DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum The Options at QB

Just thought I'd lay out the options and give my 2 cents on all our possible QB options.

The Free Agents

Ryan Fitzpatrick: No way. Was abysmal last year with 12 TD's and 17 INT's. Benched for Petty and Hackenberg. HE's a slightly younger turnover prone McCown whom we just cut. Retirement may be next.

Jay Cutler: Cutler was plagued by injuries last season and wasn't very effective while playing. He's 34, at the age where QB's not named Peyton Manning and Tom Brady tend to start to break down. He comes with concerns about his turnovers and decision making as well as attitude concerns. I don't see Cutler being the stopgap type nor wanting to play in Cleveland. I thought for sure he was gonna play for the Jets but with McCown being signed that door appears to be shut. Recent pictures ASSume he might be leaning towards retirement.

Colin Kaepernick: The most polarizing free agent out there; we all know what baggage he'd come with. But he's also arguably the best free agent out there and the argument could also be made he's better than anyone else we have on the roster. Was discussion about trading for him last year but that died down after the massive free agent departures. Last year he was benched but at the end of the season he quietly put up decent numbers for a bad team. 16 TD's and 4 INT's completing 59.2% with a 90.7 Rating. He still has a fumbling issue but if coached and used correctly Kaepernick has shown he can be an effective player. He's 29 so there's still a few years left in the tank. I find Kaepernick to be an interesting prospect. There is no doubt the distraction he would bring initially facing even backlash from our own fan base. There are other avenues I'd rather try first but if we decide that we really want to try and compete this year and we're not confident in our current roster or even our draft selections to start; he would be someone I would take a chance on. I'd rank him 4th on my list.


The Trades

Jimmy Garoppolo This would be the blockbuster. Schefter is adamant that there is no way The Patriots trade him. And it is almost certain the asking price will be for our #12 this year and then some. There is some actual nfl game footage of Garoppolo which makes him more of a known commodity compared to those in the upcoming draft. The question now relies on two things: How good do the Browns think he is and How much are we willing to pay. If you think Garoppolo is the franchise QB you throw whatever you must to get him. If you still have reservations I highly doubt we'll give up what New England wants. If we can get him for our first this year one of our seconds next year I say pull the trigger. Anything above that I'd have serious reservations because while I think Garoppolo can be the answer I also have the memory of Matt Cassel burned in the back of my mind wondering is he the real deal or a product of the system? He's still my preferred number one option.

A.J. McCarron McCarron didn't complete a pass last year and is firmly stuck behind Andy Dalton. Dalton's play may be frustrating but he does too many good things to warrant a benching. Word is McCarron wants out and the Bengals are listening to offers. The advantage to McCarron is Hue's familiarity with him. He will also be cheaper than Garoppolo but both still carry huge question marks. And would the Bengals be willing to trade with a rival in the AFC North. Their asking price could be too much but I would take a shot on him if the price is right and the Garoppolo trade is a no-go. This would be my 2nd or 3rd option depending on the asking price.

Kirk Cousins: I would be intrigued to trade for Cousins but I don't think Washington trades him this year so I don't really even consider it.

Tony Romo: He's Houston, Denver or bust.


The Draft

The 1st Rounders: Garrett is going #1. That's a forgone conclusion. At #12 (or a slight trade-up from there) you are taking either Deshaun Watson or Mitch Trubisky. There are no slam dunk QB's this class. Each comes out of Shotgun/Spread offenses and each has different intangibles that I admire and concern over at the same time. I go back a forth daily between Trubisky, Watson or neither at 12. DeShone Kizer I wouldn't take at 12 but consider if we traded back or traded up from the 2nd to late first to get him. He has the size and the tools but has been inconsistent. He's a bit of a project but he also possesses possibly the greatest upside of all the QB's in this class. Patrick Mahomes is a gunslinger by definition with a little bit of schoolyard in him. Very unorthodox but he can chuck it. I personally am not to sold on him and wouldn't even consider him until or later 2nd round pick.

Day 2 guys: I really don't see us grabbing one at this spot considering a) we already took a 2nd day QB last year and b) the amount of talent in the first 4 rounds is deep, do we want to bypass on one of those talents for another developmental QB. Now you never know someone like Davis Webb, Nathan Peterman or Brad Kaaya could turn out to be the next Russell Wilson or Dak Prescott, but how often does that work out and they're more Charlie Frye.

Day 3 QB's: Not totally against getting a QB late. Maybe someone drops or you take a chance on a Chad Kelly or Josh Dobbs or Alex Torgerson. Someone who can take over your #3 QB spot (Not a fan of Hogan) and sit and possibly develop into something.


The guys we currently have

Cody Kessler: If anything, I believe he at least winds up as our backup. If we haven't signed any of the above or acquired some other high pick or profile QB it will be Kessler's job to lose. He didn't look hopeless last year and while he was drafted higher than a lot of us anticipated (picked before Dak Prescott and Connor Cooke) we were told to trust Hue. I am concerned however about his concussions. Getting multiple this early is never a good sign. Even with our line revamped its hard to imagine him staying healthy for an entire season.

Brock Osweiler: It seemed a forgone conclusion he would be cut as we really wanted the draft pick but now there is talk Osweiler might be kept around. I mean if you don't sign anyone else and no one wants to trade to take part of your salary off the books and your stuck paying him anyway, why not have a look at him. 2 years ago he completed 61.8% of his passes for 1967 yards in 7 starts with 10 TD's 6 INT's and an 86.4 rating. Then of course the train wreck this year where he was benched with a 72.2 rating. Maybe Hue could work something out of him, doubtful but he's on our payroll. Maybe he goes to camp and beats out Kessler (God help us)

Kevin Hogan: Now I like Hogan as a change of pace option type quarterback. The guy can run with the ball I give him that. The problem is he's not very good at throwing it. Bottom line is that if we make no moves at QB and go with what we have then the plan has to be for one of the QB's in next years draft.

First off, this is a great summary of what is out there. Thank you for posting it.

I think the most likely scenario at this point is the obvious one. Kessler and a draft pick. The part that is in question is where select the QB in the draft. I tend to think we will wait and take a guy in the second round (or trade back into the end of the first round).

thanks president ... nicely organized.

at this point, i want to just start kessler. dont give up any assets for a qb ... then get darnold

Just in case someone doesn't get this joke... http://wgntv.com/2017/03/28/former-bears...instagram-post/

We are only getting Darnold if we are picking first (and we may have to be picking first in 2019, not 2018). Almost every time a team is picking first (and there is a legit QB prospect available) the team picks the QB (2016 was the exception, not the rule).

I think we will be bad in 2017, but not #1 pick bad (J-E-T-S!).

A lot of who we start at QB has to do with the long term plans of the team. If we are trying to be respectable and win six to nine games, then we should probably just sign Kaepernick or Cutler. If we are still tanking, then going with Kessler makes a lot of sense. Drafting a QB high in the draft seems to be somewhere in the middle between those two. The highest ceiling is trading for someone like Garoppolo, but we don't even know what he is or if he is available.

Unfortunately it seems like none of the options this off-season are good. That being the case, I'd probably punt and try again next year (which means Kessler and a mid round rookie).

But it could very well be a deep QB draft next year. Depending on the Jrs and Sophomores. But it's also nice to have the capital to make a move at the #1 pick.

Really good post, agree with pretty much all of it. Unless we're sold on a QB to take at 12 (thank you Mr Obvious) then Kessler has the inside line. I'm intrigued as to how all of this will pan out.

I really enjoyed this post too.

Regarding QBs next year, at this point Darnold looks like the cream of the crop (if he declares.) If he repeats the quality of his play, and declares, he will be the first player off the board, so unless we can get that pick by either tanking or trading, I doubt we can get him. That doesn't mean we can't do better next year than this. Other potential options include Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Mason Rudolph, Luke Falk, Lamar Jackson, and others, most of whom show enough promise to be at least as good as the best this year has to offer. If we don't solve the QB position this year, then next year looks promising even with Darnold out of the picture. (I still like Darnold as first option.)

I think we'll be 1st pick bad next year to be honest

If we can't get JG without rendering several high round picks for him, then let's just rock it out with Cody and draft a late round QB. It's almost clear as day we won't be contending for a playoff spot, so use the high round picks on acquiring and filling up many of the other holes we have on the team.

That's my take on it. Solid post!

Awesome post. This is the type of posting I wish would occur more often. I didn't agree w/all your takes, but I loved how you used logic and reason as your guide. Your opinions were well supported. It's great to disagree as long as the arguments are comprised of the elements that I just attributed to you.

I'm going to make some comments on the guys you listed. Again, I will agree w/some, disagree w/others. But, that does not mean I am slamming you. It's just a different opinion. Again......great post. I am very impressed!!!! And, thank you!


Ryan Fitzpatrick: I agree w/you that there is "no way" we should go after him. I doubt he retires, though. Some team will give him a chance. This time, as a backup. Chicago or the Rams might be a good fit.

Jay Cutler: I think he would be a horrible fit here in Cleveland. He is a polarizing figure and there have been some questions about how much he wants it. I am not saying I agree w/that, but they're out there. The Browns will lose a ton of games next year w/him at qb, and I think that would be a deadly combo. I guess we agree on this one, too.

Kap: We disagree on how good he is on the field. Yes, his stats were pretty good, but the guy has been in decline for quite some time. He has benched for Blaine Gabbert and couldn't even beat out Gabbert at the beginning of last year. He is not accurate and he doesn't read coverages well. Also, in addition to his well-documented public issues, he was said to be "aloof" and not a good teammate long before he started kneeling. I would not want him in Cleveland under any circumstances, other than as an opposing qb.

Jimmy G: I agree w/you that he is the best available option. I really believe in this guy and I think he would solve our qb problem for 10+ years. Wouldn't it be great to not have to worry about drafting/trading a qb every year? There are a lot of people who who don't want to give up draft picks. They like to hoard them and pretend that every pick you use will turn out to be gold. I think draft picks are assets. You use them to improve your team. I also believe that Jimmy G would improve our team way more than anyone who will be available w/the 12th overall pick. Use that asset to secure your franchise qb.

A.J. McCarron: I don't like McCarron because his arm is below average. That's why he lasted as long as he did in the draft. I do have to mention that reportedly a lot of scouts didn't like his attitude and some of his teammates viewed him as a "me" guy and that did not sit well w/teams. I say NO.

Kirk Cousins: I agree w/you completely.

Romo: I agree again.


The 1st rounders: I like Trub the best of the bunch, but I have him around 22nd overall. Watson around 33rd. I don't like Mahomes at all and I think the interest in him is because he is a guy w/a strong arm and an overall weak class. Kizer has the tools, but his erratic accuracy drives me nuts. Same goes for Mahomes. I would not draft a qb high if he has accuracy issues.........under any circumstances.

Day 2 guys: I like Peterman and wouldn't mind taking a flyer on him in the 4th. I can't make up my mind on Kaaya. I like some of his stuff and other times, I'm like......no way. I have to say that my opinion of him probably isn't valid because I haven't studied him enough.

Day 3 guys: Dobbs is a guy who might be worth taking late. He has holes in his game, but he does some things that impresses me. Could be a Tyrod Taylor type.

Kessler: I think he is nothing more than a back-up qb. I hope and pray that we don't roll w/him as a starter next year. I think he will hinder the development of other players and that it will make it harder to evaluate our coaching staff. His arm limits the offense. Teams pack it in. They take away the run and dare him to beat them w/"arm" throws. Crow will get dissed. The OL will get dissed. I also think he is a little too soft to take the pounding that NFL qbs take.

Osweiler: He's probably the best qb on the roster right now, but I really hope we don't have to trot him out there. Enough said.

Hogan: He probably doesn't have a future in Cleveland, but I actually liked him way more than Kessler coming out of college. I could be dead wrong, but I think he might have a shot as a backup for some team.

Once again, thank you. I enjoyed the conversation.

I agree, but Darnold, as of right now, is the cream of the crop (and I would put my money on him staying in school till his redshirt junior year). I would love to have Lamar Jackson just for excitement purposes, but I don't want Rosen at this point. He seems to be a super douche. The guy that has the chance to shoot all the way to the top is the QB from Wyoming Josh Allen.

Either way, I don't like banking on getting a QB next year because there are too many variables involved. Unfortunately it seems like that is our best option at this point.

We always have the option to use all these picks building a team that just needs that talent at QB and then sell the farm to get Darnold the year he comes out.

With all due respect, the OP put a lot of work into his post and I don't think he intended for you to hijack the thread into a Darnold thread.

He made a lot of good points. How about we concentrate on those instead of force-feeding your agenda down people's throats?

.

Good post , that was a nice read.

Free Agents... I don't think with the team we have we should sign any kind of free agent. We're not looking for a stop gap, we're looking to develop a QB.

Trades? If Garoppolo is the guy, we'll make the trade, but trading for a QB has never really worked for anyone. Not saying it won't happen this time, but history isn't on our side here.

McCarron isn't a franchise QB, and that's what we are looking for...


Our best bet is to draft one and try to develop him. If we feel we could develop Trubisky, Mahomes, Watson, Webb, Kizer then we draft one of them.

At this point, I don't feel any of those rookie QB's will beat out Kessler. Kessler may not be a world beater but I think he's quite capable of running Hue's offense. He was a rookie and took his lumps and I for one think he'll surprise some people this year.

Brockweiler + Rookie

Next years QB class is like the backup Qb..

I remember people saying the same last year, how the QB class of 2017 would be much better..

Regarding the original post, I have issues with JG vs Ostweiler and the Watson Vs Trubiski assessment.


If a QB has no production you have to compare what you know with other QB's,but on the same page, namelly the measurables, and in the case of JG and Trubiski they aren't anyting special.

So you cannot say I rather have JG than Osweiler because of his last season. In my eyes they are very similar in history, Ostweiler has better measurables while Garapolo is the unknown, I don't think either justify the price tag.

Watson is the one I would take..but only if he fits on Hue offense...

If you want to turn the franchise around you draft the guy with the intangibles, if not, just build a good D and get a servicable QB

Hue has said that he wants accuracy above all, and a live arm. Is that Watson? I don't think so.

j/c

I will add my two cents.

It makes no sense taking a QB in the first round if he requires two or more years to develop. That is not first round talent. You are better off taking a later round guy and develop. Taking a first round project simply gives others in the AFCN opportunities to get even better.

Yes, QB is the most covet and prize position. Why put a less than mediocre talent you hope blossoms in that position? You not taking prize talent at another position makes you fail two positions.

Brown and Jackson passed on Wentz last year because they were unsure and the overall need greater. If these QBs have equal or less promise than Wentz last year, why do you think any are worthy this draft? Odds Wentz succeeds last season was pretty low.

Browns did not get a pro bowler or ROY player last draft. I do not see as a failure. Brown did bring a lot of much needed good talent. High end talent such as Garret and Collins will look twice as good surrounded by a backbone. They must keep adding improving the overall team. Having a good overall team makes it easier developing a young QB both go hand in hand.

Article from NFL.com, kinda mirrors my views in all honesty:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000...rman-trade-talk

Haha!! I totally respect your view on Kessler I'm an eternal optimist. I hope I'm right as it means we have 55 problems and the QB ain't one, at this point

I wasn't dogging you, Drobs. I just got that "yuck" feeling after reading Brooks' article. He disses Jimmy G for not proving much in the NFL and then turns around and praises BO and Kessler, who btw.........also haven't done much in the NFL except show their limitations.

I said it once and I'll say it again, I love that you've discovered gifs.


And I agree with your gif assessment of that article.

I didn't take it that way at all Was just reflecting we have differing views on Kessler, but I will, in my more lucid moments, admit mine are more borne of hope than reality....

Well, if Kessler starts.............I hope you are right, my friend.

Cody may start and I hope he is much better but I still feel he is not the long term answer. I'll root hard for him I like him but as was said there are limitations that he may not be able to overcome.

i pretty much agree with you on this, device. there is no free agent i would consider adding to the roster. i think that leaves us two viable options. first, go hard for jg and hopefully he becomes our franchise guy. second, draft mahonnes, Davis or kizer in the second plus a late pick qb and ride cody or bo while the rookies develop for a couple of years while building a superb defense and improving the o line and skill positions.

i harbor a secret hope that we go option two, then next year when jg becomes a free agent we make him an offer he can't refuse ( preferably one that does not include a horse's head in his bed) and bring him on without expending draft capital. of course a trade to someone else or the franchise tag could get in our way but one can always dream.

Yes, I like this approach. I would be pretty excited to see Kessler as our opening day starter. I think he gives us the best chance to win.

This is not a bad approach for the short term simply because this draft is too deep and talented at other positions to pick a QB in the 1st round or 2. As we all know the QB class is not talented enough to pick one that high. I don't believe Cody or Brock is the long term answer but either can be a bridge until we get our franchise QB. JMO

The Cody Kessler bridge is one of those rickety old rope bridges. If you are very careful, you can make it across.

This is the Brock Osweiler bridge:

I am not saying you are wrong or bashing you, but my problem w/Kessler is that he is so limited that he will hurt the development and evaluation of other players and the coaching staff.

1. Do you mean, The quarterback position is not important enough to the game of football to receive a 1st or 2nd round pick.

2. Do you mean, the time frame of ("until we get") should remain a "long term" given the history AnD, Recent history, of the Browns quarterback situation, going back as far as 1994.

This post is probably going to be weird because I'm going to tell you that you are right, but I'm also going to disagree with you.

First, I think you're take is fair and probably closer to correct. I do believe it is based on certain assumptions, but I think they are also the right assumptions due to those assumptions being buried in the status quo.

Where I disagree, or maybe more accurately believe that the outcome can be different (hopefully with success) is if Hue and the FO break out of tradional/status quo thinking.

Let's say we end up rolling with Kessler this season. His role to many people will be not much more than a "bridge QB". But what is a "bridge QB"? Traditionally a bridge QB isn't anything more than a place holder you hope can manage the team until The Guy becomes available. The HC or OC says "I have this offensive scheme I want to run, but I need X type of QB to run it. I don't have X QB, but I do have Y. I'll still run the scheme I want to and get as much as I can out of Y, if need be, the playbook will be scaled back".

That to me feels like you end up in a situation that gets closer to square peg, round hole territory. Instead of focusing o what you have, you undercut the guy behind center in favor of a player who isn't on your roster.

Conversely what you don't want to do is say "Well, I want X, but I only have Y who has his limitations... let's build the team around him anyway!"

I do believe there is a middle ground though. I think you can have a scheme and ideal QB needed in mind that you work toward getting, but in the absence of that, I think you can commit to what you have today without having to give up on that. What that will take however I think has more to do with the HC than it does the player.

Kessler has shown an inability (pick your reasons) to push the ball downfield 5,6 or 7 times a game. But he does plenty of other things well. So shift the play calling in to his favor. Don't scale back the playbook you wish he could run, expand the playbook that he can run. Just like when Hue gets criticized for giving up on the run when it appears to be working, or tries some weird play... why ask your QB to keep doing things they aren't proficient in?

Like I said, I think you are probably more right than you are wrong. I think Kessler can be a better QB for us, but he's going to need some help and the right support.

I'm interested in poster's opinions as to whether you think the newly re-built O-linemen will make the Brown's OL about the same, or better than either Denver's OL or Houston's OL and if so could that make Osweiler more viable?

The OL is going to be much much better, but Osweiler? I would think if we build the team and go without picking a "Franchise Guy" that Kessler would be given a shot and I do believe he will be better behind a much improved OL ... JMHO

We have nothing but projects and hopes regarding the RT position so I believe whoever plays RT will need help on the edge.

A lot of what we will see from our OL will have to do with the QB getting rid of the ball on time and being able to push the ball downfield. When QB's hold the ball, it makes your OL look bad. If your QB has trouble pushing the ball downfield, more of the D can collapse and focus on the run.

In theory, we addressed the interior and as such should be able to run the ball better. However, if whoever is playing QB can't push the ball downfield it will be a lot more difficult to accomplish.

Well if you can't get The Guy just yet, I am available, and will gladly accept 16 million to not play.