Browns Job Is Brady Quinn's to Lose

A year ago, Eric Mangini, still the Jets head coach, was contemplating making a quarterback change. Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens were scheduled to fight for the job, and Mangini, uninspired by his options, eventually traded for Brett Favre and released Pennington.

After an 8-3 start, the Jets, largely due to Favre's inconsistent play, finished 1-4 and missed the playoffs. Pennington signed with the Dolphins and promptly led them to the AFC East title.

Mangini is now with the Browns (and Favre is retired, at least momentarily), but last year's experiences may have influenced his decision with his new club. Leading up to last month's draft, speculation had Cleveland trading Brady Quinn. It didn't happen, and apparently there were plenty of opportunities.

Via the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi:

I recently spoke with someone I will identify as a league source. This person does not work for an NFL team but works with NFL teams and has a prominent name.

I asked, "Whom do you think will wind up starting at quarterback for the Browns?" Without hesitation, the answer was, "Brady Quinn."

The person went on to say that the Browns had two "very substantial" trade offers for Quinn -- each involved a No. 1 draft pick -- and declined to trade him.

Grossi's source also thinks there will be an "open competition" between Quinn and Derek Anderson, but that it's Quinn's job to lose. So what about all the pre-draft concerns about Quinn, that he's "too inaccurate and too inconsistent to be a full time starter"?

Here's the thing: not every NFL personnel type feels the same about every NFL player. There are some GMs and scouts who don't think Quinn is a legit starting quarterback. Some of these people felt similarly about Matt Cassel but loved Kyle Boller and Alex Smith.

Obviously, Mangini felt differently. Or, at the very least, Browns owner Randy Lerner did. If that's the case -- that Lerner stipulated Quinn get a shot at the gig in Cleveland before trying to unload him on the first sucker who comes by -- then good. Crennel and Savage convinced Lerner to trade back into the first round to take Quinn in '07, and in 32 games since, he started just three times. Given the investment -- not to mention the dearth of alternatives -- maybe it's a tad early to give up on Quinn.

Worst case: the Browns just sign Favre. Because he's not going away. Ever.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-12-2009 @ 12:44PM

Mr.G said...

Quinn may not have the strongest arm in the league,but I'm just not buying into the theory that he's not accurate enough.That part of the game comes with experience.Quinn was certainly accurate enough at the college level to shatter every ND record known to man,and the intangibles he possesses are unquestioned.Quinn SHOULD become a very good QB in the NFL,but it's a crap shoot with most guys at that position.The Browns will also have to get better across the board in order for Quinn to have a fair chance.Their O-Line SHOULD be good enough and IF Lewis and Harrison can provide a running game,Edwards returns to form,Quinn might prove the doubters wrong.Only time will tell and the expectations are not high,but this is a better team than some people think.

6-23-2009 @ 3:34PM

gckn4959 said...

the browns had a chance to sign Graham Harrel.Maybe he did not shatter any ND records.He only Shattered ALL of the ncaa records in passing in touchdowns thrown &passing precentages. completing 70% of his passes the Browns deserve what ever they get.

5-12-2009 @ 12:48PM

Samuel said...

Oh my God! Is Brady Quinn still alive? Of course they should have traded him! He only had good numbers in college against the Military Acadamies and the other cupcake schools Notre Shame plays! Anytime he went up against even a mediocre defense he looked like a scared kid! Way to go Mangini! Wrong decision last year to go with Favre and the wrong one this year to go with this loser Quinn!

5-12-2009 @ 3:04PM

Wow! I just can not understand the utter hatred some people have for Quinn,and then go out of their way to just make up lies and false comments to justify it.What is this crap based on,exactly?It's completely ridiculous!!!

5-12-2009 @ 6:41PM

janandrick84 said...

Samuel said...I know nothing but lets pretend I do. Well Samuel you don't and don't bother us with your dribble.

5-12-2009 @ 9:05PM

jeff said...

samuel u r an idiot an must be a raiders fan quinn will be the future of the browns

5-15-2009 @ 10:02AM

kinkboy1121 said...

If the Browns jel with a no-mane defense, and Quinn plays accurate ball mid range, it more then possible that this team will be in the mix for a wild card scenerio.... I hear laughter, but here's few reasons for optimism: Edwards wanta big contract.... solution.... he won't be dropping many balls I would bet...the offensive line should be very strong with mack,steinbach, thomas and the upgraded right side of womack and St.clair..... I think Davis, thats right the 6th rounder, is gonna be like a wild Bronco taking off....Wimpley will either find his way to opposing qbs or faded into the bench....the linebackers will be wild this year..... and lets not forget Beau Bell...... I expect Martin Rucker to be a huge target in the middle and hard to bring down..... you say I drank too much orange flavored koolaid......my biggest fear is not the steelers or ravens, but the bengals solid draft....and to 850am who takes pott shots at Mangini every other minute.... they will be eating those words...........................

5-16-2009 @ 6:32PM

I like your optimism,but we still have a lot of IF's.One thing's for certain,this team has been upgraded across the board under Mangini.The haters can go to hell.The plan is obviously a 2 year rebuilding effort, but with a priority to win as much as possible now.The O-Line and D-Line are the keys.Some didn't like our draft,but they don't understand the importance of C Alex Mack in this division,going up against the monster 3-4 NT's we have to face.Mack was a must have pick...period.The left side is as good as there is in Thomas and Steinbach, and the right side was upgraded with Womack and St.Clair,but we still need a healthy year from Ryan Tucker. - The D-Line will be vastly improved as well with a healthy year from Robaire Smith and the acquisitions of Kenyon Coleman and CJ Moseley.Shaun Rogers will finally get some help.Corey Williams (shoulder)needs to show up this year or find a day job somewhere else.Ditto for Shaun Smith,but we SHOULD have a good rotation there,which is key to a 3-4 Defense.

5-16-2009 @ 9:37PM

Shawn said...

Brady Quinn is far from inaccurate. If that's the rumor around town let's see how the #1 drafted quarterback from 2007 is doing? What was his name again? Oh yeah .... he's suckin for the Raiders.