Browns targeting Ryan Tannehill, wasting the #4 pick!
The Cleveland Browns, after losing out in the Robert Griffin III sweepstakes along with the lack of interest in free agent quarterback Matt Flynn stand on the brink of making an absurd pick in the up-coming NFL Draft. Quarterback choices are rapidly dwindling, somewhat like the blue light specials at Wal-Mart, causing quarterbacks projected to go in later rounds to propel to higher levels due to demand. The Browns possess the coveted fourth pick in the draft, will they do as many have suggested and pay "top dollar" for an item that earlier was on the bargain shelf--that item being Ryan Tannehill?
This by no means is a "put down" of Tannehill, who is a talented young man and very athletic, however is he worth it. Tannehill, who was a wide receiver before becoming quarterback of the Texas A&M Aggies has played a total of 20 games at the most valuable position--20 games? He performed well, passing for 3,744 yards with 29 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and completing 61.6 percent of his passes--not bad, but hardly worth being grabbed at the #4 spot of the up-coming draft.
Tannehill has risen rapidly up the draft charts partially due to his talent, but primarily due to Griffin III and Andrew Luck already being "penciled in" to be selected #1 and #2, a climb that can be attributed to being one of the only ones left available.
Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has many critics that suggest he should be replaced, however to his defense there are many that will point to dropped passes, protection problems and poor play-calling as part of his struggles. Any thought that bringing in Tannehill, who at best is a project QB, would be an up-grade over McCoy is merely wishful thinking.
As I stated, this is no slight against Tannehill, however if rumors are true that the Browns are targeting Tannehill--they need to come out of the "bargain basement" mentality, wait to see if he falls in the draft (where he belongs) and snag him.
Drafting Tannehill at #4 would merely be a sign of desperation, use the pick to improve another position in an offense that needs many improvements. Surely Holmgren and Heckert have heard of "investment and return"! Tags: draft , headline , hot , latest , media
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28 Responses to “Browns targeting Ryan Tannehill, wasting the #4 pick!”
March 17, 2012 at 5:35 AM
There is about this much chance the Browns take him at 4 " ZERO" ! Never even a thought for management.
March 17, 2012 at 5:39 AM
I sure hope so--given all the attention the last two days regarding it, felt I'd give my opinion--if you can take what H&H have said lately as fact, it seems they are gearing towards surrounding McCoy with more talent--we shall see. Thanks for the comment!
March 17, 2012 at 5:40 AM
I totally agree wth this article! They've passed or been unable to pull the trigger on Matt Flynn, RG3, etc. So if, as it appears, Colt McCoy will be the starter in 2012, please use your higher round picks to get him some supporting cast members, do not waste either 1st round pick on a "project" QB.
March 17, 2012 at 5:42 AM
Thanks for chiming in Russell---Hope Holmgren and Co. share your opinion!
March 17, 2012 at 9:19 AM
Not a browns fan, but showing interest in Tan is a smart draft move. Heck some team might just jump ahead and waste a pick on him leaving cv pick whoever they want. They should trade their 2nd 1st to the end of the 1st pick up an extra pick for doing so and then steal Wallace from Pit
March 17, 2012 at 9:26 AM
Yes, the Browns should keep an eye on Tannehill, as I stated he is talented although a project and well worth picking up--provided the price is right--which I feel the #4 is a "tad" high. Late first round and I would consider, however given the QB prospects coming out next year-I might pass totally!
March 17, 2012 at 12:41 PM
All the NFL scouts said that before Colt McCoy was drafted that he was too soft and not big or strong enough to play in the NFL. The Cleveland Brass ignored all these reports and they got stuck with a losing quarterback that isn't good enough to make 3rd string on any other NFL team and the browns made him a starter. To be truthful Colt McCoy wasn't really tough enough for college football getting knock out of the championship game in the first few minutes and being too weak and soft to even try to finish the game. This past season Colt McCoy was the worst rated quarterback in the league, and had to have his daddy cry to the coaches on his behalf. Why would this moron consider this a wasted draft when the fact remains that the Cleveland Browns don't have an NFL caliber quarterback on their team as of right now. So far the Cleveland brass has failed to get an NFL caliber quarterback for another year, and this writer wants the Cleveland Browns to go another season without a Quarterback? I am sorry but the Cleveland Browns playing another season without an NFL caliber quarterback is just plain moronic, and I suspect that the writer of this article is a fan of one of the teams that play in Cleveland's conference and they want the Cleveland Browns to have yet another losing football season by failing to get an NFL caliber quarterback. I don't care how they do it, but if the Cleveland Browns brass can't get an NFL quarterback for their team before the season starts, they should all be fired.......nuff said!!!!
March 17, 2012 at 12:45 PM
Colt McCoy could have All PRO receivers and an ALL PRO starting line and guess what???? His passes are still going to be to far to the left, to far to the right, to high and to low, and when he gets close passes, they will have be way to hard and uncatchable and have no touch, so maybe the Cleveland Brown management should fix the actual problem, find an NFL caliber quarterback for the Cleveland Browns so the fans don't have to endure another losing season with not a single NFL caliber quarterback on the Cleveland Browns team!!!!
March 17, 2012 at 4:13 PM
I seriously hope that the idea of them taking Tannehill at 4 is just a smoke screen, because that would be a ridiculous pick. I'm hoping It'll Blackmon, Claiborne, Floyd, Reif, Kalil, DeCastro etc. we really need to get this QB some protection and somebody who can catch the damn ball. I could see taking a QB in the late 1st to mid 2nd round or even further down to compete with McCoy and who knows! maybe even find a diamond in the rough in one of them QB's.
I really like Richardson, but not at #4. Claiborne with Haden would be really cool! that would give us one of the best cornerback combinations in the NFL, can you imagine how frustrating it would be for the teams in our division...I'D LOVE IT MAN!!! we really need to get a fast and powerful RB as well. I realize that the League is becoming a pass first type of thing these days, but ya still need a dominant run game for Colt or who ever it may be. I hope Heckert and the boys bring their a game come draft day, otherwise this team will end up 4-12 yet another year.
March 17, 2012 at 8:03 PM
I don't care how they solve the problem to be honest with you, but right now the #1 MOST URGENT NEED FOR THE CLEVELAND BROWNS IS TO FIND AN NFL CALIBER QUARTERBACK. If the Cleveland management is not able to do that before the start of this season, then every single Cleveland Brown fan should boycott the games and refuse to go because it will be blatantly clear that the Cleveland management is refusing to do the job that they are being paid to do. I refuse to sit though another losing Cleveland Brown season when it is obvious to everybody that the Browns management sat their and did nothing to get Cleveland an NFL caliber quarterback, that is just unforgivable. Colt McCoy is one heck of a nice guy, but he sucks as an NFL quarterback and they need to find somebody who can actually do the job!
March 17, 2012 at 8:37 PM
To the Jim Brown wanna be. Having an opinion is one thing (insert popular phrase here) but if you want to talk facts then here you go. Five minutes on the NFL website tells me this. QB rating wise Colt was better than a lot of season starters. Kerry Collins, Chad Henne, Sam Bradford, and Rex Grossman just to name a few. Some QB's that were only marginally better were Tarvaris Jackson, Mark Sanchez, and Joe Flacco. And the names I have mentioned were just ones I looked up.
Plus when you have a team that leads the league in dropped passes (43) it's not hard for ANY QB to struggle. Also MCCoy has the highest winning Pct. of ANY college QB and if you watched any of the Browns games you would not call him soft. I don't know if he's the guy, but I do know he deserves a fair shot.
March 18, 2012 at 2:33 AM
Mike--you mentioned Colt setting the record for most wins while in college. it is also interesting to note that given the criticism he has received for "accuracy problems"--he also set the college record for pass completion percentage. Colt is a tough Kid and it is hard to give a true evaluation of him with the glaring needs that the Browns have elsewhere that have a direct effect on a QB's performance. Once Colt has the tools needed to succeed--then and only then can we give a true assessment.
March 18, 2012 at 9:56 AM
After 13 years of being a season ticket holder and die hard fan I will not renew my season tickets this year. Enough is enough. They truly are a factory of sadness. With all the picks they have this year I thought they might actually make some moves to look like an NFL team. Just the thought of taking Tannehill is enough to make me walk away. I won a punt, pass, and kick competition in 1973. Maybe they will want to give me a shot at QB........for crying out loud...
March 18, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Dang It Stuey---"I won a punt, pass, and kick competition in 1973"--get your tail down to Berea Now!!!! I had to do that hahaha--As I stated, nothing against Tannehill, but the mere mention of taking him #4 or even before mid round is mind boggling! Talented young man who caught more passes that he threw? Thanks for the comment Stuey!
March 18, 2012 at 3:32 PM
McCoy was NOT the worst rated QB in the NFL last year and the kid took his lumps all season up until the Harrison hit just kept on coming. WHY LIE?
March 18, 2012 at 3:38 PM
Exactly DawgPile--those condemning McCoy should check into the Stats of Cleveland Hero Bernie Kosars first 16 games--You will find that McCoy-without a one of the top rated defenses and the tools Kosar had at his disposal STILL outperformed Bernie--don't believe it--do the research!!!
March 18, 2012 at 6:00 PM
Yeah but H&H obviously see something that's just not right with Colt fellas! otherwise they wouldn't have even considered looking at RG3, don't ya think? and now they're quite possibly considering going after a QB in the draft ie Tannehill, Weeden, Cousins etc.
Don't get me wrong now fellas, Colt takes a licken and keeps on ticken, but being that Holmgren was a QB himself once upon a time, don't you think that that accounts for something!? there's evidently something there that puts them guys on the fence about McCoy.
Not too long ago I saw a chart of all the great QB's of the past with their rookie career stats. and McCoy's stats. weren't any worse then Kosar, Elway, Montana, Aikman etc. etc. but I'm sorry fellas I'm gonna have to go with H&H on this one, I truly DO NOT believe that Colt will be our franchise QB of the future, but I think that he'll be either one HELLUVA backup or just an average starter at best IMHO.
March 18, 2012 at 7:32 PM
I don't care how they solve the problem to be honest with you, but right
now the #1 MOST URGENT NEED FOR THE CLEVELAND BROWNS IS TO FIND AN NFL
CALIBER QUARTERBACK. If the Cleveland management is not able to do that
before the start of this season, then every single Cleveland Brown fan
should boycott the games and refuse to go because it will be blatantly
clear that the Cleveland management is refusing to do the job that they
are being paid to do. I refuse to sit though another losing Cleveland
Brown season when it is obvious to everybody that the Browns management
sat their and did nothing to get Cleveland an NFL caliber quarterback,
that is just unforgivable. Colt McCoy is one heck of a nice guy, but he
sucks as an NFL quarterback and they need to find somebody who can
actually do the job!
March 18, 2012 at 7:38 PM
I watch every Browns game and Colt McCoy sucks, nuff said. It is one thing to make draft mistakes, is is another to keep the mistake around for 3 losing seasons in a row. The biggest reason Cleveland sucks is because when they make a mistake, they keep the mistake around, and then try to lie about it. We didn't want RG 3 we really wanted to keep Colt, yeah right and I have some nice Ocean Front Property land to sell you in Arizona. Don't tell the Cleveland execs or they will call me to see about a good deal on Ocean Front Property.
March 18, 2012 at 8:50 PM
I would have liked to have gotten RGIII or Luck but as fate has dealt us another shot to the gut, we need to look at a top notch receiver more than anything else with the number 4 pick. Colt has never had the luxury of having a line that could protect him or someone who could catch the ball, I say give him a chance especially now without our Gomer of a coach calling the plays. Offense is what is needed, our defense is almost there, but without offense you have nothing. Good riddence to Hillis who couldnt have landed in a better place for us as now he can be the cancer in the squeeler locker room.
March 19, 2012 at 1:18 AM
I agree that given the lack of a supporting cast it is hard to evaluate McCoy and I feel he will improve if surrounded by talent at other positions. I would not get to excited about Childress, as Shurmur has stated he will remain the play-calling guru. Another note--Hillis has joined Crennel and yes--Brady Quinn in Kansas City--thanks for weighing in!!!
March 19, 2012 at 2:01 AM
I really do not understand the quick to judge and condemn McCoy, other than fans truly buying into the hype of "the big show" pulling the Browns out of the depth of loser land. Let's look at this realisticly. Bernie Kosar (much heralded QB of the Browns) while in his first 16 games had the pleasure of having Earnest Byner, Kevin Mack and Ozzie Newsome at his disposal--yet--without such a supporting cast--Colt McCoy in his first 16--threw for 900 more yards, 6 more TDs and had a higher completion rate! Now--going deeper into that--in his first 16 games McCoy threw for more TDs than Drew Brees and John Elway (16 games). By no means do I mean to imply McCoy is the next John Elway--however by your logic, you would have kicked Kosar, Elway, and Brees to the curb!! All about winning? It is a team sport--but lets go there--the much heralded draft Pick Eli Manning lost his first 6 games and yes fans were screaming for the head of Eli! To believe that replacing McCoy will somehow cure problems such as--the D standing around while A.J. Green prances into the endzone, a coach who calls a handoff to a fullback who is sitting the bench--well--the list goes on and on!
March 19, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Your assessment is correct. What NFL fans especially in Cleveland have witnessed, is a QB under assault, on the run with little hope of protection on most series he played. He had a cadre of WR that found it difficult to achieve separation, and dropped many passes. His accuracy suffered as he had 1.5 seconds less time to setup for a pass than all other NFL teams. Being on the run so much as a rookie QB made it tough on him to get himself and his foot placement correct when he was passing.
All of that has been talked about for McCoy's time in Cleveland. I wonder how it is that many fans discredit McCoy with a body of evidence in terms of weapons and protections that shouts out the inequity Colt McCoy had to deal with. Yet when comparisons are made, such as in this article, young McCoy holds his own and then some. Personally I thing H&H biggest blunder since coming to Cleveland was this off season, as they have been very slow to defend their QB, or give him much support publicly as the rumors and suggestions from every corner on how and with whom they can develop a competitive team offense.
The good news I think is it is a real stretch to think Tannehill would be considered at the #4 overall pick by the Browns brain trust. That is not going to occur. He is a project QB and that does not translate into the #4. I always forget the guys name, but hell we have a 3rd string QB already that brings most of what this kid brings to the table.
Stay the course4, get some weapons and protection and McCoy will settle the doubts plaguing him at this time. If he is unable to demonstrate him being a solid starter by the end of the season, than start pushing the panic button......bc
March 19, 2012 at 11:33 AM
So you would rather mortgage the future, grab someone like RG111, bring him to Cleveland, and have the same results as you had with McCoy. Sorry but that would leave the Browns in their stupor for another few years. Any progress that has been made will go down the tubes as we would not be able to get any top flight talent in the draft, leaving the fans, me included, screaming out in frustration.
Look at what has begun with our Defense. three more players and we have a solid D. Make us better on stopping the run and getting a consistent pass rush. I think we will be better in those two areas this season but we are surely not there just yet. That said, lets see what H&H can pull off with an emphasis on Offense this draft. I expect to see a bunch of progress in 2012.............bc
March 19, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Thanks BC--wonderful comment, informative and to the point--hell--if you had made it a tad longer, I would have published it as an article--hahaha---thanks for weighing in!!!!
March 19, 2012 at 11:49 AM
An NFL Qualified QB would have to come from the draft, or a trade. No way does a free agent QB sign in Cleveland with the issues the team has with respect to time to pass and the protection that could be expected. So basically we would have a rookie QB, or a castoff from another team such as Kolb. But until Cleveland can field a competitive team, I don't expect any one of significance wanting to sign here. Unless the Browns want to over pay significantly, we either get a rookie or a second rate QB.
If McCoy had all kinds of pro bowlers in front of him, you would see some very good QB play with his. His detractors will be surprised at what he does. Look at the year before last when the Kid came in and did ok, as he had more time and had to run for his life less often. Than last year, people want to say he regressed, when he never had a much of a chance to get set to throw. He was off balance most plays that he was passing the ball on. Maybe he does ok, and maybe not. But the lack of talent around him speaks volumes when it comes to success or failure on the field. Lets see what happens this season. If he is as bad as his detractors point out, we will have a shot at another highly rated rookie in the next draft.........bc
March 19, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Exactly BC--the book is still out on McCoy. Once he has adequate tools surrounding him we will whether to run with him or close the book!
March 20, 2012 at 5:01 AM
BC,
That has to be one of the fairest, honest & most accurate evaluations that I have ever read.
Thanks,
BTW- PLEASE no Tannehill..... unless you can resurrect Johnny Unitas just fix the many other problems and see what happens.
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