It has been reported that the only players Browns’ GM George Kokinis and coach Eric Mangini have said they will not trade are OT Joe Thomas and ILB D’Qwell Jackson. I have been supportive of a house cleaning for a franchise that has one playoff appearance in the last ten years, and finished 4-12 last season. However, I do think this is taking things a little too far.
There is no question the Browns are devoid of a great deal of talent, their record proves that. However, I simply cannot believe there are only two players on the team who the management feels are championship players. I understand also that there is a difference between thinking a guy is talented, and saying that player will not be traded. But, you can’t tell me that Mangini looks a game films, and only sees two players that are untouchable. What about Shaun Rogers? Braylon Edwards? Josh Cribbs?
This is one of those situations where a director of football operations is needed. Someone to step in and tell Kokinis and Mangini that there are some players on the current roster, not all are former Jets, that can be useful, winning football players. For example, how have the duo determined that Brady Quinn is not the answer at quarterback? It is based on the 2-1/2 games he played in the regular season? Or is it based on their evaluation of the former Notre Dame star when he was coming into the league?
This is not to say Quinn will be a superstar. I just want to know what they see that says he is a bust. He certainly hasn’t played enough to tell anything one way or the other.
That said, if Jay Cutler is indeed available, the Browns seem to be interested. They have a quarterback to give back in either Derek Anderson or Quinn, and whatever you think of either of the current Browns’ QBs, you have to admit that getting Cutler would be an upgrade for the team. My guess is that new Broncos’ coach Josh McDaniels will work things out with the signal caller, but you never know for sure how these things work out.
Saying only two guys are untradable is saying you are willing to start over like an expansion team, and I’m sorry, there is more talent on the current Browns’ roster than there was in 1999, the year the team returned to the NFL. However, most successful teams build through the draft, so I am in favor of getting as many draft picks as possible for guys who have more years behind them than ahead of them.
The Browns signed OT John St. Clair, formerly of the Bears, yesterday to replace Kevin Shaffer on the right side for the 2009 season. Shaffer was not one of Phil Savage’s successes in the free agent market, and last year much of the pressure on Anderson and Quinn seemed to come from Shaffer’s side. St. Clair is 32, and is probably a one year stop gap. If the Browns can accumulate more draft picks, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them go after another tackle as a bookend to Thomas.
JD
Cleveland Sports Perspective 