ESPN; Browns Questioned Tannehill's Leadership Qualities

They targeted Weeden since well before the Draft and there's some evidence that they're actually telling the truth about their showing in the Robert Griffin sweepstakes. I know the Rams, PFT and several others spent quite a bit of time debunking Mike Holmgren's statements suggesting that the Redskins got the deal because of the relationship between Shanahan and Fisher. People don't realize the implications of that if they're right in debunking it. That would mean that the Browns really didn't make that significant an effort to trade up for RG3, but they lied about it and said they did. But now all the sudden when they come right out and confirm that, they're lying? That's not contradictory on the part of the Browns, that's contradictory on the part of the people that criticize the Browns.

Is it really so surprising that the Browns see significant flaws in all the other QBs they legitimately could have had but chose to forego in favor of the guy they have? Really? That's surprising?

Jesus. People are making way too much of this.

 

They probably should have kept their mouth shut, but I don't think they were lying about the Robert Griffin thing. Back when Holmgren started talking about the relationship between Shanahan and Fisher being key to the RG3 trade, that was the confusing development, because it ran counter to a lot of evidence out there that the Browns' interest wasn't as hot and heavy as the Redskins' and the offer wasn't as good. I'm sure the Rams were pretty confused about it too.

Essentially all they've done is fire up their fan base in supposrt of Weeden, while angering people who wouldn't dream of buying Browns tickets nor watching Browns games on television anyway. So...what exactly have they done that wasn't smart? They're creating a virtual orgy between Browns fans and the team over this Brandon Weeden guy whom they're all absolutely, positively smitten over.

 

This.

Jake Delhomme
Seneca Wallace
Colt McCoy

That's the regime who's opinion on QB we're listening to.

 

I guess anything that Cleveland does to get anybody to talk about them has some value, but I don't agree that all press is good press. For example, I felt Miami damaged their reputation by going after Manning. He wasn't a good fit and we weren't a likely destination. Once we predictably didn't land him we looked like failures to those fans that base everything on what the media says. Miami could have been in the same spot they are now (excited about the future) without that extra negative notched against them in people's minds. Cleveland could have done the same thing without looking like liars. They could have created the same orgy by saying that they liked him all along but particularly after what they've seen in camp they think they may have gotten the best QB of the lot. That would have created the same buzz without the negative.

 

How is this in any way like the Peyton Manning thing, though? The Peyton Manning thing didn't just affect the outside world, it affected the fan base. The fan base got downtrodden when Miami went after Peyton and didn't get him. Sure, the outside world also piled on a few jokes at Miami's expense, but the fan base were already depressed about it.

What the Browns have done here is created an us-versus-them between their fans and the rest of the NFL. Their fans are going to start saying the same buzz words where it concerns the other QBs they could have had. Robert Griffin is overrated. Ryan Tannehill can't lead a team. Matt Flynn is no better than McCoy. We got the best QB other than Andrew Luck. That's what the Browns fans are all thinking, and now they're going to have a bunch of other outsides ****ting all over those statements by the Browns, and that will get the Browns fans even more in line with that line of thinking.

It's not a classy way to do things at all but it's not without its merits, either. The whole NFL world is already ****ting on Cleveland right now. Think about it. Las Vegas has made them far and away the worst odds team in the NFL to win the Super Bowl. They have the lowest over/under on wins. The one Vegas service that actually handicaps all games from Weeks 1 to 16 doesn't have them favored in a single football game this season (the only team with that dubious honor). They're being voted as having the worst WRs unit in the league.

Think about all that. How the hell can you hope to sell tickets or generate any fan enthusiasm whatsoever in that kind of environment? The rest of the NFL isn't just convinced you're a bad football team or that you'll be last in the division. The rest of the NFL is convinced you're the worst NFL football team on the planet.

But Brandon Weeden for the fan base represents hope and the Browns have just given the fans an us-versus-them rallying cry.

 

They should gather 20 of Cleveland's brightest and stage a protest to fire Holmgren.

Heard that works like a charm.

 

How is any of this different than what the Dolphins have done so far with Ryan Tannehill? With Jeff Ireland mentioning how he had a first round grade of him last season or Sherman mentioning he wasn't that big in the process for getting him selected? Something you had a negative reaction to when mentioned.

 

But they could have done the same thing without giving the rest of the league and their cynical fans more to laugh at. Their fan base and the rest of the league aren't saying different things. They aren't insulated from each other nor are they all identical and diametrically opposed thinkers. You see it here where many of the posts are mimicking (and agreeing with) what the negative stuff the media says. It will be no different in the Cleveland fan base. You'll have some who buy into the hope and some that can't.

 

It's different because of the controversy it stirs with the other teams.

 

More that do than don't.

 

So if Ireland would have went after Weeden for all of his flaws, it would have been better?

 

The problem is that the Browns are opening themselves up to possible issues in the future.

If Tannehill and/or RGIII turn out great, it proves they were wrong regardless of how Weeden does. If they had just said that they believed in Weeden all along, then it wouldn't matter what other QBs did. Instead of only needing one thing to happen (Weeden knocking it out of the park) they now need that plus Tanny & RGIII to suck. They got specific when they didn't need to, that either means they're not savvy or they have an agenda because of some worries.

 

I have agreed with #1 and #3 since those evaluations began, plays small?

 

Look at 80 year-old Giligan w/his new balances on the right.

 

Is that relevant?

I mean personally I think the answer is yes but I don't know how that's relevant.

 

Absolutely he plays small. Narrow base, thin legs, hunched posture, wide stance, gets knocked off his feet a lot, gets put on the ground a ton...plays SMALL.

 

How is it not relevant?

Some people jumped on Ireland for doing the exact same thing that the Browns did. I remember you being one of them. Then curiously you are defending the Browns for doing the same thing.

As a Dolphin fan, I do not care what the Browns say, because what they are doing is PR and damage control. Which is what they should be doing. The Redskins and Colts should be doing the same thing.

 

I don't agree about his base or his legs..his legs are Very well developed, perfect symmetry from the waist down, horse legs.

 

I'm confused as to what you're even talking about. I think you're trying way too hard to see contradiction where there is none.

 

If you say so.

 

I think you are trying to hard to defend Weeden, when there is no need.

 

The NFL isn't some sort of social group. You're assuming anyone else gives a crap about what Cleveland thinks about Weeden or any other prospect. If the Browns fans want to take that attitude fine, but for us vs them to exist....the "them" portion has to give a rats ***.

 

This QB discussion is irrelevant.
Tannehill is a WR.

 

The Browns just took a shot at three other quarterbacks out there and now three teams' fans, players and media are all spitting rage at the comments and taking shots at Brandon Weeden and the Cleveland franchise. That in turn filters back to the Browns fans and media and they're put in position of defending Weeden, defending the franchise, etc.

Considering the entire football world has written the Browns off, that could depress a fan base pretty easy. Anything you can do to put their backs up and get them feeling confident in the team and also defending it and wanting to see the team prove them all wrong, probably effective.

No idea what everyone is so bent out of shape about. Already admitted it was not a classy way to go about things.

 

How so? I was under the impression this was a conversation about the Cleveland Browns' management and their fans.

 

Nobody knows jack until these QB's take a snap in the main season. Plus it comes down to the supporting cast. Browns arnt great, You might as well throw Luck into that equasion.Colts are a lame duck with supporting cast. Im happy with Tannehill. I just dont get where the arguments are coming from. Anybody remember where Marino or Brady was drafted? Get with the show!

 

I havent seen anyone say anything bad about Cleveland or Weeden. That is why I don't understand where you're coming from. I bet if you told Washington fans that Weeden is better than RGIII they would laugh not get angry. No-one here should be angry either, we should be glad they feel that way. That got us a potential franchise QB.

 

It's the ****ing Browns. when we start being concerned with anything that organization has to say or thinks about regarding our players it's time to disown this football team and find another love.

Seriously, **** off.

 

They didn't say Weeden is better than Griffin. They said Griffin is small and was too eager to show off how fast he is on the field. And yeah, I'm quite sure there are Washington fans and media talking about that.

 

Which is especially hilarious since Holmgren loves Seneca Wallace (5"11, 205lbs).

 

before the combine, before any weigh ins,when everyone was saying, and kept saying,he's not 6'2, and wasn't 220, I'm on the record for saying he's a "legit" 6'2 at 220 lbs, just don't think size should be part of e criticism at this point by the browns, who have 2 smaller guys on their roster..

 

They really shouldn't be. My point is anyone outside Cleveland caring what the Browns think is unlikely.

 

I admitted he is probably every bit of 6'2" well before he measured up at the Combine. The 220 lbs at the Combine was a matter of weight gain. He didn't play at that weight, I guarantee that. Doesn't matter. He played small. He has a narrow base, hunched posture, wide stance, all of these reduce his effective height. When he's being tackled he gets knocked to the ground easily, often off his feet, big hits. He's a small guy. Sorry to break it to you but that's the way it is.

 

I agree. Plus it was Holmgren that made the call to draft Colt McCoy who is also small.

 

Yet there are multiple threads on ThePhins and FinHeaven with literally hundreds of posts talking about what Cleveland said about Tannehill. Jesse Agler and the guys at Finsiders did a big segment talking about it and all of them were quite angry. National news stories have been written, local news stories have been written. Yes but nobody cares. Right.

 

Nobody (with knowledge on the CLE's incompetence or just overall common sense) should really give a **** about their opinion.

The media cares because ignorant people will actually give this story some attention and in turn, make them money.

Which is basically how guys like Mike Florio and other clowns have a "career."

 

if your gonna say that he's small, it depends on what context your framing this criticism, or relative to who, there are players much smaller than him, bottom line his body is going to look small because his body is at 3 to 5 percent body fat, he's young, he has room to add some weight, but his frame is perfect to add some weight, his shoulders are broad, limbs are long.

 

I'm sure some people care what others think even if it is Cleveland, but I haven't seen that reaction much here. The discussion here seemed to be mostly a shrug about the comments regarding Tannehill just being spin and mostly that it was classless or stupid of Cleveland to say anything.

 

But they beat us just last year. Wonder how we rank in other fans eyes.