Let the Jay Cutler rumor mill start churning.
Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released a stunning statement Tuesday night saying he was going to trade his quarterback. Immediately, the Browns surfaced as a possible – and in some cases — likely landing spot.
I don't get it. I just don't get it.
Two years ago, the fan base was energized and excited when the Browns drafted Brady Quinn. He was the future, the star, the franchise. Fans couldn't get enough of him. One even stole a Browns flag he had hanging outside his house one Halloween while he was watching film at the facility.
Now many of the same fans are eager to see him traded.
Makes sense from the standpoint that Cleveland quarterbacks are treated like yesterday's newspaper. The fan base was energized when Derek Anderson led the Browns to 10 wins. The bloom fell off the rose when he blew a game in Cincinnati to clinch a playoff spot, but Anderson threw 29 touchdown passes and even if he didn't work out … well … the Browns still had Quinn.
Now the team has two quarterbacks, yet the pervading feeling is that it's better to get rid of both for one whose feelings were so hurt by the possibility of a trade that he has demanded out from a team that drafted him, gave him a $48 million contract, made him the starter and built a team around him.
It doesn't make sense.
Rumors state the Broncos would send Cutler to Cleveland for Brady Quinn and Shaun Rogers. Gee … no kidding. What team would not trade a disgruntled quarterback for a first-round quarterback and Pro Bowl defensive tackle? If the Browns do that deal, fans should check the air in Berea because only some toxic waste could cause such wackiness.
Consider this fact as well: Cutler is a freewheeler, a guy who played his best when he faced the Browns and dropped back every down and flung the ball all over.
Does anyone think Eric Mangini will accept that style of play? Mangini is the biggest control freak this side of a guy named Belichick. Mangini came from the same tree as Denver's coach, and Denver's coach pondered the guy he had in New England, which might indicate that he preferred a style different than the one Cutler brings.
And … didn't Mangini have a freewheeling quarterback last season in New York? A pretty well-known guy. How'd that work out? Right, thought so.
And … let's not forget that the system the Browns will run is more similar to the one New England runs than the system Denver ran. If Brady Quinn is a better fit for Denver because he ran Josh McDaniels' system in college, would it not follow that he also is a better fit in Brian Daboll's similar system in Cleveland?
Of course if the Browns can make a trade, any trade, that improves the team then they should look into it. If trading one quarterback allows the team to stockpile draft picks, it might be worth it. Might be. But to jettison two guys because another is available makes little sense.
It would merely continue what the Browns have done for 10 years, and that's re-tool and re-build and re-start over and over and over again.
Mangini talked at the NFL Meetings about holding a quarterback competition. It was a surprise. He could have been trying to keep the trade value of Anderson high by saying how much he liked him. That makes sense from the Browns point of view. But there was nothing in his body language or tone of voice to indicate Mangini was playing games. Same with George Kokinis.
The word from Berea for a while now has been that the new coaching staff has been pretty enamored after watching Anderson. So they want to let the two compete, which is fine if it's handled right.
It's my opinion the Browns would be better served to know right now that Quinn is the No. 1 guy. Because the team has been through this "who's the starter" garbage for too long. The team gave up a lot to acquire Quinn. It's time to see what he's got. Anderson won't like it, and that's understandable. But it's also too bad. He can be the backup and be professional and be ready to play, just like Quinn was last year when he was the backup.
But a competition is OK. Having two quarterbacks is a good thing. If one falters, the other is a more than capable backup.
Cutler has his strengths. He also has questions. Just like Quinn and Anderson.
But to constantly shuffle and re-shuffle the deck just for the sake of it makes little sense.
The Browns commitment to their quarterbacks since 1999 has had the lasting power of smoke. Every one of them started for a time, then were run out of their jobs and run out of town. The fury was driven by losses, fan anger and media second-guessing. Think about it. Tim Couch, Kelly Holcomb, Jeff Garcia, Charlie Frye, Anderson. All were hailed at one point or another. None were given a full and fair chance with a legitimate team.
Now folks want to trade Quinn?
It makes no sense.
Commit to a guy, give him a chance to make it work and see what happens.
I absolutely agree with every point Pat. To think we would give away what could viably be the very reason it took so much to get Quinn and watch him become a star in a city and on a team he did not ever say he wished to play for-it has been his dream to be a Brown since a child-coming from Ohio. I am sickened by this-someone else's teams disgruntled QB coming here playing in a system as you stated not suited for Mangini's style of play besides the fact Brady has never been given a fair shot to show what he can do! But to think that another team covets Quinn says it all in my opinion and then to throw-well there is no 'throwing" in the case of Shawn Rogers in this deal but is beyond comprehension! I am so sick of rebuilding-I am about to give up completely on this team and will certainly not pay a single dime on any more merchandise, games-nothing if they do this deal-sick of it man!
I couldn't agree more…commit to a guy, give him a chance to make it work and see what happens. And if I'm not mistaken, that's exactly what we did with Anderson these past two years. What we saw happen was inconsistent play, extremely poor decision-making and a quarterback that seemingly lost confidence in himself at the end of last season. Unfortunately, it seems a new regime now has to see all this on the field again for themselves.
I can only hope all this talk about a "competition" is a smoke screen and that on draft day, we'll see Anderson packaged in a trade that will give us more draft picks for more bodies — which is what this team really needs.
History shows that the decisions a quarterback makes during games are far more important than the "rocket arm" so many coaches are in love with (Joe Montanna or Tom Brady, anyone?). One of these smarter though less physically gifted quarterbacks even played for the Browns…..his name was Bernie Kosar. How'd that work out?
hey, pat please don't compare favre playing in ny to cutler coming to cleveland. that makes no sense, favre should have never played in ny last year. his age really showed down the stretch. him making the probowl was a joke. quinn is still a question mark and d.a. is not a leader. at least with cutler there is no doubt. the browns will never compete in the afc north without a proven guy at qb and the browns can pencil cutler in as the starter for the next ten years. i say lets get him and finally get on with it.
The reason you don't commit to Quinn is that there's a good chance he's not as good as advertised. There's a good chance he is just is a feel good story that Browns fans WISH would come true. If he was the real deal the Browns would have 12 teams knocking on their door for Quinn just like they are for Cutler. Plus, teams like Minnesota would have at least inquired about Brady before trading for a washed up QB in Sage Rosenfells. None of that has happened which makes me wonder if Brady is the savior.
Between Brady, DA and Cutler I'm not sold on any of the three. But if you were starting an NFL team from scratch today (basically what Browns are doing) you would have to agree that Cutler would be the best choice out of the 3 to start at QB. He has the most experience, best arm, and is more of a known quantity than Anderson & Quinn. That said, Cutler isn't worth Shaun Rogers and a #1, so a deal with Denver isn't going to happen.
Just curious strictly from a football perspective what makes you think Quinn is the answer to the Browns QB problems? What has he shown on the field in games or at practice that makes him the clear cut #1?
Personally, I have a hard time watching the Browns anymore because I have been turned off by the revolving door approach that the team has used and the ongoing disappointments since the team returned in 1999. The loss to Cincinnati by Anderson and the Browns was a huge missed opportunity for the team. We would not be talking about a new coaching staff today if they actually made the playoffs. While Anderson was far from stellar last season, he had a LOT of help in his demise (see B. Edwards and D. Stallworth). To give up on Brady Quinn this early also makes no sense as he has hardly played in any games that mattered for the Browns. I don't care about arm strength as much as I care about him being a winner. My sense is that he can win with average talent around him, which is what you need to be successful in the NFL. Too much revolving door stuff. I'd rather watch college football at this point.
The problem began when Anderson was not traded after his Pro-Bowl year. If Savage could have gotten a number 1 and number 3 for Anderson, which was rumored at the time, and built the program around Quinn, the team would have begun to find some stability. It is scary to trade a Pro-Bowl player and build a team, and this is where the last regime failed.
Sure, trade Quinn to Denver. Sometimes history repeats itself. Do we need to see Quinn quarterback the Broncos and beat the Browns in playoff game in the future? Line 'em up at the 480 bridge if that happens. By the way, the last guy that wanted to play for the Browns at quarterback did pretty well. Maybe history will repeat itself.
Denver has an unrealistic value for Cutler if they think someone is going to give them a starting QB and 2 number one picks.
I think you're missing the Browns strategy.
They may be involved in a three-way trade that gives them multiple draft picks and another team will get Cutler. That would give them one quarterback (DA or Quinn) who would know he was the starter going into the season. QB competition
solved! Draft picks could fill several needs. Good deal for the Browns.
If they trade Brady Quinn and Shaun Rogers, I am done done done with the Browns. I admit I am not a huge Quinn fan, but he has not been given a fair chance to prove himself. We used a first-round draft pick for him for crying out loud. I don't see Cutler as any great prize. And Rogers was one of the few productive players on last year's team. Done, I tell you.
Why do some people treat the name "Bernie Kosar" as some type of local God? Don't confuse popularity with actual ability and skills. There's a reason he had exactly the same number of Pro Bowl appearances as Derek Anderson, and there's a reason his career as an NFL starter turned out to be relatively short. The guy was a shooting star. Besides, I never liked the shape of his nose.
The talk of Cutler in a Browns uniform is total media-generated nonsense, but that guy is clearly very good. There's no reason to believe that Brady Quinn isn't another era's Mike Phipps, and I wouldn't mind seeing Shaun Rogers on another team, he's already made it clear he's going to be a problem, and not just in the poundage department.
By the way, Pat, why did you talk about some knucklehead stealing a Browns flag that Quinn had hanging outside his house one Halloween while Quinn was watching film? People will steal anything. A few weeks ago I had my frog lawn ornament stolen, but it doesn't mean I'll be suiting up in a Browns helmet and uniform anytime soon.
I think it's time for a comet to smash into the earth and end it all. Most of the stuff I've read here, and have read for the past year, is utter nonsense.
Cutler has proven to be a sub-500 QB. The Browns already have Anderson, who also fits into that category.
Quinn is a prospect with a huge upside. He should have played the full season last year. DA should have been traded before the season began. I'm not the only one who saw this as the best thing for the Browns to do. But, the Browns didn't do what needed to be done. Now they have reached an even lower plane of suckyness. Hard to believe that management and coaches can be hired who don't understand the game, and more importantly don't understand people. It' looking like the Browns may be ready to go down that cesspool of mediocrity again with Mankok. Hopefully they will do the right thing – Quinn stays, Rogers stays, Anderson goes.
Pat,
You missed Trent Dilfer.
Now the PD is reporting that we're talking about trading Quinn and the 5 pick in some sort of package that would net Cutler. You can't be serious.
I'm hoping beyond hope here that all this talk is just a ploy to drive up the trade value of DA, the QB who should be on the trade market. Maybe Mankok really do know what they're doing here… I hope.
Alan T. your comments about Kosar are ridiculous. He was a fantastic quarterback who, through no fault of his own, was denied back to back superbowl appearances because the defense could not defend in the clutch and Ernest Byner could not hold on to the ball.
As for Pat's article, it was one of his best. I totally agree. Let's give Quinn the starting job right now and see what he does with it. It is hard to believe we would take a chance on Cutler when he has already shown a juvenile attitude in a man's sport. I fear he might come to the Browns, feel hurt, and then take his ball and go home. I'd rather go with Brady Quinn who wants to be here and deserves an opportunity.
Robisch, as I said, Kosar was a shooting star. The Miami Vice of NFL quarterbacks. A short period of time when he was really, really good, and that's the time when he got the Pro Bowl appearance.
By your argument, it could be argued that Derek Anderson may have been cheated out of a possible Super Bowl because the playoff defense against the Steelers blew chunks. That certainly wasn't Anderson's fault. So put Anderson's bust in a Berea lobby and paint his fuzzy face on a wall.
Kosar's career was OK, nothing more. It's the Ilgauskas Effect, muddling in a guy's popularity with everything else instead of really objectively judging him.
By the way, who cares if Quinn wants to be here or not? They have a felon in the backfield. Who cares. If it doesn't affect job performance, what's the difference what somebody did or where somebody wants to be.
As far as Cutler is concerned, what's "juvenile" about being really pissed about being almost traded to Massachusetts behind his back? I don't get that. It's not like he was renting an apartment, he bought a house, set down roots and performed extremely well. He lived up to his end of the bargain. Then some new boss swoops in and does things his way? Anybody put in that position would be pissed, I don't care who you are or where you work.
By the way, I'm doing a little hyperbole with the Anderson/playoffs thing, so don't hit me.
i'll believe this crap if it happens. otherwise, i'll wait and see. the browns are certainly stupid enough to make a move in this deal.
Whoops, typo. I meant being traded to Florida, not Massachusetts. He was going to Tampa. Still, the same point, he has every right to be pissed. And he has the major talent and therefore bargaining power to be able to dictate the path of his career as opposed to some ordinary schlub. More power to him.
Alan t:
Don't you mean Holcomb? Anderson wasn't even in the pros when we lost to the Steelers in the playoffs.
Also, about Cutler having a right to be upset. You're partially right. He has a right to be upset, but not a right to whine and cry about it and demand traded. Its professional sports. People get traded and released all the time. In fact, if Cutler outplayed his contract, do you think he would honor it? Or would he hold out and demand more?
He's juvenile because he cried to the media when he found out.
I, for one, would LOVE to see Brady Quinn come to Colorado. His leadership, guts & desire to win would be a welcome change! Having watched Jay Cutler's sulleness & poor performance, show me a "star" quarterback. He never surfaced in Denver…
So, after 3 years of tantrums & not a glimpse of a playoff in Denver, come on Brady Quinn! We're ready for some football!!!
Rob, that's what I meant about the hyperbole … I know it was Holcomb, not Anderson.
Pro football players are in a totally different situation than any other professional sport. Guaranteed contract, what's that? So if Cutler and his agent can force a trade away from a new boss he doesn't like or respect, then why not. Who else is he going to "cry" to, Apu at the Quickie Mart? What good is that going to do.
When you want to get something done, you go to the media and spread your message. Management and ownership does it every day, so why shouldn't the players and their agents. That's not crying, that's business.
francie w., no doubt Quinn's first move would be to pose in his underwear on top of a snow-capped mountain for one of those questionable "male health" magazines. They'd probably have to do some Photoshopping, the cold does odd things to some body parts.
I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here[something I would never consider but Alan,I'm told, partakes in on a regular basis] when I dutifully repeat an earlier prediction that Anderson is as good as gone[the only variables being which teams lose out on the Cutler quest and the vertical passing game it entails and are then tossed into the D.A. derby] and what said teams are willing to swap. Then comes the entirely not implausible scenario wherein the Broncos and their Eagle Scout coach start making overtures to Mangini concerning Quinn. If they knock us out we take it and the pick[s] involved. We then, move on and draft yet another QB[Freeman is my choice but wouldn't rule out the top two if we stay at five] and use the additional picks to draft guys who can play.
Tbomb (during happier times):
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j304/ArsenalMGF/BeatingaDeadHorse.gif
Why would we want Jay Cutler at all? What kind of leader bails out on his teammates when faced with the possibility of a trade? Because his feelings were hurt he wants to run away from Denver. A real leader would want to stay and fight and prove his worth. Every time a player (in any professional sport) tests the free-agent market and signs elsewhere for more money, they say "It's a business." Well, it IS a business and it's all about making your team better and in the case of Josh McDaniels better was someone he felt comfortable with. It didn't work out so he committed to the quarterback he already had under contract. A true leader doesn't show that side of him and acts like a leader. Were his feelings truly hurt or was he afraid of competition for his job? We need a leader to quarterback our team. We do NOT need Jay Cutler.
A two quarterback system might work in College, but not in the pros. The only time I can think that it did work, the notion was called Woodstrock.
Maybe some remember that experiment, It consisted of quarterbacks David Woodly and Don Strock, and it was in Miami at the time. But, also what helped was the hard coach at the time, A certain Don Shula, perhaps the greatest NFL coach of the modern era.
Not counting Bernie Kosar, who was exceptional, the last good quarterback in CLeveland was someone called Brian Sipe. When he was drafted, there were 17 rounds in the draft, and if I remember, he was drafted in that round out of San Diego state. Then, the only reason he bacame quarterback was when the supposed great savior Mike Phipps got hurt, and Brian Sipe stepped in and never let go of the ball after that.
The browns have never had muck luck drafting Quarterbacks n high rounds. Otto Gramn was signed when they were still IN the old AAFC. Milt Plumb was a trade, Sipe was a low draft choice. Since then the high draft choices had bombed, (Kosar was a supplemental draft choice after a trade with Buffalo. Tim Couch bombed. Jeff Garcia was a cast off from San Francisco. Anderson came from another team. Cleveland should never draft a Quarterback, instead let Josh Cribbs run the offense. He's probably the best QB on the team anyway.
Wait Pat. Not all of us were thrilled that we traded a first round pick to get Quinn in the first place and also realize the only reason we did was because he fell like a rock dropped from the Terminal Tower, in the draft. Don't "retool"? Are you kidding? If they are going to bring in a new QB when else would you do it? We have a new coach, new GM, new OC new QB coach. The entire structure IS retooled so who cares if they bring in a QB they feel is better than what we have. And yes, Cutler IS better than what we have. 25 TDs last year with zero running game and no defense, sound familiar? So you trade one of our current QBs ( I don't care which) AND Rogers? NO. But how about if the Broncos threw in their #1 as well, then take Raji with the #5 to replace Rogers and use the Broncos pick for another need and we have solved our QB problem, replaced an unhappy Rogers with the highest rated DL in the draft with another Nose Tackle and we still have either BQ or DA to trade.
Full disclosure; I am an ND guy and a BQ guy, and so now am a Browns fan.
Anyone who doesn't think Brady didn't show something last year is delusional. He played great on 3-4 days notice in his first game. The so called experts say it is very difficult to start without notice. He broke his hand in the second game and still played ok. What the hell are you guys watching? A classic knock on Brady is that he didn't win the big games. The facts are that he led the team down the field to score on his last chance against USC in his biggest game, and scored to bring the Ohio State game down to a one possession game. Google or Utube the last 63 seconds of the UCLA game. If you want better quarterbacking than that, then you had better trade for Tom Brady.
Amen.
mike, Austin Carr was a great Notre Dame ballplayer, too, but his pro career was far less than sterling. Bottom line, it doesn't mean squat what they did in college.