Farming For Quarterbacks

   With the 2009 season over the browns find themselves searching for answers. One answer in particular is what to do at the Quarterback position. Moving forward will be a difficult task as Both Browns starting Qbs have show an ineptitude to take control of the offense . Also the Browns are now under new senior management and the offense has yet to be clearly defined. Thus creating mass panic for most fans.

As it stands the Browns currently have 2 starting Qb's Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn

one or both are unlikely to stay on for the 2010 season.

So what will the browns do? Will they shop Quinn release D.A. No one knows yet. But one thing the Browns should consider is be patient don't pull some crazy knee jerk move. take time to properly evaluate your options. The browns are in need of a identity and with that identity they need to find A franchise QB. Im not just saying any franchise Qb the Browns need to find a tier 1 franchise Qb.

In The Nfl there are 5-6 tier 1 Quarterbacks and 3-4 tier 1.5-2 Qbs.

So what does it take to be a tier 1 Qb. Here's a breakdown of 2009

Drew Brees- 6”0 221lbs drafted 2^nd round great arm strength and accuracy can make all the throws short medium and long. has a quick delivery and makes quick reads. Brees is also very intelligent. Can scramble

Peyton Manning 6”5 221lbs drafted 1^st round great arm strength and accuracy can make all the throws short medium and long. Highly intelligent and makes quick reads. Pocket passer

Tom Brady 6”4 230lbs drafted 6^thround great arm strength and accuracy can make all the throws. Intelligent and makes quick reads. Pocket passer

Donovan McNabb 6”2 226 drafted 1^st round cannon like arm strength, accurate,intelligent,can make all the throws and makes quick reads. Can scramble

Brett Favre 6”2 225 drafted second round Cannon like arm strength, accurate, intelligent,can make all the throws and makes quick reads. pocket passer

Tier 1.5

Arron Rogers

Big Ben

Phillip Rivers

Tier 2

Tony Romo

Matt Schaub

All these QB's have similar scouting reports. They are all intelligent have great to strong arm strength, all excel at short,medium,deep throws. They all make good decisions and make quick reads.

You will also notice 3 of the top 5 guys were 2^nd round or later draft picks

now moving forward the Browns have 4 options free agency,the draft, trading or keeping either D.A. Or Brady Quinn. As for DA. And BQ I will be skipping that section as I'm sick of that debate already.

Free Agency-

If the Browns make a move for a free agent QB it will be for depth or as a stop gap/mentoring job.

the only real options at free agency this year is Chad Pennington and Jake Delhomme

Chad Pennington 6”3 230 age 33 strengths good leader can make short to medium passes can make good reads doesn't turn the ball over a lot. Weakness arm strength lacks a solid deep ball injury prone and age. Overall a tier 3 QB.

I think Chad fits the bill as a solid mentoring candidate at 33 hes got a few productive years left and he may come on the cheap

Jake the snake Delhomme 6”2 215 age 35 Jake is a interesting possibility when healthy you know what he can do but the fact is hes 35 and still recovering from Tommy john surgery. All in all Jake brings good leadership and experience to the table and when healthy can be a serviceable QB. overall

a tier 3 QB

Trade options- there has been a lot of speculation as of late that the Browns are interested in Donavon McNabb or Kevin.Colb. McNabb is the better option of the two at 33 he does have a few more solid years left as well as being a tier 1 talent. Colb on the other hand is relatively untested and has a similar skill set to Brady Quinn however the big difference between Colb and BQ. Is Colb makes his reads faster and will go through his progressions better. Both have average arms and can make short to medium passes but both lack the ability to throw the deep ball. Note: Defenses will not respect either one of these guys as a deep threat leading to more 8 in the box defensive fronts.

One other option is Matt Flynn from Green Bay. He is currently Aron Rodgers back up

Matt Flynn 6”2 231lbs drafted 7^th rd. . He has a great arm and is proficient in making all levels of throws ,the only knocks on him were the style offense he was in and the fact he was a 1 year starter.

drafted in the 7^thround last year Flynn beat out Brian Brohm a projected first round selection for the back up role. Manny Ohioans will remember him when he beat the buckeyes in BCS. championship with LSU. He is solid and would make for a great project QB.

The Draft

This years draft class is a little suspect as far a Qb's go.

Bradford and Clausen look to be the most complete QB's this year but both come with there fair share of questions. Mccoy could be the man but lacks the size. There will be options in the second round and down.

John Skelton, out of fordham 6”5 256

he has the size and arm strength all the prototypical qualities you want in a Qb. how ever he is untested against top level talent and may require a couple years to develop.

Jarrett Brown of West Virginia 6”4 224

After a strong combine Brown is climbing draft boards he has the size and arm but can he a just to pro system?