Browns Quarterback Stuff

The Steelers second and third string vs the Browns first string looks a lot like the second overall pick to me.  It's very Brownsian.

Some people, obviously including Hue Jackson, think beating the Steelers second and third string is more important.  Hue, I understand.  Those pundits and fans, I don't.  The first overall pick also means the first pick on day two, then day three.

These are all highly tradeable, and exponentially more valuable than the picks behind them.  Beating the Steelers starters might indeed be more important for morale and free agent recruiting, but beating their scrubs would be a sick joke.

But there is hope.  The Steelers young secondary guys are very talented.  I don't know exactly when DeAngelo Williams turned into chopped liver, but he can do almost as much damage on the ground and by air as Belle.  Jesse James is also pretty good.

I'm excited to see Clemson take on Ohio State.  Naturally, the Buckeyes will win, but let's see if DeShaun Watson kicks ass in a close loss.

Many analysts are taking a second look at Watson since early in this season he looked "hesitant".  He's regained his 2015 form, and delivered in big games.

Let me be the first to make the smart comparison: Teddy Bridgewater.

Watson's actual weight and height might be under 6'2", 205 lbs.  The differences between the two seem to be that Watson might have a slightly stronger arm, went deep a little more, and is a little faster...I assume he also has bigger hands.

But both are decisive and accurate.  While Bridgewater got mixed reviews, analysts of Watson more consistently agree that with the right coach, and in the right system, he can be a "front line" quarterback.

My own favorite remains Trubisky, but what do I know?  Hue might even like Watson better.  Clearly, he is being very contrarian on RG3.  I defer to the real expert here on the talent side, but can't on the health side.  The dude is a race horse colliding with clydesdales.

The Browns can't count on RG3.  They can't count on Kessler, either.  He's looked pretty good for a rookie, but can he be a franchise guy?

Consensus says no.  Hue might have other ideas, but as we see, he is starting Griffin.  So the Browns WILL acquire another quarterback.

Because of Watson's stature and comparatively weaker arm, Kizer and Trubisky have a good chance of being drafted ahead of him, no matter what he does to Ohio State or at the combine.

The Garopollo option bears no further mention, except to say that he could be it, for the second first round pick and change.

All the pundits see da Bearss drafting a quarterback, but Rodney Barkleyfield is doing a great job.  Why nothing he has done has changed any minds about him is baffling to me.  The Bears may or may not draft a quarterback.

Everybody assumes that the 49ers will draft a quarterback, and that's more likely than not.  The Colon has been up and down, and is of course rediculous and despicable, so he gets zero slack.  You know they want to flush him down the toilet (a fitting analogy).

The possibilities are endless.  The way Hue is treating RG3, it just could be that he likes Watson.  Watson doesn't have the same kind of arm, and is more of a West Coast guy, but he's an elite athlete who is also on the small side.

As I've now learned, accuracy is his strong point, and like Hue himself said, that is number one on the list.

Meanwhile, as things stand, the Browns will be coaching one of the Senior Bowl squads.  

Chad Kelly, nephew of Jim, is one to watch (Ole Miss).  He's got the size and arm, and is a much better athlete than Uncle Jim.

He has a lot of correctable mechanical flaws, and has only started for one season.  Chad got in trouble at at least two other colleges for off the field stuff.  I don't yet know what those issues were, but assume that he wasn't arrested.

This is why every scout will cite maturity concerns, and that's a valid point.

One analyst says he has the "it" factor.  He is tough; a real football player who will run you over if he has to, will throw with guys hanging on him, etc.  He's very accurate with his feet set, reads through progressions well (BIG plus here), and delivers in the crunch.

Some of the negatives are typical (almost universal):  He loses accuracy throwing off-balance (yawn) but oh!  He's been more effective outside than inside the pocket, so hasn't really proven he can consistently stand and deliver.

One analyst says he doesn't look like the kind of franchise guy Goff or Wentz were thought by some to be, but looks like he'll be pretty good...after at least a year in the nursery getting misted, watered, and fertilized (ah, G.  You just couldn't let it go by, could ya?)

Anyway, we can look forward to seeing Kelly in the Senior Bowl.  That's where the likewise inexperienced Carson Wentz made his big move.  I just hope he's on the squad Hue Jackson coaches.

If the Browns manage not to beat the Steelers scrubs, that is.

Hue replied to a question about Josh McCown cosching whenever he retires: Hue would take him on in a New York minute.  That's great to hear.  Josh McCown is a great person who just naturally adopts young quarterbacks.  He does it free of charge.

Jim Garrett and Kubiak were both backup quarterbacks.  Check out Prescott and Siemion.