Chapter 108 Professional Trouble
"Quarterback, of course, quarterback, quarterback is the cornerstone of building a football team."
"That's true, of course, but my question is, are we ready to tear down and rebuild again? Just tear it down two years ago and now we're tearing it down again? Are we ready to start from scratch around a brand new quarterback? Then we take the offseason. What are future moves in the free market?”
"Jesus Christ, you should know that all the quarterbacks on the team now are transitional, and we need our own cornerstone quarterback."
"Who says they can't be our cornerstone quarterback? Drew Bruce's move from the San Diego Chargers to the New Orleans Saints was a stroke of genius. I think we should continue to give Griffin a chance."
"Continue to give Griffin a chance. That's easy to say, as if we didn't give him a chance. So if we don't draft a quarterback, what do you think we should draft? A wide receiver?"
"I don't know, maybe the offensive line? Our quarterback needs some solid pocket protection. Or maybe the cornerbacks..."
"Cornerback? What are you talking about, cornerback? Are you crazy? No one would draft a cornerback in the first three rounds!"
Sashi Brown, vice president and team manager of the Cleveland Browns.
He was also sitting in the center of the whirlpool in the office at this time, but he did not interrupt. Naturally, he knew exactly what the mess in front of him was about.
Just this offseason, the Cleveland Browns became the laughing stock of the league. For the thousandth and first time——
This time, it's because of the quarterback.
In the draft two years ago, it was a young year for quarterbacks. There were very few quarterbacks worth mentioning, but Johnny Manziel, the Texas A&M quarterback who wrote countless miracles, was a standout. Many professionals It is believed that he has the potential to be a top three pick or even the top pick.
After all, Manziel is the first player in the history of the NCAA to win the Heisman Award as a freshman. Such a quarterback will definitely be in the league.
However!
After the draft began, what shocked everyone was that Manziel’s name had not been called out for a long time. Players who needed a quarterback all avoided Manziel, like avoiding snakes and scorpions. All kinds of theories, speculations, and gossips were flying all over the place, and it was so lively.
Under the spotlight, Manziel's draft stock plummeted all the way to the 22nd pick in the first round. The Cleveland Browns, who came to this position after completing the draft pick trade, finally called out Manziel's name. That ended this suffocating embarrassment.
At that time, Manziel took the stage and made his signature touchdown celebration——
Count the bills with your fingertips.
Manziel said that this kind of action means that his worth increases every time he scores a touchdown; and when viewed at the draft, it has the flavor of provoking other teams.
People who eat melons said: The show is coming!
Including Sash Brown, almost everyone believes that Manziel will become the savior of the Cleveland Browns and pull this team out of the mire.
So, what about reality?
Manziel was seriously unaccustomed to the professional game. Unlike the NCAA, the NFL’s intricate tactical manual became the straw that broke Manziel’s back——
Manziel, can't remember the tactics, let alone direct the team's offense.
Then, the famous animated picture appeared, where Manziel hit himself on the head with a tactical board, his face full of anger and despair, but he was helpless.
Teams that desperately needed a quarterback in the draft but didn't select Manziel said they got away with it.
Two seasons have flown by, and Manziel failed to become the savior of the Cleveland Browns, and was laid off and lost his job this offseason; although Manziel still tried to sign with other teams and spent the entire summer trying out, Until the end, the team was still not found.
What's even more ridiculous is that Manziel finally found a job in the Canadian Football League, where the intensity of confrontation and tactical difficulty were inferior; but he did not expect that Manziel could not find a way out in Canada, and the dazzling tactical manual became this A young man's nightmare.
Manziel is a typical case. Football is not only a sport of physical confrontation, but also a sport of brain collision.
The Cleveland Browns thought that Manziel was the future cornerstone of the team, but they did not expect that it would become a farce and waste their two seasons of hard work again. This offseason, after terminating Manziel's contract, the Cleveland Browns gave up looking for a fourth-place pick in the draft. Shooting guard, eyes turn to the free market. Robert Griffin III, who was abandoned by the Washington Redskins after suffering from injuries and becoming a glass man, came to Cleveland.
Josh-MaCown, a homeless veteran who has been with ten teams after fifteen seasons in the league, also temporarily stopped in Cleveland.
In addition, last year's undrafted rookie Kevin Hogan and this year's third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns themselves, Cody Kessler.
These four players piece together the Cleveland Browns' quarterback lineup for the new season——
As for the effect, they have lost nine games in a row this season and counting.
so.
While other teams are vying for playoff spots, the Cleveland Browns are already far ahead and starting to formulate draft strategies.
Outstanding.
Quarterback?
Of course, this is the cornerstone of the team, but the problem is that the Cleveland Browns have tried too many times in the past fifteen years and failed every time. Manziel will only have this burden this offseason. Having just dumped him, are they really prepared to continue taking risks in a quarterback's junior year?
Defense?
This also makes sense. Compared with the premium of offensive players, defensive players are much more economical. They may help the Cleveland Browns gain a foothold quickly. Anyway, they don’t have any tradition. The offense and defense are equally stretched, starting with defense. Rebuilding is also an option.
Moreover, it is now generally believed that this year is a big year for defense, and a group of outstanding defensive players are about to join the league.
But Sash Brown had a bolder idea.
"What do you think, let's create some splashes?"
When Brown spoke, everyone else looked over, and someone asked, "Sash, what do you mean?"
Brown shrugged.
"You are all right. We need to rebuild the team. There are loopholes everywhere. You have your reasons and he has his opinions. We cannot satisfy everyone."
"Then, why don't we take a step back, change a strategy, create some splashes, completely disrupt the situation, and let the fans notice our existence again. Regardless of the team, at least we can re-activate the audience market and let the fans see A hope, even a false one.”
"Which player is the most talked about, which player is the most popular, we will choose him."
The surroundings were still foggy, and no one could follow Brown's train of thought.
But someone finally asked directly, "So, what are you going to do?"
Brown showed a smile and said a key word, "Levi."
Who said there are only two strategies in the draft? The Cleveland Browns chose a third strategy in a different way——
make trouble.
Completely, completely, selflessly... going crazy, a ground-breaking move that disrupts the entire situation.
The second update today.
(End of this chapter)