Playing the “what if” game. How Manning can help the Cleveland Browns.

The 2012 off-season has kicked off with a bang, and there is still yet even more to come with free agency just around the corner. And the biggest question facing the league right now is what colors will the four-time MVP Payton Manning wear at the beginning of the 2012 season?

But the intriguing thing about the Manning question is that it not only effects the team he signs with, it also will have a dramatic impact on Matt Flynn, Jason Campbell, and the 2012 draft. So let us gander into the crystal ball at a scenario in which Manning helps the Browns.

First and foremost as much as we would love to see Manning wearing a classic Browns jersey we must be honest with ourselves. The Browns have nothing to offer the former Colt that would entice him to come play here. And GM Tom Heckert has stated that the team has no plans to pursue Manning anyway. Furthermore Heckert also stated that the Browns are unlikely to seek a high profile quarterback in free agency this year (aka Matt Flynn), but the prospect of drafting a quarterback has not been ruled out namely Baylor’s Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III.

So here is the scenario I can see playing out in the next few days and weeks ahead leading to the draft. First Manning signs with the Dolphins. They have the cap room and an owner willing to spend the money to bring Payton to South Beach (Not to mention Payton owns a summer home there.). Owner Stephen M. Ross will do anything to bring Manning to Miami even if that means signing Payton before his rehab is complete.

Second the Redskins who wind up losing out in the Manning derby offer a king’s ransom to Matt Flynn the former Green Bay backup QB and bring him to Washington. This is a team with an owner in Daniel Snyder who has no qualms about paying top dollar for talent in free agency. And by losing out on Manning they will not want to risk losing Flynn as well. They do hold the 8th overall pick in the upcoming draft but it is unlikely they give up everything to move up to the 2nd overall pick currently owned by the Rams to grab RGIII.

Next the third best QB in free agency will sign with Seattle. Jason Campbell was putting together a great season with the Oakland Raiders before a broken collarbone ended his 2011 season. Campbell is a solid quarterback who has shown he can lead a team. And with the Seahawks lacking in confidence with current starter Tavaris Jackson, while also losing out in the Manning derby will jump at the chance to grab Campbell. The Seahawks also have the 12th overall selection in the draft but it is unlikely they make a move to trade up to number two slot. The Rams (No 2 pick) have many holes to fill and would likely not drop down that far in the first round. It is no Secret that Jeff Fisher is targeting either Justin Blackmon the wide receiver from Oklahoma State, or Matt Kalif the offensive tackle from USC.  Chances are that both prospects are off the draft board by the time Seattle picks. But the Seahawks could get Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill at pick number twelve.

So this has set the table for the Cleveland Browns. They have been the likely candidate to move up to the second overall pick held by the Rams in order to draft RG3. This has been the assumption by most draft analysts due to the fact that Cleveland has the most ammunition to trade up with their two first round picks(2nd & 22nd). But reports have been leaked to the media that the browns have also stated that they are unlikely or unwilling to use both first-round picks to move up. If however the above moves take place the Browns will likely not have to give up much to move up and grab RGIII. If that ends up being the case the browns will probably pick up a wide receiver with their 22nd pick like Kendall Wright from Baylor, or Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech. Either selection will provide a much needed improvement to the Browns receiver corp.

So grab your decoder rings, enigma machines, and perhaps a deck of tarot cards and play along. The next few weeks will likely be the craziest roller coaster ride in NFL off season history.



Written by: Michael W. Youngman

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