Brady Quinn Gets Second Chance In Denver

It was a rocky road from the beginning. If his hometown Browns truly wanted to build their franchise around him three years ago they would have made him their premier draft choice and selected players able to help him succeed in Cleveland. But with no go to receiver, a disgruntled tight end, a running back system that was one of the worst in the league and a change of coaches midway through his developmental stage, Quinn could hardly be looked at as the template of how to develop the modern day quarterback.

Now he is on to greener pastures, where he can sit behind an experienced veteran like Kyle Orton and learn Josh McDaniels’ offense from scratch. Quinn also brings a ‘face’ quality to the Broncos franchise, something they have been missing since the days of John Elway. Brandon Marshall is a outstanding player who can change a game with the ball in his hands but by no means do you want to put a man with past run-ins with the law and the frequency to throw temper tantrums toward the coaching staff on a billboard promoting season tickets.

Quinn no longer faces the expectations of reviving a franchise that has been mired in sub-mediocrity for decades. He can go to the mountains with the peace of mind that he is there to be the understudy for a talented young team that doesn’t need him to produce right away. Unless Peyton Hillis becomes John Riggins, the Browns draft the next Tom Brady in the 2011 sixth round and use the conditional pick in 2012 to find a shut down corner from a small school, the risk the Broncos took was relatively low. And considering McDaniels’ pedigree he is more than willing to take on a highly regarded quarterback that other coaches haven’t necessarily been able to get consistent production out of.

Quinn’s work ethic has never been a question but his ability to hit receivers in stride and make plays out of nothing has been. McDaniels’ offense is base on a solid running attack combined with big pass plays that keep the opposition on their toes. Quinn may fit better in this type of system as opposed to a Clevelnad offense that had no identity whatsoever.

Former Browns’ quarterback Derek Anderson’s sentiments that the city of Cleveland doesn’t deserve a winner may have been a bit harsh but the way the front office has handled the players over the past five years suggests that they simply don’t know what it takes to build a winning organization in a football-crazed city.

Now that Quinn has been given the ability to start over, we can truly judge whether or not he was worthy of a first round selection after leaving Notre Dame. Critics will point to his lack or accuracy and inability to avoid sacks, but you try throwing to dismal receivers while being chased by hulking lineman with split seconds to make a decision. We are not Brady Quinn apologists but the verdict is still out.

Te one thing we do know: Jake Delhomme is not the answer to Cleveland’s problems.