We alluded to this a few times, but we need to emphasize it, given that Browns quarterback Brady Quinn won’t be playing quarterback tomorrow.
Quinn could be losing a lot of money by not playing.
His 2007 holdout focused on the money the former Notre Dame quarterback would earn once he became the starter. Complicating matters was his plunge to No. 22 in the first round of the draft; Quinn approached the negotiations under the assumption that he should have been drafted much higher than that.
So the deal that eventually was done tied a lot of the money to playing time. And, due in part to the holdout, Quinn has yet to achieve the minimum thresholds required to unlock the big money.
This year, he needs to take 70 percent of the snaps in order to unlock a $5 million salary escalator in 2010 and a $5.9 million salary escalator in 2011. (He also would earn a $1.32 million incentive payment by taking 45 percent of the snaps.)
So if he misses a total of roughly five games, the $10.9 million disappears. (He can still earn the $5.9 million for 2011 by taking 70 percent of the snaps in 2010.)
Given the revolving-door approach that coach Eric Mangini already is employing, there’s a chance that Quinn will get another chance. But it needs to happen fairly soon — and then Quinn needs to hold the job.
As we suggested in our most recent SportingNews.com 10-Pack, the Browns should trade either Derek Anderson or Quinn in order to give one of them the best chance to play without having to look constantly over his shoulder whenever throwing an incomplete pass or an interception.
Assuming that Mangini would be able to resist the urge to bench the guy who remains in favor of Brett Ratliff.
Without triggering the escalators, Quinn will pocket a little over $2 million in 2009 and the same amount in 2010. It’s hardly chump change, but it could end up being more than $12 million less than he otherwise could have earned.
Mike Florio says:
“Quinn approached the negotiations under the assumption that he should have been drafted much higher than that”……..At least he did sign, which means the only thing he has proven in his pro career is that he has more brains than Micheal Crabtree.
“Now I’m done”!
He sure is.
Gee, I wonder what the appeal of those commercials will be with the guy holding a clipboard? Wait, he has always held a clipboard, outside of a few games.
Nevermind.
Browns QB under Mangenius will always look over his shoulder, unless he is Brett Favre.
Due to soreness Brett Favre can’t look over his shoulder anyways, which is fine because Mangenius is by his, umm, groin.
That’s the problem. Guys like Quinn, Leinart and Reggie Bush all came from “name programs” at the college level. So they get these endorsement deals before every doing a thing on the field. And the media keeps propping them up in the limelight. It’s as if they want to keep promoting them even when they are mediocre or flat out stink.
I saw NBC run their highlights of all the games a couple of weeks ago, and they showed one play from each game. Saints-Eagles? Despite defensive TD’s and Brees hitting guys all over the place, the highlight was some garbage time 4th quarter TD by Reggie Bush. Ridiculous. They just want to keep hyping these names even though they are afterthoughts in real NFL games.
That being said, the Browns should keep Quinn on the bench and save the money. Why trigger those payments when he won’t help you win a single game? He hasn’t earned any of it.
In all fairness, why the hell did they ever bench Derek Anderson. You know the Browns led the league last year in drops. A couple key catches in games and they win a few more, may still have Romeo Crennell, and no one would be talking Brady Quinn…whos overrated anyways, always was. Miami may have wasted their pick on Ted Ginn when they needed a QB, but they knew Quinn was not the answer.
Brady Quinn: epic failure in pro football.
The dude peaked in college. He needs to go into real estate or insurance. Seriously.s
Bengals 30 Browns 9
Quinn isn’t performing well “due in part to the holdout”? Florio’s got to take a cheap shot at an ancient holdout, although that’s totally irrelevant in this case.
Don’t I remember hearing from this site that the Browns should start Quinn because of the money they’ve invested in him? Now are we hearing that they’ll save money by not starting him? Is there any consistent, cohesive view of the situation?
Why should the Browns trade one or the other of the QBs if they don’t know which one is best yet? Dumb.
This is supposed to be an insider rumormill site. Can we please hear more about what Browns insiders feel about Ratliff? Why isn’t he playing? That’s a real story.
Have you considered the possiblity that maybe the $12 million dollars is the reason for the benching?
If I was Randy Lerner at this point I would order Eric Mangini to bench Quinn. The team is 0-3. It is one thing to spend the money for a playoff run, but even if the coach thinks Quinn gives the team a better chance to win, as the owner I would save the $12 million if all it is is the difference between a 2-14 season or a 3-13 season.
Username – No, he sucks. That is the reason for the benching.
If neither guy shows they can move the offense and score points I wouldn’t be surprised if Brett Ratliff got a crack at starting, and I wouldn’t be shocked if Quinn and Anderson were outta town next season in place of a QB of Mangini’s choosing. Because he inherited these 2 guys, we dont know if he actually likes either of them.
I’ve been a Browns fan for 35 years. This is worse than the 99 expansion team. The 99 expansion team could have beaten this sorry bunch of A-holes.
Fact is, Anderson is the better quarterback…and that ain’t saying much. Anderson has the ability to have a great game from time to time and should get us 2 wins this year. It’s a hell of a lot better than 0-16 with Quinn. Good god, how bad is this team that I am praying for a 2 win season?
So – save some money.
Keep the mensch on the bench and tell him and his agent that they got something to prove.
Just remember my fellow Browns fans… It’s always darkest before dawn.
Quinn should ask for a trade!
Are you suggesting Cleveland ownership would start the guy who saves them the most money? Shocking!
daffy87
do you really think Mangini is going to be in Cleveland next year?
I doubt it
As for the Quinn/Anderson debate…… I don’t understand why it is a debate in the first place…. I mean look what Anderson did in 2007, I mean yeah he stunk it up in ’08 but there is probably some reason we don’t know about…. I say start Anderson until he forces the benching, then take Quinn and package him with another player/picks and get someone they need – RB? defensive playmaker?
Not that I really care, just my 2 cents
HAIL SKINS!
…so, can we bring Kelly Holcomb back yet?