I was wondering whether or not Hue Jackson would kick the tires in RG III.
From the outside looking in, both he and Colin Kaepernik look pretty scary. Their talent is undeniable, although injuries may have undermined both for good.
Unlike some people I know, I won't pretend to be on the same level in this area as Hue Jackson.
But as for the rest of it, just about everybody else has really botched up trying to deduce what this means:
They will offer either of these quarterbacks a salary commensurate with Josh McCown's. That's on the highest end of the backup quarterback scale.
Most likely, there would be a lot of incentives, so that if Hue does catch lightening in a bottle, the new quarterback can make some scratch.
This does not mean that the Browns wouldn't draft Goff or Wentz at number two. It could mean that they might trade down and target Paxton Lynch.
Prior to these latest visits by RG, I had kind of ignored Lynch, who has a lot of question marks. By that I mean that he hasn't proven that he can make multiple reads from the pocket, or function as a real pocket passer.
As I've said, some otherwise really smart guys simply don't have the mental hardware to do that, and cannot learn it. Lynch has massive potential, but would be a massive risk.
Wentz and Goff also have him beat on touch and accuracy.
RG III or Kaepernik's signing also would not automatically kick Josh McCown to the curb.
It's possible that Hue Jackson believes he can coach up a young guy and fix a veteran without any help. After all, he's delegating the bulk of his offense to experienced assistants to give himself abundant time for this.
But it's just as likely that Hue will value McCown's presence in the quarterback room just as he values the expertise of his assistants. Josh McCown is a great teacher and mentor.
He is also the incumbent starter, and played as well as any quarterback in the NFL last season. He showed impressive mobility in scrambling, which (in view of the decimation of the offensive line, which might not even be over yet), any Browns quarterback will need.
Mary Kay Cabbot in "Ask Mary Kay" said that interest in the two veterans could mean that the Browns thinkers might not believe that Goff or Wentz would be ready to start.
I don't know where MKC has been. They don't want either of these kids on the field any time soon, period.
If a new veteran is signed, it's quite possible that McCown is retained and Goff or Wentz is drafted. The new veteran and McCown would compete for number one, the loser would be number two, and the kid would stay in the incubator.
The front office is thinking about the future, as well. If Colin or Robert do manage to get back to where they once were, every other team in need of a quarterback will want them, and pay for them.
For that matter, Mary Kay was right about McCown himself having trade value. He's got two years left on a very affordable contract, and NFL GMs saw what he did last season, even if Pat Kirwan and other permabashers didn't.
That's another possibility.
On another subject, the Browns talent situation is being massively overstated. It's a form of hysteria. Today I'll stick with defense:
The overall talent is average. Not below average. Average.
Secondary: Safety is solid with Whitner and Poyer (or whoever). Joe Haden will be back. There's a backlog of really good nickel cornerbacks which also provides depth outside.
Note: Whitner will play in the box instead of center field under Ray Horton.
Inside linebacker: So-so without Dansby. Above average in coverage, maybe a little below vs the run (leaving Solomon out of it).
Outside linebacker: I'm sorry, but Paul Kruger is not below average, except in coverage, where he won't be a whole lot under a sane defensive coordinator. Nate Orchard only scratched the surface late last season.
Really, these two and those behind them are above average when allowed to do what they do best.
Defensive line: Danny Shelton is on a diet. Desmond Bryant was a wrecking crew last season. The rest are massively underrated and are young and improving.
Under Ray Horton, they will attack gaps. They are above average. Yes they are.
Overall they're far from perfect, and there aren't any superstars, but it's a solid group that Ray Horton is happy to have.
True, this defense was horrifyingly bad last season. But that was when Gipson was in the box, Whitner in the deep middle, Kruger and company were in coverage, and none of the new guys could figure out what the hell they were supposed to be doing.
Quit being so lazy. Think with your brain.
I'll do the offense later.
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