Mangini and Kokinis To Fix Crennel and Savages's Mistakes: Keep Brady Quinn

I really hope that no fans are getting impatient with new Head Coach Eric Mangini and General manager George Kokinis. It looks to me as if they know what they are doing. If you don't catch my drift, let me explain.

The Cleveland Browns are in the "rebuilding" stage and should have been for quite some time now. That is why 2008 was such a disaster. After the 2007 season, the Browns players, coaches, and fans had high expectations for 2008.

What they should have realized is that they had a very easy schedule and that it could have been a fluke (which it was).

So after the 2007 season, current head coach Romeo Crennel and general manager Phil Savage signed WR Donte Stallworth to a somewhat big contract then traded CB Leigh Bodden and a third-round draft choice for NT Shaun Rogers.

They also traded a second-round draft choice for DT/DE Corey Williams.

They put a lot of money into a injury-proned player and traded a good player and a draft choice for a Nose tackle that can't even play an entire set of downs (even though he is a Pro Bowler).

Plus they traded a second-round draft choice for an average defensive lineman. These are moves for a team that is desperate to win makes, not a rebuilding team.

So now the Browns are out a second and third-round pick even though all of these transactions were unnecessary. They are partially to blame for why the Browns are where they are today.

Another mistake Crennel/Savage made was not trading Derek Anderson when he was actually worth something. Brady Quinn was their first-round draft choice that they traded for in the previous offseason.

Now Anderson is worth nothing compared to what he was before and the Browns are still considering have an open competition for the starting quarterback spot. Not to mention Anderson is getting money that he rightfully hasn't earned.

That is why I like Mangini and Kokinis. They know that this team is rebuilding and they want draft picks. They aren't going to trade their picks away hoping that the players they receive pans out. That's why they traded for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers picks (second-round 50 overall and 2010 fifth round-pick).

With "Mankok" trying to rebuild through the draft, why do his recent moves make sense? Almost every player that has recently signed with the Browns comes George Kokinis using words like "experience," and "leadership."

It's pretty obvious Mangini and Kokinis are signing weathered veterans so that they can teach the younger players, including the players they will get through the draft.

What makes this already valid point of mine more correct is that none of the players the Browns have signed have broke the bank. There aren't any SportsCenter headlines or huge contracts, just cheaper veteran players getting signed. If anything, the Browns are signing an on-field coaching staff for their students (meaning younger players).

So even though "Mankok" is making many moves, he primary goal is to rebuild through the draft. But even though the Browns are rebuilding, who are their "untouchables?"

It's pretty obvious who the Browns shouldn't trade. Names like Josh Cribbs, Joe Thomas, and yes, even D'Qwell Jackson should come to mind.

But what about Brady Quinn?

There is all this talk about Jay Cutler and how the Broncos may want him if Cutler is dealt. Why should the Browns keep Quinn? I'll tell you why...

In two years in the NFL, Brady Quinn has sat and sat. He was doodled on clip clip-board while his helmet was sitting on the ground next to the bench. The only chance he got was when Derek Anderson was benched.

It just so happens that after a few games, he injured his finger leading to him missing the rest of the season. Why should "Mankok" have faith in Quinn?

With the Browns rebuilding, Mangini shouldn't want a stud quarterback, he should want somebody that can learn to be a leader for this Cleveland Browns team. Quinn was a leader at Notre Dame, why not in C-town?

He already has the support of most of the fans (not too mention tons of them already own his jersey). He feels like he belongs in Cleveland. Basically said, he fits into Mangini's and Kokinis' plans.

The Browns shouldn't expect to be good for a few more years. The team has a lot of rebuilding to do, and the players have a lot to learn. By the time they are good, Quinn will be a veteran. A few years of sitting and a few years of playing.

The best thing the Browns can do is trade Anderson for as much as they can get for him and sign another veteran back-up to help Quinn. Somebody who has been everywhere and knows how to handle everything, and can step in for Quinn if needed.

Quinn could be the savior but it will take some time and patience.

I mentioned earlier (maybe once or twice) that the Browns are rebuilding and want to do so through the draft. Who are players they should consider trading or at least putting on the block?

Braylon Edwards should not be traded unless the Browns get a great offer for him. A first and third-round draft choice sounds good. But with Edwards in his contract year, should the Browns wait and see how well he does next season? Edwards can potentially be an elite receiver.

If the Browns keep him and then re-sign him for years, he could be that elite receiver.

If the Browns become good within the years to come like "Mankok" is planning, then Edwards could be a great receiver. He should mature over the next few years and learn not to blame the fans for his inconsistency.

He will be mature and more experience and could be a good player to have by that time.

What about Shaun Rogers? This one is a little tricky. He apparently wants out of Cleveland and is an older player, but he is a great player and a leader. If the Browns could swing a first-rounder for him I say do it but other than that it all depends. Rogers is questionable.

Eric Wright & Brandon McDonald? They shouldn't even be thought about being traded, but only one should start right now. They were thrust into starting roles and they need pressure taken off of them.

The Browns should sign a quality starter to keep one below in the depth chart. Make one a starter now and utilize the other one the best you can.

To sum it all up, the Browns are rebuilding. They need to make up for lost draft picks. They are signing "teachers" in a sense for their younger players. Brady Quinn could be their guy in the future, as could Braylon Edwards.

If a player isn't a part of the solution, then trade him for all he is worth (Anderson and maybe even Rogers).

Any questions, comments, or concerns?