Browns and QBs

Tony Grossi of The Plain Dealer has this story in Thursday's edition:
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/01/do_the_cleveland_browns_have_p.html
The story discusses quarterback options for the Browns next season. To summarize, Browns' football "czar" Mike Holmgren and GM Tom Heckert both concur that they were surprised the Browns could win four games at the end of the season averaging just 91 passing yards per game. Holmgren, a known QB guru, has skated around seriously talking about Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson, but it's logical to assume he'd want to upgrade the position. In Grossi's article, he breaks down potential candidates to be the Browns' starting QB in 2010. I won't mention all of his possibilities, read the article for that. Here is my list, with some of these guys taken from Grossi's piece and some from my own mind:

Brady Quinn
I've discussed BQ at length in this space. If I were running the team, I would stick with him as the starting QB and let him play the entire season, unchallenged by any other QB, barring a complete disaster of course. I think he has the tools, talent and I cannot stress how impressed I was with him running the no-huddle offense in those last for games. But, like Holmgren said Wednesday at his press conference, it's hard to imagine winning games long term averaging 91 passing yards per game. When you factor in his sub-par stats with his inability to stay healthy, its hard to see BQ remaining as the Browns starter. He may if they can't get another option without paying an arm and a leg. But more than likely, he'll be traded or flat-out released. Oh, what could have been ...

Derek Anderson
Someone else who I have wrote about at length in this space. I'll leave it at this: He is due a $2 million roster bonus in March (which means he gets $2 mill. if he is on the team, in any capacity, on March 1) and has a salary of $7.45 million next season. The Browns simply CANNOT continue to pay this guy that kind of money, not when he he makes JaMarcus Russell look like Peyton Manning. No way is he the starting QB in Cleveland in 2011. Mike Holmgren is too smart for that.

Kevin Kolb
This is the name that intrigues me the most on my list. Kolb, out of Houston, was the Eagles' second round pick in the 2007 draft, quite a controversial pick because Donovan McNabb was still in his prime at that point. Since then, Kolb has played in10 games, in spot duty, including an infamous relief appearance of an ineffective McNabb in a November game in 2008 against the Ravens. In his 10 career apperances, Kolb has thrown for 885 yards, 4 TDs, 7 INTs, but completed 60.8 percent of his passes for a rating of 68.9. Not so good, but in 2008 he had a 21.8 rating. His rating this season was 88.9. Not too bad. He is 6-foot-3, 25-years-old, and, as I said, has shown flashes of being a starting-caliber QB in the NFL. Eagles coach Andy Reid has publicly stated that McNabb will be the Eagles' starter in 2010. Could that change by August? Absolutely. Both McNabb and Kolb are scheduled to be free agents in 2010, assuming neither signs a contract extension before then? So what does this all mean?
Tom Heckert, the new Browns GM, just left the Eagles and was responsible for drafting Kolb. If the Browns put together a package of draft picks and players, the Eagles may be willing to trade Kolb away, if they are really set with McNabb for next season. They could use the extra draft picks to get another young QB to develop. Or, they could retain Kolb by signing him to an extension this spring, knowing that McNabb is near the end. It all depends on high how they value him and what their price would be for him. But as Million Dollar Man Ted Diabase said, "Everyone's got a Price!!" I would be in favor of the Browns trading a 2nd and 5th round pick, along with some players (Not sure who, yet) for Kevin Kolb. Think about what the Texans did, trading for then-Falcons backup Matt Schaub. That worked out for them. This is the same type of concept.

Donovan McNabb
First off, let me start by saying I just cannot see Donovan McNabb in any other uniform than an Eagles one. Especially not a Browns' uniform. As I mentioned, Andy Reid has said that he wants to retain McNabb as his starting QB next season. But don't be surprised if he backtracks on those comments as the offseason progresses. McNabb is 33 and is under contract through this season, set to make $5 million in 2010. This season, McNabb had his best year since 2006. He passed for 3,553 yards, 23 TDs, 10 INTs with a 60.3 completion percentage and 92.9 rating. Those are good numbers. McNabb may be approaching the downside of his career, but he still has some left, obviously. Again, the Browns would have to give up draft picks for him, probably several. I am unsure what kind of relationship McNabb and Heckert have, but just like in Kolb's case, I am sure that if they got a good enough offer, they would part with McNabb. It also depends on whether or not the Eagles brass thinks Kolb is ready to take control of the offense. I see this is as far-fetched, but the Heckert factor makes it worth discussing. If I was the Eagles, why would I trade McNabb? I can't think of a reason to. They need to add players there, but I don't think a change at the QB position is the answer for them.

Matt Hasselbeck
Holmgren was with the Packers when he was drafted in him 1998 then made him Seattle's starting QB a few years later. Hasselbeck is a former Pro Bowl starter and led the Seahawks to Super Bowl XL. He is 34 and is under contract through 2010 for $5 million. He had a so-so season in 2009, throwing for 3,029 yards, 17 TDs and 17 INTS for a rating of 75.1. Hasselbeck's picture is in the dictionary next to the phrase "injury prone", playing only one full season in four years. But he has had success and is apparently healthy now (he had a bad back for this past season). Pete Carroll just took over in Seattle and gave MH a public endorsement ... which is the kiss of death in the NFL. Carroll could easily cut or trade Hasselbeck to the top bidder (assuming there are bidders). Aside from Kolb, this would be my second choice for the Browns starting QB in 2010, as far as players not currently on the team. He has had success when healthy, is a smart football player and would be a good veteran presence for the Brows in the locker room. But his injury past does scare me, and I am unsure how much he has left in the tank. A move to another team and city could resurrect him, it's happened before with countless players in the NFL. This all depends on who Pete Carroll wants  as his QB in Seattle.

Michael Vick
Another Eagles QB. He also can be had for a price, probably a 5th-round pick. I am not sure id I'd want to give Vick the keys to my starting QB job. If Philly doesn't pick up his option, he is a free agent. I think they let him go and he goes to Oakland or St. Louis.

A.J. Feeley
Another QB with an Eagles' connection. Heckert drafted him in 2001, then brought him back to Philly a few years ago. He spent last season with Carolina and is an unrestricted FA. He may be serviceable for one year, perhaps a placeholder until the Browns can decide on a real long-term answer at QB. He's never been a starting QB for a full season -- he started 11 uneventful games for the Dolphins in 2004 before he was benched. Career QB rating of 69.6. I don't see him selling tickets in Cleveland. Not that that is a huge consideration. Just saying.

J.P Losman
Once the Bills QB of the future. Was displaced by Trent Edwards. Cut by the Bills, he ended up with Oakland last season and is now a free agent. Has talent but has never really put it all together. Blah.

Trent Edwards
Once the Bills QB of the future. Displaced J.P. Losman. Was displaced by Ryan Fitzpatrick. Now in limbo as the Bills are still trying to find a coach. No thanks.

Jeff Garcia
No thanks. Been there, done that.

Sage Rosenfels
Was Matt Schaub's backup for three years before signing a big deal with Minnesota last offseason to compete with Tavaris Jackson. He did compete ... until Brett Favre came along. Currently, Rosenfels is the NFL's most expensive third-string QB. I'm sure he could be had for some late-round draft picks. But again, he won't put butts in the seats and is still unproven, though has played well when asked.

Kerry Collins
Old. Washed up. Hopefully he retires, for his sake.

Draft pick
I hope this isn't the case, I really hope this isn't the case, but the Browns do something stupid and draft a QB this season to be the starter. If they do, it will be a 2nd to 6th round pick they will try and develop and may turn the team over to in a year or two. Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Jimmy Clausen ... those are the big names. I will write more in-depth on the Browns draft at a later date, but I will say that I am fine with them picking a QB in a later round. Just not the first round. Or second. Too many other holes to fill.

* Photo courtesy of Getty Images