May 19, 2013

Schefter: Browns Do Not Expect to Trade McCoy

April 28, 2012 by 6 Comments

Despite initial reports following the selection of Brandon Weeden in the NFL Draft first round, the Browns now are not expecting to trade Colt McCoy. This comes from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reported this news Saturday afternoon shortly after the start of day three of the draft:

We’ll keep you updated soon with all of the latest. Certainly, this makes a lot of sense to us, as McCoy seems like a much more feasible backup and/or immediate competitor to Weeden as opposed to returning backup Seneca Wallace.

[Related: What Is The Rush To Trade Colt McCoy?]

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Talking Myself in Circles over Quarterbacks

January 3, 2012 by 78 Comments

Feel free to take any or none of this first part seriously.

This time five years ago Drew Brees was a free agent at the age of 27.  He had five years of NFL experience and 59 games under his belt, starting 58 of them.  In that time he threw for 12,348 yards and 80 TDs. Brees had some shoulder problems that caused him to miss the Pro Bowl and ultimately chose to field offers from the Dolphins and Saints after the Chargers offered him a deal that was so heavily-laden with incentives that he passed on it.

In 2005, the Browns had Trent Dilfer and Charlie Frye both playing QB at times.  The Cleveland Browns had just as much chance as any other team in the league (presumably) to negotiate with Drew Brees and make him a part of their franchise. Brees was a QB who had thrown for over 3,000 yards in three of four years.  Matt Flynn is nothing like Drew Brees. [Read more...]

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Jake Delhomme Knows His Place in Cleveland

December 2, 2010 by 20 Comments

I think we are definitely going to see Jake Delhomme under center this week, despite my preference to see Seneca Wallace.  For a variety of reasons, including his status as a long-time NFL veteran, I believe that Eric Mangini will again call Jake Delhomme’s number this week.  It isn’t totally without merit either.  Earlier this week, I discussed the benefits of Delhomme from a gameplanning standpoint.  Additionally if Delhomme was just rusty a week ago, maybe the Browns can put a full game together like what they did in the first half without regressing into a turnover machine in the second half.  Regardless, there are no worries about Jake Delhomme as a teammate in this organization.

When asked where he thinks he stands with the fans, Delhomme jokingly said, “I’m playing, so probably not good.”  By that, it didn’t seem like he meant to demean the fans and their fickle nature, but he seemed to know the drill.  ”I don’t think I’m the dumbest guy in the world.  I know where the future is for the Browns.  I think a lot of us have seen it.” [Read more...]

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Ohio State Lands Terrelle Pryor’s Heir Apparent in Braxton Miller

June 3, 2010 by 9 Comments

It’s impossible to discuss the QB position at Ohio State without looking at it through the context of Terrelle Pryor. While the jury may still be out of Pryor’s ability to live up to the hype surrounding his recruitment, there’s no escaping or mistaking the weight of that publicity. So while Wayne High School (Huber Heights, OH) quarterback Braxton Miller may not have been the most hyped player Jim Tressel ever landed, he just might be the best QB Coach Tressel has ever pulled in.

At a press conference at his high school this afternoon, Braxton Miller, the #2 QB in the nation according to both ESPNU and Rivals (Miller was the #1 QB according to Scout.com), announced his intentions to join the 2011 class at The Ohio State University. Miller had offers from over 40 schools, and prior to making his announcements, his finalists were Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, with Florida and OSU the supposed final 2 schools.  [Read more...]

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The Browns Should Have A Little QB Controversy

May 11, 2010 by 15 Comments

This morning in Scott’s WWW post, he linked to the news that Seneca Wallace might just have a shot at becoming the Browns’ quarterback this season.  Of course there is also the story where Mangini attempts coyness in saying Wallace will have a role in the offense, maybe alongside Josh Cribbs.  I know that as Browns fans we are really gun shy about quarterback controversies, especially after the “battle” between Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, neither of whom as of this writing are a bona fide NFL starter.  I am sure a lot of you will automatically say that the same should be said for the career backup, Seneca Wallace and the new Mr. “Diminished Skills,” Jake Delhomme.  I can make the argument that maybe the Browns will need a bit of QB controversy this season.

First off, I would prefer that this controversy not include Colt McCoy unless we are 10 weeks into the season and everyone else is hurt.  Under those circumstances, I guess I would be OK with letting McCoy play.  Even at that point though, I would be interested to see what kinds of veterans are sitting on the top of the scrap heap not named Bruce Gradkowski. [Read more...]

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NFL Draft: Quarterbacks

April 21, 2010 by 16 Comments

When Derek Anderson was released many thought that Brady Quinn was certain to get his chance to be ‘the guy’. Mike Holmgren had other ideas. Cleveland’s depth chart at QB is dramatically different today than this time last year. With the signing of Jake Delhomme, the Browns essentially were making a statement. That statement- we’re looking for a franchise QB in the draft. It would surprise all of us if they used the #7 pick on that QB, meaning they will more than likely target a QB in the second round, or move up slightly in order to get one of the guys they want. The odds of Cleveland trading up to #1 in order to take Bradford are just not good.

The Candidates

1. Sam Bradford Oklahoma 6-4¼, 236 lbs.

2. Jimmy Clausen Notre Dame 6-2⅝, 222 lbs.

3. Colt McCoy Texas 6-1⅛, 216 lbs.

4. Tim Tebow Florida 6-2¾, 236 lbs.

5. Tony Pike Cincinnati 6-5¾, 223 lbs.

6. Matt Nichols Eastern Washington 6-1¾, 220 lbs.

7. Levi Brown Troy 6-3½, 229 lbs.

8. Dan LeFevour Central Michigan 6-3¼, 230 lbs.

9. Michael Kafka Northwestern 6-3⅛, 225 lbs.

10. Jarrett Brown West Virginia 6-2⅞, 224 lbs. [Read more...]

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No QB at #7? OK, Then When *Should* The Browns Take One?

March 17, 2010 by 82 Comments

From time to time, I’m lucky enough to be considered one of the “panelists” at the Washington Post NFL blog “The League”. Every once in awhile, a topic rolls around that has significance for the Browns, and I get to weigh in on it in my own cynical fashion. And today is a rare double-dip: I got something published there that dovetails nicely with something else one of my WFNY brethren has penned.

Craig wrote a very smart article about why the Browns shouldn’t take a QB at #7. As anyone that reads my writing here knows, I whole-heartedly agree. And, in a weird coincidence, today’s “League” post had to do not just with the top of the draft, but with the QB position altogether. The question was: how good is this year’s QB class, and who would you pick?

Much like Craig, I conjured up the ghosts of 1999 and ghosts of insane contracts past to submit why I felt like it was a bad idea to take a QB at the top of round 1:

My Browns picked Couch first overall, and honestly (through no real fault of Couch himself) it set the franchise back five years. … [Read more...]

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Cutler Goes to Chicago

April 2, 2009 by 20 Comments

Well, folks, there were unnamed teams in the trade rumors, but enough team names were mentioned (Bucs, Lions, Titans) to make me believe that Cleveland might have stayed out of the Cutler talks altogether.  Anything is possible, of course, but you have to think that Cutler’s statements about not wanting to be in Cleveland chilled any real possibilities anyway.  This deal got done this afternoon and honestly it seems very fair for both sides.  Chicago trades their first rounder this year plus next year’s first rounder and Kyle Orton in exchange for Cutler.  The Bears also included their third round pick this year in exchange for the Broncos fifth round pick to get the deal done.  And thus ends the rumor mill, real or otherwise that had Cutler coming to Cleveland in exchange for one of the Browns’ QBs.

As I said earlier in the week, Cutler, while talented, didn’t seem like the best fit here to me.  He has a ton of potential and ability from a pure physical standpoint, but after all  the drama that he drummed up since regime change in Denver, I couldn’t help but think his potential acquisition would fly in the face of everything that Mangini and Kokinis have spouted about their team-first philosophy going forward. [Read more...]

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