Obtusity and the Browns

Let's see how many hits that title gets.  Maybe I can sucker in some permabashers.

Anyway, on NFL Radio, an intelligent Browns fan (yes there are some) called in with his take on the Browns apparent pursuit of RG3:

They think they can sign him to a two year contract, and salvage him.  They believe they can pick him up for free, then turn him into a draft pick.

Meanwhile, they still draft Goff or Wentz, but don't play them, and retain Josh McCown.

This co-host, Murray, says "I don't understand how that makes any sense".

Well, I'm here to help Corky Murray out:

1: The Browns starting quarterback will be stepping into a big mess.  He will play from behind, and defenses will swamp his blockers (such as they are) on their way into the backfield to stop him OR his running back.

They don't want to use a rookie.

2: Griffin costs zero draft picks and a small salary.  If he doesn't pan out, who cares?  If he does, he can be cashed in for a draft pick.

"I don't understand why you'd find this starting quarterback and then just get rid of him".

3: Because the number two overall quarterback is under contract for five years, is four or five years younger, was the real target in the first place, and is expected to be better than Griffin in time.

"Oh, so they keep McCown, and he and Griffin compete for the number two spot?"

4: My God this guy's an onion!  Layer upon layer of deeper and deeper obtusity!  The old guys compete to START because the rookie would get tow up!!

More than before, I now think that one of the reasons Hue Jackson is supporting the geeks in the front office so enthusiastically is that he's already decided to run a new offense intended to minimize a weak and uncoordinated offensive line with a mobile quarterback.

Hue believes he can put up some points with the people he'll have left, if he does it right.

It's a strategy to be at least competitive during a rebuild.  You can see it on his face, and hear it in his voice.  He thinks he can do that with a Kaepernick or an RG3.  Hue is, in fact, probably the driving force behind these recruiting efforts!  Not the analytics guys!  Do you even know who you're calling an idiot?

Now, if I wanted to get the most I could in a trade for Joe Thomas, I would say we're keeping him, period.  And wait for phone calls.

Somebody else beat me to the Seattle rumor.  The most likely suitors for Thomas would be teams who feel close to a Superbowl.  Generally, that means contenders who draft in the bottom third.

The Seahawks happened to be the most likely team I thought of.  Joe Thomas would help them right now a lot more than any player in this draft they could get with their first round pick.

Seattle might offer their 2016 second rounder (56th overall), their first rounder next year (they hope 32nd overall), and maybe a 2017 4th rounder.

They got compensatory picks this year, and have two third rounders and then some.  

For the Seahawks, that's a Hall of Fame left tackle, an instant impact first round pick, then two third rounders with interest.  It could buy them a Superbowl.

For the Browns, that 2016 second rounder could be a Stringer; a future left tackle, or a Hunter Henry; stud tight end.  And two first round picks on deck for next season.

One team on the cusp.  The other rebuilding.  That's how deals are made.

Now, what if the Browns manage to win 4 games, and lose the rest despite RG3's heroics?  What's a rehabbed RG3 worth?

Third round pick, maybe?  Second?  Ok a fourth.  Better than nothing, right?

These guys all talking about analytics mostly don't grok what it really is.  That's part of it!  When you're not going to have a pocket, play without one!  Get the players who can do it!  Get them dirt cheap out of the bargain bin!

Then cash them in!  Adapt!  Maximize!  Create value and cash it in!

You can tell it's real complicated, because even the geniuses on NFL Radio can't comprehend it.