Football fans from coast to coast turned on their televisions to watch the 2007 NFL Draft, with prospects like Adrian Peterson, Calvin Johnson, JaMarcus Russell, Marshawn Lynch, Dwayne Bowe, and, of course, Notre Dame's star quarterback, Brady Quinn.
Quinn, who broke nearly every record a quarterback can at Notre Dame, was a projected top 10 pick and many had him going in the top three. However, when the Browns passed on him to select Joe Thomas and then Miami picked Ted Ginn Jr. at the 10 spot, Quinn knew he had a long wait before being drafted.
Cameras flocked Quinn and his family, zooming in on his face to catch a glimpse of the disappointment that must have felt after leading the Irish to back to back BCS bowl games.
Fans of Quinn's were heartbroken as he was the center of negative attention at the draft. Finally, when he was selected at 21 by the Cleveland Browns, who had traded up with the Dallas Cowboys, he was booed by the audience.
Quinn, an honor student and double major at Notre Dame, had captured the hearts of everyone who watched him in South Bend, but graduation brought with it the challenges of the NFL.
After the embarrassment of the NFL draft Quinn had to sit a year-and-a-half behind Derek Anderson, an average quarterback at best. Despite several adversities that Brady has overcome, his character never faltered. He was a good teammate, worked hard everyday at practice, and was always supportive of the starting QB.
Brady Quinn had been kicked around, spit on, and doubted since he left South Bend, until his Thursday night NFL debut against the Denver Broncos where he silenced his critics after only one practice with the first team.
Quinn completed 23 of 35 passes for a total of 239 yards and two TDs, with no sacks, no interceptions and no timeouts. He managed the game as if he had been playing in the NFL for 10 years.
Cleveland fans erupted every time he touched the field as they understand he is a very special player. He has a great deal of leadership ability coupled with intelligence and natural ability that forms into a great NFL quarterback.
Brady Quinn is not just the future of the Cleveland Browns' organization, but of the NFL, and he will have is next major test as he faces the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football for all the country to watch.
Coming into the game with an impressive 104 QB rating, Quinn will once again have an opportunity to show the world that the 21st spot in the draft was 20 spots too far.
Quinn's start on Monday is a testament to the character, work ethic and perseverance of this athlete. He is a great example of never giving up as he has taken on the phrase: "don't get discouraged, get even."
Monday Night Football will have many story lines, but none more watched then Chapter Two of the Brady Quinn Era—playing on NFL's greatest stage.
11 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Lar Meier 7 months ago
I'm looking forward to a new era of Browns football. Go Quinn! Go Browns!
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Walt Kahler 7 months ago
Geez, and here I was thinking he was selected at the twenty-second spot.
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Patrick Collins 7 months ago
brady quinn went 3-0 against dilfer in college when dilfer was at stanford- hopefully he can keep the streak alive
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Jarrod Seybolt 7 months ago
Dilfer? DILFER? Damn Brady Quinn is old. I guess you probably meant Edwards. I guess they do have the same first name but seriously you need to actually watch football if youre making those kind of mistakes Check facts before posting. Brady Quinn played against one of the worst pass defenses in football. This week he will be playing against a decent defense in the snow, possibly lots of snow. This game should be a real test to see how Quinn will fare in the NFL.
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Patrick Collins 7 months ago
my bad, you're right....i think he's going to pass with flying colors
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Brendan Collins 7 months ago
Jarrod before you accuse people of not knowing the facts or watching football, look at the "facts" of second career starts for quarterbacks and look what the stats are. Not very impressive, so I do not think that this game, regardless of how Quinn plays, will have ANY bearing on how good Quinn "fares" in the NFL.
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John Cooper 7 months ago
Quinn will fare just fine.....Again its only his second start in the NFL this game will hold no barring on how he will fare in his long NFL future. He will be just fine. Also how about that number one pick for the Raiders.......can you say huge bust.....Russell is not half the QB Quinn is and will be in the NFL.
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Mike Muratore 7 months ago
Nice peice. Quinn's draft day did become a bit of a "human interest" story didn't it?
The best part of it all so far is that last week, under the spotlight of a nationally televised first NFL start, Quinn looked just like he always has... making quick reads and on target throws to open receivers. He doesn't make many mistakes and usually keeps his team in the ballgame. I also loved that after the game, when asked about how he felt it went... when he could have mentioned a fumble, a downfield holding call, and a drop, he placed the game on his shoulders saying "I let the team down. We should have won."
I feel he will be a good QB for years to come... he will have bad days... probably against Tennessee or Pittsburgh, he will have a BAD day... but they will be the exceptions.
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Jarrod Seybolt 7 months ago
Brenden, I said what I did because of all hype you have tried to create for a Quarterback who has played 1 game! Before you right articles check the facts. One game does not mean you will be the "future qb of the NFL" One game does not show leadership and intelligence. Coming into the game with a 104 qb rating. ONE GAME. You are trying to say this guy is a hall a famer and because I say he will play against a better defense you try to make something out of it and tell me to check the facts of all qb's second game. Thats not even feasible so you dont even know that stat. Be real Brenden, one game means nothing let alone a hall of fame quarterback or future of the NFL. Give it some time before you start making those statements
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Jarrod Seybolt 7 months ago
Also Brenden I did not accuse Pat of anything. I stated the fact. Also I said it would be a better representation of how he would fare. Not that this game means a career. You need to step back and think before you get all emotionally charged and write things like after one game Brady Quinn is the future of the NFL and a hall of famer and that nobody cares about any other monday night games except for this one.
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Lar Meier 7 months ago
Guys, I just want some hungry players to bring the Browns back. Like the old days - 70s and 80s. Browns teams that played hard every week. Guys that used to get us going when the Steelers, Raiders, Bills and especially when the BenGals came to town. Teams that could be down by 14 and still make you glad you hung around to watch the end of the game. Teams that made living in Toledo bearable, could carry us through the week looking forward to the next game. That's what I want - a howling good time in the ole pound! I live in california now, and every Sunday I still proudly wear my Browns shirts. Go Browns!
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