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Browns sign McQuistan; pass the No-Doz
So the Browns have signed offensive lineman Paul McQuistan.
Pardon me if I stifle a yawn.
Signing McQuistan does not fix what ails the Browns’
offensive line. It doesn’t even come close. It’s not even a building block.
The Browns cited his versatility when announcing the
two-year contract agreement. I don’t want to know how versatile he is. I want
to know how good he is.
Yes, he played on a fairly regular basis for the Super Bowl
champion Seattle Seahawks for the last three seasons. But there was no way he
would have been a starter for the Seahawks in 2014.
Another statistic to factor into the McQuistan equation: He’ll
he 31 years old by the beginning of the season. When you sign a 31-year-old
offensive lineman, it’s more for depth than regular duty.
If somehow McQuistan winds up on the starting line this
September, that will tell you all you need to know about how much this unit has
been improved. In other words, not at all.
The Browns not only need to get better on the offensive
line, especially at the guards, they need to get younger.
Versatility and experience are nice attributes for a player
like McQuistan, but c’mon, the Browns can certainly do better. Much better. Look
for at least one guard to be selected in the college draft in May.
So excuse me if I don’t get too excited about McQuistan’s
arrival in Cleveland. It prompted me to reach for the No-Doz, which I used
earlier when the Browns signed free agent defensive back Isaiah Trufant.
Both men might make the team, but their contributions
hopefully will be limited.
True, not a flashy signing, and I also expect them to draft a guard relatively early on (hopefully no later than the third round). However, even if they don't acquire another guard all off-season, I submit that McQuistan, a 31-yr old journeyman, is still a big upgrade over Lauvao, who was high in the discussion of the single worst starting guards in the NFL last year.
ReplyDeleteDW
True he is an upgrade over Lauvao, but that isn't saying much. They need to get better at that position, a lot better and McQuistan isn't the answer. There are two guards -- Xavier Su'a-Filo and David Yankey -- in the college draft who would fit in right away. At least one will be there at #26. Both are athletic and would fit nicely into the zone blocking system.
ReplyDeleteI agree on those two particular guards, at least one of whom I was hoping they'd catch at # 35. I think the Browns have four positions in genuine need of big-time upgrade - ILB, OG, # 2 WR, and # 2 CB (we'll leave the QB off the board for now, viewing Hoyer with Browns-colored glasses). My two draft options would be 1) trading # 4 back a few spots if possible and then getting ILB Mosely, with either Benjamin or Beckham at 26, the guard at 35, and a CB with the trade-acquired 2nd-rd pick, or 2) Watkins at 4, the guard at 26, and Borland at 35. How do you compare these to your best-case scenario for the Browns draft?
ReplyDeleteDW
I love Borland, DW. He's a playmaker. He might not have all the wonderful numbers that sometimes mesmerize scouts, but he's a football player. Sort of like Chris Spielman.
DeleteAnd I don't like trading when you have 10 picks in seven rounds. They don't need any more picks. They just need to be smart with the 10 they've got.
So...You don't like the idea of adding depth to the offensive line? I guess nothing these guys do will satisfy you!
ReplyDeleteDo you really think they signed McQuistan for depth, Southie? I'm not sure fans are seeing it that way.
DeleteYeah, I do, unless you want to consider him an upgrade over Lauvao(which would apply to almost anyone they picked up). As far as "what the fans see", I could care less. It used to be that Browns fans were among the most knowledgeable in the NFL. Now it seems they are nothing more than a bunch of 30-something whiners and naysayers.
DeleteThey might be whiners and naysayers, but they've known nothing but bad football for most of their lives. Can you blame them for feeling that way?
ReplyDeleteIndians fans were the same way until the mid-1990s. And Cavaliers fans changed once LeBron left. Losing can do that to you.
You and others like you are the exceptions.