#CavsRank: No. 15 Andre Miller
February 26, 2014Browns have “no comment” on Lombardi’s Browns documents
February 26, 2014
Part of the Browns’ off-season has obviously been a debate over what priority the Browns should place on which positions.1 Some fans prefer that the Browns draft a quarterback no matter what. Some fans prefer standout wide receiver Sammy Watkins who showed off his skills against the (mostly) popular Ohio State Buckeyes in the Orange Bowl. There are more still that don’t name a specific player but insist on the Browns taking the best player available at all times. I largely stand with this last crowd, but I also recognize a clear and obvious premium that must be placed on the quarterback position in the NFL. With that in mind, while I don’t have any kind of mandate in mind that I want to try and artificially put on the Browns, I can’t help but think the Browns would be wise to hedge against the wild fantasies about Brian Hoyer proving to be a franchise quarterback.
There are enough examples in history that make our dreams of Hoyer becoming the next Kurt Warner legitimate enough. Could it happen? Of course it could. But there’s at least equal chance that Hoyer won’t become the next Tony Romo.2 He could just as easily be Kelly Holcomb. In many of Holcomb’s 24 career NFL starts, someone thought they’d have a chance to win with Holcomb. In those 24 starts, Holcomb went 8-16, including his 4-8 mark with your Cleveland Browns.
Brian Hoyer doesn’t have to be Kelly Holcomb of course. Hoyer intrigues me just like he intrigues you. In his four career starts, Hoyer is 3-1 with a 3-0 mark in Cleveland. He needed some help from Brandon Weeden to bring home win number three against the Buffalo Bills, but his record is still 3-0. I’ve gone back and watched film too. I’m still excited by his field vision and how quickly he gets the ball out of his hands. He plays in the pocket with energy, but without looking panicked. I truly can’t wait to see what Hoyer can do this year.
I just don’t want to overstate things and count on him without a backup plan. No, this doesn’t mean I want to debate Rex Grossman and Jason Campbell. This doesn’t also mean that I think the Browns should trade up like crazy to get the best quarterback in the 2014 NFL draft.
There are lots of ways to find your quarterback in the NFL. I’ve consistently stated that none of the other QBs in the AFC North were top-five NFL picks. The jury is still out on Andy Dalton, of course, and I’m not the biggest Joe Flacco fan, but the fact remains that the highest draft pick used to find a starter among the Browns rivals was the 11th pick in 2004 for Ben Roethlisberger.
While I am insistent that the Browns not be too satisfied with hopes for Brian Hoyer, I’m also not a proponent of desperation in chasing one of the top name quarterbacks. I just would prefer the Browns have some kind of hedge, whether it be a draft pick or trade for some young-ish prospect. The Browns can’t get everything right, and we know they’ll make their share of mistakes in personnel. I just hope they don’t make the mistake of writing Brian Hoyer’s name at the top of the QB depth chart with permanent ink. At least not yet.
58 Comments
I think if JFF is on the board at 4 then dallas will trade us Romo for the pick.
So there. We are starting off on the right foot after all.
I’m in the draft Watkins camp. At number 4, the Browns will likely see two QBs off the board by the time they pick. Why pick the third best quarterback, when you can draft the No. 1 receiver?
I’d also be hesitant to pick a QB high if I were in the Browns front office because it immediately puts Hoyer on the hot seat, no matter how much fans say they like him now. Because you know as soon as Hoyer makes a mistake, the more impatient fans will already be clamoring for that young QB to be rushed in.
Thanks, that sounds right.
And exactly what happens when Watkins is taken by STL or JAX? Huh?
…To all of those hating on the QB class, you need to put some faith into Ray Farmer. He is going to scour this class for a Franchise QB. And when he finds one, whether it be John E. Football, the Younger Carr, #MyManAJ or someone else, he will take him at the appropriate time, which is as late as possible without missing out. That could be at #4, #26 or maybe the 3rd round.
Ray Farmer knows how important having a Franchise QB is, and that will be taken ahead of any other player if he feels that his guy will be off the board soon.
We never had an offensive line that could pass block or run block. maybe that comes first. Football is a team sport, ask the Seahawks.
You Can’t Go Wrong With Sammy Watkins He’s The Fastest Thing Alive Well Except For Sonic Himself If Sammy And Sonic Ever Had A Race It’d Be Neck And Neck
Well They Drafted Johnny Manziel