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Graham Harrell, the record-setting quarterback from Texas Tech who was passed over in the NFL Draft, was brought in for a tryout with the Cleveland Browns, and not offered a contract, though word is that he was somewhat impressive. He may yet wind up in Cleveland's training camp, but if he doesn't, will this by one of the first missteps by new coach Eric Mangini?
It would not surprise me in the least if ultimately Harrell was not only able to make the Browns' roster, but that eventually he will not be just carrying clipboard on Sundays, languished to the inactive list. That's the fate of the third-team quarterback, who can only go in the game if the starter and backup are removed for the balance of the game. Cleveland's situation under center is somewhat fuzzy, because they have not just one but two quarterbacks who they like. There's no reason for them not to still have faith in Derek Anderson, who made the Pro Bowl two years ago, in what was his first full season as a starter. Brady Quinn, of Notre Dame, represents an investment in a first-round draft choice, and someone the Browns felt obligated to give a chance to sooner or later. Well, that can sooner rather than later, as Anderson had problems with injuries and accuracy in 2008, while his receivers were dropping balls left and right.
After Quinn went out with an injury, the Browns had to turn to Ken Dorsey, who was claimed off the scrap heap, and this team started to resemble an offense that was so non-offensive that is was downright offensive. It also contributed to the ouster of coach Romeo Crennel, who must have come into the '08 campaign thinking he had the makings of an offensive juggernaut, with Anderson at the helm, Joe Thomas to protect him, a revitalized Jamal Lewis, Pro Bowl receivers in Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr., and a new addition in Donte Stallworth.
Well, now we know what happened. Anderson and Quinn wound up hurt, Lewis slowed down, Edwards couldn't hold on to the ball, Winslow was in and out, and is now gone, and you are well aware that Stallworth could be in the slammer before long. With Mangini the new coaching hire, all bets could be off before all is said and done.
Don't count Harrell out as a possible part of the picture. He was not drafted, and that was in part a result of the pre-disposition on the part of scouts to discount passers from Texas Tech as "system quarterbacks." Harrell seems different, though, and I have been told the same by some scouts. He had the intelligence not only to grasp, but to master Mike Leach's offense, he makes decisions quickly, now how to get rid of the ball to beat the rush, and he's very accurate. No, he doesn't have a rocket arm, and did not work from directly under center. But in the ever-changing climate surrounding NFL offenses, those things that are not easily corrected don't always have to be a burden. Smarts at the position appear to be under-appreciated, and if you remember, Mangini went to the playoffs with a quarterback named Chad Pennington, who did not have the strongest arm in the world.
Cleveland is paying a lot of money at the position, with Anderson and Quinn, which brings up salary cap concerns. This team needs personnel in other areas, and if they find someone else who can grow into the backup role, they would have the luxury of being able to trade one of those two "incumbents." I'm not sure that Brett Ratliff, who played for Mangini in New York, fits the bill.
My bet is that you will see Harrell in an NFL uniform when the opening game of the season kicks off, and that whoever gets him will not be unhappy about it in the least.
Charles Jay, a long-time sports columnist and handicapper, enjoys helping people pick sports winners at http://totalactionextra.com If you are in need of top-quality sports information, from an insider's perspective, come and check out what's available at http://totalactionextra.com
