Trade Deadline Approaching; Any Moves?

[JoeRedskin]

What's the deal on Quinn? On one hand, I've seen him in a couple games and he looked okay - not great but not horrible. On the other, he can't beat out Derek Anderson. What's the "scout's take" on him?

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

What's the deal on Quinn? On one hand, I've seen him in a couple games and he looked okay - not great but not horrible. On the other, he can't beat out Derek Anderson. What's the "scout's take" on him?

ANALYSIS - Cleveland.com

Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Mary Kay Cabot
Plain Dealer Reporter
Could Brady Quinn be the next first-round pick to go?
With the trading deadline looming Oct. 20, it wouldn't be surprising if Quinn went the way of receiver Braylon Edwards and was dealt to another team.
Browns coach Eric Mangini made it clear Monday that he's sticking with Derek Anderson at quarterback despite a 2-of-17 performance for 23 yards, one interception and a 15.1 rating in a 6-3 win over the Bills a day earlier.
"D.A. will continue to start," Mangini said.
That means Quinn is stuck on the bench, where he's watching $11 million slip away. This year was the last chance for Quinn to hit the escalators in his contract that would earn him an additional $11 million -- on top of the $9.2 million over five years in his base contract. The only stipulation was that he had to take 70 percent of the snaps -- which now appears highly unlikely unless Anderson gets hurt.
Quinn would have needed to start about 11 games this season to hit that 70 percent mark -- and he's played in only 2½ games, with little chance of getting on the field anytime soon.
Quinn's agent, Tom Condon, could not be reached for comment, but Quinn and his camp would most likely welcome a trade and a chance to start. Condon last week watched his other high-profile Brown - Edwards - get dealt to the New York Jets, where he gets a fresh start on a 3-1 team (before Monday night's game against the Dolphins) and maybe even a new contract.
Quinn, on the other hand, can't get on the field in place of a quarterback who now has one touchdown pass, five interceptions and a 39.0 rating - the worst in the league. Quinn, who started against some of the best teams and defenses in the NFL - the 5-0 Vikings, 5-0 Broncos and 3-2 Ravens - has better numbers than Anderson, with one touchdown, three interceptions, a 60.8 completion percentage to Anderson's 46.4, and a 62.9 rating.
But Anderson's ability to convert more third downs, move the chains and stretch the field has earned him the job - at least for now. Even linebacker D'Qwell Jackson credited Anderson Monday with energizing the Browns' defense.
"D.A. brought that spark," Jackson said. "He can make every throw on that field. It's good knowing as a defensive player, if you get your offense more than enough opportunities, they'll move the ball and create points."
The Browns have no real incentive for trading Quinn now - unless someone makes them an offer they can't refuse. But there's probably not much of a market for a quarterback who's 1-5 and was benched this season on a bad team. If he does get back on the field and has a better showing, his market value, obviously, would increase.
Besides, Quinn is not hanging out at nightclubs after dark, complaining about being benched or otherwise presenting a distraction. He's making only $1.72 million this season, not outlandish for a good backup.
There are a few teams that could use quarterbacks, but they're in such disarray that such a move is on the back burner right now. Teams such as Washington and Carolina have quarterback issues but also have coaches on the hot seat.
JaMarcus Russell is struggling in Oakland, but the Raiders are unlikely to come after Quinn. Currently, there's not much leaguewide buzz about the former Notre Dame star.
But everyone knows the Browns would be willing to at least listen to offers, because the team took calls on Quinn during the off-season - and already have dealt first-rounders Kellen Winslow and Edwards.
Mangini has said on numerous occasions that he would do anything to improve the team. So Quinn is not untouchable, even though former Browns General Manager Phil Savage surrendered a first-round pick in 2008 to trade up with Dallas to get him.
Quinn's contract also makes him tradable. If he doesn't hit the 70 percent mark this season, he's due to make a reasonable $2.08 million next year with a $700,000 bonus. The year after, he's a free agent.
Truth is, no one really knows what Quinn can do on this level. Several league sources have said they're still convinced he has what it takes to be a successful NFL quarterback - in the right situation. And Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis would give any team a glowing scouting report on him.
Perhaps the Browns haven't given up on him entirely and are trying to preserve his psyche for the future. With a rebuilding line and mostly youngsters at receiver, maybe team officials and coaches figured they'd get him out of a hopeless situation before his confidence was shattered - or even his bones.
After sitting for most of his first two seasons and now being benched in his third, Quinn undoubtedly would love to go somewhere to play - even though it's been his lifelong dream to play for the Browns.
And, if Anderson wasn't starting, he might have asked the Browns to look around before the deadline.
If the Browns do trade Quinn, they'd have former Jet Brett Ratliff as their backup - a Mangini favorite. The way it looks right now, the perfect suitor doesn't seem to be out there. But all that could change by a week from today.