Archive for April, 2008

More press concerning the difficult QB situation in Cleveland. The Browns aren’t alone in their 2 QB situation as quite a few teams are juggling quality signal callers.

The San Diego Chargers were in the exact situation that the Browns are presently in a few years ago with Philip Rivers and Drew Brees.

I know I wouldn’t want to be in charge of having to make a decision like the one Savage is faced with, although it appears that he already chosen, with money being the biggest factor. After all it was Savage who said the following:

“When you sign a contract like we did with Derek, I don’t think there’s going to be an ‘open competition.’ We go in with Derek as the lead horse. You don’t sign a contract like that and say, hey, it’s an open competition.”

The Chargers played and won with Drew Brees, but when it came time to choose it’s QB of the future, the Chargers went with Rivers. I’m not sure how they could come to that conclusion without seeing him play. Similar to how I wonder how Phil Savage can be so sure of Derek Anderson without Brady getting his chance to prove himself.

I’m guessing the allmighty dollar has more to do with these situations than anything else. The new ESPN article talks about the “bargain” the Browns are getting while keeping Brady signed. That is because much of his contract has to do with how he performs on the field. So, if he doesn’t get on the field, the Browns don’t have to pay him as much.

Allow me to think aloud for a minute. Brady has a 5 year deal, correct? And unless DA gets hurts or just stinks up the field a la Charlie Frye, Brady isn’t going to get to play, right? So are they keeping him simply as an insurance policy? I’d like to share what I think of that, but I don’t want to integrate profanity into this website.

I say let him compete for the honor of being the Cleveland Browns starting QB. How can anyone expect to make an informed decision about talent that they never see?

I’m glad Brady has such a good head on his shoulders and is giving all he’s got. He’s handling the situation much better than I could have were I in his shoes. I have all the confidence in him that he will command the staff and front office’s attention this year. They’ll eat their words.

Sorry for sounding like a broken record on this issue, but frankly I think this situation just stinks.

After having no picks in the first 3 rounds of the 2008 NFL draft, the Browns got to work today, and selected 5 fine athletes to join the Orange and Brown ranks. The front office was looking to fill needs with the following positions: tight end, outside linebacker, inside linebacker and cornerback. This is not surprising as the Browns’ defensive left much to be desired last season.

The 2008 Rookie class is:

ILB Beau Bell (UNLV)
TE Martin Rucker (Missouri)
DT Ahtyba Rubin (Iowa St.)
WR Paul Hubbard (Wisconsin)
DE Alex Hall (St. Augustine’s College)

Read a wrap-up, complete with quotes, on the Browns’ team website. I know I’m not alone when I say that I hope this season’s defense is better. And not just by a small margin; we expect a significant improvement!

Welcome to Cleveland, guys!

BTW, check out a video of Brady on ESPN’s “First Take” here. More draft talk and nothing we haven’t already heard. Still good stuff, though. Always good to see Brady!

ETA: Found another Brady video where he talks about his draft experience. This one’s from NBC Sports.

After a long and exhaustive search – yes, I am overdramatic – I have managed to find one picture of Brady at the Hummer Top Rookie Event on Friday. Brady is pictured with the new #2 overall draft pick, Chris Long, and HUMMER General Manager Martin Walsh.

You can see it full-sized in the gallery.

Yesterday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer asked Brady to look back on last year’s draft day experience. He doesn’t have the negative view of it as the media expect him to. Proof?

“People are always coming up to me and consoling me about that day as though it was the most negative thing in the world. But when you get right down to it, it was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had.

I got to be with my family, we were in New York City and I was being drafted to play in the NFL. What can be so bad about that?”

Word.

Brady also backed up what I ranted about in the previous post re: his endorsement contracts. Bottom line is that haters are going to hate.

Brady is concentrating on football 100% now. And like we’ve been trying to do — albeit unsuccessfully — Brady is paying no mind to Savage’s guarantees that DA is the starting QB. He’s just going to work as hard as he can to help his team.

Brady is in NYC tonight at the ESPN Zone in Times Square to help honor Chris Long as ‘HUMMER’s Top Rookie 2008′. You know what that means, right? Yup. Pictures!

I’m excited to see the Browns’ selections on the second day of the draft. The team’s first pick will be in Round 4. You can watch the 2008 NFL Draft on ESPN or the NFL Network.

Other Brady fans have probably noticed that there is a ton of criticism towards Brady in with regards to his endorsement contracts. These people, who obviously aren’t very bright or rational, don’t realize that a lot these deals are signed shortly after athletes sign with an agent.

Those who get these deals are usually the ones who are the most marketable. In comparison to other players in the 2007 rookie class, one can argue that no other player has nearly as much salability as Mr. Quinn. That’s what drives these deals, and that’s why he’s so sought after. Companies don’t wait until the middle of the season to sit down and decide who’s played well thus far, offer them a contract, and then film commercials/photoshoots and make appearances.

If I had a quarter for every time I’ve read “Has he even played a down?” or “What has he done to deserve these deals?” I could buy Browns season tickets.

So I’d just like to point out that Virgina DE Chris Long has not even been drafted and he already has reported deals with Subway, Hummer, and NIKE — just like Brady last year — as well as Sprint. No, his agent isn’t also Tom Condon. Tom’s been busy getting the contract for #1 2008 pick Jake Long finalized.

So my question is where are all of the people who have and still are complaining about Brady now? My guess is that we won’t hear a peep of condemnation about Long. He must be different…

Speaking at the Prestwick Country Club, Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel keyed in on Brady’s leadership skills.

After giving his speech, the coach went into a Q&A with the crowd. One of the tasks was to identify Derek Anderson and Brady’s strengths. While Crennel didn’t give much insight to his thoughts of Anderson (this could just mean news writers didn’t think they were as news-worthy), he definitely gave the impression that he likes what Brady brings to the table as a leader.

“I think his leadership and his ability to handle defenses and handle our offense are strong points.”

That is quite the vote of confidence considering all he had to say about Derek was that he was “a big, tall, strong-armed pocket passer.”

But coach wasn’t done with the compliments.

“Brady Quinn … the thing about Brady you notice is his leadership ability. Even when he was running our scout team … he takes charge of those guys, and he leads those guys, and they perform for him.

The QB of a football team needs to have strong leadership skills. That cannot be overlooked. It’s great to hear that Brady already has a good grasp on these intangibles at the NFL level; they will take him far!

From a Brady Quinn fan’s perspective there were still some things we don’t want to hear. Romeo repeated GM Phil Savage’s hated words from earlier this month. Those being that Derek is the starter and Brady is the backup.

Yea, well we’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?

More from the Canton Rep.

Big day for the Brownies!

The team received a big vote of confidence from the NFL with 5 primetime TV appearances. 3 of those match-ups fall in the coveted Monday Night Football slot on ESPN versus the NY Giants, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia Eagles. They’ll also play a Thursday night game against Denver (to be aired on the NFL Network), plus a Sunday night meeting with the rival Steelers.

And all of that occurs after the Browns open the regular season by hosting the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys.

Check out the 2008 schedule here. Additionally, you can print the new schedule easily here, courtesy of ESPN.

So who’s going to organize the Brady’s Bunch meet-up for that Dallas game?

Ahhhh, nothing like getting a taste of things to come!

Today –since I tend to post late at night– the NFL will reveal the complete 2008 NFL schedule. We’ll get the lowdown on who’s playing whom, where, and when, as well as the TV schedule.

ESPN is airing a 2-hour SportsCenter special, beginning at 2PM (ET), to coincide with the announcement.

1. One of the 2008 pre-season games is set in stone. The Browns will pay a visit to the defending Super Bowl Champs, the NY Giants on August 18. The game will be shown on ESPN at 8PM (ET).

2. If you’ve been dreaming of watching the 2008 NFL Draft w/ Brady, you may have your chance! Donatos Pizza wants to give you the “Ultimate Draft Day Party”. You can register to win a private draft viewing with the Browns 2007 first round pick Brady Quinn, plus four (4) seats to the Browns VIP Draft Day Brunch, Suite tickets to a Browns Pre-Season Game, Browns Merchandise and a $100 Donatos Pizza gift card. Click here to enter!

3. Brady’s Bunch has been on this for a while, but I don’t recall ever posting about this on the main site. Brady will be appearing at the Triumph Sports Football Spectacular on Saturday at the New Jersey Covention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ. Click here for more info!

Yea, I said it. GM Phil Savage just doesn’t want to play nice. After publicly crowning Derek Anderson the 2008 starter, he’s continuing to push his agenda.

Read his latest comments as published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Coach Romeo Crennel reiterated there is competition at every position, including quarterback, at this year’s training camp. But Savage clarified those remarks. “The reality is you don’t give a guy $8 million and expect him to be in an open competition,” Savage said of incumbent starter Derek Anderson. “He would have to play really poorly and Brady (Quinn) would have to play lights out (to beat him out).”

Ok, Phil. So what happened to all that “quarterback of the future” talk from last year? How quickly we forget.

I guess Brady should just take it easy. Just sit back and be complacent. Derek would have to get hurt or stink up the field?

Here’s a tip for dear ol’ Phil. Define “play really poorly” for us next time you speak to the media. Thanks!