Browns QB Situation Is Defined (For Once)
Written By: Craig Lyndall | Category: Cleveland Browns | Comments: 15
For the first time in years, the Cleveland Browns have a pretty well-defined quarterback situation. That isn’t to say that as fans we should be 100% satisfied with the roster. Then again, unless you live in Indy, New England, or New Orleans, chances are that you are never completely satisfied. This year with the Browns depth chart of Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace, Brett Ratliff and Colt McCoy, I am really very satisfied that there is some clarity to the pecking order, if nothing else.
The last few years the Browns’ quarterback situation has left scars. This isn’t because I necessarily bought the hype on either quarterback, but it felt more like a presidential campaign than a pro football roster situation. Instead of party lines about WMDs, pork-filled bills, and Bush tax cuts, we talked about DA’s rocket arm, 2007 season, and whether or not Brady Quinn was given a fair shot to play. And the way the language around these topics developed it was eerily similar to unoriginal, parroted political lines. Much like modern political debates Browns fans remained underwhelmed by both “candidates” before it was all said and done. Political simile over.
This year, we may again be underwhelmed before the season is all said and done, but it is nice to have more defined storylines. Jake Delhomme is first on the depth chart. There are only a few ways this thing can go. Delhomme can play just as badly as he did last year before he got cut. Or, he could improve in one of two ways. Delhomme could find the fountain of youth and get back the mojo he had prior to last season. That isn’t likely unless Delhomme was truly dragged down by lingering injuries and it just took his 35-year-old frame to heal. The most likely of all scenarios based on what I have read so far is that if Delhomme improves, it will be because he re-invents his game a little bit. From what I have heard out of camp so far, it seems like this is the route the Browns are trying to take by focusing on taking what the defense gives and not forcing the ball like he might have when he was younger.
After Delhomme, Seneca Wallace is slated to be a bit of a super-sub. He will be the backup, but he will apparently be kept in the plot lines by being included in the Josh Cribbs flash package. This is perfect for Browns fans. When a guy is sitting on the sidelines, Browns fans keep his name on the tip of their tongues the moment the first QB starts to falter a bit. At least in this case, maybe Browns fans will cling to Wallace’s role in the flash package and not instantly clamor for him to replace Delhomme the first time Jake has a multi-interception day.
Bringing up the bottom of the depth chart are Ratliff and Colt McCoy. While a lot of fans will eventually cling to McCoy as the hope for the future, I believe almost all Browns fans are satisfied knowing that they shouldn’t see McCoy after the pre-season unless a “Bruce Gradkowski level” of QB injuries occurs in front of him. And even then, I think most fans will be in favor of picking a QB up off the scrap heap rather than ruin the young man’s confidence and potential prospects for the future.
So now that I have talked myself into being satisfied with the order of things even if I am not 100% satisfied with the players, I am sure one of these QBs will undermine me and create a controversy in the pre-season. Let’s hope that one of Mike Holmgren’s additions to Berea is an ability to help keep the organization from devolving into that ever again.
(Photo Mark Duncan / AP)
Author: CraigLyndall
Craig Lyndall has been writing about all the Cleveland sports teams at WaitingForNextYear since September 2008. When he isn't, you can find him selling insurance or playing music. Follow WFNYCraig on Twitter.Craig Lyndall has written 454 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
It is nice to have some sense of order heading into camp. With the new regime and a pecking order in place, it actually gives us something to try and be patient with.
It is a refreshing change from the guessing game roundtable of QBs in recent years. Here’s to cheering on Colt in a year or so of what I hope will be something like .500 football!
I’m SO ready for football.
Bring it!
It could be worse, could have Roethlisberger running amok.
The good news is Josh Cribbs stuck around. The bad news is after another Brownsy season, he will take his talents to South Beach. He and Ricky Williams have a plan to win the Super Bowl. They cooked the plan up while they were both playing for the USA football team in Beijing. They were roommates.
WHAT? NO “AMERICAN IDOL: QB EDITION” THIS PRE-SEASON? *snaps fingers*
I WAS ALL READY FOR THE 1-HOUR ESPN SPECIAL “THE QB DECISION”
*sigh* Go Browns.
They brought back Brian Sipe?!?!
The order is wrong. Wallace should be starting ahead of Delhomme, just like he should have been starting ahead of Hasselbeck in SEA for the last two years. Poor kid keeps getting stuck behind washed up white guys.
I’m just glad the Browns are showing signs of being run as a profession football organization.
@ Sac
lol
A controversy begins…..
I can’t put into words how great it is to know on July 12th the depth chart of our QBs. I feel like we deserve a 1-0 W-L record headstart on the rest of the league.
Joseph, by scheduling us against the Bucs for Week One, the league is doing its best to give us that 1-0 start.
Yes… Bring back more Browns talk!
Oh yeah! Can’t wait for my first Browns road game! We deserve a good start
moment of silence for *MY* favorite brown: Milt Morin.
thank you. as you were.
(MrCleaveland… i’m guessing it’s you and me and the guy with the otto graham avatar might be the only ones here who remember him. ?)
[...] miss the playoffs, this team has a chance to be the best one we have seen. We have covered the quarterback situation before, and that could just as easily blow up in the Browns’ faces just like previous years with [...]