With all due respect to Buzz Kill Bill Polian, Brock Osweiler's 16 mil salary need not accompany the player in a trade. Bill knows this, but was so fixated on making fun of the money ball guys that he wasn't being an adult.
The Browns could offer to pay half, or even more, of the 16 mil salary for any trade partner, thus knocking that team's cap hit down to backup money.
"Why would anybody do that?" Well A) the Browns are out 16 mil as-is. Even if they paid 11 million, they'd be out 5 million less and have yet another draft pick. B) While nobody thinks of Osweiler as a good starter any more, he is a viable backup, with upside, and starting experience. To make sure they sign him, under contract (the last two years of his contract are not guaranteed by the way), without negotiation, a fifth or sixth round pick might be worth it.
Bill thinks Osweiler sucks. He cites the one and only reason the Texans lost to the Patriots in the playoffs: HIM.
But Jim Miller has a different opinion. Osweiler played well in Gary Kubiak's offense in Denver. Bill O'Brien's offense puts a lot more on the quarterback.
In Denver, Osweiler bemoaned his "lack of discretion" under Kubiak, and was happy to go to Houston, where he could have more control over things.
Miller feels he wasn't ready or well-suited to this complexity. He says Kubiak's system is much simpler for a quarterback. Jim says Hue Jackson can bring back an enhanced version of Denver Brock.
I do believe that the second round draft pick was the real prize in this deal, but also that Osweiler might be insurance. Not great insurance, mind you-but what if Miller is right?
I do think Garopollo is the real target. Instantly establishing what promises to be a dominant offensive line, and landing Big Kenny Britt was at least partly to help Jimmy and his agent take this team seriously...and the second round pick to make the Sith Lord do the same.
If the Browns need to release Osweiler, then they just bought a couple of really expensive draft picks, will still have plenty of cap space, and the dead money will live again in 2018. Indeed, per the rules, they needed to find ways to spend more cap money this year anyway.
This first day was well-done. The big money is drying up, and Terrelle Pryor is still out there. If he wanted to stick around before, how about now with quarterbacks who will have more time, and Kenny Britt across the field from him?
Polian says that the Browns may be the only team ready to do more than a one-year deal for him, as no deal was in place at the deadline, and there is good wide receiver depth in this draft.
He could still be leaving, but his return is more likely now than it was this morning.
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