Dawgbeat

Season's preview edition, the gameplan

by Eric Brown

07/31/2007

      The season is a little more than a month away and training camp is in full swing. Brady Quinn is unsigned after six practices so we will basically consider him a non-factor in 2007. Other than Quinn and LeCharles Bentley, Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel have a full compliment of talented players to head into the 2007 season at their fingertips. The challenge for Crennel is to quickly get a feel for his starting team and get them playing with as much cohesiveness as possible before September 9th against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

      This leads me to what should be Crennel's gameplan for 2007. Give the starters, including Charlie Frye as much work as needed in the pre-season games so that when Week One arrives some resemblance of a prepared football team takes the football field at CBS, and not the team in Black and Gold. At this point I would set my offensive line early on in training camp and let them become familiar with eachother. I prefer to see Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Hank Fraley (if Bentley is healthy and productive in the pre-season than insert him here), Ryan Tucker and Kevin Shaffer from left to right. I also like the combination of Isaac Sowells and Kelly Butler on the right side, but another year of learning may benefit they and the Browns best. Give Jamal Lewis some reps in preseason but no more than three or four carries behind this line each game. This will keep him fresh and healthy. Get the offensive line in sync, and the running game fresh for the season as this will be our bread and butter. I believe Lewis is in for a very big season behind a much improved offensive line. The offensive line and running game may be what brings this team back to respectability. Jerome Harrison and Jason Wright can provide sparks of excitement with their shiftiness and speed and may be a perfect compliment to the power running of Lewis, and potential Lewis-clone, Lawrence Vickers.

      My plan for the quarterbacks is this: In the first pre-season game the leader in the quarterback competition will play three quarters and have the chance to display his ability with the potential starting unit. Mix in your backups and reserves sporadically over those three quarters after a rythm is established. I don't care if it's against the other teams second or third units, this team needs confidence and cohesiveness. In game two the other quarterback gets his opportunity to display his ability with the starting unit for three quarters. Again mixing in the reserves after some rythm is displayed. In game three you should have a decent idea about who your starting quarterback is. In game three that quarterback gets two, maybe three quarters with your third and/or fourth quarterbacks finishing off the game. In the fourth pre-season game, the starters play two to three series and then get rested for the 2007 season. This is an important season for the Browns, as there is enough talent on this team to start to win football games. The development of the back end of this roster isn't as important as developing cohesiveness with the starting units. You can probably argue that forty of the teams roster spots are secure, with about ten to fifteen still up for grabs.

       Defensively, I think the Browns are a bit ahead of the offense and may not need as much time on the field in pre-season as the offense. Starters like Willie McGinest, Ted Washington, Andra Davis, and Orpheus Roye do not need as much work as some of the younger, key future starters do. I would like to see a base defense of Shaun Smith, Robaire Smith, and Ethan Kelley on the defensive line, with Antwan Peek, Kamerion Wimbley, Dqwell Jackson, and Leon Williams get alot of playing time to let them get comfortable together. The secondary needs a little more time together. The loss of Brian Russell means that their will be a new leader in the secondary and that individual must step up in a hurry. Leigh Bodden, Sean Jones, Brodney Pool, Eric Wright, Gary Baxter (if healthy), Daven Holly, and Kenny Wright could all be potential leaders. This unit really needs some time to gel together and learn eachothers characteristics. I would let them play together as much as the offense, at least three quarters the first two games.

       In review, if I were Crennel I would establish my offensive line early on in training camp, and build cohesiveness so that come game one, my running game is clearly noticeable as the trademark of the team. The quickest way to win football games in the NFL is to have a good, cohesive offensive line that allows you to run the football consistently. The second way to win football games in the NFL is to have a solid, capable defense that doesn't allow big plays. Developing my secondary in the preseason and letting the key players become familiar with one another is the key to not giving up big plays in pass defense. So here's to a healthy, fun pre-preseason and lots of winning in 2007.

Opportunity slip, slip, slipping away. Letter to Brady Quinn

by Eric Brown

07/30/2007

      Get up Brady.  Brady Quinn wake up. Your agent is quickly ruining what little relationship you were starting to build with Cleveland Brown fans. Your also ruining whatever chance you might have had to be the Browns starter on opening day. You see, if you haven't done your research, Romeo Crennel isn't all that fond of rookies, especially ones that aren't in camp on time. Ask Braylon Edwards or Travis Wilson.  Time and time again you stated your desire to be a Cleveland Brown, if you're serious then tell your agent to get the contract done and be there for practice on Monday night.

      Charlie Frye is quickly assuming control of the offense while Derek Anderson is providing the perfect opportunity for you to slide in and have a chance. It's been said that the competition will come down to two quarterbacks heading into the first pre-season game with a starter named before the all important third game. Don't think you can stroll in a week before the first game and expect to make so much of an impact that you will blow Crennel away and make you the starter. While possible, Crennel will just not let that happen. You'll be lucky to even get in the first prseason game if that scenario plays out. 

      You have now missed five practices and five days of rookie orientation.  The other three quarterbacks are there working their tails off and learning the system while your agent has you sitting home haggling over money. I'm truly sorry that you didn't get drafted in the top five, but the fact is you didn't, and now it's time to move on and prove the 21 teams that passed on you wrong. It's not doing the Browns (the team you have said you desire to play for and turn the franchise around) or you any good to bicker over guarranteed money that you think you deserve. Get out there on the field and prove that you deserve the money. In the day and age of offensive guards getting six year thirty-six million dollar contracts for mediocre performance, I'm sure that if you are as talented and NFL ready as you say you are you'll make the money up in an extension or in free agency.

      The fans are the real ones that suffer for your greed. Some fans disliked you because of your pretty boy image, your failure to succeed in big games, and some just don't like you because you went to Notre Dame. The majority of fans, though, were excited at what many believe will be the best draft the Cleveland Browns have ever had. So you see, the excited fans are disappointed at the future being disrupted, and the fans that don't like you are now being given ammunition that firms their opinion of you.

       Brady, I personally think you are one heck of a football player, and exactly what the Cleveland Browns franchise needed. You will make more money in endorsements, and contracts than you or your future generations could ever need. Take your draft day freefall like a man and accept a fair contract from the Browns and go play some football and show all your critics that they were wrong about you. Each day that passes by without you in camp are opportunities slipping away.

ENOUGH is ENOUGH

by Eric Brown

07/26/2007

      The 2007 season had all the makings of a Cleveland Browns revival. The offensive line was bolstered in free agency, the team made a huge splash in April's draft, and we kept hearing about the amazing comeback of Gary Baxter and then LeCharles Bentley's possible return. Excitement was abound. Now, exactly one day before veterans report to training camp we seemingly have a huge mess, much like Cleveland Browns Stadium after a country music concert.

      The Cleveland Browns have roughly 22 million in cap space to sign their draft picks. Why then is the excitement from the off-season moves quickly dwindling and turning into a fiasco. Phil Savage, you drafted Joe Thomas at the number three position in the draft, pay him. Phil Savage, you moved up in the draft to get Brady Quinn and Eric Wright, pay them. Were now hearing rumors that Quinn and the Browns are so far off on contract parameters that Quinn may never see a Cleveland Brown uniform. The rumor is that he may hold out of training camp and the holdout could last well into the season as neither side wants to budge from their contract agendas. This could lead to Quinn never signing with the Browns and his rights being traded or he could go back into next years draft pool. Why get the Browns faithful fans excited only to slap them right back in the face.

      Don't misunderstand me, I believe Savage is building a talented roster that could contend for the playoffs and Super Bowls in the not to distant future, but he needs to let go of some of the power he has been afforded and do what he does best, scout. I fear that Randy Lerner is a man without a spine. He let Butch Davis take full control of the football team and we saw how that ended. I see Savage gaining more and more power and it truly scares me. He singlehandedly hired a totally new offensive staff during the 2007 off-season, which needed to be done, but how about some input from your head coach. And if you are that disappointed in your head coach than it was time to move on. A rumor was posted on the OBR that sweeping changes almost came about but Lerner nixed the move. So we now have a general manager with enough power to make changes on the coaching staff and in the roster but not enough to have a coach that he believes in, running the franchise. Savage should stick to what he does best, scouting football players and running the draft. Move over and let someone else handle the contract situations and decide who is calling the plays. Lerner should stick with what he does best, rooting for his team to win. Mr. Lerner, hire a football man for president of this team and let him decide who should coach it. Mr.Savage, scout Northern America and find football players who will take this team back to it's past greatness.

       I'm tired of the same old same old when it comes to football in Cleveland,Ohio. You drafted these guys to put the team back on the national pro football map, sign them and let them play. The fans deserve to see a quality football product on the field. The Cleveland Browns organization needs to have  structure with a balance of power, and that responsibility falls squarely on one man's shoulders, Randy Lerner. Enough is enough already Mr.Lerner, get this ship right or sell it to someone who will make the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Browns again.

R A N D O M  T H O U G H T S

by Eric Brown

07/14/2007

      Without a 2008 first round pick, Phil Savage may be banking on some lower round draft choices and free agents to step up their play and prove they can be solid, legitimate NFL players. This may give Savage some breathing room in moving some veterans who are solid, but not spectacular players for draft picks in the middle rounds. At the top of the list may be Andra Davis. Davis is a solid linebacker, but seems to make tackles three to five yards past the line of scrimmage. Leon Williams showed alot of promise in spot duty in 2006 and is more aggressive than Davis, and a physically impressive specimen. His play in 2006 reminded me of Ray Lewis. If he can step up in training camp, Davis may become expendable if a team would offer a third round pick or higher. Kelly Butler is another player who may be able to step up and become a solid right tackle. With he and Ryan Tucker manning the right tackle position, the team would be free to move Kevin Shaffer for the right price. Nat Dorsey is another mammoth tackle that would fit into Butler's category, but I don't see as much potential in Dorsey. Butler, along with Isaac Sowells may be just what the doctor ordered on the right side of the line for the future. Both are considered strong drive blockers that excel in the running game. Savage may be able to gain a few extra picks in the third of fourth round for Davis and Shaffer, or if a team is desperate because of injury even higher. If I were Savage I would make some phone calls but would only do something if I was getting above the market value, as we have seen in the past depth is valuable. Some other players that may have some value in the 2008 off-season are Gary Baxter and Hank Fraley. If Baxter can prove he is healthy and have a strong 2007 season he could be expendable in 2008 as I see Eric Wright, Leigh Bodden, Daven Holly, DeMario Minter , Brandon McDonald, and Jereme Perry becoming a solid if not spectacular defensive back unit. The unlikely, but now possible return of LeCharles Bentley makes Fraley expendable if Bentley returns to his old pro bowl form. Both of these situations are highly improbable, but we didn't expect what we got from Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards in 2006 either. Chaun Thompson is the last individual that may be wearing new colors soon. Thompson just doesn't seem to fit in to the 3-4 defense and never proved that he was worthy of second round pick status. Thompson may have some value to a team that employs a 4-3 defense, but I wouldn't expect anything more than a sixth round pick for him, especially with his contract expiring after this season.

      The Cavs sure are moving slowly to better themselves during the off-season. I hope Danny Ferry knows what he is doing. Mike Bibby would be a nice addition but Kevin Garnett would be better. It was clear in the finals that Lebron James needed another guy that was capable of taking over a game when he was being over-defensed. Which brings me to another point, It's a long, grueling season LeBron, do you really need to go play for another all-star team. Take some time off and rest and get ready for another run at the championship.

      So the Indians gave Travis Hafner a four year extension worth 60 million dollars. While I'm happy that Larry Dolan decided to give some money to one of our own, I'm a little puzzled by the decision on where he spent the money. Mark Shapiro focused building the team around pitching and the most important player in Shapiro's plan remains unsigned past 2008. C.C. Sabathia is still a young pitcher, yet it seems as though he's been around, winning games for awhile. The experience he has gained at a young age is invaluable and he will only become better. I hope the Tribe decides to shell it out for Sabathia too. Two names: Bobby Jenks and Brad Lidge. Please Shapiro, don't rely on Joe Borowski to close baseball games in October or we'll never see October baseball.

Chip on the shoulder may equal surprise success

by Eric Brown

07/13/2007

      If being talked about in a negative light is what drives players and teams to be successful, than the 2007 Cleveland Browns should have a burning fire lit under them right now. Most media prognosticators have predicted hope for the future, but a season of failure in the win column for the Browns. Each facet of this organization should have an enormous chip on their shoulder heading into the 2007 season.

      Starting with Phil Savage who engineered a trade for the ages when he acquired blue chip quarterback prospect Brady Quinn to add to his franchise left tackle Joe Thomas. Savage then made another trade for Eric Wright, all three of these draft picks may end up being considered the reason Cleveland Browns football returned to dominance. Savage certainly needs these three players to produce quickly to show his plan is heading in the right direction. Romeo Crennel, is a head coach that remembles a dead man walking. Most media outlets predict him as the first head coach to be canned in 2007. Even most Cleveland Browns don't expect him to be around long and are talking about the likelihood of Bill Cowher or Marty Schottenheimer returning to save the franchise. Crennel certainly has something to prove to the football world in 2007 and that may benefit the franchise.

       Quinn, who believed he was worthy of being the first pick of the draft still has a chip on his shoulder from his well documented "free fall" on April 28th. His draft day demise may always be in the back of his mind and raise his level of play to superstar status. Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson have been considered nothing more than marginal talents and according to several preseason magazines, are a part of the worst quarterback situation in the NFL for 2007. (Although I'll never understand how the likes of Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger, as well as Josh McCown and Jamarcus Russell rank higher.) Frye, Anderson, and Quinn certainly have something they want to prove to the NFL.

       Jamal Lewis has been considered as "washed up" by most NFL "experts" during the 2007 off-season. I'm sure Lewis appreciates those kind sentiments toward him. Truth is, Lewis spent one season being out of shape because of his unfortunate incident and spending prime workout months in prison. He also spent the 2006 season with ankle spurs which surgery corrected after the season. He's had a full offseason to keep in shape, rehab the ankle which he proclaims should be 100 per cent by training camp and be ready for a big 2007 campaign. It is my prediction that behind an offensive line that may now rank in the NFL's top ten that Lewis will run for 1600 plus yards and be a candidate for comeback player of the year. Cleveland will not be the only team in pursuit of his services when his contract expires after the 2007 season. And speaking of the offensive line, once considered the weaknesses of the team will now be looking to prove that they are the strength. Jerome Harrison, is still chomping at the bit to prove he is a talent in the same category as Reggie Bush. The 2007 season is a key season for Harrison to step up.

      Braylon Edwards spent the 2006 season running his mouth more than he did with the ball. He was challenged by Crennel and Savage to become a leader on the team. Edwards should be fueled by offseason trade rumors involving him and the lack of respect he has received from Cleveland media. If you think about it, Edwards, coming off major knee surgery, could have taken his paycheck and sat out for most of 2006. Edwards instead chose to work his tail off and try and help the team win. I don't always agree with the way Edwards expresses himself, but you can not question his heart. Tim Carter always seems to be on the brink of becoming a legitimate NFL receiver during training camp and preseason before fizzling outwhen the real bullets fly. The New York Giants gave up on him and most scouts see him as depth or an afterthought in the grand scheme of things in Cleveland. Carter has the talent and now must prove he can produce on a weekly basis. Travis Wilson and Josh Cribbs are other options at receiver that have something to prove if they are to establish themselves as legitimate NFL talent.

      The defensive line is considered an aging veteran group mixed with untalented reserves that is the weakness of the football team. That alone should be enough to drive Orpheus Roye, Ted Washington and Robaire Smith to elevate their play and prove the prognosticators wrong. Simon Fraser, Shaun Smith, Orien Harris, Ethan Kelley, and JVonne Parker are others that aren't given much of a chance to be anything other than role players. In some ways, this defensive line reminds me of the Browns defensive lines of the mid to late eighties. Sam Clancy, Carl Hairston, Bob Golic, Reggie Camp and Al Baker were guys considered near the end of their careers or marginal players that produced just enough so that an excellent linebacking core could make plays. Much like the late eighties, the Browns current squad is extremely talented at the linebacking position. The defensive line has something to prove in 2007 and will be counted on to be a disruptive run stopping force.

      The defensive backfield is another area that has something to prove in 2007. Leigh Bodden, considered one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL by many receivers, is, for the most part unheard of by media outside of Cleveland. Eric Wright was considered a top talent on the football field, but one off-field issue dropped his draft status to the second round area. Wright and Bodden may very well prove to be the best set of cover corners Cleveland has seen since Frank Minnifield and Hanford Dixon. They definitely want to prove to the league that they should be considered legitimate NFL talent. Daven Holly is another player that was seen as a training camp body until last season. Holly made several big plays in 2006 and may really excel in the nickel back role where he will be assigned to teams 3rd and 4th receivers. Holly played well against top talent in 06 and will benefit from his experience. Still, most consider him as a depth player and he wants to prove he is a solid NFL corner. DeMario Minter, Brandon McDonald, and Jereme Perry are three other talented corners that want to separate themselves from being NFL misfits and into the ranks of solid NFL players. Sean Jones took a quantum leap in 2006 as the Brown starting strong safety. Many even believe he was worthy of a pro bowl berth. I tend to agree but the decision would have been clear cut if  a) the Browns were a more successful team, and  b) Jones made key interceptions to seal victories in the latter part of close games. In at least three games last season Jones dropped key interceptions that could have led to the Browns being able to seal a game late in the fourth quarter. One of those games was in a late season matchup against the Steelers. This is a key season for the development of Brodney Pool. Pool has shown flashes of being an impact player but could never do enough consistently to unseat Brian Russell. Russell left for Seattle in free agency and Pool must now prove he was worth the second round pick in 2005.

      Kellen Winslow is another guy that went from being a scorned individual by Cleveland Browns fans to one of the most respected. His hard work and dedication to the game is admired by fans, and his play on the field is something that was sorely missing. Winslow had off season knee surgery to clean up some issues that made it hard for him to walk on non-game days. I have no doubt after seeing the heart he displayed last season, that he will be even better in 2007. Alot of media had written him off for 2007, and again he has to prove he is healthy.

      Two other players that could be key in the Browns 2007 success are guys whose hearts are bigger than their bodies. Gary Baxter and LeCharles Bentley have been through major injuries and at one point both of their futures seemed in doubt.  Now, both Bentley, whose life was even in doubt after a fight with a staph infection, and Baxter have worked hard enough so that they can consider contributing in 2007. They both have something to prove, but mainly to themselves. I am proud to have both of these individuals on the Cleveland Browns football team. I can only hope the spirit that lives in their heart and soul can be mirrored by every other player on this team. I look forward to seeing their hard work off the field translate into victories on the field.

      So many parts of this organization have something to prove and have been discounted as nothing more than a team treading water toward another unsuccessful season. If these players channel their anger from being disrespected into driving them to be successful and win football games, it could very well lead to a surprisingly successful 2007 football season. Here's to winning football in Cleveland again.

An offensive revolution?

by Eric Brown

07/09/2007

DEFINITION:

revolution (rev·o·lu·tion)

-noun

DEFINITION #1

 an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement ...ah, stop right there!

DEFINITION #3

a sudden, complete or marked change in something...hmm comforting!

YOU GET THE PICTURE, RIGHT!

       Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, LeCharles Bentley, Seth McKinney. With the recent announcement that LeCharles Bentley will attempt to play in 2007, this could very well be four-fifths of the Cleveland Browns offensive line come September 9th. Quite a difference from what has been the key weakness in Cleveland Browns football since their return. For those who believe you win football games in the trenches (like most Cleveland Browns football fans do) that feeling you may start to feel on sunday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. is "winning". I know, I know it's wierd and something different for a change, but get used to it. 

       Phil Savage has identified the major problem with this football team and over the past two offseasons done his best to address it. Let's not fault him for the unforseen injuries that took place, he should be praised for lying a foundation for success. As I see it, when teams address their offensive line they suddenly make progress in the win column. The Browns may now have an offensive line they can rely on and give their offense an identity.

        Bentley, is an all-pro calibur center if healthy, his backup, Hank Fraley is a solid performer. Steinbach is also an elite guard that can play center or tackle if needed. While Thomas hasn't played an NFL snap yet, the potential is certainly that of a guy who is expected to be plugged in from day one and be your starter at left tackle for the next ten years. Thomas' potential backup Kevin Shaffer was unspectacular on the left side last season but could really benefit from a move to right tackle where he wouldn't be protecting the quarterback's blindside. In that position in Atlanta, where he blocked for Michael Vick, a left-handed quarterback, Shaffer was starting to come into his own. Ryan Tucker, back from a stint with depression has to be less depressed at the prospects of what his linemates and team can accomplish this year. Seth McKinney was also becoming a solid performer for Miami until a back injury curtailed his progress. The back injury has healed and all indications from mini-camp activity is that the Browns may have found a steal in McKinney. Isaac Sowells, a 2006 fourth-round draft pick has been one of the surprises of mini-camp. He has picked up new offensive coordinator's Rob Chudzinski's offense very well and now is being considered as having a legitimate chance to push McKinney at right guard. Another name you should not forget is Kelly Butler. Chudzinski's offense will feature straight ahead power running and that style may benefit by having Butler at right tackle. Butler is an explosive drive blocker that thrives in the running game. He, along with Sowells may be just what the doctor ordered for the Browns running game on the right side of the line now, and in the future.

      The depth on the line has also been addressed with Fraley, Tucker, Shaffer or Butler, McKinney or Sowells, Lennie Friedman, and Nat Dorsey all fighting for positions on the line. Rob Smith and Fred Matua are also in the mix, but as of yet have done nothing to stand out and make a name for themself. All in all,  this offensive line, if healthy, may be one the NFL's best and deepest. Jamal Lewis should certainly benefit from the attention paid to it and could have a monster season. The quarterback position, whoever should emerge, may also have the luxury of being able to sit in the pocket and pick out one of many capable targets.  Now isn't that a revolution.

THE BRADY QUINN EXPERIENCE

by Eric Brown

07/07/07

      I am writing this article in response to a post in THE OBR'S Orange and Brown Report message board known as "The Watercooler". The post is titled "What gives with the Quinn negativity?" It discusses the reasons why an increasing number of Brown's fans have displayed hatred on the message boards for Brady Quinn. In this article I will try to investigate for myself what the problem is exactly.

     First I will identify the positives, Quinn has in the past two seasons gained invaluable experience from an NFL bred offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. Quinn displayed the necessary attributes to succeed in that offense and put up some draw dropping statistics. NFL scouts have pinned Quinn with the physical tools needed to succeed in the NFL, strong leadership qualities, ability to understand offensive philosophies, and the knack for being able to read defensive strategies. Quinn also is seemingly durable and should be able to stand up against NFL defenses as he has focused on keeping his body in better shape than any quarterback I can recall. Scouts have also labeled him as "coachable" and tirelessly devoted to getting better at what he does. Quinn seems to handle himself properly in public and to portay himself as educated and wholesome.

     Now for the negatives, Quinn did not fare well in the "biggest" games in his college career. Some NFL scouts have questioned his throwing accuracy. I think he might have damaged public perception of him by declaring that he wanted to win the Heisman Trophy, and wanting to be the first pick in the draft, both personal goals. The pretty boy image that he displays is probably another negative in Cleveland Browns fans eyes as this city tends to favor the blue-collar, ugly guy with his face covered in dirt or soot. Browns fans are probably also concerned with past recollections of another pretty boy lableled as a system quarterback that was taken with the first overall pick in 1999, Tim Couch. Painful memories of what Couch became and what ther Browns gave up to get Quinn leaves a feeling of uneasiness in your stomach right now. Hailing from Notre Dame, a school that in Browns fans eyes sits a half a rung under Michigan is also another strike against him.

      In my eyes though, the biggest reason for the lack of respect and love for Quinn is this: he hasn't played a game for the Browns yet! Browns fans will have their opinions on certain players because of how their portrayed in the media. In the end it will all come down to one thing, winning. If the Cleveland Browns win football games with Quinn under center performing well, all negatives will be forgotten.

      In my opinion this was a very wise selection for the Cleveland Browns for many reasons. The Browns have been treading water since their return for an answer at the quarterback position. Quinn is a legitimate talent, handles himself admirably in public, and like it or not is a face the national media will cling to if the Browns are successful. If successful, he is the perfect face to lead the organization out of the dark and back to NFL prominence. The way that I see the Browns decision to trade up and draft him made sense both on the field in a football sense, and off the field from a marketing standpoint.

     Just for kicks, I would like to try and answer to the negatives in reference to Quinn. The fact that he didn't perform well in the biggest games in college is attributed to the lack of talent around him at Notre Dame. Jeff Samardzija was a talented ballplayer but even he knew his best chance to succeed as a professional athlete was as a major league pitcher. Sure he would have been a first round NFL pick but his average speed and thin frame may or may not have led to a short career in the NFL. Darius Walker, Quinn's main threat in the backfield wasn't even drafted. Not to mention the offensive line in front of him where the most notable contributor Ryan Harris could do no better than a third round selection. For those scouts that questioned his accuracy, they must have looked at some of the "highlight" film clips that were produced on Quinn. Admittedly when I saw most of the notable media outlets films on him I came away unimpressed also. But then I found this one: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJgmeEH1lrE), it better displays Quinn's talents. As for as his public proclamations of wanting to win this, or be that, I think he could've probably kept those goals to himself and been better served, but what the heck he's just a young, excited kid. The pretty boy image that Quinn gives off is something that really can't be helped, God blessed the kid with good looks, so be it. Quinn plays as tough as nails, aggressive and with a drive to be a winner. In response to comparisons to Tim Couch and being a system quarterback I will say this; Weis' "system" worked pretty well in the NFL and in a lot of ways Rob Chudzinski's offense will resemble what Weis did with the Patriots. Short, quick, intermediate passes to the teams playmakers, Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, and Joe Jurevicius are something to get used to. Quinn has more ability to read a defense and absorb an offense than Tim Couch could ever dream of. The last point I want to make is that giving up a number one pick next year will not seem that bad in January of 2008 when we have a much better feeling about a team that "surprised" prognosticators with a 10-6 record and a wildcard berth under Quinn's steady play. After the season we won't give a second though to the deficiencies of Brian Brohm, Colt Brennan, or Chad Henne because we already have our quarterback of the future.