarterback career rivalries before. Peyton Manning vs. Ryan Leaf was one-sided, but it certainly occurred. Eli Manning and his unwillingness to play for the Chargers created a natural connection with Phillip Rivers’ career. Even Aaron Rodgers had an early-career connection to Brett Favre that hasn’t been completely lost to time, I don’t think. And, who could ever forget Tim Couch vs. Akili Smith? Kidding! A trade that targets Carson Wentz has good quarterback rivalry origin story tone to it. We’ll see how it shakes out and what develops, but it’s got a big fat footnote ready to be noted throughout the careers of these two guys – depending on how their development goes.
not necessarily in a good way for Browns fans, but all you can do is control what you can control.
Could this signal a changing of the guard, errr, left tackle for the Cleveland Browns?
Scott touched on this a bit this morning, but I wanted to discuss it as well. I’ve been staunchly opposed to trading Joe Thomas. Selfishly, I want this guy to retire as a member of the Cleveland Browns. I’m sure my emotional connections don’t add up to much in the world of analytics, however. My argument against a trade at the trade deadline was bolstered by the unanswered question of who in the world could possibly replace Joe Thomas? Well, if the Browns’ quarterback choice was just interrupted, then maybe this is the perfect opportunity to not only replace Joe Thomas, but add another player with whatever pick can be garnered from trading Joe Thomas to a contender that feels they’re just one big piece away.
In my heart, I still despise the thought of moving Joe Thomas, but my head can be persuasive. Plus, the only way to heal a heart that’s hurting from wasting the entire career of a hall of fame caliber player is to replace that player and start wasting another career, right? Right?
Maybe this will cement the Browns on skipping quarterback on Day 1.
A lot of my math regarding the Cleveland Browns and their quarterback decision has relied on the idea that they should be patient and work the later part of the draft for a quarterback. There were enough questions about Carson Wentz and where he came from and the talent that he played against that it seemed it might be a worthwhile venture to draft weapons elsewhere. It’s not about having to do that first as much as not feeling confident enough in Wentz2 to think that a later-round, more experienced quarterback might be a better bet. I won’t name names, but the NFL isn’t exactly known for taking prospects with potential at the quarterback spot and making them the best players they can possibly be.
We’ll see…
This NFL draft just got more interesting. It’s not necessarily in a good way for Browns fans, but all you can do is control what you can control. I hope there’s no panic in Berea today; bemoaning the loss of a prized potential pick. The Browns have a big job ahead of them just like they did before the trade went down this morning. It was always going to take a heck of a lot more than their first pick this year to fix all of the issues. Even if that one pick got a little bit more difficult, the net difficulty shouldn’t have changed that much.
24 Comments
Without actually looking up any facts or anything like that, I’d say that passing on a QB early and waiting to draft one later rarely works. For every Aaron Rogers or Tom Brady, there are a dozen guys named Joe — or Colt.
Go big or don’t go at all.
Here’s what we know for sure: Someone within the Rams thinks one or both of these QBs are worth A LOT. We also know that when the Rams were on the receiving end of the last mega trade they squandered their booty with their quality decision making. The one thing I take away from this latest event is that just because the Rams think something sure doesn’t mean it’s true. If some other team feels the same as the Rams about these two QBs I would give a serious listen to whatever mega deal they offer the Browns. If Hue/Sashi/Paul think one or both of these QBs has what it takes and he’s available at 2 then I’ll trust them (until I don’t) if they go that route. I just know they better be right.
I agree but they gotta go big for the right guy. Remember when MIN, JAC & TEN went big in ’11?
This is just your friendly reminder that Jeff Fisher is a turd.
Thank you. You may go about your day.
True. If they’re really confident that they got their man, then they should go for it; if not, then don’t. But it seems that waiting for a QB later just gets you a mediocre starter or a career back-up.
Roethlisberger and Flacco weren’t at the tippy top of the draft and you can win with them. There’s some middle ground on QB. You just have to not stink at scouting and drafting and evaluating. We’ll see if this new iteration of the Browns front office smells or not.
“You just have to not stink at scouting and drafting and evaluating.”
Wait, is this even a thing? 😉
guys named Joe
said as he walked into the Joe Montana 3rd round pick.
I agree as well if it’s Goff. But, I think he’s out of our reach now. Problem is, I think this is a bad draft for QBs after him.
https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7abmKhQ80pURWbgQ/giphy.gif
You’re projecting your Goff love/bias/unhealthy obsession onto the Rams front office. Based on empiric evidence, you are likely way smarter than they are.
I would have said Tim Couch v. Donovan McNabb, which I oftentimes ponder if we’d taken the latter, would he have gotten just as punished as Couch did.
I’m actually projecting historical data. Hope to write it up in more detail for tomorrow.
https://media.giphy.com/media/26CalmkpfFU3io3yU/giphy.gif
Craig, I will be shocked if Cleveland picks a QB day one. I think they will move back at least 2x in the draft. I am not of the belief we need a top QB. If we build a incredible deference like Denver did this year we don’t. Raven’s did it. Pittsburgh did it in Ben’s 2nd year.
^ x1,000. Maybe even more.
If you don’t want the QB, trade down with the Cowboys. Take Ramsey or Jack. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind them taking EZE either. Need playmakers. EZ is going to make plays in the NFL. Anything you get from them is pure bonus.
“Hi, Dallas. Trade with us. DO IT!”
I think (and somewhat worry) about an option that I haven’t seen discussed much: We trade down and take a quarterback very late or UDFA as a flyer, have the QBs we already have compete, see where we are for the next draft. The logic to this is that we got RGIII, only have one QB this year ranked as a potential franchise guy (gone to LA), and there are plenty of holes to fill. It’s not flawed logic but I don’t love the results. We will see. I’m about ready for a two week nap, wake me up when the dust has settled.
Depends on what “later” means. We’ve seen plenty of #22s and have seen how that works out. There are freakish late pick stars scattered throughout the years that, a priori, no one thought would be so great. The second and third rounds scare me for QBs, since there are usually pretty solid position guys in that range. Hogan in the 6th? Some kid from the ACC as an UDFA? That’s not that dangerous and I think it’s possible. Could be better than Davis, tiny chance they are better than McCown or RGIII in a few years.
A bad draft for QBs after him…at #2. 😉
The wild speculation on Joe Thomas trade is both dumb and sad. Ugh.
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I think it is MOST likely that the Browns don’t make a trade until after the Rams make their pick. They should have offers lined up that are contingent on the outcome of the #1 selection.
Hang on tight, fellas. It’s gonna be one hell of a ride…
Unless there is a leak, that’s how I see it.
As soon as they hear “… the Los Angeles Rams select Jared Goff”, the Browns are on the phone to the highest bidder.