Most of the talk recently has been about trading the number two for a bevy of picks. I submit that perhaps the staff doesn't feel the same. New regimes want new directions. As we know, QB is the most important position on the field. If you want to change the identity of the team, you change QB's. This was frequently the mantra when Spags took over. Why isn't is being discussed now? More after the jump.
RG3 has a very similar pass completion percentage to what Bradford did at Oklahoma. While Bradford moves around ok, nobody would compare the two as far as athleticism goes. Bradford played with the elite of college players at Oklahoma. Baylor? Raise your hand if you expect Baylor to compete as they have without their QB. Oklahoma has a system, and it works for them. Baylor was elevated to elite status based upon one guy. It wasn't Jason Smith.
It's not as if there is no precedent for this. One of Jeff Fisher's first picks was Steve McNair. Another mobile QB with a great arm, excellent accuracy, and perhaps most importantly, smart as hell. He went to the Super Bowl with that pick.
Finally, I have to believe that with Luck and RG3 gone, the browns would give up their 4 and 2nd round pick for Bradford, whom Shurmur is in love with. That gives you RG3, Kalill or Blackmon, and an early additional 2nd rounder. I find it hard to believe that someone wouldn't want an accurate Mike Vick. By the way, Snead also picked Vick while in Atlanta.
While we all like to think about possible extra picks, to me RG3 warrants some thought. The staff has a history of taking players like this. He immediately helps the O-line, one of our biggest weaknesses, by being more mobile.Suddenly a sack is a 10 yard scramble. Bradford has trade value. His money off the books creates more cap space. All in all, I don't think you turn down a player like RG3. I like Bradford, but we've seen him for two years now. He needs an O-line, we need a mobile QB. Perfect situation for a trade with Cleveland, who has the oline to protect him.