Saturday, March 13, 2010

The Browns are given three doors and somehow choose a fourth

Okay, so you're the Cleveland Browns (namely, Mike Holmgren). You've got decisions to make with the QB position. So let's go over your options:

Start Quinn/Wallace/Ratliff

The Browns acquired Seneca Wallace this past week, so after releasing Derek Anderson they had three QBs on the roster. Quinn was drafted by a previous regime, Wallace is a Holmgren guy from Seattle, while Ratliff is a Mangini favorite from the Jets. Brady Quinn has yet to be given a full opportunity to prove himself, but if you don't like him, then go with Wallace or Ratliff.

Draft a QB

If you don't like Quinn, this is probably the best option, because Wallace and Ratliff probably are not long-term options. The Browns are not in a position where they are only a QB away from contending; they need help at receiver and with their pass rush, for starters. Therefore adding a veteran doesn't make a lot of sense, as that type of player will probably be finished by the time the rest of the roster is up to par.

Trade for a QB

You don't like the options currently on your roster, and Wallace is purely a backup, so you go the trade route. Kyle Orton, Jason Campbell and Tarvaris Jackson are restricted free agents with starting experience that are available. A more unproven QB such as Brodie Croyle or Charlie Whitehurst could probably be had, while the Eagles would probably listen to the right deal for Kevin Kolb. These aren't great options, but these are QBs who have quite a few years left. It should be noted it would take a large offer to get Orton or Kolb, but if you really want them it's worth it to fill in the QB position.

Notice that "add a useless veteran" is not on the list, and yet that's exactly the route the Browns took by adding Jake Delhomme today. I can't think of one logical reason the Browns made this move. If they just want a stopgap starter while they develop someone, then there's no reason they couldn't go with Quinn/Wallace/Ratliff. Delhomme is coming off a horrible season, and the chances of him improving at this advanced stage of his career are slim. Delhomme, in my opinion, is finished as a starting QB in this league. He would be a good backup for, say, Green Bay or New Orleans, but he is not starting material. Quinn/Wallace/Ratliff may not be that attractive, but at least they offer some upside.

It should also be noted that Delhomme had that horrible season playing for a team that is considerably better than the Cleveland Browns. I feel like I've been shouting this from the mountaintops for a long time ago, but this team has the worst receiving corps in the NFL. It's a disgrace that they went through an NFL season with that group, and even traded the only viable option they had (Braylon Edwards). Brady Quinn played last season with Mohamed Massaquoi, Jamal Lewis (later Jerome Harrison, who played pretty well but in Mangini's infinite wisdom spent the first half of the season on the bench) and Robert Royal. Delhomme had Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. And Delhomme was worse than Quinn by pretty much any measure, yet the Browns are basically signaling that they'd rather start Delhomme than Quinn.

You don't believe in Quinn, and don't want to start Wallace or Ratliff? Fine, then draft a QB, or trade for a young veteran with some upside. But a useless veteran near the end of his career should not be an option. You already have potential stopgaps on the roster; it's time for the Browns to find a long-term solution. Signing Jake Delhomme simply sets this franchise back. I thought hiring Mike Holmgren was a good move for the Browns, but if this is what he's going to do with the Browns, then he can go back into retirement. I have no idea how Delhomme even became an option for this franchise.

And on a final note; Get some fucking receivers please!

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