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TAMPA – The Cleveland Browns may have found their quarterback of the future. His name, surprisingly, is not Brady Quinn. It’s Derek Anderson.
Why should Bucs fans care about the Browns quarterback situation? Because the quarterback who isn’t crowned Quarterback of the Future in Cleveland could become the Quarterback of the Future in Tampa Bay.
OK, it’s a long shot, one that almost certainly would involve a trade. And that trade almost certainly would involve the Bucs giving up a No. 1 draft pick. Still, there’s reason to believe it could happen. Here’s why:
For starters, the Bucs still don’t have a quarterback of the future. They thought Chris Simms would be that quarterback but Simms’ future is uncertain so the Bucs can’t count on him.
Bruce Gradkowski is an option, but anyone who looked objectively at Gradkowski’s play last year has to agree with the host of scouts who say he is probably best suited to fill the role of a backup.
Luke McCown is an option as well, but despite being in coach Jon Gruden’s system longer than Gradkowski and starter Jeff Garcia combined, he still ranks third on the depth chart.
It’s reasonable to conclude, then, that the Bucs quarterback of the future is not currently on their roster. That means they’ll probably have to get him from someone else’s roster.
That roster could, of course, be a college roster. But it’s always dicey to spend a high draft pick on a quarterback. Besides, Gruden’s track record for developing young quarterbacks is not a glowing one.
Assuming Gruden keeps his job, and I’m assuming he will, the Bucs would probably be best served by finding a young quarterback either in free agency or through a trade. That’s where the Browns come in.
Anderson, who has caught many by surprise this season and currently ranks 11th in the league in passer rating, is slated to become a restricted free agent when the current season ends.
The Browns will eventually do one of three things with him. They will either sign him to a long-term contract, tender him a one-year contract that restricts his movement on the free-agent market or trade him.
All but the first would allow the Bucs to make a play on him. And it’s important to remember that the Bucs have not been shy in recent years about trading for players or bidding on restricted free agents.
They traded for McCown, after all, sending a fourth-round draft pick to the Browns for his services during the 2005 draft. And two years ago they signed restricted free agent Torrin Tucker to fill a need at tackle.
If they deem Anderson a necessity the Bucs may not hesitate to give the Browns the first-round draft pick they will likely require as compensation should they lose him in free agency.
They may also decide to give the Browns whatever it is they want in a trade for Anderson, which could be Simms, Gradkowski or a first-round pick, the latter of which is something the Browns don’t have.
And if the Browns decide to sign Anderson to a long-term deal, the Bucs could still make a play on Quinn. That, in fact, may even be their prerogative. Gruden, after all, did speak glowingly of Quinn before the draft last year.
Either way, the situation in Cleveland bears watching. The Browns are in an enviable position. They have what they believe are two very good young quarterbacks. Their intention is to keep just one long term.
Somewhere between the end of this season and the start of the 2009 season, the one in which the Bucs will likely be turning to a new quarterback, the Browns will be looking to unload the one they don’t deem their QB of the future.
You can bet the Bucs will be listening.
MVP SNUB: With the season more than half over, top candidates are starting to emerge for the league’s major individual awards. Surprisingly, I’m not hearing Jeff Garcia’s name mentioned in the debate for MVP.
I hear Tom Brady’s name, Peyton Manning’s name, even Randy Moss’s name. I don’t hear Garcia’s name. Hard to believe, especially when you consider what Garcia has done for the Bucs.
Without Garcia, the Bucs do not have five wins, they do not stand alone atop the NFC South division and they are not contenders for the playoffs. Without Garcia, the Bucs are an also-ran, a non factor.
I’m not saying Garcia deserves to win the award. Not at this point. Brett Favre probably gets the nod there. But at the very least Garcia deserves to be mentioned in the conversation.
GRIESING THE SKIDS: While we’re on the subject of quarterbacks, I can’t believe anyone here in Tampa is surprised by what’s happening with the quarterbacks in Chicago.
I’ve always likened Brian Griese to a goalie in hockey who gives up one bad goal a game. By that I mean he’s just good enough to get you beat. Finally it seems Bears coach Lovie Smith has realized the same thing.
Fed up with Griese’s penchant for throwing interceptions (he was averaging two per start prior to Sunday), Smith was thinking of pulling Griese even before he suffered a shoulder injury during the Bears 17-6 victory over the Raiders.
Smith is reportedly leaning toward starting Rex Grossman this week, which means he may go back to Griese only if he absolutely has to. Surprised? I didn’t think so.
BENNETT’S BATTLE: A lot of fans are clamoring to see more of RB Michael Bennett, and for good reason. With the few touches he’s had since coming to the Bucs in a trade form Kansas City, Bennett has shown the ability to be a big-time playmaker.
With Michael Pittman back, however, there’s a good chance we’ll see less and less of Bennett. It’s not that Bennett isn’t as good as Pittman. He just doesn’t know the offense all that well.
Gruden’s scheme has thrown a lot of players in the past and it’s thrown Bennett, too. Bennett says he’s picking it up slowly, but he’s probably not picking it up as fast as he needs to if he hopes to be a major cog in the offense.
FINAL THOUGHT: Kudos to Peter King of SI and HBO for questioning the ridiculous (that’s my word) work habits of NFL coaches and suggesting the league actually force them to go home each night at a decent hour.
I have long thought football coaches who put in 14-, 16- and 18-hour days and sleep in their offices do so largely because their work ethic is the only thing they can truly control.
They certainly can’t control injuries, weather or the way the ball bounces so they work long hours so that no one can ever tell them their team’s failures were the result of their staffs not working hard enough.
I mean, at some point the law of diminishing returns must take over and fatigue prohibits them from accomplishing what it is they set out to accomplish in the first place.
This is one of the reasons I wanted to see Tony Dungy win the Super Bowl last year. Dungy believes in working hard but working smart and getting home to his family at a decent hour.
If at all possible he wants to eat breakfast with his family in the morning and eat dinner with them at night. I thought that if Dungy could win doing things his way, other coaches in the league would follow suit.
It’s also one of the reasons I wanted to see Steve Spurrier succeed as a coach in this league. Spurrier is a lot like Dungy. He makes sure he has a life away from the game and he lives it to the fullest.
Spurrier even took a shot at a rival coach once, saying he didn’t see in the standings where all of the late hours that coach had devoted to game-planning had done his team a lot of good.
It was a great point. I wish the league had listened. Maybe it will listen to King. My guess is there are a lot of coach’s wives and sons and daughters out hoping the same thing.
Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979 or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Posted by Michael Harris, Tampa, FL on 11/18 at 09:48 AM
Shawn, wake up from the dulusional nap dream of yours. Quinn slipped so far in his draft because his last year, he couldn’t win the BIG GAMES. Michigan kicked Quinn’s butt, 47-21 and then the Irish got the crap kicked out of them by LSU in the Sugar Bowl, 41-14. Quinn, in his LAST year, was only ranked 18th among the nations best college QB’s. Get your facts straight. I know you think you’re better at recognizing talent than 21, THAT’S 21…teams that passed on him in the ‘06 draft; but GRUDEN passed on him too Shawn. Now why is that Shawn? He had good stats in college; but the NFL is a different league. He is what he is.
Posted by Shawn Golan, Los Angeles, CA on 11/16 at 08:57 AM
BRady Quinn is one of the most polished QBs I’ve seen play in a long time. What he’s shown me, which blows a lot of CURRENT NFL QBs out of the water, is his quick decision-making. He played in a slightly more aggressive version of a west-coast offense at Notre Dame. And I think we can all agree that he ran that offense VERY well. To bring in a guy like that, who can sit behind Garcia for a year or two, would set up this team for 10 years. If Quinn can be had for a 1st rounder, make the deal.
Oh yeah…why are we talking about “unproven?” All players that are drafter are “unproven” - there is no way around that except for not drafting.
Posted by John Tibby, Lithia, FL on 11/16 at 08:26 AM
First of all, the Bucs gave up a six round pick for Luke McCown not a fourth. I think it’s silly to bring up a trade for Brady Quinn when Garcia is clearly MVP of this team and why where in the playoff hunt.It sounds like more of Rich McKay trade then Bruce Allen. When has Allen or Gruden made a trade like that?
Posted by Bruce Galle, Tampa on 11/16 at 03:15 AM
Gruden would ruin Quinn like he has done to other young QBs. Gruden is WAY overrated as a developer of talent. At Oakland, they only pursued vets and he inherited a vet team from Dungy.
Gruden was successful at Oakland because he fit the owners mold. Tampa Bay is a old and aging club. They improved their age issue this year, but are at the mercy of Garcia (not a youngster either).
GM Allen and Gruden have NO track record of developing talent. This is part of the reason the Bucs draft so poorly. There trade record is almsot as bad. Free agency is their only choice (i.e. Raiders)!
Posted by Rob, PLANET EARTH on 11/15 at 09:09 PM
Ah. riddle me this, why in the heck are we talking about next years draft or trades at the midpoint of the current football season? Don,t we need to concentrate on football & winning the division….Roy got you suckers! Who says that Garcia can’t start next year too;other than Rip’em Roy that is. Wake up people we’ve got games to play.Focus on this weeks opponet not next years B.S. Can you hear me now!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Cody Ubben, Cedar Falls, IA on 11/15 at 08:25 PM
As long as garcia stays healthy and the o-line continues to improve i dont think we need to go out and get another QB. At least not at the price of a 1st round pick. If we can have another draft like last year only this year go about 50/50 on O and D things are gonna start looking pretty damn good. We need to get a 3-Tech DT in free agency and draft a RB,CB,C,WR/PR-KR. We need to put all the peices together before we turn the reigns over to Gradkowski(garcia is perfect for him to learn from).
Posted by Alessandro Machi, California on 11/15 at 07:46 PM
anybody want to comment how fast and how far Notre Dame has fallen without Quinn? Sure the team lost other players as well, but if Quinn were still around Notre is at least a .500 team rather than only having one win.
As for Quinn being unproven, duh, every first round pick is unproven. What hasn’t been mentioned is that Quinn actually signed a contract that probably is very attractive to other teams.
I think the idea is a good one, for both teams. Usually you can tell a good idea because both sides don’t like it. Brown’s fans kind of would like to see Quinn play, but they don’t wish ill of Derek Anderson either.
Posted by erik cottman, Chester, Pa on 11/15 at 06:47 PM
Come on people!! Of course he’s unproven! How many rookie Qb’s have started and became instant Hall of Famers? Rothlisberger was given a team on the verge of the Super Bowl. What happened last year to him? Reality! Brady Quinn behind Garcia next year is alot better than uh, who’s the back up now? He can be a QB of the future behind this smart, physical, gutsy Qb we have named Jeff Garcia!!!! Please use your heads and think about it! If the Bucs can give up a 2nd and 3rd round maybe. How about Quinn and a high 2nd round for our 1? Listen, what about the future? Not preparing for the future got us into this. We sacrificed once to get the Championship. Let’s sacrifice now to build a dynasty!!
Posted by drew markol, pennsylvania on 11/15 at 06:47 PM
Gradkowski can’t play. Get Quinn.
Posted by Chris C, Lakeland, Fl on 11/15 at 05:55 PM
dont you think a team like Miami or Atlanta..without a current quality starter would make a better run or pitch at Quinn IF he comes available..Garcia is Grudens QB for now as long as he stays healthy.Its now pretty much proven Gruden does better with a veteran than a rookie , the best we’ve done is with Brad Johnson and Garcia.
Posted by George L Hicks, Dallas,Texas on 11/15 at 04:53 PM
I think giving up a 1st round pick for an unproven QB in the next year or two. When Tampa had a chance last draft to move down a few picks and get another pick in the 2 or 3 rd. They could have Quinn then. But I think all the QB coming out next year. Or why get this QB Quinn he is just a Prema Dona.
Posted by Mike, Tampa, Florida on 11/15 at 04:43 PM
We do not want to give up anything for Quinn. He is also unproven in the NFl. I could see if he has played 2 full years, but that is not the case. A 1st round pick would be crazy. They need to save that pick and get an every down type running back.
Posted by ken chance, inverness fl on 11/15 at 04:27 PM
i do not think that quinn is gruden type QB. for one thing he does not scramble, and what does benching 225lbs 25 reps have to do with throwing the ball? we need a scrambler with a strong arm.
Posted by Alex, Clearwater on 11/15 at 03:07 PM
Quinn is unproven. Anderson is. If the browns are smart, which seems to be the trend, they will learn from the chargers and keep the current pro-bowl caliber qb and trade the highly coveted 1rd pick. Is Quinn better than some in the 08 draft? 08 qb’s are a deep class with alot of drafting teams not needing a QB. Is Gruden’s system a good fit with Quinn? Does he have the pieces around him to succeed? The same could be said for any Qb. I’m not answering this question. i’m simply trying to say that unless this stuff is known to the public, the public really can’t answer.
first question should be is gruden going to be here. Going to be an interesting offseason.
Posted by Scott Carr, on 11/15 at 12:16 PM
You’re underestimating Bruce Gradkowski. He has the tools to be everything Jeff Garcia is, and more. Garcia took years to get to the point of handling the NFL game, but when he did, he was all-pro a couple of years straight. Gradkowski can, and will, be better than Garcia when he can read the D. One more year as understudy for Garcia and Gradkowski will be a fine QB for the Bucs. Gruden sees this too.
Posted by Ken York, Portland, OR on 11/15 at 12:10 PM
A 1st Round Draft Pick for Quinn is insane! Cleveland is stuck and its a buyers market in regards to their QBs. Teams will be willing to give Cleveland something for Anderson because he’s the proven commodity. Quinn’s done nothing to prove his value. He may be a decent starter but it’s a risk for any team. A third round pick would get you Quinn. A second or third will get you Anderson.
Posted by Fred Sutter, Valrico on 11/15 at 10:03 AM
OK….how smart is it to trade for a QB with no experience when your head coach only has success with veteran quarterbacks? Think about it. Has Gruden EVER developed a rookie/young QB into something special? Ever? Why would Brady Quinn be any different? Current track record says he wouldn’t.
Roy, I think your just trying to pull a story out of your ##### on this one. This team needs D-line help in the first round next year, not an undeveloped QB that doesn’t stand a chance in this system.
Posted by Shawn Golan, Los Angeles, CA on 11/15 at 09:20 AM
Brady Quinn was the BEST QB in last years’ draft. There…I said it. Better than JaMarcus, or Beck, or Kolb, or Stanton, or anyone else that got drafted early. He played in an NFL system, run by a head coach that knows a thing or two about how to run a winning offense. Quinn is accurate, big, and has good arm strength. He even shows a bit more mobility than most expected of him. Did I mention that he benched 225 lbs 25 times at the combine? Oh yeah…he did.
Quinn is worth the picks [at least one 1st round pick] and a player than the Browns would likely ask. If the Browns decide to stick with Anderson…GET QUINN FAST!!!
Posted by Chris Burke, Nashville, Tn on 11/15 at 09:03 AM
Roy, your thoughts are correct with needing to get the QB of the future. When was the last first round QB taken by the Bucs? Dilfer in the mid 90’? Weve had 20 starters between then and now. Let’s get one in this years draft and have him behind Garcia next year or maybe two. Throwing this out, Eric Angie from UT. All the skills just would need some clipboard time. Do they still use clipboards or laptops now?
Posted by Michael Harris, Tampa, fl on 11/15 at 07:12 AM
Dungy may work smart and not hard but he coached dumb in the last two losses. I do agree with King. As to Bennett, get that blazing speed on the perifery in 3rd down and long and use him in the kicking game. Pitt should start though. You’re right on about Griese; never liked him as a starter. Garcia wouldn’t have been snubbed for MVP if he wins the Detroit and the Jag games: two losses that go on his rap sheet. Quinn wasn’t worth a first in his draft. He’s not worth a first now; BUT he is better than any backup the Bucs have, including Simms.
Posted by Stephen Blackehart, Pasadena, CA on 11/15 at 04:08 AM
It might well be the Bucs’ PREFERENCE to trade for Quinn (though I think, at this point, the jury’s still way out on that guy), but it’s hardly their prerogative.
Posted by Aaron LeMaster, Leonard, TX on 11/14 at 11:20 PM
Stay away from Brady Quinn. Not worth a first round pick. Cleveland was stupid for giving Dallas a #1 for him. He was really only a mid second round player who got vaulted to first round projection because of his position. There are better qbs in 2008 draft than Brady Quinn.
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Posted by Mike Beckwith, Cleveland, OH on 11/27 at 11:20 PM
What makes you think the Browns want your crap QB’s (Simms or Gradkowski)? We just got rid of Charlie Frye…we don’t need to bring a similar type back. My best guess is the Browns keep both for at least next year and IF they trade D.A. it will be for the 1st and 3rd round picks required after the Browns give him the maximum tender this spring. Either way, Quinn is in Cleveland to stay.