Hey, Quinn has finally signed. I didn't really care or mind the holdout -- it just wasn't crucial to the Browns to get Quinn into camp on time. But, of course, if was important to get him into camp in a reasonable amount of time, and this week was the point at which "reasonable" would become "unreasonable." So it's a good thing this is all done and behind us.
A couple random thoughts...
- The holdout didn't spoil the excitement over Quinn in Cleveland; it tempered it. That is a good thing.
Anyone who is upset with Quinn over all this is forgetting one very important fact: The whole gambit to get more money as a QB at #22 was ultimately successful. Sure, he didn't get top 5 money, but he still got a premium and a five-year deal. You shouldn't blame the dude for that (though you can blame this stupid system, if you want to delve into all that). Quinn's holdout was one of the least productive of all time. Now that we can see the real money involved, it's basically the same deal he could have gotten a couple weeks ago. Only now he's lost a couple weeks. Oh well...
- A 5-year deal... this is the major concession by the Browns. Since he won't start this year (so help me), and Quinn was "next year's 1st round pick," then I could have seen the argument for the Browns to insist he sign a longer deal.
- But a 5 year deal favors the Browns on a guy like Quinn. It lowers the bonus money somewhat, and it means Quinn's contract won't be a factor if he flames out and the team parts ways with him.
- And the Browns still come out ahead on the whole "Quinn is our 2008 1st Rounder" deal in terms of salary -- which is much lower than whatever guy we would have picked in the first round in 2008.
- Also, this whole deal will be a modest improvement as far as the salary cap goes. You can't afford to pay top 10 picks every year.
- Somebody has to explain to me why top draft picks aren't in their NFL city while contracts get negotiated. I guess because it is hard to workout properly without being at a training facility? That's the only reason I can think of. I mean, surely Quinn has bought or leased a residence here, right?
- And wouldn't it have been much cooler if, instead of a contract being reported in the press, Quinn himself signaled an agreement by walking out onto the practice field in Berea? Oh well, it's not of much consequence.
- The fans who've been constantly posting to the Watercooler ripping on Quinn and complaining about him... well, I'm happy this can end. Even though it won't.
- The fans who will now commence calling for Quinn to start... well, just remember he, uh, can't start because he's just missed too much time and he's way behind... yeah that's it.
- I'm rooting for Brady. I know it's risky and I wasn't all that high on him for the #3 pick, but for September 2008, man, I am all there. In the meantime let's see WImbley, Winslow, Edwards, Bodden, Pool, Jones, Wright, Davis, Jackson, Smith(s), Thomas, Steinbech establish a truly competitive core.
- Grow the hair back.
I'm encouraged by Charlie Frye's attitude regarding Brady Quinn coming into camp. I heard on the radio Frye say (paraphrase), "When someone is competing behind you, it makes you do things you didn't know you were capable of." That's exactly the right frame of mind to have. It has the added bonus of being entirely true.
Then again, Frye's attitude never has seemed to be the problem.