Browns have to keep both quarterbacks
There will be a lot of talk concerning what the Browns should do with Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, but the final outcome is easy to predict: The Browns have to keep them both heading into 2008. Luckily for Browns fans, GM Phil Savage seems to recognize how important it is to maintain the position.
After searching for a decent quarterback for nearly a decade, the Browns can't possibly let Anderson go without knowing what they have in Quinn. And they shouldn't deal Quinn until Anderson backs up his breakout performance after defenses get more tape on him.
It's not like Quinn is an expensive backup. He is set to make $1.43 million in base salary next year, which is very affordable. The real question is how the Browns choose to keep Anderson.
1) They can offer Anderson the highest tender possible as a restricted free agent, but they risk losing him to another team. It's debatable whether another team would give up a first and third-round pick for Anderson, but it's certainly possible.
2) They can use the franchise tag on Anderson. If they want to ensure they keep Anderson in 2008, I think this is the way to go. They have plenty of cap room to get this done.
3) They can offer Anderson a long-term contract. I think this is inevitable, although the terms will be team-friendly. Perhaps they can offer Anderson a lucrative short-term deal that gives Anderson another chance for free agency in his prime. Anderson has collected very little money as a pro (relatively) and may be willing to take a below-market deal for some security. If Anderson passes on the deal, then they go with options 1 or 2.
This only becomes a Drew Brees-Philip Rivers situation after next season. They can give Brady Quinn another year to develop and possibly challenge Anderson for the job in training camp without sacrificing any momentum.
Having too many quarterbacks at reasonable salaries isn't a problem; it's a luxury. The Browns, of all teams, should understand that.
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An intrepid reader sent me a great link on the same issue over at profootballreference's blog.
Comments
Amen!!! I've actually heard people suggesting that they play Quinn this year so they can deal Anderson in the off season. I can't think of anything more stupid than turning your playoff bound team over to a rookie in the hopes that he does well enough to justify trading the guy that got you there???? If you are going to trade anyone, it should be Quinn as long as it is higher than the #22 pick you gave up to get him. It would sure be nice to have a 1st round pick to draft someone to rush the passer!
TAKE THE BIRD IN THE HAND BROWNS FAN!!!!!
Posted by: Steve Carpenter | November 29, 2007 03:54 PM
Woulda, Shoulda, Coulda.
I would not want to be Phil Savage. How can the organization justify taking Quinn when obviously no one in the building knows how to grade a QB?
Posted by: royaltee | November 29, 2007 05:05 PM
When faced with tough decisions like this one, you just take the better looking one. Obviously thats Quinn. Trade Anderson while everybody still thinks he's hot.
Posted by: Zachary | November 29, 2007 05:14 PM
i think they're going to tender him at this point. and i think it's the right move.
while the browns are a young, improving team, they still have a lot of holes they can fill with a first and a third round pick. those are gold...
and if you don't get something for him now, you get nothing for him later.
Posted by: matt | November 29, 2007 07:17 PM
Quinn's deal is similar to the one that Aaron Rodgers (24th pick overall) signed in 2005. The Packers have been able to keep Rodgers on the bench for 3 seasons, so I don't see any reason the Browns can't do the same. I doubt anyone would give a 1st and a 3rd for Anderson, but I know I wouldn't take anything less. Keep Quinn on the bench and trade him for a 1st rounder in a couple years like Atlanta did with Schaub.
Posted by: Anonymous | December 1, 2007 04:46 PM