http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/03/new_york_jets_honchos_make_nic.html
Big news already from the NFL's annual meetings in Dana Point, Calif., just outside of Los Angeles. Who did Jets owner Woody Johnson, GM Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan run into this afternoon in the lobby of the swank St. Regis Hotel?
Why, none other than Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini, of course -- the guy Johnson and Tannenbaum fired right after the 2008 season. According to ESPN.com, Mangini's wife Julie helped break the ice during what had to be an awkward moment for all.
Tannenbaum and Mangini used to be best buds. It's been speculated that the Jets could use Cleveland's help trying to acquire unhappy Broncos QB Jay Cutler, since Denver would theoretically want a QB as part of any trade for Cutler.
The Browns have two (Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn) who are more attractive bait than the candidates slated for an epic battle at Jets training camp this summer (Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff).The question should then be: If the Broncos ultimately decide to deal Cutler, why wouldn't the Browns simply trade for him themselves?
That part has been conveniently ignored by those eager to see the Jets chase another big-name QB a year after the Brett Favre fiasco. While we agree Cutler, 25, is a much more attractive rifle-armed passer to chase than the 39-year-old Favre was at his advanced age, there will also be more pursuers in this hunt.
Wouldn't the Browns be among them? You betcha.
Seems like their was some mending of fences that took place.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-6-94/Mangini--Jets-hug-it-out.html
...A great scene just transpired. Former New York Jets coach Eric Mangini and his wife checked in while owner Woody Johnson, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and new head coach Rex Ryan were in the lobby.
There seemed to be nary a shred of tension. Julie Mangini broke the ice by giving Tannenbaum a big hug. Soon, everybody was laughing like old pals.
We used a first round pick AND a high second round pick to acquire BQ. He is already under contract at a very reasonable price, much lower than what the top rookie QBs would demand and both of the top two rookie QBs are juniors coming out early whereas BQ has been in the league three years and already has a few starts under his belt and he's a choirboy in terms of being extra-ordinarily coachable.
This is what Scott Wright said of Quinn when he came out.
[url]http://www.theclevelandfan.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11572
Scott Wright from http://www.draftcountdown.com [/url]
… Brady Quinn - Wright was very high on him going into the '07 Draft, and had him as the #2 player on his overall board. Said in 15 years of doing this, he's only had 3 QBs grade out higher coming out of college ... and all three have already won Super Bowls.
The entire point I have been making is that the emotional drama being played out in Denver is an opportunity. The Denver-drama is their drama but our opportunity. We are not going to dish BQ for anything less than what we paid for him. Denver would get the market price that had been established with the Jeff George trade years ago which is two firsts and a second round pick or for a more recent take look at what was being discussed about the value of Matt Cassel in January before the trade went down with KC.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-4-743/Cassel-trade-talk-opens-with-high-1st-rounder.html)
Cassel trade talk opens with high 1st-rounder
January 12, 2009 8:24 AM
Teams that want Matt Cassel's services must sacrifice to pry him away from the New England Patriots.
Two former NFL executives project the asking price for the burgeoning franchise quarterback will open with a high first-round draft choice and include some other picks, too.
… "It would have to be multiple choices and very high choices to get Cassel," ESPN analyst and former Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese said. "Two first-rounders, or a one and a two and a three ... It'll be something very, very expensive."
… Lombardi was an executive with the Cleveland Browns when Bill Belichick was the coach and has worked with the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders among other clubs.
Lombardi couldn't come up with any corollary trade examples for a quarterback like Cassel.
"All trades have a predetermined value based on past trades," Lombardi said. "But to trade a quarterback as young as Cassel, after watching him do what he did, it doesn't happen."
We ARE NOT going to dish our #5 pick AND BQ, just not happening.
I still see an opportunity because the Denver-drama is about to get worse.
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/default.htm?mode=afcwest
March 5, 2009 By Dan Parr
Broncos WR Marshall could face lengthy suspension
While the Broncos are cleaning up the mess made by the Jay Cutler trade rumors... A more serious concern, for the club, we hear, is a potentially lengthy suspension that could await Denver’s No. 1 receiver, Brandon Marshall. After he was arrested for disorderly conduct in Atlanta, the charge against Marshall was dismissed on March 2, but as a player who repeatedly has violated the league’s personal-conduct policy, word is that the Broncos’ Pro Bowler could be facing as much as an eight-game suspension. Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Marshall for two games but reduced it to just one game at the start of last season for his repeated transgressions, which included a DUI and being charged with battery. Many had then expected Marshall to face a longer punishment, and the suspension seemed lenient to some. Goodell may be inclined to be much harsher this time, which would be a major hindrance to Denver’s offense for a good portion of next season.
Today the news broke that the Browns were trying to dish Braylon for a Giant WR. The Broncos are going to be in need of a WR and their QB situation is up in the air.
I see a hand-glove fit of Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall on the outs in Denver with two picture perfect replacements who could take over on the Browns.
Brandon Marshall?
A certified problem chile and also has lots of drops but he has 206 catches over the last two seasons. I don't like him but if we had Cut then the teams who lined up for the Cutler feast may be interested in DA and he's been shopped.
http://www.chroniclet.com/2009/02/21/nfl-combine-new-browns-regime-keeping-quarterbacl-options-open_122/
The Browns are shopping QB Derek Anderson as a possible draft day trade to replace one of the QB vacancies around the league.
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Anderson makes all that money, who will take him?
A: He will be a bargain for another team. Anderson is due a $5 million roster bonus on March 13, and his salary for 2009 is $1.5 million. The Browns should pay the bonus, then trade Anderson because he will cost the new team only the $1.5 million in salary and on the cap. That increases his trade value.
It's still hard to see why any team would give up much for Anderson.
A: That's because most fans just watch the Browns. They don't understand the desperation of some teams lacking a quarterback. Minnesota just traded a fourth-rounder to Houston for career backup Sage Rosenfels. Before the 2007 draft, Atlanta received two potentially high second-round picks from Houston for another backup, Matt Schaub.
Q: What can the Browns get for Anderson?
A: At least a couple of second-rounders, maybe a low first or a chance to flop other picks. A veteran could be involved in a deal. Detroit and Tampa Bay would love to have Anderson. The Jets, Chiefs and 49ers also could be in the market. The Browns are taking their time, playing it smart to build interest in Anderson, so don't pay much attention to what they say publicly about their quarterbacks.
