On our hands we have a unique commodity - Brady Quinn. Touted as one of the most NFL-ready quarterbacks in a long time, equipped with the physique of a linebacker, and lucky enough to play under the tutelage of a respected NFL offensive coordinator - Quinn's stock inexplicably fell as pudgy JaMarcus Russell rose to the level of number 1 overall pick.

Meanwhile, Brady sat and waited as name after name was read, growing more despondent upon realizing he had a long while to wait. After what must have seemed like an eternity, his name was called by our beloved Cleveland Browns. The pick was deemed a fantastic strategic move - a steal, getting a franchise quarterback so late in the draft and yet by happenstance, Quinn was deemed to sit on the bench due to the emergence of a quarterback with a much lesser pedigree, Mr. Derek Anderson.

Although the jury is still out on the oft inconsistent Anderson, one thing is interesting to consider.

We have on our roster a player who might actually have a HIGHER value to other teams if he continues to sit on the bench rather than hit the field as the starter.

If he continues to ride the pine, teams must rely on his college performances, his combine numbers, and his pedigree. However, once he steps onto the field as a starter - and if he struggles - his value will be greatly diminished.

We have this rare case where it might be more beneficial in terms of trade value not to show our hand.

Interesting post.

I think there may be something to that argument.

However, it sure seems to me that the true "siren on the cliff" is always the fresh-faced college QB to be gotten in the draft. I'm not saying Quinn wouldn't be a marketable commodity in the scenario you've painted, but just watch what happens in April. All those QB's who are viewed as not NFL-ready will get drafted pretty high. They always are.

If DA does have a ceiling beyond what we've seen, then we'll all be hoping you are right about Quinn's value.

I'll say it again: If Brady Quinn is drafted in round one and then traded by the Browns without ever assuming the starting job, it'll be an NFL first.

He isn't injured. He hasn't been at all disappointing. He's working his ass off. There are no extenuating circumstances other than Derek Anderson.

It would be an enormous risk... but it could happen after this season. If Anderson wins and keeps the job, puts up numbers, and the team wins, Quinn will get moved.

In fact, I'm betting Savage has promised as much.

Im really hoping BQ gets a fair shot its bad enough that DA has 3 years nfl experience on him and its hardly fair that BQ has to come off the bench and out-perform DA in the pre-season but im betting he can do it simply because he is the real deal DA is a real deal wannabe that may actually be that jewel in the rough its to bad RAC doesnt have enough sense to use them both as starters that would really throw opposing teams for a loop but it would take a lot of sacrifice from the whole offense to accept 2 QBs and even more to contain the egotistical QBs themselves its unfortunate that by next year there can be only one having 2 starter quality QBs opens up a can of whoop ass when the other guy isnt sure who is coming in when and or if...

The fact that they gave DA a 14.5 mil guarantee rather than risk losing him for a 1 and a 3 leads me to question whether they're thinking either... DA is quite possibly the real deal ... or... BQ isn't and they need some insurance.

It'll be interesting to see what happens this fall.

quote:

The fact that they gave DA a 14.5 mil guarantee rather than risk losing him for a 1 and a 3 leads me to question whether they're thinking either... DA is quite possibly the real deal ... or... BQ isn't and they need some insurance.

It'll be interesting to see what happens this fall.

Agreed 100%.

Risk losing him for a 1 and 3?! There was no risk...there was no team out there stupid enough to pay that price for DA.

I thought people were jumping at the prospect of picking up a 1st and 3rd round draft choice for DA?

Plug in Quinn, have 2 high picks in a draft where you presently have none until round 4.

Imagine how good you could make the defense with an added 1st and 3rd rounder.

quote:

Originally posted by The Return of Quinn:
Risk losing him for a 1 and 3?! There was no risk...there was no team out there stupid enough to pay that price for DA.

I thought people were jumping at the prospect of picking up a 1st and 3rd round draft choice for DA?

Plug in Quinn, have 2 high picks in a draft where you presently have none until round 4.

Imagine how good you could make the defense with an added 1st and 3rd rounder.

You think there was no risk? I suppose he suddenly got a 14.5 mil guarantee out of the goodness of Phil's heart.