Browns are thinking about a RG3 deal, not a Kaepernick trade

AP

The Browns may not have a quarterback at the moment, but they appear to have at least settled in on a direction toward obtaining one.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Browns officials told their local reporters that they were working on the possibility of a deal with free agent quarterback Robert Griffin III, and that any trade talks regarding Colin Kaepernick seem to have cooled.

Executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said they were moving forward with the possibility of signing Griffin, through a move wasn’t imminent.

They’ve been gathering information about the former Washington quarterback since his visit, and it’s clear they see him as an easier add than Kaepernick.

Of Kaepernick, Brown the team isn’t actively talking with the 49ers “and at this point we don’t anticipate being engaged with San Francisco.”

Brown also said their interest was “over-reported,” and that any talks never got to the point of renegotiating a contract or draft pick compensation.

Of course, the Browns are still expected to use the No. 2 overall pick in the draft on a quarterback, so narrowing their focus toward a free agent instead of someone who would have to be traded for might simply be expedience. They can sign Griffin by simply calling his agent, and not worry about coming off with another pick, and dealing with existing contractual entanglements.

94 responses to “Browns are thinking about a RG3 deal, not a Kaepernick trade

  1. If you sign him and still draft a QB…lookout, it’ll be the RGIII and Kirk Cousins thing all over again, only without Kirk this time…

  2. Neither of them will help the team much. RG3 is much cheaper but is so fragile, at this point I dont see him lasting the pre-season. Kaepernick is a better player but his asking price of 12M is too high, and they would have to give up picks. I am surprised Fitzpatrick hasn’t got a deal, he is the best QB left by far. Maybe he wants Cousins money or something.

  3. Folks… don’t try and bash the Browns for this. They haven’t had a quality qb in almost two decades. The main focus, at all times, should be to bring in as many qb’s as humanly possible that have even a remote chance of being a quality starter. I would think a former Rookie of the Year isn’t a bad place to start.

    They should then draft one at #2 and maybe even draft another one at #32. Why not?

    Exhaust all options!

  4. GREAT -the Black & Blue Division will be a “perfect” fit for a guy that’s already shredded a knee – Good Luck RG3 – you might consider a supplemental health insurance plan before you sign on the dotted line….

  5. He is a free signing (no compensation, friendly contract). At worst he fails and we go back to McCown. At best, he starts for a couple of years while Goff/Wentz develop in the background. No brainer, get it done.

    To the above, we’ll draft high again regardless. We’re gutted back to an expansion team. Cleaning out past failed regimes. Probably 3 down years before we think of looking up so this is a process of rebuilding. Hopefully the analytics stuff works.

  6. Browns always overthink everything. Draft the best qb in the draft and move on with him.

  7. If I were the browns, I would sign RG3, knowing he’s not the solution, but spend your picks and money for talent to put around a QB you draft in 2-3 years.

    Its better to have the pieces together and then put a guy in (Big Ben, Flacco, Matt Ryan, A Aron Rodgers, etc.) than to draft your guy, have him underprotected and with inferiors weapons and no D or run game to speak of, and them blame him for Failure.

    RG3 has already been put through the wringer – let him take some lumps for the next 2-3 years as your build around him, and THEN draft a guy if RG3 hasn’t panned out.

  8. Why use the #2 pick on a QB if you can get RG3 and he’s still able to produce somewhat? Shore up your offensive line or defense. Stop randomly picking QBs hoping they stick.

  9. Not a bad move, I’m not a Browns fan but would like to see them have success for the long suffering fan base.

    I would also like to see them draft best player available at the #2 pick versus reaching for a QB.

    Could be a bridge into next years draft which they will pick high once again.

    Raiders got Carr in the 2nd….hope is alive.

  10. The “Black and Blue Division” is the NFC North.
    The Browns play in the AFC North.

  11. GREAT -the Black & Blue Division will be a “perfect” fit for a guy that’s already shredded a knee – Good Luck RG3 – you might consider a supplemental health insurance plan before you sign on the dotted line…

    _________________________________________

    so the ravens shouldn’t bother with Flacco anymore either? his knee was shredded last year

  12. i’m just not feeling this match from either perspective. no line, lost receivers, no protection, and no knees…………..just a “bad” overall combination.

  13. kneedragr says:
    Mar 21, 2016 9:31 AM

    Neither of them will help the team much. RG3 is much cheaper but is so fragile, at this point I dont see him lasting the pre-season. Kaepernick is a better player but his asking price of 12M is too high, and they would have to give up picks.

    When you look it quarterbacks making more than 12 million, anyone that thinks Kaep isn’t worth 12 million will never pass a drug test.

  14. I think hue Jackson can reach RG3. Whether it means pro bowl level but if the Browns can live with 5 then 7 and then maybe playoffs in the third year and work on baby steps they might be buying low selling high. They have he fan base regardless of their record. They come out.

    Hue Jackson is not an ahh shucks coach he will dig deep to find out what and who you are. I think if they can draft responsible make trades to go down in areas they have a winner in. A few years. All the other teams in the division might be at the top but if the Browns can build they might be the team in 3 years. This is where I think Haslam believes let’s keep this guy even if there are growing pains.

    Hue probably went in and told Haslam were losing all these guys watch, and now Thomas will be traded and who knows about Gordon but I will get you there but let me do my thing and it will work.

    He’ll be made the Raiders .500 and the only time in the last 14 years. And could have made the playoffs in 2011. So i think he is a solid guy we just have to see if these fantasy league upper management personnel people can do what they are supposed to do. #hue-Brisnomore

  15. Browns are thinking about a RG3 deal, not a Kaepernick trade
    =========================
    Sounds like a lose/lose situation

  16. Hold on here. The same exact people saying “same ol’ Browns” were the same people screaming and yelling that the Browns didn’t do enough to draft this guy. I see a pattern of Browns bashing that seems like will just continue to happen regardless of any moves this team makes.

    The only way to stop some of the haters is to win then. Something we haven’t been able to do since I was a little boy. I’m almost 40 years old now.

  17. So they go for a guy who also has a crappy attitude but without the partying. Well I guess it’s half a step in the right direction. . .

  18. so the ravens shouldn’t bother with Flacco anymore either? his knee was shredded last year
    _________________________________

    BIG Difference ! – “Hail Mary” Joe doesn’t scramble like RG3 – he’s not awkward & reckless because he has pocket awareness, unlike RG3 who’s off & runnin at the snap!

  19. So they’d rather have a broken bust over an inept prima-donna? Things are looking up in Cleveland…

  20. I would be really curious to know what RGIII’s current forty time is. I mean, can he even run a sub 4.6 forty? … I ask that in all seriousness.

  21. zoxitic says:
    Mar 21, 2016 9:42 AM
    Browns always overthink everything. Draft the best qb in the draft and move on with him.
    ___________

    Uh, the Browns have tried that formula (Manziel, Quinn, Couch, etc). Maybe they should try something else? Nothing wrong with signing a veteran stopgap AND drafting a guy.

  22. I’ve watched a lot more Redskins games than I have Browns games over the past few years so forgive me if I’m mistaken, but wasn’t Josh McCown a serviceable QB last year? RGIII does not appear to be a serviceable QB. Why go with Josh McCown, RGIII, and a draft pick on your roster if you are re-building? I mean you already got a veteran QB on the roster who can take the lumps while your draft pick develops.

    Who in their right mind thinks RGIII is better than Josh McCown at this point in their careers? RGIII is functionally still a rookie in terms of development.

    Again, I could be wrong. Maybe McCown was terrible last year. I only saw a handful of Browns games, but he seemed “good enough” for a team that was probably going to lose at least 8 games anyway. He probably throws too many ints for a team like Denver to find him useful, but he’s a good option for a team like the Browns who don’t have that kind of defense and would be lucky to go 8-8.

  23. remember who initially broke super bob? Oh yes it was the Baltimore Ravens! If he’s smart he signs in another division. then again he probably thinks he’ll be the next lebron in cleveland

  24. Figures the Browns would covet one of the single worst QBs of the modern era.

    RGFragileEgo is not an NFL level QB. Period.

  25. “remember who initially broke super bob? Oh yes it was the Baltimore Ravens! If he’s smart he signs in another division. then again he probably thinks he’ll be the next lebron in cleveland”

    ——————————

    Whoa now, not so fast. RG3 has brought as many championships to Cleveland as has LeBron, and he isn’t even in town yet.

  26. jjeastwald says:
    Mar 21, 2016 9:42 AM
    McCloughan just figuring this stuff out? Well better late than never. Welcome to what the rest of the league has been saying doing for decades.
    ——-
    1. McCloud hand has followed this strategy for years.

    2. The rest of the league has not followed this strategy for decades. Most teams just recently came around to this because it takes a certain amount of discipline to follow year after year. Also it’s hard to trade down and give up a chance to draft a player you really love going into a draft.

  27. I could understand signing RG3, but then i don’t see the point in drafting Goff or Wentz or Lynch. not because of signing RG3, because if your signing RG3, then you want a moblie QB, Those 3 guys are all pocket Qbs

  28. This is a good idea for the Browns.

    His chemistry with Gordon will most certainly give him a check down, from time to time.

    If they had any sense they’d grab Morris cheap too.

    That would actually be a pretty solid upgrade for the team.

    I mean hell anything is better than Johnny Manziel and Hoyer. Those guys suck.

  29. The “Black and Blue Division” is the NFC North.
    The Browns play in the AFC North.
    ———————————————–
    Actually the “Black and Blue Division” was the now defunct NFC Central.

  30. If the Browns don’t want him, that means Kaep is about to become one of the greatest QBs in NFL history. Conversely, if the Browns want RGIII, that’s absolute proof his career is over.

  31. We should all be calling him “Bob Griffin” now, just like that one dude proclaimed back when he came into the league. He was right all along, who knew?

  32. Sign him Browns, that way Ryan Tannehill can beat him again the way he used to when A&M played Baylor.

  33. If the plan is to have RGIII as your starter then can you really call it “thinking”?

  34. Analytics will always work to a degree even if only from an efficiency standpoint of money spent for production / quality starts / wins received. Hopefully though it works even better, and they find some long term diamonds in the rough. And I guess these days “long term” equals 3 or 4 year starter. But I still think they should snag Jalen Ramsey or Myles Jack.

  35. Is RG3 > Manziel?? Doesn’t seem like an upgrade to me. As a Browns fan just reading about this garbage makes me want to vomit. Browns, why can’t I quit you??? Ugh

  36. The word in Cleveland is the Browns are promising him nothing. If….IF….they bring him on board, it’ll be on a “prove it” contract and he’ll compete for a spot just like everyone else.

    If Hue thinks he can salvage him I say have at it. Why not, really? What have they got to lose?

  37. Browns keep getting dumber and dumber every year. Just when u think the Browns are at the peak of stupidity, the mountain grows a little higher.

    They must keep signing big mouths to make it easier on their propaganda reporters. They dont want them digging any deeper on the fact that Haslam has zero intention of winning

  38. This sounds like a Great Idea!

    Kind of like throwing a stick of dynamite into a dumpster fire.

    BOOM!

  39. Why not bring in RGIII? Nothing to lose, he’ll be motivated to prove he can still play. They definitely should NOT take a QB at #2, none of those guys are worth it and will have to sit a year to learn anyway. Browns need too much talent, they need to take the best available player, then look at QB’s in rounds 2 or 3 that can sit a year or two. RGIII could fill that void and who knows, maybe Hue can resurrect him.

  40. Actually the “Black and Blue Division” was the now defunct NFC Central.

    —————————————————————
    Well, it’s not like it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that earned the NFC Central that title.

  41. Every team in the league should want to sign RGIII for a backup’s salary. If Cleveland does sign him he has to understand that he is coming in as a developmental QB and that the team is not his to run. He has to earn it.

    The bottom line is as bad as he has been the last few years in Washington he showed real potential that first season. He is a head case but Snyder is as well and if the new organization can instill discipline to minimize he narcissistic delusions he could develop into a quality QB. Especially in a lower pressure situation.

  42. This report comes over a week after reports that Kaepernick is no longer interested in going to the Browns dues to their free agent exodus. Kaep would prefer to be traded to Denver, but finds San Francisco as a better option than Cleveland at this point. But I guess you can not blame the Browns for using the old “You can’t break up with me, I am breaking up with you” line.

  43. If I am RGIII no way I sign with the Browns. They have no receivers, no offensive line, etc. The Browns are in full purge mode right now and will not be in any type of contention for years. RGIII would have been better off going to a perennial winning team and riding the bench. It is likely that if he signs with Cleveland this will be the end of his NFL career.

    And this whole analytics/experiment thing only works if Haslam has extreme patience with the process, and willing to stay the course no matter how bad things get.

    I don’t see it….

  44. Of course the Browns need better QB play; but what the hell is going on with that O-Line ?

    Its all well and good focussing on QB; but who the hell is gonna block for him or the backs ?

    Thomas and Bitonio are studs; but who else is there ? Assuming Irving starts, they still need 2 quality starters and 4 guys to back them up. Hell, what would that line look like if they had traded Thomas to DEN ?

    Its all well and good taking a guy like Wentz or Goff; but as Manziel quickly discovered; those big AFCN 300lb d-linemen can usually outrun even a quick QB. If RG3 does sign with CLE; he better get his cleats on, because he’s gonna need them and get ready for a beating.

    Looks like its gonna be ‘chuck and duck’ in Laketown next year……

  45. Why trade for a crappy QB (Kaepernick) when you can just sign a crappy QB (RG3) off the street.

  46. Griffin might come cheap, but it is for a good reason. With the offensive line being questionable at best after losing two starters, and with his inability to drop the correct number of steps on called plays, Griffin is going to have a rough time making it an entire season. Add to that the fact that he has a difficult time reading a defense, can’t keep his eyes down field when under pressure, feels pressure that isn’t there, can’t get past his second read, and no longer has the elite speed that made him so dangerous his rookie season and you’ve got all of the ingredients for another failed QB in Cleveland.

  47. The rest of the AFCN is hoping this will happen. Because as we know, Clownorg needs to stock up on clowns since they just dumped Manziel.

  48. I think RG3 and Hue Jackson is a solid combination. You would figure whoever the Browns draft at #2 is the future, but Griffin has shown he can play, and at a high enough level to win the division as a rookie. Hue Jackson has shown he can get a lot out of a little, so the match is one that could work. It’s not like they will sign him to a 5 year, $90M deal or anything. 2-3 years, $5M guaranteed, modest salary with incentives, and that allows them to draft a QB that is more potential than polish (Wentz over Goff would be my thought)

    I like this a lot more than trying to trade for Kaepernick, who appears to care very little about football, or his career. Griffin needs a rehab window to show he can grow up.

  49. GREAT -the Black & Blue Division will be a “perfect” fit for a guy that’s already shredded a knee – Good Luck RG3 – you might consider a supplemental health insurance plan before you sign on the dotted line….

    The black and blue division is the NFC North…

  50. Actually the “Black and Blue Division” was the now defunct NFC Central.

    —————————————————————
    Well, it’s not like it was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that earned the NFC Central that title.
    ——————————-
    Hard to say. I seem to remember my Bucs getting beat up plenty in the old NFC Central lol.

  51. Let’s hope so. They’re perfect for each other.

    The Browns are the NFL’s addict, always going for a quick fix with no thought or idea of long-term consequences, and Griffin is the perfect drug. His arrogant and entitled attitude will bring some initial confidence, but will ultimately destroy a team that is already on its last legs.

    You know what drugs do to an addict, right?

  52. I think coaches and front office people just become dumb when they walk into the Browns’ office. Holy crap.

    Bob Griffin is not RGIII. RGIII was finito when he fell out on the football field in that playoff game against the Seahawks.

  53. I watched every snap RG3 played as a Skins fan. If he’s healthy and they let him do what he’s good at he’s a top 3 QB. If you’re a Browns fan u def want this guy. Trust me.

  54. This makes sense. RGIII competes with McCown, whoever they get in the draft sits and learns for a year. If RGIII looks half decent, trade him for draft picks or keep as backup. If he really pans out then they’ll have a problem, but that would be a nice problem to have. McCown will retire or backup next year. I don’t see why all the negative comments on this, seems a pretty smart move to me. The Browns are at rock bottom, and this season they are likely to stay there, may as well set expectations accordingly, getting a QB for the future is the key.

  55. If they are going to draft a QB at #2, I see no problem with signing RG3 to a 2-3 year deal. That way you don’t have to throw the rookie right in, and if RG3 does wind up looking decent, you can try to move him for a pick a year or two down the line if the draft pick works out

    As far as SF, they overplayed their hand with Kaepernick. They thought that if they held out, someone would give in and give them a 2nd, or a 3rd plus if not better for him. But when there aren’t that many teams that are really hard up for a QB (at least that would see him as a drastic upgrade over what they ahve in place) and there are guys like RG3 with a similar upside available for nothing (not to mention guys like Osweiler who already moved, and Fitzpatrick who is still there) and in some cases may be looked at as the better QB right now

    If they were willing to just cut ties, and take a 4th, the probably would of been able to move him months ago. At this point, I’m not sure they are going to be able to get even that. Most of the teams that may of had interest have either already made a move, are on the verge of doing so here, or at this point are willing to wait and see what happens at the draft

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