FWIW - Browns tried to claim QB O'Connell

[AZBrowns]

NFL insider and former Browns Scout Daniel Jeremiah said via Twitter (@MoveTheSticks) that the Browns were among 4 teams that put a waiver claim on released Pats QB Kevin O'Connell, who ultimately ended up in Detroit.

Hmmm.......

[Alendor]

we have bartell also. that would make 5 QBs if no one is dropped. a very big "hmmmm."

altho i assume bartell will be cut or practice squad. loser will get traded to avoid a lingering controvery during the season.

[AZBrowns]

Obviously it didn't go down, but the guy was a third round pick in the 2008 draft, so obviously the Pats liked him at the time. Maybe the Browns did this so they could move either BQ or DA; or maybe they tried because Mangini and Daboll weren't impressed with Ratliff or Bartell and wanted to make sure they had some type of insurance in case a situation like last year takes place.

[Kosar_For_President]

There is no hummmm about it. Who ever loses the QB battle is gone.

[DTBH]

Considering that Ratliff didn't even play against the Titans... I wonder if they're looking to find some competition for Bartel for the third spot and drop Ratliff. Probably not since he's Mangini's guy but it's possible.

[Aloysius]

@azbrowns said:

Obviously it didn't go down, but the guy was a third round pick in the 2008 draft, so obviously the Pats liked him at the time. Maybe the Browns did this so they could move either BQ or DA; or maybe they tried because Mangini and Daboll weren't impressed with Ratliff or Bartell and wanted to make sure they had some type of insurance in case a situation like last year takes place.

One thing to keep in mind is that Mangini kept four QB's on the Jets' initial 53 man roster last year, including a guy who'd been drafted two rounds after O'Connell (Erik Ainge).

Could be that Mangini's somewhat disappointed in Ratliff. But if O'Connell had come in and both he & Ratliff impressed Thursday night, it's entirely possible that Mangini would have once again made the unconventional move and kept four.

[pl4tinum]

Or, he wanted another warm body to play QB in the 4th quarter of Thursday's game, and was going to cut him after it... is that possible?

[Riffer X]

I'm going to come out and say it, I think Bartel is better than Ratliff with some nice upside. He throws a very nice ball at camp and has the physique and the tools. Hard to believe Mangie would go against his own, but than again he is all about competition and playing the best.

IMO, Ratliff was a pretty big disappointment this camp and I for one whiffed on him. O'Connell could have been considered competition for Bartel.

[Alendor]

@pl4tinum said:

Or, he wanted another warm body to play QB in the 4th quarter of Thursday's game, and was going to cut him after it... is that possible?

ya, thats another possibility. i've seen that done before, but i don't belive with a team thats had 4 QBs before. usually just 3 with 2 competing.

[Kingphisher]

mikeyP72 said:

Very interesting.

What team do we think DA is going to?

I'm kind of upset we didnt give Harrel more of a chance.

I think he is in a Browns uniform as #2 unless they get an offer for him (which I think is unlikely at this point). I agree with the Harrel decision. I really think that they would have brought him into camp mid way through once they saw what they had in Bartel and Ratliff (who have not looked good), but he signed with the CFL. Hence the waiver they placed for O' connell. Question I have is will they keep 3 QB or will they just keep 2 and Have Cribbs as the Emergency #3?