I'm sure this is going to spur a lot of debate — and, I welcome it wholeheartedly. Please, tell me if you agree, if you think I'm nuts, or who you think could have been great if only they had been given a fair shot.
Anyone who knows me can probably guess who's on this list. It won't come as a surprise to many. Before you read further, let me just clarify: I am a Browns fan first and foremost, even if I am/was a fan of these players. They don't play for the Browns anymore, so I cannot root for them.
You may just think I'm bitter (coincidentally, these are the only three players who's jerseys I have ever owned). And, you may be right. But, in my opinion, these players were almost set up to fail in Cleveland.
This is obvious to anyone who knows me or has read The Blawg Pound the past few years. It's no secret that I was a big fan of Brady Quinn.
I'm a Notre Dame fan also, and watched Quinn play all throughout his collegiate career. I saw him win games for the Irish, despite a sub-par offensive line and a mediocre defense.
I just knew he'd fit in well with the Browns and I was ecstatic when we drafted him. I don't think I have to go into detail on how I truly believe Quinn was mismanaged here in Cleveland and never truly given a chance to succeed (you can read past Blawg posts to know how I really feel).
Another guy I watched play in college, Faine was an outstanding center for the Irish. Many couldn't believe the Browns drafted him in the first round — but I could. And, believe me, as a Notre Dame fan and a former center myself, I was happy the Browns got him.
Though small for an NFL lineman, Faine was quick, tough and smart. He was the kind of leader our struggling O-line needed — if only he had been given a chance to lead.
Unfortunately, he was traded to the Saints where he earned a spot as an alternate for the Pro Bowl.
Couch was the first pick of the Draft for the expansion Browns. He was supposed to be the guy we built our new franchise around.
Unfortunately, the Browns didn't know what they were doing. First, they threw the rookie into the fire way too early (umm, first game). Then, they proceeded to change the offensive scheme ever year.
When Butch Davis took over and the offensive scheme stayed consistent for two straight years, Couch really excelled. He led the Browns to their only playoff appearance in the new era, but unfortunately for him, he was injured toward the end of the season.
Enter one-hit-wonder Kelly Holcomb, and wise old Butch decided the two should compete for the job the next season.
I still contend that, if Couch would have been drafted by the Eagles or the Vikings, and McNabb or Culpepper would have been taken by Cleveland, things would have turned out completely different for the former Kentucky Wildcat.
Go Browns!
Quinn would have gotten more of a shot had he not 1) engaged in a protracted, bitter, and ill-advised holdout as a rookie, and 2) settled for a contract heavy on playing-time incentives that the team was none-too-eager to let him meet without him proving that he was worth it, which he didn't.
ReplyDeleteHow was Faine not given a chance to lead? For three years, he started every gamed he was healthy enough to play in, which was only 75% of them. Maybe you're right, but you didn't make any case for your assertion. He was deemed expendable after the Browns signed what every sensible observer agreed was a better player in free agency.
Your Couch analysis is better, but the anti-Holcomb snark is a bit much. KH had more 300-yard passing games as a Brown in just 13 starts than Couch did in 59.