2016 NFL Draft - The Quarterbacks

Actually, I think I confused the "Nightline" interview with a different one....Al Campanis was the sports exec that made racial remarks on Live TV. He was with the LA Dodgers at the time...

 

Assuming the Browns are done with Johnny and they don't want to spend big in free agency, can anybody see them pulling a page out of Mike Shanahan's book and draft 2 QB's to bookend around McCown? Nobody thinks it was foolish to throw a 4th rounder at Cousins after spending big on RG3 now......

What about Jared Goff at #2 overall and then maybe Cardale in the 4th rd?

 

A few weeks ago, I would have thought it foolish...especially for this draft class. BUT, if by the Grace of God, Cardale were available in the 4th round, I would absolutely see something like that being a possibility. I would even do it in the 3rd...

I don't think it will happen, based on tOSU's system, I believe there will be many suitors that will see his physical abilities and how he throws the rock in shorts and believe they can make him into a professional QB.

In the end, IF they want Cardale Jones, I believe they will have to spend a 2nd rounder on him...Now to take QBs back to back...I really don't think that's in the plans.

 

All right... let's get this bad boy back on track. Read-option quarterbacks, drop-back passers, game manager... all options should be on the table for a franchise that's lacked a player in this position -- the most important one in all of sports.

So far, we've looked at:

• Paxton Lynch[/*]

• Jared Goff[/*]

• Conner Cook[/*]

• Christian Hackeberg[/*]

• Carson Wentz[/*]

• Cardale Jones[/*]

And briefly mentioned...

• Dak Prescott[/*]

• Kevin Hogan[/*]

• Jacoby Brissett[/*]

... anyone else strike a fancy? Or should we start debating the merits (as we sort of began) of drafting a rookie QB, or using a veteran?

Spoiler

We'll throw out Dak Prescott, Cardale Jones, and Jacoby Brissett for Lyman.

Here's my Top 5 QB prospects:

1. Jared Goff (R1)
2. Carson Wentz (R1-R2)
3. Cardale Jones (R2)
4. Paxton Lynch (R3)
5. Kevin Hogan (R4)

 

I think it's much more likely they use a mid-round pick on a QB in this draft and try to develop them. We're told this is a multi-year re-build, but Hue has to convince some of the vets (especially the lineman) that they can win faster than that -- that does not usually mean sinking No. 2 overall into a 22-year old QB and letting them take their lumps while you build the team around them.

There have been a few free agent (or pending free agent) QB names thrown around here and in media as well, but something tells me that those might also be a stretch.

Depending on if they land Schwartz at DC, I think they go either Laquon Treadwell or Joey Bosa at No. 2 (the latter obviously if they land Schwartz) and pick up a QB somewhere between R2 - R4. A throw-back to 2011 for Hue, maybe (stud WR in R1 and QB in R2)?

Obviously, depending on if Alex Mack and Joe Thomas stick around, that could change. We may be taking Laremy Tunsil at No. 2 overall.

 

I like that list and agree with it completely...

No one else, imho, merits consideration...but would be happy to talk about anyone.

As for the debate at hand...

2016 is a no brainer, there isn't a rookie capable of coming in and starting day one.

So, imho, we will have to have veteran leadership in 2016. I am also happy with Josh McCown as the leader. What I am not happy with is his knack for getting injured nearly every game he plays in. Small injuries, he is can play through because he is a tough SOB...but at 37, those small injuries tend to become too big to overcome.

I think we need another very capable veteran to replace McCown, if we are planning on drafting 2 rookies...or another backup veteran who is capable of going in during McCown's off weeks as the ONE rookie they are taking at #2 overall acclimates himself to the league.

There is no room for 4 QBs...so you must tread lightly when trying to come up with this particular solution.

 

Kirk Cousins and Brett Hundley lasted till the 4th round...I gotta believe Cardale could slide that far.... It's sort of my dream scenario to build our QB position in Cleveland...Maybe it's wishful thinking. You are probably right though Irish. Cardale will blow people away at his pro day and at the combine, and some GM won't let him out of the 2nd rd....

 

Good old Baltimore lover Mel Kiper Jr released his (first) 1st rd mock and he has the Browns taking Goff at #2.....He also has Lynch and Wentz going later in the first round.

Just for the record, he had Bosa going #1 overall to Tenn......

 

Cmon Lym. How many drop back passers rush for 600yds a season? And a large part of that is read-option.

 

You can forget about Kaepernick...Chip Kelly was just hired as the 49ers coach, Kaep fits that system to a "T"...

 

To delve a little deeper though Q...here is the list of backups (BTW the Browns already have 4 backup worthy QBs signed to the roster...

Denver - Brock Osweiler (actually ready to become a 2016 free agent, I expect them to re-sign him and possibly let Peyton Manning go...)
So...Peyton Manning

Bengals - AJ McCarron, Hue should know if he's worth anything, but I would be shocked if an in-division rival would trade an asset.

Dallas - Matt Cassel :!

Eagles - Sam Bradford (2016 free agent)

Redskins - Kirk Cousins (2016 free agent, expect Washington to re-sign)
Robert Griffin III
Colt McCoy :!

Buccaneers - Mike Glennon (in last year of his rookie contract)

St. Louis...er...Los Angelos - Nick Foles (sources say they are ready to move on from him, AFTER signing him to a lucrative contract extension... :!

49ers - Blaine Gabbert :!


That's it folks....Pretty damn sad...

 

That's not a pretty list...The idea of drafting 2 QB's is looking better and better.

 

We had our shot at Cousins last year...Now, the price will be through the roof. There's no way Snyder lets him out of DC....I already mentioned my thoughts on RG3, but other than him, I just don't see a guy that the Browns might make a run at....I guess Peyton Manning would be the wildcard, but it's a hard scenario to fathom where he winds up in Cleveland finishing out his career....

 

Yes TD...let me add OURS...

[del]Johnny Manziel[/del], most likely cut
Josh McCown - 37 years old
Austin Davis
Connor Shaw

Now, Austin Davis looked TERRIBLE in relief last season, but didn't look nearly as bad in St. Louis, so maybe Hue can sprinkle some magic fairy dust on him and make him look like a professional.

 

I think it's VERY LIKELY Peyton Manning finishes out his career in Cleveland

Spoiler

As a front office team member

 

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with anyone who thinks Conner Shaw or Austin Davis are worth anything. Both are awful.

I think the job is Josh McCown's. Hue will appreciate a veteran QB (thought very highly of Carson Palmer) until he can groom his own guy.

Start McCown. Sign a relief QB. Draft Cardale Jones or Kevin Hogan.

 

Oh, don't take that the wrong way..I was merely stating who the Browns currently have under contract AND saying that Austin Davis at least looked serviceable in St. Louis...but DID NOT in Cleveland last year...Not even going to acknowledge Connor Shaw.

But for signing a relief QB, the other list is pretty damn slim..

 

Johnny Manziel has likely spent his last season with the Browns, but until it happens, he could remain the back-up to McCown. He's already under contract and if the Browns can't trade him, barring any more headaches, he is the best talent available.

Hue has to be familiar with some diva personalities who put themselves ahead of the team (Chad Johnson) or troublemakers (Chris Henry). Maybe in his heart-to-heart sit-down with Manziel, the two decide to give it one last shot.

Manziel's an idiot, but maybe the mishandling of him in his past two seasons could have been in part, or driven by, his handlers -- namely Ray Farmer and Mike Pettine.

 

I'm talking more a shot in the dark than list Irish. Stuff only coaches could see or maybe a spark in a preseason game.

I'm talking a complete reclamation project. Someone like Geno Smith. If the vet route, someone like Drew Stanton. Or total shot in dark, Ryan Nassib.

Blaine Gabbert is better than you might think. He could be the starter next year for 49ers. I think he fits better than Kaepernick does.

Chip Kelly is a fast mental processing guy. He doesn't need an athletic QB, not that Gabbert isn't athletic. (Faster than most teams realized).

 

I think Kelly is more of a "fast processing" as in look at two reads, then get what you can if both are buried. This is where Kaepernick shined in his first two seasons. They asked a lot more of him this past season and he has tanked pitifully. His athleticism will carry him past those reads.

I think Kaep will excel in that environment that Kelly produces. More so, than the read defense, drop back and then decipher what the defense is doing. Give him his top two options, then decide whether to run, drop off or throw it away and quickly move on to the next play before the defense can adjust. Kaep can keep pace without any drop off in production.