While We’re Waiting… Iguodala’s Fit, CC on LeBron, and Holmgren on Tebow
February 9, 2010WFNY Tries to Fix the Super Bowl Halftime Show
February 9, 2010
As the Browns quarterback situation remains in peril, one team that Cleveland will be tied to until the start of this season (and perhaps beyond) is the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only do they have three quarterbacks that could very well be starting in the NFL, but their former general manager Tom Heckert now presides over the same position in Berea while Mike Holmgren’s relationship with Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid is very close. Alas, it comes as little surprise that the latest news out of ESPN lists the Browns as one of three teams that have contacted the Eagles in regard to quarterback availability.
Analysts Adam Schefter and Sal Paolantonio listed Cleveland along with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. Given the rumors regarding Brady Quinn to the Broncos, it is no surprise that they are involved with those looking to upgrade under center. The biggest question mark remains on the side of the Philadelphia Eagles who have claimed that all three quarterbacks will be a part of their future. Of course, teams do not want to tip their hand as to what they have in store so the Eagles’ public words are expected.
Both Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb would be an upgrade over the current state of limbo in which the Browns preside. Holmgren’s uncertainty about Brady Quinn’s future is well-documented and McNabb’s experience within a pass-friendly offense is undoubtedly something that the team’s President would like to have in Cleveland. However, he will be entering his 12th season within the league – remember, he was drafted shortly after Tim Couch – and will not provide much in terms of the future.
Considerably younger, and just as in tune with the passing nature of the Eagles’ offense, is former second-rounder Kevin Kolb. Our friends at No Logo Needed cite a recent piece that claims Kolb would be a first-round draft selection if he were coming out this year due to the weakness in the current draft class. What the Browns have over the other two teams listed above is a higher draft selection. Whether the Eagles would demand a first-round selection for Kolb is unknown, but what Kolb can consistently bring to the field as a starter may be of equal or greater uncertainty.
We continue to assume that Mike Vick will not be in Philadelphia come the 2010 season due to the back-loaded contract that he was signed to roughly one season ago. While some have hinted towards bringing him to Cleveland, his style of play does not exactly match up with the pocket presence types that have been under Holmgren’s tutelage in the past. If Vick were to be moved or released prior to the start of the season, Philadelphia would be less likely to move one of their two more prized possessions without receiving ample reserves in return.
As laid out yesterday, the New Orleans Saints were able to turn around their franchise by adding instant impact players to their roster in areas of dire need. It is widely thought that both McNabb and Kolb would be able to step in on any team and add instant value to the quarterback position. We have touched on the front office opinions of both Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow as they head into the NFL Draft, but neither could be expected to ramp up to the NFL level of play right out of the gate. Fans should expect plenty more rumors regarding the Eagles duo and Cleveland as we head into the mid-April draft.
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(image via Associated Press)
45 Comments
I find it interesting that other teams (Bronc0s) are looking to add BQ to their roster as an upgrade while we seem to only want to unload him. Does not compute.
That being said, I think Kolb is an above-average QB. But I wouldn’t want an aging McNabb here, as much as he’s been great in the past.
It wouldn’t be smart to give up anything of value to get McNabb. In fact, there’s not much point in getting him even if he cost us nothing. He’s near the end of the line. Since we’re probably not going to the playoffs this year, all we’d be doing is stunting the growth of some other QB of the future.
All we are saaa-aaaaaying,
Is give Quinn a chaaaaance!
Anyone see this as a Matt Schaub kinda deal? Houston has a top 3 NFL WR, and very good D-Line and Linebacker play, and they still havent made the playoffs (despite playing well), even in the weaker than normal AFC South. I’m all for it if we dont risk our future on the trade. Give em Shaun, not our first pick
Even though I’m unsure about Brady Quinn, I think he deserves a chance. He hasn’t even played an entire season at the starting position. How can we expect him to help the team without getting the reps that he needs? People wouldn’t expect a rookie quarterback to immediately save a team, but everyone expects Brady to even though he has had very few reps.
I’m looking for any situation where we don’t have a quarterback competition that gives us an ‘advantage’.
I would support Kolb coming to Cleveland, granted we don’t give up too much for him. I could live with a 3rd rounder and Rogers for him (or something like that…Maybe Quinn and Rogers straight up). I actually wouldn’t mind seeing what he could do as a Brownie. Has a lot of up-side, Holmgren to groom him. Man I am liking this idea.
McNabb I want no part of. We aren’t winning the Superbowl next year…McNabb is too old for our current plans.
Vick…I also want no part of. He is aging as well, and quite frankly I can’t see him fitting into the type of offense that Holmgren will want to install.
3 way trade? Quinn to Denver, Marshall the Philly so McNabb has his pro bowl WR, and Kolb to the Browns? I’m sure some draft picks would have to be thrown in somewhere to make it all work but sounds ok to me.
Mike Vick playing in front of the dawg pound…unintentional comedy rating of at least a 9 outta 10
@ Tron. Michael Vick playing in front of the Dawg Pound? Who wouldn’t want to see that?
@ Mr Cleveland – Everybodys talking bout Kevin Kolb, Donovan, DA, trade bait, goodness sakes.
…beat me to it
Favre… Hasselback… Kolb? Find the common thread between these 3 guys and I think you may have our QB of the future. Oh, and the fact that Tom Heckert is well-versed on what Kolb brings to the table… It makes too much sense not to happen.
I don’t want anything to do with Mike Vike, or McNabb for that matter. But Philly would be a legit contender going into next year with McNabb (which Reid said he would) and Brandon Marshall. Remember how good the Eagles were with TO, before he drama-queened. And if Denver is high on BQ, I’m not opposed to giving him up to land Kolb.
I love the idea of Kolb coming to the Browns. I like Tron’s 3 way trade as well. Also wouldn’t mind trading Quinn and a 3rd or 4th rounder for Kolb as well.
Trade Quinn and bring in Kolb. Release DA. Keep Ratliff and bring in another Vet to work with Kolb.
Why would Philly make a deal for Brandon Marshall when
they have a superstar in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin? Not happening.
@Coacha12 : Because Desean jackson is 5’10, and Maclin’s not much bigger. Could you imagine Brandon Marshall’s 6-4 pass catching ability at the #1 spot and freeing up Jackson with single coverage? That’s why they’d make that deal. And if they only had to give up a backup QB, got a draft pick they could use on a McNabb backup in 2 years, why not?
As a Brady Quinn fan, I think he would perform better going to the Denver where he is wanted. Brees was not wanted in San Diego, However he was wanted in New Orleans and perform well. Everyone is judging Quinn with only 12 starts in 3 years. He lost his confidence under 3 rookie coaches. give him time and players and he will be successful. Look what happen to Tom Brady when they played the ravens in the playoffs…He looked worst then Derick Anderson
@16 – One huge difference: Brees was GOOD in San Diego. He gave them 4 good years as a starter and had 51 TDs over his final 2 years there.
A leader with some stones and experience would be a good pick-up for developing the whole team, QB of the future or not.
also by getting mcnabb you could draft a guy like lefevour (sp?, also just throwing out a name)) from central michigan in the third round or whatever and he can develop for a few years while mcnabb plays
It makes sense for Heckert to be talking to his former team just not sure which QB, McNabb or Kolb would be better suited. I personally think Kolb with all of the rebuilding but whichever you know it will cost.
Kolb’s value- The Eagles drafted him with a high 2nd round pick, almost a first. They have trained him for 3 years and now and he is ready to start. He has put in his learning years. The Eagles think highly of him. Why on earth would they trade him for less than a mid round first pick. It would make no sense to take a loss on a player they have so much invested. The Eagles fan base would revolt if they traded Kolb and kept McNabb.
I’ve been a big supporter of giving BQ a chance. But if we can turn him into Kolb I think I’d have to support it. I like the Brees analogy, but that was because they drafted Rivers and the fans ran Drew out of town. I’d love to see Brady achieve some success in a Browns uniform but I feel like a majority of the fans don’t even want to see him out on the field. I understand his performance has been lack luster but to be truthful he was not set up to succeed with the coaching/management situations he’s been through. Oh and I would rather see Tim Couch back in a Browns jersey than see Vick/McNabb. We need someone for the future so it’s either BQ or Kolb.
Matt Moore, Tavarias Jackson, Billy Volek, and Trent Edwards are possibilities. None of which are probably as good as Kolb (except Moore).
Jason Campbell, Kellen Clemons, Brodie Croyle, Nate Davis, Matt Flynn, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jeff Garcia, Gradkowski, Grossman, Shaun Hill, Jon Kitna, and Josh McCown (Not Luke) are all QB’s that could be in play for us as well.
Obviously it is up to the FO to determine which would be the best course of action. I personally really like Josh McCown, Matt Flynn (although he’s real young)and Billy Volek as much as Kolb.
@S-Dub I think they will probably end up taking a serious look at Jason Campbell and I think I could support that decision.
@24 Not sure on Campbell I’m more in tune with giving Quinn one more full time shot starting from the first day of training camp primarily because he is under contract. Of course he has to remain healthy but if he can’t then next year it’s time for a decision. I’d rather see the Browns use draft picks on other positions rather then waste a high one on another young QB who won’t play right away and make an impact. I agree with the people who talk about signing a free agent QB instead but as a backup for Quinn. Get rid of Anderson, for anything.
Imagine this:
Brady to Denver for Marshall. Then we give the Eagles, Rogers and a pick or two for Kolb.
Then we take Haden in the first RB in the second….Boom
troysmithtroysmithtroysmithtroysmithtroysmithtroysmith
I’d love to see Kolb come to Cleveland. For those saying give Quinn a chance, he’s had three years to show something. Don’t whine for different treatment than DA got. The poster comparing this to the Shaub deal is straight on. Shaub has been fantastic for the Texans and Kolb is going to be more than “an above average” QB in this league.
Or we can just stick with Quinn and give him 3 more years impersonating Charlie Frye and let another team get Kolb.
Yeah, Troy Smith. Okay.
All this talk about trade this trade that draft this draft that. Take a look at all the Super Bowls. They have great offensive lines. There are 5 or 6 great offensive linemen in the draft. I will predict that all will be gone in the first round. WE NEED AN OFFENSIVE LINE TO PROTECT OUR OB NO MATTER WHO HE IS. But we draft everything except young, big, strong, offensive linemen. (except for Joe Thomas) Lets get some young, big, strong, offensive linemen and maybe we can have an offense in Cleveland
@23, Really? You’re saying you like Flynn, Volek, or McCown as much as Kolb.
Matt Flynn? We want a young 7th rounder who hasn’t even had the time to learn enough to be useful and isn’t particularly physically gifted? Don’t we already have a much more talented project QB?
Volek? We really want a 34 year old QB for anything other than mentor duty with a clearly rebuilding team, especially one who only lit up the world in exactly two games in his career years ago?
And you’d rather have either of them than a guy who’s played extremely well in all his appearances, who was drafted high for his talent, is only 25, and has learned the game for years in one of the best QB systems in the NFL behind McNabb because why?
There’s a guy out there that’s pretty good… His name is Troy Smith, it would be a smart move!
I think Joe is dead on with the marshall for brady trade along with the rogers and some picks for kolb. That would make us at least the houston texans immediatley and probably a .500 team if we land a QB and somebody to throw it to in the same off season. Then draft that corner/saftey (berry/haden) we’ve been needing and get the biggest stronges RT left in the draft in the second round. Draft LB’s and defense the rest of the way and we should be in business. We already have a four-headed monster in the running game (cribbs, jennings, harrison, j. davis) so I think we can leave that alone for right now. Right guard can use an upgrade too but isn’t as pressing a need as some of our others.
Ref:Imagine this:
Brady to Denver for Marshall. Then we give the Eagles, Rogers and a pick or two for Kolb.
Then we take Haden in the first RB in the second….Boom
Hmmm I like this idea. But kinda far of a reach though.
Brady Quinn has yet to play a full season with the Browns, yet the front office has already given up on him. Get the guy a solid receiver to throw to on third down, like we had in Joe Jerevicius in 2007. Which may be part of the reason the ’07 season seems like a fluke. ‘Vicius had A LOT of third conversion receptions which is what the team has been missing the last two years, but I digress. Give him a solid receiver to throw to on third down and if he still looks like he’s clueless, then get rid of him. But you can’t give up on him when he only had Braylon Edwards – a.k.a. Mr. Dropsey I’m-from-Michigan-so-nobody-loves-me – and two rookie receivers, plus Cribbs who is still developing. McNabb, nor Kolb would have success with no go-to-receiver.
The quarterback position isn’t the emergency spot anyway, it’s the defense. Trade some of the overstock of draft picks we have this year in order to move up to get Eric Berry.
Trade DA for either one. Two years ago we wanted a 1 and a 3 for DA.
philly native and season ticket holder here,mcnabb is far from shot as a nfl qb and the browns would be wise to push to aquire him,a lack of offensive line and injuries to westbrook were a key factor in mcnabbs spotty play,get him browns!
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I can’t see Philly giving up on Kolb so forget that. He is their future. I agree with the others McNabb and Vick too old, let’s build our own future.
Hey, I love Ohio State, but Troy Smith is possibly a good backup QB no more. Typical OSU QB, go back and look at them all. See which OSU QB was a successful NFL QB. DOn’t let your love of the home team cloud your view.
I think Holmgren & company will make the right choice, probably will stick with BQ, draft a later round QB project and find a veteran, cheap.
DA is worth exactly nothing. His contract is prohibitive. It is not that they won’t try to make a deal, no one will bite on that loser. Average 2.1 QB rating in 4th quarter! He will be cut prior to the season.
Right now it doesn’t hurt to talk to other teams and I’m sure the Browns are talking like mad, but everybody wants our #1 or #2. There are 59 or 60 five star college prospects in the draft, less than two rounds. We need all of our draft choices because we need: a CB. Safety, RT, WR, DE before we need a QB.
In a word – A “Stupid” idea. They have more pressing needs at other positions. John A. – Don’t forget LB and RB too. Toby Gerhart might be a good fit. A real hard nosed LB is needed. Spikes?
Troy could work. Everytime I’ve seen him play for the Ravens, he looked good. The only reason he’s not the starter now is he got sick & Flacco came on.
Why is everyone so high on troy smith??? Im a huge buckeyes fan and i love troy smith and ill be the first one to buy that man a drink…but lets get real. Stop thinking with your hearts and start thinking with our heads browns fans.
I don’t want to see another washed up QB come to this town. McNabb is done. I never liked him in the past and dont want him in this organization. I will be ticked off if he comes here. Period.
Maryland Dawg you’re right. Since we all agree the Ravens should trade Troy Smith for to the Browns. Let’s hope Holmgren gets the memo.
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