That was fun while it lasted.
According to most reports, the Browns fell short in what proved to be an extraordinary trade to secure the services of Baylor quarterback
Robert Griffin III. Essentially giving away parts
of three drafts, the Redskins proved to be more brazen than the Browns in their
attempt to grab a franchise player. The ultimate price – a first round swap this
year, two more future first round picks and a future second round pick – proved
too costly to the Browns, who have committed to rebuilding through the draft.
In the end, reality intervened – or perhaps was trumped by the delusional
behavior of Daniel Snyder – as it’s worth remembering that Griffin is still an
untested college spread quarterback who will need significant time to develop at
the NFL level.
Still, just the mere idea of the normally staid Browns being involved in such
a high stakes chase offered some genuine offseason excitement. Now, as free
agency is set to begin, such a feeling will likely wane. However, the entire
Griffin escapade has also revealed much about the Browns’ future plans.
The Colt McCoy Love Affair is Over
Tom
Heckert offered some GM-speak last week in defending the Browns’ embattled 2011
quarterback.
“We’re not down on Colt McCoy, I want to make that clear.”
However, the hidden meaning behind Heckert’s statement is that the Browns are
not exactly “up” on the Texas QB either. The Browns’ participation in the
Griffin sweepstakes was more than just exploratory, as reports have suggested
Heckert balked at the inclusion of the second round pick. Regardless of the deal
specifics, the Griffin chase signals that the Browns are in the market for a new
quarterback.
While clearly McCoy was not given the most ideal of circumstances in 2011 –
considering countless dropped passes, injuries and a poor right side of the
offensive line – he also showed a tendency to struggle with accuracy and often
panicked into counterproductive check down throws. Additionally, McCoy has not
shown the type of durability required of quality NFL quarterbacks. In each of
his two NFL seasons, McCoy has missed three games.
But then again, what else can Heckert say at this point? At the moment, McCoy
is the Browns’ starting quarterback and could again assume similar duties to
begin 2012. Intangible wise, McCoy is tough and has shown glimpses of being a
quality leader. However, the Griffin chase could be construed as an attempt to
either grab a top flight athlete or simply replace an inferior starter.
The Browns Will Trade Up
If not RG3, then who?
The likeliest of college QB candidates are Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannenhill and Oklahoma
State’s Brandon Weeden. Both players seem to be better fits
for Pat Shurmur’s more traditional version of the West Coast Offense (i.e.,
neither quarterback will upset Shurmur’s delicate WCO balance in a manner
similar to RG3’s unharnessed athletic ability.)
Each quarterback does possess quality traits, though. Weeden has more
experience than Tannenhill, but Tannenhill is a quality athlete who is still
developing as a quarterback. Each displayed accuracy in college while operating
in pass happy attacks. Of course, the key with drafting any quarterback is the
transition the player makes from throwing to wide open receivers in college to
finding the end spots of designated routes in the pros.
Such a transition is extremely difficult for young NFL quarterbacks. Griffin
will face a huge challenge is adapting to a professional offense – regardless of
his transcendent athletic skills. Andrew Luck’s main selling point is that he already
possesses these skills. McCoy’s Texas offense featured wide open looks, while
Shurmur’s offense – like any other – is predicated on finding a spot on the
field. As to how either Tannenhill or Weeden will adjust to this NFL reality is
unknown. Such a skill is seemingly innate, yet enhanced by coaching.
However, the reality is that each quarterback is viewed as a consolation
prize to teams unable to draft either Griffin or Andrew Luck. Both Tannenhill
and Weeden are clearly unfinished products, yet each will still cost the Browns.
Knowing the value annually placed on quarterbacks and remembering 2011’s
exceptional first round QB run, both Tannenhill and Weeden’s value will be
inflated next month, meaning both players will be off the board by the 11th
pick. Unless one player is selected with the fourth overall pick, a trade up
from the 22nd pick could be in the works.
Citing Heckert’s two-year history in Cleveland, the Browns’ GM has shown a
pattern of doing such a thing. In 2010, Heckert moved up to grab running back Montario Hardesty and gave away a third round pick
last year to select defensive tackle Phil Taylor. In the case of either quarterback –
assuming that the fourth overall pick is used on another player – a similar move
could be made.
The Browns Could Trade Down
Or, Heckert could pull off a
second consecutive trade down.
“We feel very comfortable being at four,” Heckert said. “We feel very
comfortable moving back and getting more picks.”
In 2011, Heckert’s trade down was among the more dramatic moves in recent
Browns’ history. Atlanta’s desire to grab wide receiver Julio Jones netted the Browns five total picks, but
also dropped Heckert to the 27th overall pick. This year, a potential trade down
will likely not be as severe. Assuming that Tannenhill is indeed a top ten
prospect – or if another team calls on Heckert for another player, the Browns
could move down anywhere from the 8th to 11th overall pick.
Surrounding the Browns this year are quarterback-needy teams in Miami (8th
pick), Kansas City (11th pick) and Seattle (12th pick). Also intriguing are the
prospects the Rams – newly flushed with picks – could provide. Trading out of
the first four picks places the Rams away from prime prospects in Matt Kalil and Justin Blackmon.
What’s Old is New Again
According to Heckert, “you don’t win
football games by signing a bunch of free agents.”
Admittedly, everything in Heckert’s Cleveland past suggests that a new
quarterback will arrive via the draft. However, the prospect of the Browns
landing a free agent quarterback is at least a distant possibility. Matt Flynn is the prize of free agency, at least
based on his two starts in four seasons in Green Bay. Of course, Flynn is an
incredibly risky gamble – considering that he could be the epitome of a system
quarterback.
Yet a Flynn signing would dramatically change the Browns’ early draft plans.
Instead of another Heckert trade, the Browns could stay put at each of their
first round spots. In this scenario, help could be added to a number of problem
spots, including wide receiver, right tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker,
cornerback and free safety.
Or, Flynn could be swapped with Arizona’s Kevin Kolb – a former Eagle with Heckert ties.
Kolb, whose name has been tossed around Cleveland for two years, will likely be
dealt by the Cardinals in the event of a Peyton Manning signing. Or, it’s
possible that the Cardinals go with John Skelton and try to rid themselves of
Kolb’s hefty free agent contract.
Either way, Kolb to Cleveland is not the most exhilarating of possibilities.
Kolb benefitted from excellent offensive talent in Philadelphia, but has
struggled in Arizona. Kolb’s signing would represent a worst case scenario – one
that would clear up the Browns’ draft plans, but not offer much in the way of genuine
excitement.
http://cle.scout.com/2/1167895.html
|
