The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Commentary: Browns need new QB once again

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves
7:38 a.m.
Lost chances cost Cougars
5/25/12
Badin advances to regional final
5/25/12
West hopes to keep winning
5/25/12
Is third time the charm for senior?
5/25/12
> More sports headlines

By Sean McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 8:00 PM Friday, December 23, 2011

Guess where Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Heisman Trophy winner, has been landing in mock drafts?

Yes, whether he likes it or not, analysts are marrying Griffin to the Cleveland Browns, who are threatening to finish 4-12 and once again be positioned to select a top quarterback prospect.

In 2004, they had a chance to draft Ben Roethlisberger but took tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. instead because head coach Butch Davis needed to win to save his job and, well, they did have Jeff Garcia.

In 2005, after Davis was fired, they could have had Aaron Rodgers, but GM Phil Savage saw wisdom in drafting receiver Braylon Edwards No. 3 overall, signing Trent Dilfer in free agency and grooming third-round pick Charlie Frye. Savage no longer works for the Browns, nor do those players.

In 2009, they could have taken Mark Sanchez but Eric Mangini traded the No. 5 overall pick for the No. 21 pick (center Alex Mack) and a passel of faceless, mediocre Jets. Mangini no longer works for the Browns.

This time, even if they have yet to rule out Colt McCoy as the long-term answer, the Browns need to draft a quarterback early. Ideally, they should overwhelm the Indianapolis Colts (or St. Louis Rams) with an offer for the No. 1 pick and take Stanford’s Andrew Luck. Failing that, Griffin (assuming he doesn’t go back to school, horrified by the prospect of joining a luckless, downtrodden team) would be a logical fall-back option.

Let the debate begin. Why not? Draft talk is almost always the most interesting part of a Browns year anyway.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland @DaytonDailyNews.com.

Share this article