For the second straight offseason, the Broncos have made a big trade involving a quarterback. The team’s acquisition of Brady Quinn certainly isn’t as big as the Jay Cutler deal a year ago, but any time a big-name quarterback is involved, it’s news.
As far as the trade itself, the Broncos were in a low-risk, high-reward situation. It was clear that Peyton Hillis was not going to factor in as one of the top two running backs for the Broncos. Head coach Josh McDaniels said on more than one occasion last year that he does not believe in getting three running backs regular reps because he believes that adversely affects the ability for any of these running backs to get into a rhythm.
Even though many fans have clamored for Hillis to get more playing time, it didn’t happen and never was going to happen (barring injury or some unforeseen situation) with Josh McDaniels as the Broncos’ head coach. Whether or not one agrees or disagrees with that makes for a good sports talk show topic or newspaper column, but it doesn’t change the fact that McDaniels did not see Hillis as one of the top couple of running backs. Thus, Hillis was not going to get meaningful playing time on a regular basis.
In making the trade, the Broncos did not take much risk. They packaged a player picked low in the draft (Hillis was a seventh round selection in 2008) and two low future draft picks to get Quinn, who was Cleveland’s first-round selection in 2007.
In Quinn, the Broncos get a player who could have a huge impact. If he turns into the player the Browns thought they were drafting, the Broncos just pulled off one whale of a trade. Of course, if Quinn becomes just another back-up quarterback and Hillis goes crazy in Cleveland, then the Broncos will have made not only a poor trade but also a serious error in evaluating Hillis.
While I believe Hillis is a good player and has ability to offer, I like the trade. There was no reason not to make it. On the surface, they didn’t have to give up a lot. Based on the numbers being reported, the Broncos’ financial risk is low. And at the very least, they increased their talent and depth at the most crucial position on a football team.
This last point is vital. Regardless of how good his team is, NFL head coaches and general managers are always looking to find players who are better than the ones they have. Like it or not, fair or not, that is life in the NFL, period.
Right now, I believe Kyle Orton is the unquestioned starting quarterback of the Denver Broncos. But I also believe that if Brady Quinn shows he is better and convinces the coaching staff that he gives the Broncos a better chance to win than Orton does, then Quinn will be the starting quarterback.
People want to know if the Broncos were sending a message to Orton or making a statement about their confidence in him by trading for another quarterback. I think it is far simpler than that: I believe the Broncos saw an opportunity to acquire a player they believe makes them a better football team and they jumped on that opportunity.
It won’t be long before we start finding out if and how Quinn makes them better.
I know many of you have been weighing in on the deal, but feel free to share your thoughts.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
Tags: Brady Quinn, Head Coach Josh McDaniels, Kyle Orton, Trade
I think I’m excited… I’m not looking forward to controversy, I think Kyle is a great manager of the game. Brady has great gunslinger potential. Is there a successful way to combine them like Philadelphia tried to do?
dirty yella…I don’t think a combo at quarterback works well. Plus, McNabb got most of the playing time. The Eagles used Vick sparingly. Mike
Great post rice.
I think with Quinn riding the bench, if Orton just slightly screws up fans will want a switch. It all depends on camp though, maybe some how Quinn wins the job it would all be vice versa.
I feel a lot better with Quinn backing up Orton that the high school like QB Simms.
I’m all for the move, like I said before the deal could’ve went down last season at much more of a cost to the Broncos. I’m all for competition. Last season Simms wasn’t posing much of a threat to take the starting position from Orton, we all saw that when Simms started. Brandstater, c’mon McD isn’t going to throw a rookie into the fire. This season I think Quinn can give Orton a legitimate run for his money. Here, we have a good o-line, we have good WR, we have a decent core of RB. All those things helped Orton out. All of those same things can help Quinn out if he chooses. While I think Orton is the starter until he proves otherwise or Quinn proves he’s better than Orton. Quinn has a lot to learn yet and under McD he can gain that knowledge. I think unless Quinn stuns the coaches with his playing Orton will start and Quinn will learn and we’ll see what happens next season.
Don’t forget one small point, though – Quinn sucks. College was a long time ago. I see this as a weekend headline and little else. McD: gimme someone truly legit down the road, but for now gimme Orton.
I don’t know if I’d say Quinn sucks just yet. He obviously hasn’t performed well in Cleveland but he didn’t have a supporting casts with the exception of Cribbs. I’m not crowing him a QB legend yet I’m just saying that he doesn’t “suck” just yet. If that’s the case then Cutler sucks too because he crapped on himself in Chicago. Does that mean he really sucks..not quite, he doesn’t have the supporting cast. You know those times when Orton only had to run a couple of yards and instead he threw incompletions on 3rd downs. Quinn would just run and pick up the first down. I’m kind of excited to see if McD can work his magic with Quinn.
Where are all the fans who wanted Quinn last season. They should be extatic.
I feel for any QB that comes to Denver, given the Elway legacy that has to be lived up to. I hope Quinn does well, but I doubt, at least for this year he can beat out Orton for the starting position. It could be like Mr. Rice says, a message is being sent to Orton to step up your game or you will be replaced, either by Quinn or Brandstater. The last thing we need is a QB controversy during the season so I hope one of these guys proves himself as soon as possible during training camp so this does not happen. Clearly the job is Orton’s to lose.
we are still around man…. just keeping our excitement tempered with a bit of caution!
im very excited to see what Quinn can do on a good team. just remember guys.. even peyton manning sucked his first year or 2 until they built a line to protect him and gave him good recievers to throw to! not saying he is peyton just sayin dont write him off for a couple of mediocre (and for the record thats what they were, mediocre, not terrible) years with a crappy team! my 2 cents
Speaking of Elway, why isn’t there a statue of Elway at Invesco? I read an article that asked that question and the more I thought about it, yeah, why isn’t there one?
They went with a bunch of horses instead. There is a push going on for this currently. There should be a larger than life statue of Elway outside Invesco.
I think Im siding with Rod Woodson on this one. What direction is McD headed while at the helm?
What kind of supporting cast will Quinn have here if Marshall, Scheffler et. al, are traded away?
Does anybody remember that Cleveland ended the season on a 4 or 5 game win streak? Night and Day compared to what transpired in Mile High.
Florio, we cant even pay our star players their worth right now. What makes anybody think we would pay Morrison?
Im all for an Elway statue. Whatever helps us regain that MILE HIGH MAGIC!!! Mr. Rice, can you spearhead this endeavor? lol
@ sndvl…. speaking of mile high magic… what happened to it! ive seen several games in the new stadium and i must tell ya… ITS LAME! the old mile high was an intimidating place to play! teams feared us at home even when we were having a crappy year! now stadium officals work so hard to keep all the fans subdued that its almost more fun to just do the tailgating at the stadium and then watch it at home! i got in trouble for flippin a raiders fan off after we beat them a couple years ago! thought security was going to remove the offending digit as punishment. then another time i almost got kicked out for standing up during the wrong times in the game! im sorry but its a FOOTBALL GAME! if you want to sit in a comfy chair and have no one blocking the view in front of you then STAY HOME! so that us super hyped fans can make some noise and make the place feared like it once was! i could go on for days with this tirade but i think you guys get the gist!
Whether Quinn starts or is backup I like the trade and think it improves the qb position. Now yes I know I am just bringing up a old topic again, but I have to say that Orton handled this trade way better than crybaby Cutler did last year. Orton is way more of a man than Cutler ever could be.
I couldn’t be more disgusted with this trade. We just picked up a proven garbage QB who was set to backup (wait for it) JAKE DELHOME. Is Vinny Testeverde still available – how about Jamarcus Russell, we was good in college to. Nice job McDaniels – you really blew that one. The big news next year will be the new coach, not the new QB
I dont understand how people can throw Quinn under a buss when he played for Cleavland! Doom had 4 sacks week 2, what does this tell you? Cleavland had no line, nor did Cleavland have receivers. In the long run if things dont work out, the City of Denver will not have to endure the pain of seeing Chris Simms on the field in a Bronco uniform ever again.
Fact. Quinn is here now. I hope for the better of the team. He was cheap, so why not? I liked Hillis a lot, but I’m glad he’s gone to a new opportunity for more playing time.
I think a good and fair QB competition will improve the 3 QBs. The winner here is Brandstater, because he will develop a lot without the pressure of “having to be the starter”.
As long as the defense keeps the pump ALL season (not just 6 games), i guess we’ll be fine with Orton or Quinn, whoever wins the spot.
I’m happy for Peyton. I hope he gets a chance to play with the Browns. I wished he had more playing time for us last season. Hopefully, Brady Quinn just needs more playing time to become a top tier QB.
Rolando McClain will be a Bronco.
Quinn has heart – he wants to win
It looks to be a very good trade for both us, and the Browns. Holmgren obviously likes the potential Hillis will bring to their Team as he loves a bruiser FB in his system. Quinn was rumored to potentially be a Bronco last year. He cleared his physical, although the injury he suffered, is a tough rebound. Let’s hope it’s healed enough not to require surgery. It’s good to hear he’s coming to camp with the mentality of being our starting QB.
You make a good point Mike, as we’ll have a “deeper bench” at this position. (Simms obviously wasn’t going to cut it). Curious to see how Brandstaters development is coming along as he clearly is a smart QB and has the physical attributes to be a potential starter in the NFL. This a great opportunity for Quinn and a fresh start. Orton did well in his first year with the Broncos, and it’s his job to lose or keep.
All three QB’s are close in age, with Brandstater being just a few days older than Quinn. (Both born in October ’84).
Kyle Orton – 6’4″ 225 lbs – age 27
Tom Brandstater – 6′ 5″ 225 lbs – age 25
Brady Quinn – 6’3″ 235 lbs – age 25
I’m somewhere in the middle of the bloggers on this one, on one hand I definitely don’t see Quinn as the proverbial answer or great potential as some seem to see it, and on the other hand I don’t think he sucks as bad as some others say he does. This move pretty much leaves me uninspired. Even so I buy that he will probably perform better than in Cleveland due to a better supporting cast, I fail to have the vision that he can take us all the way, which is where we all want to go I think. So not a big headline to me, a bit boring, but definitely a HUGE improvment over Simms, that’s about the size of it for now. Here is to hope that McD can do whatever he did with Cassel with Quinn.
It’s a win win deal. I think we all must wait and see. If he don’t work out what did it cost? McD wasn’t going to play Hillis very much anyway.
I don’t get the browns being worse than bronco arguement for Quinn. Broncos were the 3rd worst team in the NFL last 10 games of the season. Browns won 4 straight to end the season, against 3 teams that’s beat the broncos. Browns sucked with Quinn starting, won 4 straight after he got hurt. No logic saying browns are a worse team
can you really blame the owners for not wanting to give lengthy contracts to players and who really cares what players are on which team; at the end of this NFL year there will be no new CBA and there will be no NFL in 2011 or beyond; the greed of the players and the greed of the owners will destroy the NFL. in September 2011 there will be 32 empty stadiums; 500+ ex-football players..broke as their contracts will be null and void and looking for jobs at burger king or wendys… and 32 ex-team owners looking for new places to invest their money.
I think it’s a great move, Orton is an average QB , and I believe Quinn can be a great QB wich is what we need , he has a lot of potential and I also think he will be the starting QB this season , he’s a competitor and I think he will show us that..
I think that was a great situation for us. Good job MickieD. Put pressure on orton this year. If we had a good back up whether Orton or Quinn instead of Simms we would have made it to the play-offs at least.. Quinn is a superb athlete much stronger and faster than Orton. Get Suh!!! and some good recievers and here we go!!
I’m still sayin’ if you want a proven QB then the only logical thing is to go get Favre. He’s shown that he is good in he NFL and will never retire on us like that Elway guy did. Plus all these QBs in the draft sure they’re good in college but that doesn’t mean anything.
Favre + Broncos jersey #4 = Super Bowl!!!!!!!
lostfan, good handle for your post, LOL. In my view a long stoppage of play is very unlikely in 2011, both sides will probably take it to the 2011 labor day deadline in an attempt to get as much from the other side as they can, but once the deadline has gone by and work stoppage is in front of their noses, they will be quick to find middle ground. This is the third possible strike I have been around in over 35 years in the NFL and the previous two weren’t that bad. It won’t be the end of the world and it will be resolve way faster than you think IMO.
Money talks and b.s. walks, the b.s is talking now until the money is gone, then both sides will quit the b.s to listen to the money. Simple economics.
Get good recievers? We can’t even keep the great recievers we got. Some people are reading into this Quinn deal a little too much. He is just the backup. Lost his job to Anderson wouldve lost it to delhomme and Wallace. And won’t beat out orton. Cleveland was terrible until Quinn got hurt. Then they won 4 straight. To teams that the broncos couldn’t beat. He’s an upgrade from simms and that’s it. People say they didn’t give up much, but after next season when hillis proves he’s a quality rb not a fb they will change their mind about that
getting rid of Hillis was a bad move. Mark my words he will be putting up some major # next season.
sndvl-
It’s basic logic. Say we draft mcClain, we give him a huge rookie contract and he is one of the highest paid on the team. (Like Ayers) Yet he has not proved he can play in the NFL. Or we can pay Morrison similar numbers knowing not only is he consistent, but that he has been improving every year he has been in the league. (Check out his stats)
Now this doesn’t mean we don’t pay guys that deserve it, like Doom and neckbeard. I’m just saying if we are willing to use a 1st rounder and a ton of cash, why not use it on a guy that is proven.
Same thing happened with the Vikes. They said, “Man, we really need a pass rusher.” So instead of firing in the dark, the sent their 1st pick to Kansas city for Jared Allen (a PROVEN, third round pick) Now look how that turned out for them.
Sorry, I’m just not a fan of rookies. Unless they are just playing at an other level, (Manning, Elway Sanders) I would rather go after a proven Vet. And besides the guy is still young, just entering his prime.
LOL sorry for the rant.
florio’s_mom: We did go out and spend big bucks on a couple of guys by the name of Robertson and Bly. Two guys that were having good careers and improving, we pay them big bucks to come play for us and they fail completely. It could go both ways.
Mcds judge of talent isn’t great at all IMO. So far his personnel decisions are questionable. Alphonso smith? Certainly not 1st round talent. Moreno? Underachieved IMO. Richard Quinn? Did he even get on the field? Orton? Mediocre manager. Paxton? Mike leach was better. The Dline of free agents last year? All replaced by free agents this year. Ignoring talent that produced before he took the job? Multiple examples of that. Hiring Nolan then butting heads? After a full year his negatives outweigh his positives.
Yes. But it least they have something to back it up.
All McClain has proved to me is that he is slow and he has Crohn’s disease.
BTW
Robertson wasn’t having a good career. They practically ran him out of NY.
Bly was on the down side of his career. He didn’t even out up that good of numbers the years he made his two pro bowls.
It’s obvious that Shanny had no idea who to pick up for the defense.
Well said Florio.
Pay money to the players that have earned it, espercially the ones on our team as well as free agents, the ones that are proven producers.
On that note, the Jets want Bmarsh; but want to keep thier first round pick.
Any thoughts as to what we would be willing to take. How about V. Gholston and Leon Washington and a late round pick. Move Gholston to ILB and Leon W. on special teams would be great. Or..Instead of Leon W. maybe Jerrico C. or instead of V. Gholston maybe Davis Harris.
I just dont want another Bmashall episode playing out in the off season distracting everyone from thier jobs.
good afternoon all am happy for the trade, Quinn has a tremendous upside, not only did the browns line suck but no running game and recievers that could not catch a cold someone ought to look up the drop passes from last year, and also quinn you start no wait this week you sit maybe in two weeks if anderson has a crap game you start no QB gets consistent that way, And honestly how many of us here screamed at the tv or at the game tuck the frigging ball and run orton on a 3rd and short and oh lets not forget this orton goes down if a pass rusher creates enough wind he crumples, Dang got on my high horse forgot my question has anyone heard if jj arrington passed his physical and also why the heck do we need 4 QBs simms will be gone i hope
Drunken Bronco you r obviously living up to your namesake. Richard Quinnn was on the field, unfortunately made a few mistakes. but also made some special teams plays. The free agent Dline men from last year for the most part are still around; Peterson and Thomas were already here. Alphonso has a lot to live up to and that may prove to be the worst draft day decision McD has made. Maybe he has learned from it.
I for one was pretty excited whenever I heard about the trade for Quinn even though I have always been a HUGE fan of Hillis. I still think it is wrong that McD didn’t use him much at all this season. All he had to do was watch the film from last season and it speaks for itself there. But the QB situation is much bigger than the running back position and Quinn has A LOT of potential of doing great in Denver. Just look at it this way…
I unfortunately had to see us beating the hell out of the Redskins this past year only to see Orton get hurt and Simms didn’t even look like a high school QB. I was dieing to go down there and ask McD to let me come into the game because I could have easily out performed Simms, I know that for sure! He was always confused on what to do and acted like he didn’t know the plays. He had NO zip on his passing and it was just awful to watch. We about came back and won the second Charger game whenever Orton came back in the game. If he would’ve started that game I think we would’ve won! Quinn is great on his feet and has a very solid arm. He had no potential in Cleveland and that’s because he had NOTHING to work with. Yes, Orton’s stats were better than Quinn’s before he came here, but let’s just see what happens!
Lets just sign Marshall and Doom and all my worries will be out the window!
I’m open to competition and believe we have better competition at the QB position. But remember it’s a 3 way battle at the QB position, let the best man win. Go Broncos!!! And just saying…. Mc Genius will keep Marshall and draft D.Bryant to assist the best man this season and in alot more season to come. Go Broncos!!!
bobcat… sims was cut yesterday!
Hometeam you make a crack about my name then basically agree with my post. Peterson and Thomas were here. But fields mcbean smith weren’t. All 3 just got replaced. As far as learning from it? He just traded away a player who wouldve got those 3rd and 4th and shorts. How many times did we see moreno get stuffed on the same called play? Goaline 3 same plays? Don’t say it’s all the o lines fault cause it’s not. It’s not their fault moreno couldn’t find the hole or lane. He would just run into the back of one of the lineman
no way IMO do we draft dez!! head case… the next TO i think!
Any one is an upgrade over simms. We are obviously upgrading each and every position….NICE
I got no problem with quinn as long as he doesn’t start. Browns being horrendous with Quinn starting, then win 4 straight as soon as he stops playing is a big red flag for me.
@drunkenbroc…..
those guys we picked up for the D line last year were the best we could to at the time! i have to GREATLY disagree with you (respectfully of course) that these guys we picked up on the D line are vastly superior to the guys we picked up last year! and as for the running game.. i think moreno could have definately performed better and i think he will this year! but when you are trying to run a power blockin scheme with guys built for speed you are going to be in trouble 95% of the time and power blocking is what McD knows. i would have liked to seen him adapt and learn the zone scheme that shanny put in place but it just wasnt his thing so …. we’re movin forward with what he is comfortable with!
and you keep mentioning the games that the brown won at the end without brady quinn…. well one of them was against the colts who sat their starters. plus if you compare numbers between quinn and anderson you will see that quinn out performed anderson! sorry man.
Go Broncos
“THE BATTLE IS WON IN THE TRENCHES”
DrunkenBronc…Dude are you freakin serious. Ignorning talent that was all ready there? Our D was the worst D in the last 10 years with Shanny as the coach. Last year our D fell apart the last 10 games and there should/nt be change? we are always improving which is what winners do. Get on board or go back to Oakland.
plus… come on man.. clevelands defense was one of the bottom like 4 or 5 in the league!! hard to win when your defense lets people walk all over ya!