DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Browns Sign Josh McCown

Ruined my morning. Glad we have a body, but "competing"? As in 1-10?

Welcome aboard! Surprise me.

And when this newbie kills us, who is next?

Maybe Farmer has Hoyer offer in hand unofficially. That would make sense.

So we may be tanking already for a QB to be named next year? This is lousy.

Think I might rather start Spock. Next year should be a delight.

If I offended anyone (Versatile Dog) with some of my comments I apologize and ask you to forgive, I already ask the Lord and He forgave me, we all are human and only God can control our tongues ...

this is probably the only move we will make this year. (rolleyes)
no need for a draft.

j/c:

One thing I find interesting is all three (Farmer, Pettine, and McCown) all reference the fact that, locker room presence is a factor to the signing:

Farmer


Pettine


McCown


To be fair, we've never heard anything about Hoyer being an issue, except for perhaps the 50/50 locker room split for Hoyer or Manziel during the season but that not a personality thing- just a talent preference if I recall correctly.

At a minimum, I think it was a trait they wanted to see more of out of the position group. The mentorship thing is a legitimate factor here IMO. Not that Hoyer doesn't have that, he just wants to be the guy. That doesn't seem to be the case with McCown. Still, I have to assume he starts the season barring an unforeseen circumstance.

I could be wrong, but there isn't a reference from any person about him starting. I think that might be telling as well. And only McCown uses the word 'compete' regarding any hint of playing.

'just happy to be part of the team'
'help young guys grow'
'help team get better'
'pass along my knowledge'
'good at running the football and defense and being smart with the football'

These quotes don't sound overly definitive that he is a starter. This mostly sounds like back-up QB talk....we'll see.

Haslam, a fan of football would have to see what the fans see in this move and the upcoming schedule. This move is easily one for Manziel and not for winning. It is clear that Hoyer was not interested in being the backup. I think they are truly giving the job to Manziel with no competition, otherwise they would bring in someone who could compete for the job (Hoyer, Bradford, Sanchez).

Something tells me that Haslam likes Pettine and his honest, blue-collar coaching philosophy. I do not believe that tanking the season would result in a pink slip. Everybody knows, owners included, that this is a horrible year to be in need of a QB. Something tells me that they are going to be building all the pieces and filling the holes to make us competitive and then shoot for the best QB available for the long term in 2016. If that is the plan, I am completely on board.

Somebody start coding and adding this to the list of smilies!

Mike Garafolo's take

http://www.foxsports.com/ohio/video?vid=405807683538

Arch, while I understand your concern Josh is on record as saying that HE IS HERE to mentor JM. He knows his part on the Team. He knows he might have to start until one of the young 'un's are ready to go. He will NOT be looking over his shoulder because he knows why he is here.

Browns didnt want Johnny to start as a rookie.
They are blowing off the hometown Hoyer.
They bring in Pettine's hand picked OC to develop a young QB whose
#1 asset is developing young qbs.
They bring in the guy that developped Johnny for his pro day to be QB coach.
They bring in a vet that is looking forward to being a mentor for the young QB.


Frankly I have never seen a team do more to ensure success of their rookie QB. Everyone has talked about the browns should develop a QB properly and most are now angry because they are doing all they can to develop the QB. They sound like proud parents that Johnny is showing the maturity to seek help and get his life in order. If Johnny isnt ready, McCown will start but make no bones about it, they want Johnny to be the franchise QB and are doing everything they can to make that happen.

As for Hoyer, I think he ticked off the Browns and they wanted nothing to do with the guy. When we offered him a contract and his agent said he wouldnt resign here unless we traded Johnny, he did nothing from that point on to endear himself to this franchise.

I reserve the right to revise my criticisms above if McCown was indeed signed to be the #2 behind what I would consider to be a legit starter. But if its a strategic move to give Manziel a friction-free path to the starting spot, or to tank the 2015 season for 2016 Draft position, then I'm not on board. I'm pretty sure Farmer won't lose any sleep over my relative discontent as a fan, but I can't get behind any more throw-away seasons.

IMO getting Josh M is a wash when comparing him to BH, he is no better or worse. However, he may be better in the locker room as is being said and a better teacher an example for JM and any other qb we may get.

I'm sure this won't be the only move we make at the qb position. You may see another fa signing or a draft pick.

That is certainly the cup half full point of view. However, most of us are not too confident in the abilities of any QB on our roster. If Manziel can bring some of that college success to the NFL, then great the search for a long term solution at QB is finished. If he can't and what we saw in the Cinci game is JM, then we have a shot at one of the best QBs available in 2016. Should be an interesting year for Cleveland Browns football!

The only QB that I think there is a possibility of adding before the start of the season is Peyton Manning.

+1

interesting vid...thanks.

looks like he will bring some knowledge to the table for sure.

They are going to give Manziel a chance to redeem himself.

Here's to hoping Manziel shows up humble. If alcohol was his problem, and he has accepted it and turned it over, then we could be in for a pleasant surprise.

Mac, I am more concern Haslam loses patience again. This is year two. FO and coaching staff are all young all going through the pain. Just like any rookie, I expect to see this staff make a big spike in development. Tab stated this over and over this franchise needs continuity. It starts at the top. They must continue going in one direction.

Fans continue worrying about who the Browns chose because of star value. When they really need to step back looking at what is being built and how it fits. Biggest thing we saw fail last year when losing started was team. Simply look at QB. Did you see either Hoyer or Manziel working together trying to get it turned around? Who was at fault?

I've said it a few times. This team needs more leaders on the player side. Defense is starting to get those types. We may not have seen the best play, but the defense hung in there until the end. Offense fizzled and sank.

Having the best individuals doesn't always mean the best team. Many times team makes better individuals. Take a good long look at Seattle. When Pete Carrol was hired and watching them build that team, I shook my head and said what a train wreck. Now they are playing in the Super Bowl. I still dislike Pete, but I come to respect what they built and how. It doesn't matter who the individuals are it maters how they fit and produce as a team.

Lots of good posts on this thread. And I sort of fluctuate - if my heart and emotions are ruling my mood then I am bitterly disappointed at this move. If I start using my brain - then I agree 100% with Mourgrym.

This is no doubt the most optimistic view point. And if the team can take strides elsewhere on the roster - McCown (or A.N.Other starting QB) only needs to be average for the Browns to be in every game. It certainly gives JM the best opportunity to be successful. And, once again, using my head, the sample size on JM is too small to say he will never get it. There is a long list of QB's who were lousy in their rookie season who went on to be good/v good/great ... despite how some/everyone/most want to revise history and say JM should never have been drafted in the first round. . . at the time of last years draft JM was the Browns pick at #5 on at least 25-30% of the mock drafts out there. Sure Jawarski slammed him. But that was a truly exceptional perspective .... which is why it got so much attention and air play. Most had JM grading out with first round talent/skills. I never wanted him - but that's because I was thinking of that #5 pick. If someone had come up with a scenario before the draft of taking him at #22 I probably would have thought it was a worthwhile risk/reward type pick .... though I would have taken Carr myself.

Anyway ... bottom line, despite what I see and my gut tells me about Johnny, and based on the very meager alternative offerings out there, and given the history of McCown and some of the FO working together in the past .... I think what the FO has done is probably smart and certainly gives JM the very best opportunity to be a success in the NFL. That's a tough pill to swallow - but it's probably true in my opinion. I would have stayed the course with Hoyer for a number of reasons - but I don't know what went on behind the scenes. None of us do.

Taking it one step further and assuming or exploring what happens if JM does turn out to be a total bust ... we aren't a million miles away from the best other alternative. None of the FA QB's are a solution. . . . if you want to trade up for one of the 2 best QB's in this years draft we still can (and McCown can be their mentor).

But still ... it just doesn't taste good in your mouth does it??!!

McCown want to help Manziel grow as a person and player

Posted by Mike Florio on February 28, 2015, 11:13 AM EST
McCown
Getty Images
On Friday, veteran quarterback Josh McCown opted for the Browns over the Bills. On the surface, the move seemed a bit surprising. At a deeper level, it makes more sense.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Browns seemed more eager than the Bills to close a deal reportedly worth $15 million over three years, and McCown viewed the Browns to be the better fit. Also, the Bills created the impression that they have other plans at the position.

For the Browns, the only clear plans at this point are that Brian Hoyer won’t be part of them. Via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, coach Mike Pettine and G.M. Ray Farmer called Hoyer on Friday to inform him of the arrival of McCown. While they apparently didn’t say it, it means they won’t be trying to re-sign Hoyer, who is due to become a free agent on March 10.

McCown will be trying to help the guys who technically represent McCown’s competition, Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw.

“If you can give of yourself to others to help somebody else in your journey, I think you’ll find so much more peace in life,” McCown told Alex Marvez and Mark Dominik of SiriusXM NFL Radio on Friday night. “And so that’s my approach when I head into a quarterback room, and is just ‘What can I give back to the guys around me to help us be better?'”

McCown specifically wants to help the 2014 first-round pick who currently is going through a serious personal challenge after entering rehab.

“Johnny is a person, and every person that I come across has value to me, and they matter,” McCown said. “And so I want to help him as much as I can with all parts of it. To grow as a person and as a player and to help him go on and have a fruitful career.”

That attitude suggests McCown will be ready to do whatever the Browns ask him to do, with no agenda or rivalry or jealousy. He truly wants to help the Browns win, whether that means McCown, Manziel, or Shaw taking the snaps. PFt

Why do I get the feeling we just hired Miss Sue for our version of Michael Oher?

Okay, I watched the movie least night.

Great, we signed Stuart Smalley to play QB.

Football aside for the moment, these are very powerful words. We would do well to take them to heart...

McCown understands his role here; he knows the clock is ticking. The moment he can no longer impart "mentorship", he will be gone. At the least, he provides an experienced backup...

That's a fair point. However, those men were not players. They had the careers of others in their hands, directly, which is why I felt that way. I felt that they completely screwed over a good coach, and a good man.

However, your point is acknowledged as valid.

He was already gone twice. Dude was was in the UFL and coaching high school.

McCown is a great guy to have in the quarterback room. I really don't want him to be our starter.

So, it's settled. The Browns, under Haslam and Farmer, have proven to really understand the QB position and have made excellent decisions.

We are set for years to come at QB because of their great decisions and we will be in the playoffs this year.........and beyond!

That is really pretty fascinating. I had no idea that McCown had served as a pseudo coach in Tampa Bay last year. That is actually pretty interesting, and a probable reason as to why we chose him over Hoyer, especially since the 2 players are close in capability.

Going by what the team said. Less than 3 weeks ago the team, (someone), said the Browns would go into 2015 with the opinion that they'd need to find a quarterback.

Just listening to the team, I don't know that they really could have done much more, to this point Feb, 28th.

I applaud the moves they have made this offseason. If your OC is shopping his services months ago, can his ass. QB coach cant keep his mouth shut, can him. WR coach going out and partying with your star receiver helping him to a one year suspension, guess what fire his ass too. They had good reason to replace those guys and each move was the right move.

Also replacing Hoyer was the right move. whether or not johnny was the right draft pick is yet to be seen. I wanted Carr, you wanted teddy but i am pretty sure both of our second choice was Manziel. The moves they have made were really good moves for the rookie QB.

Just one option out of all lousy options. Doesn't excite me, doesn't anger me. I guess I'm kinda blah over it.

While inspiring, what indication do you see from the 22 year old "Money" Manziel that he would listen to the wise guidance of a 35 year old journeyman?

If he checked himself into rehab, then he has at least some self awareness.

I don't mean to be confrontational or call anyone out, but that was not your take back when I started a thread about Seneca Wallace refusing to "mentor" Colt McCoy. Back then you said, in effect, "coaches coach, players play". Its fine, the situations aren't equal, and your point of view is certainly allowed to change or evolve but still, it seems like you have done a 180 on the idea of player-mentors. Why is it a good thing for Manziel now, and not McCoy back in 2011?

Thank you, cfrs...