Cousins would "seriously consider" the Browns

[nickers]

Cousins is not the long term solution.. I'd rather go Smith/McCarron , whatever QB we draft.. Put Kizer on the taxi squad...

[Louisville Slugger]

Why isn't cousins the long term solution? The man is only 29 he can play for 5 maybe 10 more years. 

I want no part in Smith. He has only played well under reid and he's 34. He doesn't fit the Jackson/Haley model either.

My top scenarios go like this

Cousins + trade back + middle round guy

Bridgewater + Darnold

McCarron(If he's a FA) + Darnold

Darnold + a ton of money and draft picks on offensive weapons. 

[nickers]

@louisville-slugger said:

Why isn't cousins the long term solution? The man is only 29 he can play for 5 maybe 10 more years. 

I want no part in Smith. He has only played well under reid and he's 34. He doesn't fit the Jackson/Haley model either.

My top scenarios go like this

Cousins + trade back + middle round guy

Bridgewater + Darnold

McCarron(If he's a FA) + Darnold

Darnold + a ton of money and draft picks on offensive weapons. 

Yes and 29 means hes gonna be 30.. I just dont think Cousins will get you to a SB.. I would rather take my chance on a younger McCarron...

[hoorta]

@louisville-slugger said:

Why isn't cousins the long term solution? The man is only 29 he can play for 5 maybe 10 more years. 

I want no part in Smith. He has only played well under reid and he's 34. He doesn't fit the Jackson/Haley model either.

My top scenarios go like this

Cousins + trade back + middle round guy

Bridgewater + Darnold

McCarron(If he's a FA) + Darnold

Darnold + a ton of money and draft picks on offensive weapons. 

Regarding Smith- he's improved virtually every year he's played. His yards\attempt is among the best in the league. He's a way better option for a year or two (with Darnold or Allen sitting and learning behind him) than backing up the Brinks for Cousins and hoping Kizer is going to "get it". 

[syd]

also when haley was at K.C didn't he get them to the playoffs with Cassell as Q.B

[jcam222]

@canton-mike said:

Good points Tom. As you know, I am not sold on Cousins either. Stats, such as 4,000 yds per year DO NOT mean success. They can be padded during garbage time, against "prevent Ds", etc........to back me up, Cousins as a starter (began in 2015).....Here are some "stats" for those who love stats......

2015...4,166 yards, 29 TDs, 11 Ints, 9 fumbles (3 lost).......9-7 record

2016...4,917 yards, 25 TDs, 12 Ints, 9 fumbles (3 lost).......8-7-1 record

2017...4,093 yards, 27 TDs, 13 Ints, 13 fumbles (5 lost).....7-9 record

Sound like the guy is worthy of the biggest paycheck in the NFL? My answer is a resounding NO THANKS!

I posted this for those of you who think his 4,000 yard seasons are enough to turn us around.

Mike 

9 -7 can put you in the playoffs. You also neglected to include his rushing TD's at about 5 per year. Guys that can consistently put up 4200+ yards 30 TD's and a better than 2/1 TD/INT ratio get paid, a lot as a FA. I'm not convinced his contract will be highest paid but it will be hefty and should be. 

[Louisville Slugger]

@nickers said:

Yes and 29 means hes gonna be 30.. I just dont think Cousins will get you to a SB.. I would rather take my chance on a younger McCarron...

Are we really talking superbowl after a winless season? He made the redskins playoff contenders and I think we have better talent than them. Bottom line let's get out cellar and start winning games. We can't win a superbowl if we never get to the playoffs

[thenew23]

I can't believe there are so many anti-Cousins guys after what we've trotted out at QB the past 20 years...

Is it money? Rather wait for a draft pick to develop? Age?

Listen, he's the ONLY win-now option... Unless you are all content with 2-3 more years of crap? ... I don't get it. 4 years with him at QB and we at least get to see some exciting football in that time...

[runyon27]

@nickers said:

Yes and 29 means hes gonna be 30.. I just dont think Cousins will get you to a SB.. I would rather take my chance on a younger McCarron...

I am not sure why people love a QB who can't beat out Andy Dalton. Pass.

[runyon27]

@thenew23 said:

I can't believe there are so many anti-Cousins guys after what we've trotted out at QB the past 20 years...

Is it money? Rather wait for a draft pick to develop? Age?

Listen, he's the ONLY win-now option... Unless you are all content with 2-3 more years of crap? ... I don't get it. 4 years with him at QB and we at least get to see some exciting football in that time...

If we can get Cousins or Smith we should by very happy. People maybe right he wont take us to the SB but what he would do is bring stability to the organization that will go along to help get this franchise out of the basement.

[Dutch Oven]

@runyon27 said:

I am not sure why people love a QB who can't beat out Andy Dalton. Pass.

It's baffling.

[Dutch Oven]

@runyon27 said:

If we can get Cousins or Smith we should by very happy. People maybe right he wont take us to the SB but what he would do is bring stability to the organization that will go along to help get this franchise out of the basement.

I think Cousins is a pipe dream, but Alex Smith IMO would be a great, smart acquisition.

He's an experienced pro who would bring stability to QB, and a great example to whoever the Browns draft.

You have to walk before you run. If you take a QB #1 overall, it's with the idea that HE is the guy that will take you to the Super Bowl - not the vet "bridge" guy you bring in to show him the ropes.

[thenew23]

Draft picks are like buying a new car... their value drops in half the moment you make the pick...

[hoorta]

@thenew23 said:

I can't believe there are so many anti-Cousins guys after what we've trotted out at QB the past 20 years...

Is it money? Rather wait for a draft pick to develop? Age?

Listen, he's the ONLY win-now option... Unless you are all content with 2-3 more years of crap? ... I don't get it. 4 years with him at QB and we at least get to see some exciting football in that time...

Regarding the bold, I disagree, no he's not. Oh, Cousins would be an upgrade over any Browns QB since '99 than possibly a healthy Tim Couch. Then again, so would Alex Smith. 

Win now? Care to put a number on wins you think the Browns will have with Cousins at QB this year with the Browns? You're out of your mind if you're dreaming playoffs, even with a perfect draft. I'll go so far to say Smith will be able to put up a similar number of wins- and we won't be committed to him for the next 5 years either, while the Browns real QBOTF sits and learns behind him.  

I'm as frustrated as anyone around here with the pathetic QB carousel, and the unending losing. It's just that some of the Cousins crowd think Kirk is going to be the magic elixir that's instantly going to turn the Browns into a winner right now. & yeah- it is partly about the money. You want to pay Cousins Tom Brady money- when a bunch of quarters are saying Kirk is no Brady- not even close.   Yup Kirkie is gonna get paid, I rather have a different team do the paying. 

[Louisville Slugger]

@hoorta said:

Regarding the bold, I disagree, no he's not. Oh, Cousins would be an upgrade over any Browns QB since '99 than possibly a healthy Tim Couch. Then again, so would Alex Smith. 

Win now? Care to put a number on wins you think the Browns will have with Cousins at QB this year with the Browns? You're out of your mind if you're dreaming playoffs, even with a perfect draft. I'll go so far to say Smith will be able to put up a similar number of wins- and we won't be committed to him for the next 5 years either, while the Browns real QBOTF sits and learns behind him.  

I'm as frustrated as anyone around here with the pathetic QB carousel, and the unending losing. It's just that some of the Cousins crowd think Kirk is going to be the magic elixir that's instantly going to turn the Browns into a winner right now. & yeah- it is partly about the money. You want to pay Cousins Tom Brady money- when a bunch of quarters are saying Kirk is no Brady- not even close.   Yup Kirkie is gonna get paid, I rather have a different team do the paying. 

Smith is exactly the same QB we keep signing. An aging system guy looking for one last pay day. I mean what' the diffrence between Alex Smith and Jake Delhomme? How about Jeff Garcia? Trent Dilfer? Why waste time with these bottom barrel guys when you can open up our loaded check book and get a guy who throws for 4k each year. It's really impressive when you realize he had no running game and a lack luster defense.

Money shouldn't be an issue. Just because he isn't a top 5 QB doesn't mean he won't be worth every penny of his contract. Is Matt Stafford as good as Tom Brady? Andrew luck? Of course not but they are worth the money because of how important they are to their team. That's the price you pay for a competent QB

[Ghoolie]

@thenew23 said:

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/951232867035766786

Yes, please!!

I also heard that Bill Cowher is buying a house in Berea in case the Browns decide to hire him as head coach.

[hoorta]

@louisville-slugger said:

Smith is exactly the same QB we keep signing. An aging system guy looking for one last pay day. I mean what' the diffrence between Alex Smith and Jake Delhomme? How about Jeff Garcia? Trent Dilfer? Why waste time with these bottom barrel guys when you can open up our loaded check book and get a guy who throws for 4k each year. It's really impressive when you realize he had no running game and a lack luster defense.

Money shouldn't be an issue. Just because he isn't a top 5 QB doesn't mean he won't be worth every penny of his contract. Is Matt Stafford as good as Tom Brady? Andrew luck? Of course not but they are worth the money because of how important they are to their team. That's the price you pay for a competent QB

Regarding  Smith being exactly the same QB we keep signing.   - it won't be because he's looking for a last payday either- FYI, he's not a free agent, we'll have to give KC something to get his services. You can bet Dorsey knows damn well what Alex is capable of- or why the chatter several teams will be interested in Smith? 

I'd suggest you look up Delhomme, Garcia, and Dilfer's stats on Pro Football reference before you start comparing Smith to that motley crew. Delhomme was clearly washed up when we signed him. Dilfer was a career mediocre QB with a negative TD\INT ratio- he can thank Ray Lewis & Co. for that Super Bowl ring. 

& cut the crap that Smith is a bottom barrel "system" guy. He's better in almost every respect than Cousins and has been for years. Or you so far up Cousins a$$ you can't see daylight? Inspect the sortable link and debate that if you will. 

Here's my equation for you:  2-3 years of Smith + 12 years of Darnond\Mayfield\Rosen >>> 5 years of Cousins.  More cap friendly too. For gosh sakes, do it right for once, get a competent bridge starter, and let the rookie sit and learn for a year. BTW, Stafford and Luck haven't sniffed the SB yet. That's my big fear- we'll sign Cousins and be kicking ourselves in the a$$ we passed yet again on the next Carson Wentz. I've already said it once- Cousins- or even Tom Brady himself isn't going to instantly turn the Browns into a contender in 2018, so what's your rush? 

PS- I don't hate Cousins, and I'll support him should the Browns decide to go that route. BUT MHO is he's not the best & certainly not the only option we have this off season.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?tabSeq=0&statisticCategory=PASSING&conference=null&season=2017&seasonType=REG&d-447263-s=PASSING_YARDS&d-447263-o=2&d-447263-n=1

[Louisville Slugger]

Wentz didn't get the eagles to the superbowl foles did. It's a team game and QBs get too much credit for taking their teams to the super bowl. Foles isn't better than Brees and yet who is playing in the superbowl? 

Alex Smith has only passed 4k once in his career and that was last year... and it was 4046 yrds. I get that he has played his best season to date but the man was awful for so long, and now I'm supposed to believe he win for the us at 35? You'e right I messed up he will be traded... meaning we have to give up something AND pay him like 20m. 

5 years in the NFL is a lifetime. You act like we can't also look for our next guy in that time. If you set up a contract right Cousins could be traded or cut after 3 years and that would give Darnold enough time to sit. So if we really like a QB in this draft we can still take them

[The Gipper]

@louisville-slugger said:

Smith is exactly the same QB we keep signing. An aging system guy looking for one last pay day. I mean what' the diffrence between Alex Smith and Jake Delhomme? How about Jeff Garcia? Trent Dilfer? Why waste time with these bottom barrel guys when you can open up our loaded check book and get a guy who throws for 4k each year. It's really impressive when you realize he had no running game and a lack luster defense.

Money shouldn't be an issue. Just because he isn't a top 5 QB doesn't mean he won't be worth every penny of his contract. Is Matt Stafford as good as Tom Brady? Andrew luck? Of course not but they are worth the money because of how important they are to their team. That's the price you pay for a competent QB

A fair point of view.....but then....why is Cousins any different than Delhomme, Garcia, Dilfer?

Well...there IS one ...maybe two differences:  A. Age...he may be a bit younger than those guys...but also:  B.  Unlike Delhomme, Dilfer, Garcia....Cousins has never lead his team to a Super Bowl or Conference title game appearance....and those others have.  

[Louisville Slugger]

Another thing Cousins has that those others don't is that he has never had a bad year as a starter. He took over a 4-12 team and this is what he did with them.

2015- 70% completions 29/11 td/int and 4166 yards 9 wins

2016- 67 % completions 25/12 td/int and 4917 yards 8 wins 

2017- 64.3% completions 27/13 td/int 4094 yards 7 wins

He was on a terrible team, what more can be do?