NFL Free Agency 2012: Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins to Pursue Matt Flynn

The Cleveland Browns are currently competing with the Miami Dolphins for the services of Green Bay Packers back-up quarterback Matt Flynn, Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer reports. 

At best, Flynn will live up to his hype as a potential star in the making; at his worst, the Browns could pay a serviceable backup a top-10 salary. With Seneca Wallace already making a top-20 salary, that would mean the Browns could end up paying two top-20 salaries for back-up quarterbacks. That's almost as bad as paying Butch Davis not to come to work for a few years.

As we've outlined in detail, acquiring Flynn could be a brilliant move for the Browns, but on paper, is a tremendous risk. Despite the extensive publicity he's received in a sports news culture with a 24/7 information cycle, Flynn owns only two NFL starts and could make up to $12 million for each of them with the new contract he would require from the Browns. 

This year, Joe Thomas made a significant commitment to the Browns when he signed a long-term deal to anchor the left tackle position. If the Browns continue to draft well, fans will want to retain their homegrown talent. Players like Joe Haden and TJ Ward will need new contracts, and at this stage, an unproven quarterback fails to merit the investment.

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