Written by Chris Hutchison

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In Heckgren I trust. 

Yes, I am aware that this is the mantra of the gullible and the desperate, but that's only if said trust is given implicitly.  I am not doing that.  I don't trust unconditionally just because the men happen to be running the team I love.  Trust has to be earned, and the quickest way to earn it is through action. 

I trust them because they made the bold, somewhat unpopular, and correct decision to dump both Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn in one fell swoop. 

Ah, it is glorious... just knowing they're gone... it brings a tear to my eye. 

In 2009, Anderson and Quinn combined to provide me with the worst NFL QB play I've ever seen in my life.  Certainly, watching Spurgeon Wynn and Ken Dorsey was no picnic, but fortunately their reign did not last 16 games.  Bradek Quinnderson started the whole season, and he/it was AWFUL. 

Many will fall back on the excuses to explain their terrible play.  The Offensive Line is a popular one, but I submit that the O Line is certainly adequate enough for the QB's to look much better than they did.  That O Line single-handedly won the Browns the last 4 games, opening up running lanes despite the fact that there wasn't even the HINT of a passing game. 

Many also like to bemoan the Receiving corps.  Now, I'll be the first to admit that the Browns WR's are pedestrian at very best, but that doesn't explain why Bradek would throw the ball 5 feet behind them/over them/into the ground even when they were open.  Good QB's make the players around them better. 

Simply put, Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson are not good QB's. 

Now, it is true that Quinn, in particular, probably didn't get a fair shot.  He only started 12 games, and he was embroiled in constant QB controversies/competitions.  But I think that the concept that "QB's need 3 years to prove if they can play" is hogwash.  You don't get 3 years just because you're a QB.  Spurgeon Wynn didn't get 3 years.  If I walked into Berea and asked to play QB, I wouldn't get 3 years. 

IF the powers that be see POTENTIAL in you, THEN you get 3 years.  If the powers that be don't see any potential, then why should they waste their time? 

Heckgren didn't see potential in Quinn.  So he's gone. 

They felt that the likelihood that Quinn (and Anderson) would become a Franchise QB was negligible, and didn't feel like they needed to squander a year or two proving it.  That's why I'm so impressed with this move.  It was decisive and it was final.  It's not about who they replaced DA/BQ with, it was about replacing them, period.  In Heckgren's opinion, there was nothing to build on, and with the history and stigma of the situation, it was best to just flush the toilet and walk away. 

The only reasons that I can think that people are frustrated is that 1) Anderson or Quinn was their favorite player or 2) dumping them means that more draft picks were wasted. 

I can't identify with #1.  If your favorite player means more to you than your favorite team, then I don't know how to reason with you.  You should've gotten over that shit when you hit puberty. 

And for #2... yes, draft picks were wasted.  It took a #1 and a #2, to get Quinn.  Savage (reportedly) gave up a #1 and a #3 by not letting Anderson get signed away as a RFA.  That was 2007.  In 2010, the two of them together are worth a Fullback, a 6th Round pick, and a conditional selection in 2012. 

That's not Mike Holmgren's fault.  That's not Tom Heckert's fault.  People have seen BQ & DA play.  They've seen the same things that caused Heckgren to ship both QB's out for whatever he could get.  The reason a Charlie Whitehurst gets traded for much more than Brady Quinn is that Charlie Whitehurst hasn't yet played enough for people to know he's not very good.  If Quinn had never played a down in the NFL, they'd probably be able to get a 2nd for him. 

If you must blame someone for this debacle, then blame Mr. Phil Savage, Mr. Derek Anderson, and Mr. Brady Quinn.  Mr. Savage made the moves that deprived the Browns of those draft choices, and Mr. Anderson and Mr. Quinn made Mr. Savage's choices look foolhardy. 

But lashing out at Holmgren and Heckert?  Not me.  No way.  I applaud them.  In all honesty, this might be the best personnel decision made in Berea since The Return.  Courageous decision making of this sort brings me hope. 

And if I'm able to hope, then I might just be able to trust.

_____________________ 

Regarding Jake Delhomme 

Now, to the replacement. 

I will start by saying that if Jake Delhomme plays as awful as he did last season, it will still be no worse than what Quinn and Anderson did.  At the VERY WORST, this would be a lateral move. 

Besides, Delhomme has a much shinier pedigree to fall back on.  He was a legit Franchise QB for Carolina for 6 of his 7 years.  He led his team to the Super Bowl.  He has had much more success in the NFL than the half season that DA/BQ have combined. 

Plus, at the very least, his leadership and personality should keep the team more in tune Offensively. 

And that's about all the good I can say about his signing.  He was TERRIBLE last year.  His performance gave Freddy Krueger nightmares.  Holmgren stated that they were fine with signing Jake because they felt his 2009 atrocities were not physical.  Well, if they weren't physical, then they were mental, which... isn't... good... either... 

We're talking about a guy that self-destructed in the playoffs vs. Arizona, throwing 5 picks, and it affected him so badly that he carried it over into the following season.  That is not optimal. 

So if the theory is that his issues were mental and if he "gets over" them he can return to his previous excellent form, then I wonder why he didn't just "get over" that playoff game during the 2009 offseason.  If the solution were as simple as "getting over it", then why didn't he do it before now? 

Is he seeing a prominent psychiatrist?  Using holistic medicine?  Consulting voodoo?  Maybe he's having Tom Cruise use his witchcraft to put out the invisible fire? 

I guess the only reason that I'm 50% fine with this move is that at least he's not Bradek Quinnderson. 

In all honesty, I don't expect Delhomme to be as bad as he was last year.  But it's still hard to get excited about a guy who's just a stopgap.  I'll also be very curious to see how he performs in relation to Seneca Wallace, because I hope that Heckgrengini is being truthful when they say that Jake is just "competing" for the job, that he's not the anointed starter (despite the $7 mil salary).

There's one thing I know for sure:  The Delhomme/Wallace combination GUARANTEES an important QB draft pick.

_____________________ 

Regarding Drafting a QB 

So who might the Browns take? 

Sam Bradford - This is highly doubtful, as the Browns would likely have to move up to #1 overall to get him, and the Rams would require a slew of picks, players, and Mike Holmgren's kidney (and a man his age should hold onto all his working organs).  His Pro Day yesterday reportedly went well, and with his skill set, the fact that his surgically repaired shoulder seems fully healed, and the fact that he bulked up to 235 pounds (alleviating one of my concerns with him), Bradford would be a nigh impossible commodity to obtain. 

I will readily admit that I didn't pay much attention to Bradford in 2008, and he didn't play very much last season when I was scouting QB's because both Quinn and Anderson sucked and had to go.  But the scouts love this guy like they haven't loved anyone in a while, and if the Browns could swing it, I'd be ecstatic to snatch him up in the First. 

 

Jimmy Clausen - I apparently like Clausen a lot more than Holmgren does, for he was quoted as saying: 

"I wish I liked him more.  People like him a lot. He'll go high. But it would be hard for me [to take him]." 

Smokescreen?  Perhaps.  The Browns are scheduling a pre-draft meeting with him. 

In my opinion, Clausen has all the tools.  He was easily the best overall QB I saw play in college last year, and the reports that he's "cocky" seem weak.  What???!!!  A cocky NFL QB???!!!  YE GODS!  And the fact that he's from Notre Dame (like Quinn) is just about the weakest argument ever.  That line of reasoning would have you laying off Tom Brady just because Brian Griese was a bust. 

I know most of you would disembowel yourselves if the Browns took Clausen at #7 overall, but I'm not one of them.  However, nor will I be upset if they pass on him, because I admit that he's not as much a "sure thing" as I'd like.  It's likely not to matter - I highly doubt the Browns take him. 

 

Colt McCoy - A lot of people see the Browns taking a stab at ol' Doe Eyes in the 2nd Round.  Which I guess I would be fine with.  I have some reservations about him - his size (6'1, 216), his arm strength, and his durability.  But he's mobile and accurate.  And Buckeyes fans are well aware that he can be a good leader in the clutch.  I would be more than fine with his selection at the top of the 2nd. 

I'd be apoplectic if they managed to somehow still get him later. 

 

Tim Tebow - Now here's a guy who I would not be fine with.  At least not picking him where you'd have to in order to get him (i.e, the first two rounds).  I know a lot of people are enamored with his potential and leadership qualities, etc.  Many cite that fact that he's a "winner". 

Let me tell you people:  It's pretty easy to be a "winner" at Florida.  Chris Leak was a "winner" at Florida.  Danny Wuerffel was a "winner" at Florida.  I'd like to see how much of a "winner" Tim Tebow would be if he were the starting QB at, say, Indiana. 

The Tim Tebow that played QB at Florida was a terrible QB.  He might have been a good leader, a dual threat, whatever, but he was not a good Quarterback.  His throwing motion was gag-inducing, and the trajectory/spiral of his passes were vomitous.  Yes, I know that he worked on his throwing motion, his footwork, his drop back, etc. for his Pro Day, but you don't go and fix something you've been doing your whole life overnight. 

I think that he will revert to his old form in the heat of battle. 

At best, this guy's a project.  If Holmgren (because harbor no illusion that anyone other than Holmgren will be selecting the QB) decides that he can mold Tebow into a Franchise QB, then I will put my faith warily in him.  But a lot of people are projecting this dude to go at the end of the 1st or the top of the 2nd, and that just seems like way too high for me to take a guy that I feel will be a lot more hype than substance. 

Plus, the selection of Timmy T would cause a fawning adoration in enough Browns fans to make me violently ill.  

 

Tony Pike - I like Tony well enough, but nothing about his game excites me.  Every time I watch him, I think, "Yeah, he's pretty good."  But I'm not wowed. 

In his defense, this may be some kind of subliminal reaction to the fact that he looks just like Derek Anderson.  But if I will not hold Notre Dame against Clausen, then I can't hold a nightmare-inducing resemblance against Pike. 

Pike is slated to go in the 3rd Round, and that's where the Browns have 3 picks.  So if one of those turns into Tony Pike, then I shrug and say, "Well, that's pretty good value for a future starting QB (I hope)." 

 

Dan LeFevour - Many are infatuated with this Central Michigan product.  I am not one of them.  

Operating the spread, LeFevour ran about as much as he passed.  And when he passed, I was not at all impressed.  At very best, his arm strength would be described as adequate, likely the worst of all the top prospects.  His deep balls are not worthy, which is why he rarely threw them. 

He reminds me of Charlie Frye, and that's got nothing to do with the MAC.  I have severe reservations about his ability to be a Franchise QB in the NFL.  He's scheduled to go in the 3rd Round, and I think that's too high for a guy who could very well be nothing more than a career backup. 

(My advance apologies to you e-mailers who will no doubt be mortally offended by my analysis of Danny LeF.) 

 

Mike Kafka - A lot of people have been toting this guy as a sleeper, and why not?  He's got the size, the arm strength, the accuracy, the mobility... I'm actually surprised he's not being pegged higher than the where he is (Round 6-7).  Did people not watch him throw for 532 yards against Auburn?  He was incredible in that game.  And he reportedly had an impressive Pro Day. 

To see his importance to his team, take the Penn State-Northwestern game this year.  NW was up 10 and controlling the game until Kafka suffered a foot injury and had to leave the field.  NW's offense suddenly became non-existent, the defense got worn down, and PSU owned the 4th Quarter.  If Kafka hadn't gotten hurt, I have no doubt they would have won that game. 

Now, here's the problem with the 6-7 Round projection:  People will think that he could actually be had there.  If you pass on all the other guys ahead of Kafka, when do you pull the trigger?  If you try and wait for Round 6 to nab him, and someone takes him ahead of you, then you're totally screwed.  So if Kafka is the guy that you're really interested as bringing in as a project, you almost certainly have to get him a couple rounds early just to ensure you aren't left swinging your proverbial member in the proverbial wind. 

I'd take Kafka as high as the 4th Round.  If you've let the other guys go by, you can't take the chance he won't be there in the 5th. 

Plus, I think he's worth a 4th. 

 

Tim Hiller - Another MAC QB that has been linked by several sources to the Browns, likely because he's a Browns fan that ran a West Coast Offense at Western Michigan.  I actually like Hiller a bit better than LeFevour, despite the fact that Hiller is projected to go 4 rounds behind LeF (7th Round).  He just throws a better ball.  

I haven't seen him play a ton of games, but from what I have seen, he's got good size, arm strength, and decent accuracy.  Once again, if this is the guy you target, I think you grab him a couple rounds early just to make sure you get him.  I don't think a 5th would be egregious.

_____________________ 

Regarding Kam Wimbley 

Another recent development was the trade of Kam Wimbley to the Raiders for a later 3rd Round pick.  Now, this one was a bit puzzling.  Sure, Wimbley was nothing special, but he was decent.  Can he be replaced by whomever gets selected with that 3rd?  Yeah, probably.  But it didn't seem like a move that NEEDED to happen, not like the ones that sent Quinn and Anderson to the Inferno. 

But I see no reason to get upset about this move, either.  Wimbley is basically a one-trick pony - a pass rusher.  And he's not even that great at that.  He's mediocre against the run (watch new Brown Peyton Hillis plow him in this video), and he couldn't cover a penny with a whale.  Maybe Heckgren figured the guy would be looking for big bucks or Free Agency next year, and took what they could get. 

This trade will have to be judged down the road.  Obviously.

_____________________ 

Regarding Peyton Hillis 

Somewhat overlooked in the Quinn trade was the acquisition of Peyton Hillis, a Fullback in Denver that played Tailback admirably at certain points of the 2008 season, including being a real pain in the tuchus during the Browns loss to that team. 

Getting Hillis likely means that the Browns view him as the change of pace back to Jerome Harrison/James Davis.  He'll also play some at Fullback, especially in passing situations as he's an excellent receiver out of the backfield.  Between Josh Cribbs, Seneca Wallace, Jerome Harrison, Peyton Hillis, Lawrence Vickers, and James Davis/Chris Jennings, the Browns should have a very dynamic backfield.  They can introduce the new Power Sweep as they line 6 players up in the backfield (if they can just get rid of that pesky Illegal Formation rule). 

Another good thing about Hillis' presence is that it probably means the Browns won't have to take a power back in the first 4 Rounds now, as they would have had to do had Hillis not been here.

_____________________ 

Regarding Overtime 

Well, it's still not optimal, but at least it's better. 

Thank the football gods that the owners voted in a new OT for the NFL.  I've long felt the old Sudden Death OT was about as anticlimactic and crappy as you can get.  This new one is better, but it's far from perfect.  I need not explain it to you - it would take too long, and I'm sure you've already read about it. 

I don't know why they don't just play a 5 to 7 minute OT and be done with it.  No need to introduce a bunch of weird rules and dynamics - just give us a reprisal of the end of the game (which is the best part anyway). 

The new convoluted rules are one of the bigger drawbacks to this new system.  I can't wait to see my daughters' eyes glaze over as I try to explain the numerous "what-if" scenarios of this new OT.  It was hard enough anyway - you don't realize how complicated football is until you try and explain it to a 9 year old girl.  Which is why they like soccer better - it's easier to understand.  

Not to say that girls don't like football because it's too complex for them to comprehend... ugh, that makes it sound like I'm saying that girls are too dumb to get it... which makes it sound like women in general are stupid... which I'm certainly NOT saying (crap, my wife-to-be reads this, how am I gonna get out of this word-prison...?) 

Look!  Something shiny! 

(Dammit, that was condescending too.  Ummm... uhhhh...) 

Never mind.  Sorry, dear.

_____________________ 

Regarding Self Pity 

With the trade of Quinn and Wimbley came an outpouring of "Bwaaaaaaaaaah!" 

"Bwaaaah!  They didn't get enough in return for Quinn!" 

"Bwaaaah!  They didn't get enough in return for Wimbley!" 

"Bwaaaah!  My favorite player is gone!" 

"Bwaaaah!  We ruin all our first round picks!" 

"Bwaaaah!  Holmgren and Heckert are just like everyone else!  The Browns suck!  We will always suck!  Everything they do will fail!  Bwaaaaah!" 

Cleveland fans have certainly endured more than their average of suffering, and people are allowed to feel however they want, but, more and more, when I read/hear the opinions of my fellow fans, they sound like an unadulterated cascade of self-pity.  

It's grating and it's annoying and it's gotten freakin' old already.  Being a Cleveland fan can suck.  I get it.  I know how it feels.  But sometimes it seems to me like many of us have crossed over the line from grumbling to out-and-out whining, like a cheerleader throwing a fit because her prom dress doesn't come in the shade of fuchsia she wants. 

I understand your frustration - believe me I do.  But it's gotten to the point where everyone is crucifying every move made by new administrations because of the sins of the past regimes.  It happened last year with Mangini/Kokinis, which is more understandable given their lack of experience, but now apparently even successful and proven football men such as Holmgren and Heckert don't get the benefit of the doubt. 

I'm perfectly aware that I can't tell anyone how to act or feel.  I just hope it doesn't get to a point where we are known around the country as "crybabies", because there have been more than a few days the past couple seasons where Joe Cleveland Fan sounds like a little bee-yotch.