DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Josh McCown a top Cowboys' target to replace Kellen Moore

Browns' Josh McCown a top Cowboys' target to replace Kellen Moore

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By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com on August 03, 2016 at 6:39 PM, updated August 04, 2016 at 8:59 AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Josh McCown is a top target of the Cowboys to replace backup quarterback Kellen Moore -- especially now that Nick Foles has signed with Kansas City, a league source told cleveland.com.

The interest in McCown heated up after Foles, the Cowboys' first choice, spurned offers from the Cowboys and Vikings to sign with the Chiefs, where he'll be reunited with his former Eagles coach Andy Reid.

The Cowboys need a long-term replacement for Moore, who suffered a broken right fibula Tuesday night and will undergo surgery to have it repaired. He'll be out three to four months.

Since 2014, the Cowboys have gone 1-14 when Tony Romo has been injured, making a quality backup imperative.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters Wednesday that the club had been in interested in signing Foles, 27, who asked for his release from the Rams.

But now, they've turned their attention to their short list, which includes McCown, who's expected to finish second in the quarterback competition soon to Robert Griffin III. Others who have been mentioned include Michael Vick, Mike Glennon, and Josh Freeman.

Wednesday night, Jones declined to comment specifically on candidates other than Foles. He did acknowledge that the club, which currently only has young backups in rookie Dak Prescott and Jameill Showers, wants to act quickly.

"I don't want to get into talking about each individual guy," Jones said via the team's website. "Foles is an obvious one, and after that we'll be looking at everybody and we'll make a decision."

If the Cowboys trade for McCown, 37, they'll pick up the remaining two years of his salary, at $4.375 million for 2016 and $3.625 million for 2017.

The Browns, who are stockpiling draft picks, would be willing to deal McCown for the right price.

A Texas native and graduate of Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Tex., McCown would give the Cowboys the veteran presence they're seeking behind Romo. He could not only step in and start, but give the Cowboys a chance to win.

Last season, he finished 14th in the NFL with a 93.3 rating before a season-ending broken collarbone that landed him on injured reserve for the final five games. He finished 1-7 in his eight starts on a horrible Browns team, but threw for 2,109 yards and 12 touchdowns against only 4 interceptions.

A 14th-year pro, McCown became the only quarterback in Browns history to throw for three straight 300-yard games. He also set a club record with 457 yards in an overtime victory over the Ravens, the fourth-most by an NFL quarterback in 2015.

If the Browns trade McCown, they'd still have third-round pick Cody Kessler and Austin Davis behind Griffin.

On Tuesday, Jackson credited McCown with helping Griffin step up his leadership this season, but acknowledged that mentorship might not factor into roster decisions.

"In my honest opinion, that has nothing to do with him remaining on the team,'' Jackson said. "That'll be an organizational decision about all of our quarterbacks. At the same time, Josh McCown is very important to me. Here's a guy with a lot of skins on the wall. He's done a lot of great things in this league and understands it. I think we know how all of this goes. This is not just about who you like. It's about what's best for our organization.''

Jackson seemed to be leaning toward keeping McCown around, but that was before the Cowboys' vacancy.

"He's done a tremendous job and what a good football player,'' Jackson said. "I'm really grateful to have him here and be around him. I think all of the quarterbacks are, too, because he's been outstanding."

McCown has a great reputation around the league and was sought after by several teams before the Browns signed him to a three-year contract last year. The Bears and Bills were also interested.

McCown said Friday that he hoped to remain in Cleveland.

"I'm going to do everything I can to help this team and to be ready to make this ball team,'' he said. "That's how you have to play and if you want to be a good player, that's how you approach it anyway. What do I need to do today to solidify my job, to keep my job, and to keep playing at the level I expect to play at? That's my mindset going into camp. I have that kind of focus. It's also to be able to share with these young guys and help get them ready. So that'll be my approach.''

Kinda interesting! I wonder if it will happen.

Funny how the Cowboys are desperate having only their two young backups but the Browns would be fine with theirs'.

I'm not sure what possibly they'd give up for Josh. Obviously probably a little more than they would like to due to the fact of their desperate situation.

You don't know the Browns would be fine with theirs. I've not heard them comment... have you?

I'm kind of torn on how I feel about this. He's not spectacular, but solid overall, and an above average backup (assuming RG3 is the starter). As well, from what I've read, he's a leader and has been praised for how he's helped RG3. We're not as good of a team this year without him.

Flip side is that he's 37 and is wanted by another team. I'd be seriously tempted to roll my dice on RG3 and see what happens. Worst case, we have the number 1 pick, and likely another top 10 pick from Philly. There are likely 2 top 5-10 QBs, and someone unexpected seems to always be thrown into the mix.

I hate to lose, but if we can get a decent pick for him (4th or 5th, with conditional up one round based on playing time), I'd have to consider it.

I think the desperate answer would be closer to a 4th rounder than a 3rd rounder...and most certainly NOT a 2nd rounder.

I think fair compensation would be a 5th rounder, however, at that price, the Browns might as well keep him, because we also need that backup QB. The Browns haven't lasted a season with the same QB for 16 games since Tim Couch in 2001. Weeden started 15 in 2012 and Anderson started 15 in 2007, otherwise, we have really needed a competent backup every year. A 5th round or below draft pick won't make up for those games that we need McCown to step in and lose very little by way of starter capability.

I don't see the benefit of helping the Cowboys (especially since we play them this year), for what will likely be nothing more than a late round pick when McCown has done so much to help the QB room. Cowboys have Dak Prescott, let him learn the system and step in if necessary, or let them go get Vick or Glennon. The belief that a (probably) late round pick is better than having McCown around, especially with a brittle starter, would be pure fallacy, IMHO.

I don't want Josh to go but a draft pick could be years of quality ball from a player, with Josh at 37 it would be hard to pass up.

I said all along that I expected McCown to be traded. I think that a 6th, or maybe a conditional 5th gets the deal done.

I think that any player on this team, who is over the age of 30, (maybe not Thomas, but anyone else) is available for the right price. Their idea of the right price may not be the same as the fans' idea of the right price.

Geezzus, I hoped my comment would point out that the article considers the Cowboys in dire need of a quality backup because all they have is their rookie QB and a nobody bacckup. While it aludes that the Browns would still have (as though it's good enough) their rookie QB and a nobody backup.

In other words, if the Cowboys are in dire need in their situation then by the Browns, giving them McCown, would be in the same "dire" need.

In still other words, take McCown out of the picture for a moment then the Browns and Cowboys are in the exact same backup QB situation. Now, who should get McCown? The Cowboys because they are in dire need, or the Browns because without McCown they would have the same need.

And yet, in still other words:

the article says

Cowboys with rookie and nobody for QB = desperate need

Browns with rookie and nobody for QB = OK because they still have them if McCown leaves.

I think there is just too much uncertainty at the QB position to trade him and not give away the fact that we're not too concerned about what happens at QB this year, thus overall team performance.

RG3 could go either way and is injury prone. Kessler probably isn't ready to be the #2.

McCown has proven to (1) be more than adequate playing QB and (2) expressed his willingness to help in any way he can. Both QBs above and below him on the depth chart need that.

Not to mention that trading McCown kind of marries Hue to RG3 and Kessler IMHO.

I think that's ok since he's responsible for both being on the team. Where I see a problem is if RGIII goes down he'll have to play Davis and we've seen that act before.

I think he's already 'married' to them. McCown being on this team or not really doesn't factor into that, IMO.

The Cowboys are a playoff, and possibly Super Bowl team.

The Browns are miles away from being a playoff team.

We're almost certain to win 3 or 4 games this year. It will not matter if RG3 is our QB, or if Kessler is, or if McCown is. This team is going to take time to come together.

McCown is 37. It makes no sense to keep him at the expense of a younger player who might be able to help this team for years to come. It also makes sense to move McCown now, so that Kessler gets a lot of reps in the pre-season, as opposed to doing so in the final cuts, when McCown got a bunch of reps.

McCown is an injury prone, depreciating asset on this team. He is not a part of the future. It makes sense, especially from an analytics standpoint, to do so while they have the opportunity.

Good post, YTown.

You know the Cowboys are really desperate if they give Johnny Manziel a call. (I'm thinkin' no way.)

To me it makes sense keeping him to help the progress of the rest of the offensive skill players. Plus, if we're going 3-and-out the defense won't stand a chance either. If we have to go with inexperience at the QB position, (Davis or Kessler), it would set the team back at just the point where otherwise progress could be made. That would actually make this a throwaway season that I hoped we'd avoid. McCown is no savior, but between RG and him I'd hope for at least ten games of progress.

If we deal him I won't be railing on it for long. I'm willing to defer to Hue.

Are you sure a 5th or 6th rounder would help us for years? Are you saying you're positive that the team is a bust this year? Are you completely sold on the scenario that if RGIII goes down Davis & Kessler will step in and keep us going, particularly if we happen to be winning games? In other words, you're fairly certain at this point that we have no chance of winning more that a 3-4 games, and see no need for a viable backup, one who is helping to coach up the other QBs, because a 5th or 6th rounder will help us for years to come? And further, you have no issue helping a team we play this year in order to grab yet another late round draft pick, while depleting our QB potency? Do I have this right?

Anybody who thinks this would be better than a conditional 5th/6th round pick is delusional IMO. I could see 3 scenarios:

1. Trade McCown to Dallas for a 6th rounder
2. Trade McCown to Dallas for a player they deem expendable (Claiborn?)
3. Nothing happens (most likely)

I'm no NFL GM, but I'd insist on a conditional pick.

Starts 14-16 games = 2nd round pick
Starts 10-13 games = 3rd round pick
Starts 5-10 games = 4th round pick
Starts 1-5 games = 5th round pick

Just making that up on the fly, but I'd want to scale it based on the amount of games he ends up starting for the 'Boys. We all know Romo's clavicle is weaker than our chances at a Super Bowl this season. Josh will be their starter if he goes there, so this should be a trade for a starter, not a backup, so to speak.

My rankings chart may be unrealistic, but I'd target something like that.

McCown is worth more to the Brown's than a 5, 6, or 7th rd pick next year. He's a mentor for the RGIII and Kessler.

I'd seriously question the rational of a decision to trade Josh for a late rd draft pick now. That's basically throwing away one of our own. One who is a true team player and QB mentor.

I'd take a solid pass rusher, ILB, or cornerback

'Report: Cowboys eyeing Josh McCown, Browns reluctant to trade QB'

Link:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/report-cowboys-eyeing-josh-mccown-browns-reluctant-to-trade-qb/

I could be wrong but.....I don't think we even pick up the phone for less than a 3rd. Why should we? Their the ones who need a QB, not us. And besides how much is a good back up worth? A lot more than a 5th or 6th. I don't know why we keep wanting to give away our good players. Ytown, I know you think were stink city, but man at least give us a chance this year.

It's probably just posturing by us to say we're reluctant, but unless it was really worth it, I wouldn't do it. RG3 could be out the first series of the year

I'd be upset if they settled for a 5th or above draft pick. McCown can still play and heck, probably stay on the field longer than Romo.

Sell them Austin Davis. McCown is needed here.

What are your thoughts on the possible trade, Da-Mans-Hot? ddub gave his. What are yours?

You are so freaking annoying!

Like I said on the other thread where we were discussing this possible trade....

I would rather keep McCown than trade him for a 5th 7th round pick. If we could get a 2nd or maybe even a 3rd, I would go for it, but he's old and it's hard to believe that the Cowboys would give up that much for him.

A couple of other points.

--I do not see Dallas as "a possible Super Bowl" team. They were 4 and 12 last year. Their defense stinks. They don't have a second WR. They are a lower-tier team despite what Jerry Jones believes.

--I think that it is premature to believe that RGIII will play well all year. He has been terrible after his rookie year. A lot of guys who can't read coverages post-snap start off good, but they falter once the defensive coordinators figure out how to defend them. Kapernick is another guy like that.

--Counting on RGIII to stay healthy, even if he does play well, is dangerous.

Cowboys are in win-now mode, Browns are not... even with that said, we need a veteran in the QB room.. and RGIII isn't that guy, at least not yet.

I just have to bounce off of your comments.

As you touched upon, McCown is or will be 37 years old. For anyone wishing to attain him, he is a very temporary band aid to their problem. I believe it would be highly foolish for any team to offer anything substantial for McCown. Now if he were younger to where a team could sign him long term and offer a long term solution to their back up QB position I would feel a larger investment would be considered. But I just don't see Josh, at the end of his career commanding much in a trade offer.

I think his point is that if the Browns make the trade, then they are ok with having Davis and Kessler backing up RG3. If they are not ok with it, then they don't make the trade.

Josh McCown: I've spoken to Browns about trade talk

By Marc Sessler Around the NFL Writer


Josh McCown has heard the whispers.

With the Dallas Cowboys on the prowl for a quarterback, the veteran Browns passer acknowledged Thursday that the Cleveland brass have spoken with him about a potential trade.

"Just leave it like that," McCown said, per Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com. "We're on the same page."

The Browns have given all their first-team camp snaps to Robert Griffin III, leaving McCown as a possible trade candidate for Dallas, who lost backup passer Kellen Moore this week to a broken ankle.

The trade makes sense on another level: McCown is from Texas and acknowledged that if he were to go anywhere, Dallas would be his pick. The 37-year-old journeyman went out of his way to note that he wears No. 12 as a tribute to Roger Staubach.

"The Cowboys, if you grew up in Texas, is near and dear to everybody's heart," McCown said, "But once you cross over into the business portion of this life, those allegiances kind of fly out the window and you have a job to do. And so for me, my job and my heart is here -- and doing everything I can to help the Cleveland Browns be good. So that's what I'm about.

"And like I've told you guys before," McCown said, "you spend five minutes in this city and it's easy to be all in because of how people feel about this team."

The Browns also have Austin Davis and rookie Cody Kessler on the roster behind Griffin. Davis is a run-of-the-mill backup who won't go AWOL on the team ala Johnny Manziel. Kessler bonded quickly with coach Hue Jackson before the draft and remains a dark horse to see starts down the road.

McCown isn't a long-term target for the youth-infused Browns, but he's also potentially their best quarterback for 2016. He's also an unmatched leader in the locker room, which has plenty of value for a team with one of the league's youngest rosters.

The Browns can't just trade McCown for a bag of wet spoons. The Cowboys are in a pinch, meaning Cleveland shouldn't settle for anything less than something that will help this team continue to grow.

I like McCown.. whether he's here or in Dallas there is about an 80% chance he will get to start at least a few games..

The Browns are a young team... McCown Most likely won't get this team far...

Cut ties... teach the youth , accept the growing pains. Let the old man have a moment ... of Glory.. and really it's only going to be a moment if that....