Who is our starting quarterback in the 2013 opener?

[Scholar]

That's why I think Smith or Vick are ideal. They've been in the league....they are pro-bowlers (I think Smith was a probowler).

So, having been in a Pro Bowl is now the definition of a good player? How about we go and get a hold of Derek Anderson again. He was in a Pro Bowl once upon a time.

 

[AZ_]

Who would be your 1a. and 1b. options?

Face the writing on the wall....Weeden is gone. McCoy is likely staying? but will not be the starter.

There is no writing on the wall.

You're listening to twitter speculation and not anyone even remotely involved with Chip Kelly, the Browns organization or anyone.

Looking at the available options, I'd imagine that Alex Smith is the only established guy out there who makes some sense.

Vick has almost no long-term viability, Vince Young isn't even in the league.

With those as your options, Weeden and McCoy are just as viable.

 

[kriegs]

Heres a name......Tavaris Jackson

Mobile? Check
Strong arm? Check
Good qb? Maybe

He hasnt been great but the fit is obvious if kelly comes....i always thought he got a raw deal in seattle

 

[AZ_]

Heres a name......Tavaris Jackson

Mobile? Check
Strong arm? Check
Good qb? Maybe

He hasnt been great but the fit is obvious if kelly comes....i always thought he got a raw deal in seattle

TJax isn't really mobile, and has been pretty terrible as a passer.

 

[Otsego Mar]

So b00bie your 1a is Smith, 1b is Weeden......interesting.

 

[AZ_]

So b00bie your 1a is Smith, 1b is Weeden......interesting.

I don't really have to generalize it with 1a or b.

But there isn't much argument to be made for a shitty free agent class.

 

[MDLT]

I've heard people who support Kelly's hiring point to New England's offense as an example of what he can do. Brady obviously isn't mobile at all, but he seems to be working just fine.

Can someone explain why Weeden, or any other QB lacking great mobility, cannot thrive in Kelly's system because of their mobilit issues? Also, I thought one of Kelly's great attributes is that he can tailor his offensive approach around the strengths (and weaknesses) of his players, but now we're saying he must have a running QB? Something doesn't seem to line up.

 

[Giambiwannabe7]

I really think this is the year you stick with what you have on the roster at QB. The draft is pretty weak and so is FA. We have a few other holes to fill via both draft and FA that will do a helluva lot more good than signing any of the available QB's, imo. I fill in the rest of the holes and see what Kelly can do with what he has at QB. If it is an abject failure, then we revisit in 2014.

As it stands, I believe this roster with some aforementioned key FA signings and good draft choices has the makings of a very strong team.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

The problem with Weeden isn't his mobility. It's his inability to progress from below average.

 

[MDLT]

The problem with Weeden isn't his mobility. It's his inability to progress from below average.

I'm not saying Weeden will get there by any means, but he was only a rookie and was playing in a.) an offense not built to his strength b.) and with arguably terrible coaching/playcalling. The book really is still out - though it's easy to say he won't be a starting QB in the league simply because the vast majority of QBs don't pan out.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

I'm not saying Weeden will get there by any means, but he was only a rookie and was playing in a.) an offense not built to his strength b.) and with arguably terrible coaching/playcalling. The book really is still out - though it's easy to say he won't be a starting QB in the league simply because the vast majority of QBs don't pan out.

Well, here is the problem:

Despite what everyone says, Weeden did need to progress a lot faster than he has. The fact that he didn't progress fast is bad. He played like a rookie, but he is 29, going to be 30 middle of the football season next year. He couldn't afford to be playing like a rookie. It's why people hated the pick and thought it was really risky. Weeden had to buck rookie QB trends and basically become a 3 year vet by the end of the season.

And it didn't happen. In fact, he ended the season worse than he started the season.

 

[Biw]

If we're dead set on getting a new QB(I still say give Weeden another year), I'd have to go with Smith. He's more mobile than Weeden and less turnover prone than Vick. I don't want Vick at all actually. He gets hurt at the drop of a hat and turns the ball over just as much. I really wouldn't be mad at a Smith pick up though. He's the best QB available IMO.


I don't really like any of the QBs in the draft either. Next year or the year after it's Bridewater or bust for me. I think he's going to be special.

 

[MDLT]

Well, here is the problem:

Despite what everyone says, Weeden did need to progress a lot faster than he has. The fact that he didn't progress fast is bad. He played like a rookie, but he is 29, going to be 30 middle of the football season next year. He couldn't afford to be playing like a rookie. It's why people hated the pick and thought it was really risky. Weeden had to buck rookie QB trends and basically become a 3 year vet by the end of the season.

And it didn't happen. In fact, he ended the season worse than he started the season.

Can't really argue with that, though I do think overall Shurmer was a detriment to his development and believe Kelly could really help improve his play. But its highly likely Weeden is a dead man walking in Cleveland, and there going to bring someone else in.

I think Smith has been overrated in recent days/weeks on this forum, but maybe he's worth a shot.

 

[Giambiwannabe7]

Weeden is here, like it or not. Same for Colt. If they really do bring in a guy like Vick then it means they are going for the gusto right off the rip. Vick is lightning in a bottle, prototypical boom/bust guy. I highly doubt they go that route, though. Just doesn't seem to fit the mantra of the new brass, imo.

Smith? Maybe, and probably a lot more likely than Vick. But, I'm not thrilled. He's incredibly efficient, and just doesn't make a lot of mistakes, but he'll be 29 and he'll come at a price. How much, I don't know. But, his contract is 2 years for 19mil after this season. SF will not just give him away, as Kap is still very young and learning. With Kap's penchant to run, I'd think Harbaugh likes having Smith chomping at the bit just in case something happens.

 

[billmac91]

Assuming we get Chip Kelly, here is a list of guys I could see the Browns targeting via trade or FA:

Dennis Dixon - Backing up Joe Flacco in Baltimore: I don't think he'd be acquired to be a starter, but he put up great numbers at Oregon with Chip Kelly and understands the system. Dixon also put togther a couple of good starts in Pittsburgh before being signed as a Free Agent to Baltimore. Dixon tore his ACL as a senior at Oregon and lost a bit of his athleticism but he was always a throw first guy anyways, which is what Kelly likes.

[video=youtube;J-N6yY1mHCo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-N6yY1mHCo[/video]

Zac Robinson - Backing up Andy Dalton in Cincinnati: Robinson put up huge stats at Oklahoma State, similar to Weeden. Robinson has a nice arm, but really good athleticism. He's the type of guy who would keep defenses on the backside honest. Again, a guy who would be a good back-up to whoever ultimately gets the job.
[video=youtube;pUkE0BFNiZE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUkE0BFNiZE[/video]

Mike Vick - This is an obvious choice. He still has a few good years, IMO. The key is finding the right system and an offensive line that can protect him. He was lethal in Philly when he had time to throw backed by a good run game. He is certainly athletic enough to force defenses to stay honest on the backside and he has a cannon of an arm. I'm not sure Chip Kelly would want to hitch his wagon to Vick though. If it doesn't work, a lot of people will become skeptical of whether Chip Kelly can produce. Going with a less established guy builds in a buffer.

Joe Webb - Kid is crazy athletic with a big arm. He currently backs up Christian Ponder in Minnesota. He showed some glimpses in the pre-season and finishing out last year as starter due to injury to Ponder. I think Webb could bring a lot of excitement to this type of offense.

[video=youtube;0wX-I7KZjRU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wX-I7KZjRU[/video]

I'd add a guy like Terrelle Pryor, but with such a weak QB class this draft, I think Oakland will see what they have in him next year. Pryor looked good in his first start, and gives Oakland a much better chance at success than Leinart. The Raiders will not pick up their option on Carson Palmer unless they want to waste $9M.

I'm pumped up though. I think Chip Kelly would be able to move the ball with any of these guys, and could probably increase the productivity of our current players if he chose to do so. There are a lot of variables to bringing Kelly in, but it will be fun to follow. I hope we learn the outcome soon.