Cleveland Browns Quarterback Position

[EdMonix11]

I think I can now say with certainty that The Other Team in the chase for Sam Bradford—as many have inferred—was Cleveland. The Browns would have been willing to part with a first-round pick in either 2015 or 2016 (I do not know which year) for Bradford, but there were two problems: One, the Browns didn’t have a quarterback to give in return, and Philadelphia was willing to fork over Nick Foles. Two, Bradford would not have been willing to sign a new contract this off-season if he were traded to Cleveland, and he is willing to consider an extension in Philadelphia. So the Philly deal was really the only one that made sense for the Rams and for Bradford, in the end.

-Peter King

 

[Shakalu M.D.]

I think I can now say with certainty that The Other Team in the chase for Sam Bradford—as many have inferred—was Cleveland. The Browns would have been willing to part with a first-round pick in either 2015 or 2016 (I do not know which year) for Bradford, but there were two problems: One, the Browns didn’t have a quarterback to give in return, and Philadelphia was willing to fork over Nick Foles. Two, Bradford would not have been willing to sign a new contract this off-season if he were traded to Cleveland, and he is willing to consider an extension in Philadelphia. So the Philly deal was really the only one that made sense for the Rams and for Bradford, in the end.

-Peter King

Booms drove me crazy this morning. Him and Carman were talking about it. Booms said that "since the Browns didn't have a QB to give" that meant that we didn't want to part with Manziel. Not that Manziel sucked and has essentially no trade value.

 

[MalTalm]

I think I can now say with certainty that The Other Team in the chase for Sam Bradford—as many have inferred—was Cleveland. The Browns would have been willing to part with a first-round pick in either 2015 or 2016 (I do not know which year) for Bradford, but there were two problems: One, the Browns didn’t have a quarterback to give in return, and Philadelphia was willing to fork over Nick Foles. Two, Bradford would not have been willing to sign a new contract this off-season if he were traded to Cleveland, and he is willing to consider an extension in Philadelphia. So the Philly deal was really the only one that made sense for the Rams and for Bradford, in the end.

-Peter King

Interesting, but I have a very hard time believing that Bradford was not willing to sign an extension in Cleveland, or anywhere for that matter. Considering his injury history, any team willing to commit guaranteed money to him would almost certainly have had him listening.

 

[EdMonix11]

Interesting, but I have a very hard time believing that Bradford was not willing to sign an extension in Cleveland, or anywhere for that matter. Considering his injury history, any team willing to commit guaranteed money to him would almost certainly have had him listening.

Well, on the flip side, the Browns don't exactly have a sterling reputation at the moment. We have Johnny Manziel on the roster and a GM who was just caught texting the sideline to get him playing time. I don't know if that's a circus I'd want to be a part of so I could see where Bradford might've said 'no thanks'.

Also, when he's healthy, Sam Bradford is really freaking good. Arm strength, accuracy, he's so talented. I don't think he'd sign an extension any where at this point. I think it makes sense for Bradford to bet on himself and possibly maximize his potential earnings after a healthy season and it makes sense for the Eagles to wait and see if he can stay healthy and then extend him.

Plus, there was a story about how he was going to quit football so if he gets hurt again, he's probably done and doesn't see that money anyways.

Who knows if it's true but I would've loved to have found out.....

 

[The Oi]

Jesus.

A first of any kind for Bradford would have yet another embarrassment.

How could anyone possibly justify a first for him?

 

[Chris]

Would have been a terrible deal. Bradford isn't very good even when healthy, which he almost never is I might add. I have close to zero faith in this front office.

 

[Soda]

Jesus.

A first of any kind for Bradford would have yet another embarrassment.

How could anyone possibly justify a first for him?

Because when he's healthy, he's really good.

Therein lies the crux.. Sam Bradford hasn't been healthy on turf or in Oklahoma. I'm not confident at all that he could do any good in the swirling Lake Erie winds on natural grass. I guess if you're trying to make a justification, you have to de-value the first round pick by saying it's a gamble anyways.

 

[Soda]

To keep a finger on the pulse... This is getting some run this morning. Heard it on Mike & Mike and it made it's way to PFT..

Hey Mary Kay: Are the Browns really going to go with Josh McCown at quarterback this year or do they have another moved planned? Will they make another run at
Sam Bradford? Are they hoping Johnny Manziel can play?

-- Lou Piernik, Medina, Ohio

Hey Lou: I think the Browns are fully prepared to start McCown this year, but they will continue to look for chances to upgrade the position. I think they'll try to trade up to draft Marcus Mariota, and I also think they could make another run at Sam Bradford on draft day. If they don't land one of those two, I do think McCown will be their man in 2015. They are also big on Connor Shaw, who could start games for them this season if necessary. As for Manziel, they'll see what happens when he gets out of rehab soon. At this point, I don't think they can get much in a trade. Maybe Jerry Jones is still interested.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/ind..._browns_make_another_r.html#incart_most-read_

I would take this with a grain of salt. We know how some local insiders feel about her ability to land inside info, but it is worth posting simply because I think Jimmy Haslam has a perpetual goal of finding the answer at QB regardless on when it happens.

 

[Phills14]

I think they are after a QB and pretty much all options are put on the table no matter how remote they are.

I'm sure trading up for Mariota is an option they've studied extensively. What their risk tolerance is for it, no one knows. Maybe they like Mariota but not if it's at the #2 pick. Maybe they like him if he falls to #9 and they have to get in front of St Louis. Maybe they don't like him at all. What we can assume is they've done all their homework and have a plan to get him at a certain price or not get him at all.

Same with Bradford, they took a shot at him. They didn't get him. They obviously like him. Should Philly try to get up for Mariota then perhaps Bradford becomes available again. They are most likely preparing ideas for that unlikely scenario. However; it's unlikely Bradford is available at draft time.

Unless something from far left field comes out the most likely scenarios are we A. keep the QBs we have or B. we are drafting Hundley/Petty/Grayson/Mannion.

 

[chrisrich91]

It seems we have the means to go get Mariota (for a solid price, sure, but nothing that would approach "selling the farm"). I just don't see where and when this opportunity will come up again in the near future. We have been trying to find a QB for decades now in a multitude of ways...but never by moving up to take one of the guys atop the draft. Tim Couch is the exception but we all know he was better than the situation allowed of him.

At some point we need to go up and get a prospect that has a snow ball's chance in hell at being a franchise guy. And this year seems to be a year where the price to do so isn't a total death sentence a la RG3.

Or we can continue to take the middle of the road prospects that have more cons than pros, the famous "developmental QB" who never actually sees the field in his career, or the retread that "we really believe has more in the tank than last season showed!" Maximize your chances and go take a guy with all-world athleticism, accuracy, size and arm strength, and by all accounts a great head on his shoulders. The only question mark with Mariota is the transition to an NFL scheme. While that could be a big hurdle, it's something I'm far more excited and hopeful to work through than a physical limitation.

People have often tragically compared Manziel to Russell Wilson, or at least insinuated that Manziel can mimic that style to find NFL success. Anyone worth a damn knows that he doesn't possess the arm strength, accuracy, or attitude to play that way. Mariota absolutely strikes me as the guy who can play that style successfully.

TL;DR...I see an opportunity to move up and grab a potentially elite QB prospect and I'm not sure the next time this opportunity will present itself. Go get Marcus

 

[SixPACK]

TL;DR...I see an opportunity to move up and grab a potentially elite QB prospect and I'm not sure the next time this opportunity will present itself. Go get Marcus

You are about to have a shit ton of OSU homers come in here and say "Cardale......JT...." Not that I do not like them, but in every draft someone is going to find a QB that they are real high on and are okay with skipping on MM.

Hey Lou: I think the Browns are fully prepared to start McCown this year, but they will continue to look for chances to upgrade the position. I think they'll try to trade up to draft Marcus Mariota, and I also think they could make another run at Sam Bradford on draft day. If they don't land one of those two, I do think McCown will be their man in 2015. They are also big on Connor Shaw, who could start games for them this season if necessary. As for Manziel, they'll see what happens when he gets out of rehab soon. At this point, I don't think they can get much in a trade. Maybe Jerry Jones is still interested.

What a job to be able to throw out that many question marks...

 

[Ohio]

If we don't take a QB this year, you can bet your ass we'll be in position to draft an elite QB prospect next year.

Either way is fine with me.

 

[Chris]

Wait, Bradford is "really good" when healthy? This is news to me.

 

[AZ_]

Wait, Bradford is "really good" when healthy? This is news to me.

Yeah, he's been pretty good.

2012-13 he was 60% with an 85.5 rating, 35TD/17INT

+7 Pro Football Focus rating

At 25/26, you can work like hell with that.

 

[Chris]

Yeah, he's been pretty good.

2012-13 he was 60% with an 85.5 rating, 35TD/17INT

+7 Pro Football Focus rating

At 25/26, you can work like hell with that.

Hmm that's pretty solid. Is that the only stretch he was healthy for? Not the greatest sample size, that is split over two seasons (in 2012 he was 21-13, not horrible but I'm not calling it "really good")

I mean, I'd take him. Especially if he is healthy. I wouldn't give up a 1st for him though.

edit: He was decent as a rookie too, I guess. By rookie standards anyways.