Cleveland Browns: Why Drafting Terrelle Pryor Is a Bad Idea

While other teams around the league are knee deep in player acquisitions, rumors and speculation, the Cleveland Browns have been relatively quiet up to Thursday. Whether Tom Heckert’s caution with free agency continues through the week is yet to be seen, but fans in Northeastern Ohio might be more interested in the addition of a Buckeye to the Browns roster. 

Terrell Pryor will likely be given the green light to enter the NFL through the Supplemental Draft, rewarding the highest bidder, in terms of draft picks, with the right to draft Pryor.

Drafting Pryor might feel like destiny to Browns fans, the same route that Bernie Kosar was acquired in 1985. The Browns gave up a first-round pick in order to draft the former Boardman High School QB. Bernie went on to become one of the Browns’ all-time great passers, and the most beloved Brown of an era. 

So why can’t this happen with Pryor? The answer might be more aptly prefaced as to why it shouldn’t happen to Pryor.

The Browns have been defined by quarterback controversy since their return in 1999. Couch vs. Holcomb, Anderson vs. Quinn and Delhomme vs. McCoy have been the competitions discussed by Browns fans—not Browns vs. Steelers or Browns vs. Ravens. Pryor might be a great option as the backup or third-string QB to play in different wildcat formations, but fans will ultimately call his name at the first sign of McCoy struggles.

It's time to stop the quarterback carousel and build some chemistry within the offense. 

Forget about home town allegiances when it comes to playing quarterback for the Browns. Kosar might have been connected to Ohio, but so was Charlie Frye, Brady Quinn and Josh Cribbs. The situation with Kosar won’t be re-created. 

Maybe Pryor comes into the NFL and grows into a dynamic quarterback that can beat you with his arm and his legs. I hope it happens (but not inside the division) so we get to see Pryor redeem himself for the troubles at Ohio State. I just hope that he starts his career with a team outside of Cleveland.