Since 1999, the Cleveland Browns have been one of the most inept franchises in the NFL. For those of us who were Browns fans before Art Modell moved the team to Baltimore, the Browns are now an habitual disgrace. Multiple general managers, head coaches, coaching staffs and quarterbacks have led to one of the worst records in the NFL over the last 14 years. Wednesday evening the latest regime, headed by Joe Banner, continued the tear down Mike Holmgren’s roster by trading Trent Richardson to the Indianapolis Colts for the Colts number one draft pick in 2014. With two games into the 2013 season, Browns fans will now start looking forward to the 2014 season. Another blow for one of the most loyal and passionate fan bases in all of sports.
There is no question that this move is to set up the Browns ability to get the highest draft pick possible to select what could be their franchise quarterback. It is apparent that Brandon Weeden is not the answer but my concern is whether or not Banner and Company have the ability to select the guy to lead this team to the playoffs and ultimately the Super Bowl.
My problem with the trade is that there is a pretty good chance that the Browns would have had a top five pick in the 2014 draft. Most experts have indicated that the upcoming draft will have better quarterback prospects than what was available in 2013. If Johnny Manziel comes out, there would be him, Teddy Bridgewater, Tajh Boyd, and Brett Hundley. At number five or higher, the Browns would have the ability to get a quarterback and still have Richardson.
Instead, despite what Banner says, the Browns have flushed this season down the toilet. How do guys like Joe Thomas, D’Qwell Jackson and Joe Haden go out and play hard when they know that management has thrown in the towel before week 3 of the season? Why would season ticket holders go to games for the rest of the season?
I had an inkling that something was up when Banner traded draft picks at the 2013 draft for picks in 2014. Basically that was a sign that they were bailing on the 2013 season. This trade is the final piece for one of the biggest tank jobs I have ever seen. While there are some good QB prospects in 2014, there is no Andrew Luck or RG III. To pull the plug like this after only two games is a slap in the face to the season ticket holders and corporate sponsors of this team with no guarantee that they are going to get it right in picking a franchise quarterback.
Banner and Company have not earned the trust of Browns fans who have been burned by the likes of Holmgren, Butch Davis, Phil Savage and Carmen Policy. How much more can the fans take? While I understand the need to get a franchise quarterback, they could have still had the ability to get that franchise quarterback. Banner is on the clock. If he doesn’t get it right, the countdown for the next regime will begin during the 2014 season.
Thanks for reading. Feel free to leave your comments below. Yaou can follow me on twitter – @tonytalkssports. You can also follow the site while you are at it – @lastwordonsport.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? If so, check out our “Join Our Team” page to find out how.
Football fans…check out our two partnered NFL podcasts – Thursday Night Tailgate Radio and Overtime Ireland. Both shows bring you interesting commentary, critical analysis and fantastic guests including former and current NFL players, coaches and personalities.
