They said they'd bring in competition for Weeden, and they meant it. Polian considers Campbell a guy who, if he starts for maybe six games, you can win half of those, but if he starts more than those, you're in trouble. He didn't say why.
Well, this is the guy who built Peyton Manning's Colts, so I'd be an egomaniac to dismiss his opinion. Still, I feel he's selling the guy short.
Rich Gannon knocked around the NFL for most of his carreer too. He was considered the exact same way: A good backup, but not a starter. And he played for a lot of bad teams.
Bad teams...interesting. Wonder of anybody else ever considered that. I mean, you can be a great quarterback, but if you don't have at least solid recievers, a respectable running game, time to throw, and are always trying to come from behind because your defense isn't that good, maybe--just maybe--it's not your fault!
Maybe I should get a copyrite on that: the other 21 players matter!!!
Anyway, we all know where Gannon's career went once he had some help. Did he suddenly get better, or suddenly get a little help? Marty Schottenheimer, if I know him, would tell you today that he made a dumb move when he did all he could to replace Gannon. His Chiefs might have won a Superbowl had he just let him start. See? Even smart guys can be dumb...Bill.
Campbell, now--the Raiders have a lot of holes, yet he had them winning when the Browns broke him up. He was doing a lot more than managing the games. Carson Palmer is--well...
Is he a franchise guy? I doubt it. I think Pluto is on the money. He and Weeden will duke it out, and this time it will be a fair fight. Pluto is also right in saying that Weeden has a good chance of keeping the job; of being better than he was as a rookie in a super-complex offense he didn't belong in (DUUHHH).
Yes, Colt McCoy is a goner. I like him too, and think he might have done much better than Weeden last season in Shurmer's West Coast, had he been given a fair chance. But he doesn't fit Turner's offense, and that's that.
It's typical for some fans to say that nobody would give anything up for Colt, and wrong. He's an inexpensive, experienced West Coast quarterback. Those who make a living running football teams know that this guy can play.
Unfortunately, Campbell's signing takes away the Browns' leverage. The only reason another team would trade anything for him now is to make sure they got him before anybody else did. They might get a 5th or 6th rounder at best now.
Now this means that quarterback is off the radar in the draft. NOT.
Think about it. Between an improved Weeden and a Campbell on his first really talented team ever and the upgraded defense, say the Browns merely win eight games next season. (I think it will be more. Doctor Evil has managed to rob a bank or something and salvage the Ravens, but the Steelers are declining and the Browns might have caught up to Cinci.)
So now in 2014 they draft around 16th 18th in the first round. What if this time there is an RG3 or a Luck? Do they have a snowball's chance in hell of getting him?
Meanwhile, Campbell is 33 and Weeden 31, and the odds are that niether can match up to Flacco, Rottenburgers, or Dalton. They are good enough to contend, and go 8-8 and then even maybe 11-6, but then?
Tony Grossi was only reflecting a consensus opinion about this year's crop of quarterbacks, but the consensus has been wrong before. Cam Newton was raw, and would ideally need a year or two on the bench to develop. Russell Wilson could eventually become a reliable backup. Rich Gannon could be a really good safety, but isn't a quarterback. Tom Brady might have been a reach in the sixth round.
And the heck with Lombardi--Turner and Chud are listened to, and Farmer has a respected opinion. If they think that everybody else is wrong and they're right, they might draft a quarterback anywhere.
The Mallett thing won't go away, either. Bill will have to compete with other teams to re-sign him next season, and can't afford to match the offers he'll get. He really needs to try to get something for him now--unless, of course, he plans to bench Tom Brady and start him. Your opinion?
Bill has zero leverage. If he holds out for that second rounder, he'll lose him and get nothing at all. And why does everyone assume it has to be a draft pick? Why not a versatile young vet defensive lineman?
All of this assumes that the Browns really want Mallett. We know that Lombardi does, but that won't fly if Turner disagrees. Nor would Banner let the organization overpay.
But don't write Weeden or Campbell off. One could be another Rich Gannon. The other just another first round pick who needed to get beat up for one season before he starts kicking butt.
How refreshing: LET the best man win!
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