Hear me out. I've always had the thought from the start of this rebuild and watching the first couple of years, that Bradley and Bortles weren't really who Caldwell thought would be the long term guys. I say this for a few reasons.
1. When you are starting over from scratch, considering the salary cap years into the rebuild. Its not optimal to have the QB hitting a major contract exactly when you think you might be seriously competing. I say this because its more important for the overall team to be a bit more experienced and advanced in the system to allow the young QB to develop correctly. This way you are able to extend the contracts of your core players before signing away a huge chunk of cap space for the QB.
2. Bradley was the perfect coach to move the fans and media through something that's only been done a few times in any sport, a total rebuild. His personality was what was needed to keep hype going and not lose the fan base completely. Bortles is a large QB that was chosen to be the Qb for the rebuild for his durability, Blake was not the best QB in the draft but physically the most reliable. The last thing you need during the rebuild is what the Browns have going and that's never knowing who your Qb will be week to week. In short Bortles is reliable to play every Sunday and they needed that. Obviously if these 2 guys work out that's great, but i don't think Dave actually put his eggs in these baskets.
3. The way this is all playing out is perfect. Next year we bring in the actual coach, the players will have developed and we sign/draft the future QB. The team now has a great foundation of players and a proven coach that can develop the Qb and by the 2nd or 3rd year into his contract, the overall team will be elite with a young promising Qb to take them into the playoffs or further.
Wave to Seattle everyone.
My theory is all about managing the cap space.
My thoughts aren't complete here. i was bored and had a few minutes.
So Caldwell used the #3 pick on Blake because he didn't think Bortles was the man for the job?
You're a genius! Great thought!
Quote:Hear me out. I've always had the thought from the start of this rebuild and watching the first couple of years, that Bradley and Bortles weren't really who Caldwell thought would be the long term guys. I say this for a few reasons.
1. When you are starting over from scratch, considering the salary cap years into the rebuild. Its not optimal to have the QB hitting a major contract exactly when you think you might be seriously competing. I say this because its more important for the overall team to be a bit more experienced and advanced in the system to allow the young QB to develop correctly. This way you are able to extend the contracts of your core players before signing away a huge chunk of cap space for the QB.
2. Bradley was the perfect coach to move the fans and media through something that's only been done a few times in any sport, a total rebuild. His personality was what was needed to keep hype going and not lose the fan base completely. Bortles is a large QB that was chosen to be the Qb for the rebuild for his durability, Blake was not the best QB in the draft but physically the most reliable. The last thing you need during the rebuild is what the Browns have going and that's never knowing who your Qb will be week to week. In short Bortles is reliable to play every Sunday and they needed that. Obviously if these 2 guys work out that's great, but i don't think Dave actually put his eggs in these baskets.
3. The way this is all playing out is perfect. Next year we bring in the actual coach, the players will have developed and we sign/draft the future QB. The team now has a great foundation of players and a proven coach that can develop the Qb and by the 2nd or 3rd year into his contract, the overall team will be elite with a young promising Qb to take them into the playoffs or further.
Wave to Seattle everyone.
My theory is all about managing the cap space.
My thoughts aren't complete here. i was bored and had a few minutes.
You don't take the first QB in the draft as a placeholder. Sorry. He wasn't drafted so that we could get through the rebuild and then draft another franchise QB. He was selected to be that guy, so that when the team got to the point in the rebuild where the corner was turned, he was critical component in that turnaround. What you're suggesting is that we're now in a 6-7 year rebuild process. If that was indeed the case, the GM should be fired now.
Hold on, let me put on my tin foil hat...
Maybe the OP should have let that thought digest for a bit longer so that it didn't come out in squirts?
It makes perfect sense to me. Of course, I'm really drunk.
Quote:It makes perfect sense to me. Of course, I'm really drunk.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere.
Quote:It's 5 o'clock somewhere.
Meh...that's just a number.
The Theory that Dave planned it this way is wrong, but the reality may be right, none the less.
I had a thought once.. it turned out to be gas.
Quote:I had a thought once.. it turned out to be gas.
I try to stay away from thinking and stay with what I'm good at. Napping and eating are at the top of my list.
Might as well sign a QB in FA to tide you over if this was the case. Although one might argue the existence of Brandon Allen on the roster as Caldwell thinking ahead.
Was this you with your free time today OP?
![[Image: giphy.gif]](https://media.giphy.com/media/d96OhqNK3CEww/giphy.gif)
This board is getting better every day.
Such a perfect thread title. It's obvious that wasn't done on purpose, but its friggin brilliant none the less. Bravo.
"Just a thought."
Just the one!
Quote:Hear me out. I've always had the thought from the start of this rebuild and watching the first couple of years, that Bradley and Bortles weren't really who Caldwell thought would be the long term guys. I say this for a few reasons.
1. When you are starting over from scratch, considering the salary cap years into the rebuild. Its not optimal to have the QB hitting a major contract exactly when you think you might be seriously competing. I say this because its more important for the overall team to be a bit more experienced and advanced in the system to allow the young QB to develop correctly. This way you are able to extend the contracts of your core players before signing away a huge chunk of cap space for the QB.
2. Bradley was the perfect coach to move the fans and media through something that's only been done a few times in any sport, a total rebuild. His personality was what was needed to keep hype going and not lose the fan base completely. Bortles is a large QB that was chosen to be the Qb for the rebuild for his durability, Blake was not the best QB in the draft but physically the most reliable. The last thing you need during the rebuild is what the Browns have going and that's never knowing who your Qb will be week to week. In short Bortles is reliable to play every Sunday and they needed that. Obviously if these 2 guys work out that's great, but i don't think Dave actually put his eggs in these baskets.
3. The way this is all playing out is perfect. Next year we bring in the actual coach, the players will have developed and we sign/draft the future QB. The team now has a great foundation of players and a proven coach that can develop the Qb and by the 2nd or 3rd year into his contract, the overall team will be elite with a young promising Qb to take them into the playoffs or further.
Wave to Seattle everyone.
My theory is all about managing the cap space.
My thoughts aren't complete here. i was bored and had a few minutes.
While I do think they were hoping they wouldn't
have to find a different QB at this point (and maybe they won't) I have seen this theory before and it makes perfect sense. (in terms of the HC)
Caldwell's comments prior to last season made clear that they had VERY low expectations for years one and two. It makes sense that they may design a plan that involves a coach chosen specifically for a period of "struggle."
The only problem is that with better coaching in 2016 this roster may very well be sitting tied for second in the division right now and only one game out of the lead. If they were willing to trade that possibility for "trusting their initial plan" we have to wonder if perhaps they should have made a move in the offseason.
At any rate - I'd be surprised if 2017 doesn't see a new staff and at least some additional competition at QB. That's about all I can get excited about right now concerning this team unfortunately:/
Quote:You don't take the first QB in the draft as a placeholder. Sorry. He wasn't drafted so that we could get through the rebuild and then draft another franchise QB. He was selected to be that guy, so that when the team got to the point in the rebuild where the corner was turned, he was critical component in that turnaround. What you're suggesting is that we're now in a 6-7 year rebuild process. If that was indeed the case, the GM should be fired now.
Related to what you mentioned, you don't pass up on blue chip prospect DE/ OLB Khalil Mack for a temporary type of solution at QB.
Quote:I had a thought once.. it turned out to be gas.
At my age I have to be careful about those. Sometimes a thought could turn into plaster.
If Gus was a placeholder coach, there would've been absolutely zero reason to retain him this year.
Spending the 3rd overall pick on a placeholder QB. Well...