Written by Dave Kolonich

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Despite some recent attempts by the local media to portray yet another Berea QB controversy, 2010 may prove to be among the more boring years for those seeking a juicy story.  For the first time since the short lived Jeff Garcia era, the Browns enter a season already having a firm idea of just who the starting QB is going to be. 

As for the “who”, that is an altogether different story.

Jake Delhomme

Without question, Delhomme will prove to be the most intriguing player on the 2010 roster.  

His mere addition or possible subtraction could easily result in a 3 to 4 win shift for a still improving roster.  For an offense that has recently experienced some of the most stunningly inept QB play in franchise history, the addition of Delhomme is a most welcome development.  For the first time during the expansion era, the Browns will feature a veteran QB who brings a wealth of both experience and leadership, while boasting some impressive postseason credentials.

Of course, that’s the easy part.  While there is little doubt that Delhomme will become the calming, authoritative presence the offense has lacked for over a decade; he also represents one of the biggest gambles in team history.

Currently mired in a close to two year slump, Delhomme was essentially chased out of Carolina after completely melting down in the 2008 playoffs.  His 2009 campaign was marked by a continued slump, before being replaced by the untested Matt Moore.  Still recovering from a dreaded Tommy John surgery, the past couple seasons have illustrated Delhomme’s age and Brett Favre-esque penchant for impulsive play.

Yet, despite all this, Delhomme is a vast upgrade over the likes of Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson.  Compared to last year’s starters, Delhomme doesn’t have the arm strength of DA or the – wait, what was Quinn’s best asset? – but does throw a far more accurate ball than either of the two.

Simply from the perspective of having a competent veteran leader in the offensive huddle, the Browns have dramatically improved their chances of reaching offensive success in 2010.  But in Cleveland – and with Delhomme – things are never this easy.

Seneca Wallace

If Delhomme proves to be worth a 3 to 4 game shift – in either direction – Wallace could prove to be responsible for 3 to 4 plays a game.  While not a direct threat to take over the starting QB job, Wallace could have a huge impact on the team as a situational player.  Already during offseason practices, the Browns’ coaching staff has experimented with using Wallace in the team’s Wildcat packages.  Adding Wallace to a backfield with Josh Cribbs and Jerome Harrison presents a wonderfully unique dynamic to an offense that will no doubt continually struggle to score points.

As for his actual position, Wallace could serve as a quality backup QB – at least in the sense that backup QB’s usually don’t play. 

Wallace’s skills as a passer are quite limited, much like his actual game experience at the position.  While incredibly athletic, Wallace’s small frame and oddly flat throws are only conducive to a variety of short passing routes.  Coming from a West Coast based system – and groomed by Team President Mike Holmgren – Wallace faces a steep climb to assume anything more than a backup role in Cleveland.

But then again, the possibilities of Wallace and Cribbs on the field at the same time are endlessly fascinating.

Brett Ratliff

Ratliff appeared to be on the rise this time last year as he was the alleged selling point of the Mark Sanchez trade.  Entering Cleveland, it appeared that then Czar Eric Mangini had some plans for the young QB.  Yet, despite all of Ratliff’s promise and the extraordinarily disappointing play of the 2009 QB starters, the third-year veteran never got a chance.

Entering 2010, the QB landscape in Berea has totally shifted.  Once a promising and potential future starter, Ratliff now finds himself within the nether regions of the roster.  The additions of two veteran QB’s, along with Mike Holmgren’s handpicked project in Colt McCoy leaves Ratliff on the outside looking in.

Which is a shame, considering that Ratliff has some skills.  Despite being on the smaller side, Ratliff moves well and has a decent arm.  However, since his limited experience demands more practice repetitions, Ratliff’s Cleveland days could soon be coming to an end.

Colt McCoy

McCoy has easily become the most heralded third-round draft choice in team history.  Coming off an ultra-productive college career, McCoy fell to the third round before being rescued by Mike Holmgren.  If nothing other than being a QB project for the soon to be bored Holmgren, McCoy does become an intriguing future option for the Browns. 

While incredibly small in terms of NFL QB size, McCoy is an accurate passer and certainly brings a wealth of big-time college experience to the position.  However, the question going forward with McCoy is whether his skills will eventually translate to the NFL.  As Browns Nation can relate after experiencing a couple of seasons worth of Brady Quinn “small ball”, McCoy certainly has his work cut out for him.

However, McCoy has two things working in his favor.  First, a third-round investment is a pretty significant one.  Considering that this investment was spearheaded by the Team President signals that McCoy will be given plenty of time to develop.  As for his actual skills, McCoy does have some great mobility and accuracy.  However, much like the mental aspect of the game, McCoy will need time to develop his body in order to withstand an NFL beating.

But again – time is certainly on McCoy’s side.

Tyler Palko

Tyler Palko?  Who knew? 

Speaking of sterling college resumes, Palko parlayed a solid college career into a shot at the NFL.  After bouncing around the league for a couple seasons, Palko lands in Cleveland – albeit for a short time.

Unfortunately for Palko, he has little chance of making it in Cleveland, thanks to the sudden volume of QB options currently found.  However, in a distant sort of comparison, it’s worth noting that Palko and McCoy are not as far removed as one would think. 

Like McCoy, Palko’s best attribute is his raw determination.  Comparing the college careers of the two QB’s, one could make the case that Palko was every bit the leader at Pitt that McCoy proved to be at Texas.  Perhaps in another football universe, these two QB’s could prove interchangeable.  However, in reality, one player’s roster spot is ensured, while the other will be seeking employment in the UFL.

So what exactly are we to make of the 2010 QB prospects?  Here are two scenarios….

Ideally

Delhomme snaps out of his two-year slump and proves to be the competent, credible veteran QB the team has lacked for over a decade.  Playing off a strong rushing attack, Delhomme shows some accuracy and returns the team’s passing game to respectable levels, while remaining healthy and serving as the unquestioned offensive leader.  As a result, the Browns continue their gradual improvement under Mangini and squeak out 7 to 8 wins.

Wallace isn’t forced into the starting lineup, but instead becomes an effective situational player – teaming with Josh Cribbs and Jerome Harrison to give the offense a unique set of weapons.  McCoy becomes a strictly developmental player and benefits from the tutelage of Mike Holmgren, while Ratliff is given another chance to make the roster.  Finally, in terms that are strictly idealist, the QB of the future emerges.

But Really

The potential for disaster is evident, as the wheels could easily fall off.  Delhomme continues to be a turnover machine, drawing the wrath of Mangini.  The Browns’ rushing game, facing continual eight-man fronts grinds to a halt, leaving the offense in its prehistoric 2009 mold.  Or, on another front - Delhomme is injured, leaving Wallace as a starter.  The Browns’ passing game consists of a series of five-yard routes, and calls for the Colt McCoy era to begin are deafening.

The Pick

I can envision a little of both scenarios unfolding in 2010. 

Certainly, Delhomme – even in his current state – is an upgrade over last year’s QB starters.  Beyond actual production, the passing game should resemble a more professional unit in 2010.  If Delhomme can stay healthy and minimize mistakes, the Browns should finally have a complement to their impressive rushing attack.  If only for a season, Delhomme could prove to be the bridge to an eventual QB successor.  Of course the question going forward is whether or not that mythical QB of the future is on the current roster.