Analysing The Cleveland Browns Quarterback Situation

As Mike Holmgren evaluates the current Cleveland quarterbacks, there are many options from which he can choose. He may decide either Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson has enough upside to keep as the starter. He may decide to trade for a quarterback he likes or he may pick his QB in the draft.

There are few people in the NFL with as good a track record in developing quarterbacks as Holmgren. He takes pride in this fact. Working with Joe Montana, Steve Young, Brett Favre and Matt Hasselbeck is a strong testament to his abilities.

Current Browns quarterback Brady Quinn, could be considered the front runner. Quinn had regained the starting job he lost in the fourth game of the season due more to Anderson’s poor play than anything Quinn had done. Although he did lead the Browns to victories over the Steelers and the Chiefs, it was the running game that carried Cleveland’s offense, not Quinn. It was the same when with Anderson, who took over as the starter for the final two games after Quinn was injured.  Neither QB looked like he was of franchise quality. Even with all that, Holmgren may see something he likes and decides he already has his man.

In the past, Holmgren has traded to get his QB. At Green Bay, he traded with Atlanta to get Favre. At Seattle, he traded with Green Bay to get Hasselbeck, who was a former 6th round pick of the Packers when Holmgren was the coach. If that’s the route he chooses this time, he might be interested in Hasselbeck again, or Donavon McNabb or Kevin Kolb or someone that’s not even on the radar yet. If Holmgren brings in a veteran, expect him to also take a QB in the draft. Probably in the middle to late rounds.

Although the Browns have the seventh pick in the draft, it would surprise me if they used it on a quarterback. Unless they really like Sam Bradford and are unable to make a trade for a veteran, I doubt the Browns will go this way. Maybe in the third round or lower,  if Holmgren may see someone he likes.  Either Tony Pike or Dan LeFevour may be that guy.  It may be someone off the radar like Hasselbeck was when he was selected by the Packers.

As the President of the Cleveland Browns, Holmgren may not be coaching his selection at QB, but he will definitely have a lot of input in his development. Cleveland hasn’t had a franchise QB since Bernie Kosar. It’s about time they had one.

Article originally posted on http://www.nfltouchdown.com/