This past week has been a whirlwind in Berea as the quarterback carousel has been in full effect. Out are Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, and in are Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme. And the Browns quarterback of the future is still anyone’s guess. Nothing surprises me anymore in the NFL, because there is always constant change. The teams that deal with change best win and those that don’t well you catch my drift.

Brady Quinn’s name was a lighting rod from the moment the NFL Draft began back in 2007. I was never sure if Brady was thought of so highly by fans in this area because he was from nearby Columbus, he played at Norte Dame, or his looks. Regardless I never got it, and many of his teammates didn’t get it either. I can remember doing the NFL Draft show back in 2007 and Mike Trivisonno was dead set that the Browns had to take Quinn with the teams 3rd overall pick.

Now remember this draft had Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, and all word wide out Calvin Johnson just to name a few. I’ll never forget Triv and I finding out right before the draft that the Browns would not be selecting Quinn with the 3rd pick and they would go with Thomas. You would have thought the Browns had taken Triv’s lunch money from him as he couldn’t take it or understand why the Browns wouldn’t select Quinn. Triv was so mad that when the Browns selection was made, he left the building mad as could be.

Now this made for great radio, and I’m not picking on Triv, but this raw emotion that was had by this town about Quinn always amazed me. Obviously the Browns made the move later in the draft to select Quinn and Triv called in and rejoiced and all in Browns land seemed to be on track. There was only one problem; the Browns had a guy on the roster already that was getting ready to have the best year of his life. That would be Derek Anderson.

Ill never be sure if Phil Savage and the Browns selected Quinn because of the pressure of this town wanting the next Bernie or if he truly thought Quinn could be his guy. I do know that Quinn’s ten day hold out did little to help him with beating out Anderson, and Quinn from there on out always had to be better then Anderson. The Browns had a magical 2007 season with Quinn in the background. Anderson gained trust with his teammates and coaches, while fans still yearned to see what the team had in Quinn. This didn’t sit well with some veterans who had suffered through enough losing. And they couldn’t understand why they had to have Brady Quinn overload everywhere they looked. Anderson was helping them win games, but Brady Quinn’s jersey was everywhere, he was on every other commercial.

I can even remember Quinn’s teammates teasing him because his jersey was one of the top selling jerseys in the league but he hadn’t played. This back in forth between Anderson and Quinn probably hurt both of their chances to sustain productive careers here in Cleveland. Anderson needed thicker skin, and Quinn had to be great to live up to the hype that was around him. And honestly Quinn may never be what all the people with his jersey thought he’d be.
 
Both will most likely start the 2010 season as back ups. I bring up what happen with those two young quarterbacks to emphasize that Delhomme may not sell jerseys like Quinn. And Wallace will never have the arm of Anderson, but the Browns have two veterans who can handle the pressure of being an NFL quarterback. It’s not an easy role especially here in Cleveland.

Delhomme grabbed my attention with his honesty about his struggles last season. He also said quickly that he has no problem with grooming a young quarterback. I’m not sure if he has anything left but I think his teammates and coaches will appreciate his professionalism. And in Wallace you have a guy who understands his role. The Browns have many steps to go in becoming a winning team, but the quarterback position is in better hands today then two weeks ago.

There may have been more talent and better looks with the last pair, but the group the Browns have now understand that it’s more then talent that helps a man lead other men. Now the question that we all want to know is who will be the young quarterback that Delhomme will help groom?

Andre Knott

The Cleveland Browns today named Jim Ross as Senior Vice President-Business Development, the team announced. Ross, who has been a key part of the sports industry for more than 25 years, joins the club following a three-year stint in a similar role with the New York Yankees.

With the Browns, Ross will oversee all of the club’s sales and marketing, as well as revenue generating program initiatives, including brand advertising, tickets, suite operations, media sales and sponsorship groups, among other areas. He will report directly to Executive Vice President-Business Operations Bryan Wiedmeier. “We are excited to add someone with Jim’s experience and reputation to our front office,” said Browns President Mike Holmgren. “Jim is one of the most respected marketing executives in professional sports, and has a lengthy track record of success with several different sports teams and venues. His diversity and extensive knowledge of the industry will be huge assets to the Cleveland Browns. This move gives us another great person on our management team.”
 
“I am ecstatic for this opportunity with the Cleveland Browns as well as re-joining the NFL,” said Ross. “I view the Browns as a storied franchise and I am honored to be a part of that tradition. I am proud to be able to work for such a great owner in Randy Lerner, as well as Coach Holmgren and Bryan Wiedmeier, whom I have known and respected for a long time. Along with the rest of my family, I am looking forward to getting started in Cleveland and becoming a part of the Browns and the community.”

With the Yankees, Ross played an integral role in the opening of new Yankee Stadium in 2009, as the team won the World Series title last year. Prior to joining the Yankees’ front office, Ross spent the previous seven seasons (2000-06) as Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Miami Dolphins, as well as the team’s stadium, now called Sun Life Stadium.

Ross first went to South Florida in 1996 as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Florida Marlins, a position in which he served for four years, including the club’s World Championship season of 1997. Following his tenure with Marlins and before going to the Dolphins, Ross had a brief stint in 2000 as President of AFL Properties, the marketing arm of the Arena Football League.

Ross got his start in the sports world as the promotion supervisor for Sports Illustrated in 1984. After four years in that post, he assumed the position of Vice President of Marketing for the New York Mets, where he served that franchise from 1988-92. Following his tenure with the Mets, Ross spent three years (1993-95) as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the World Wide Ski Corporation in Aspen, Colorado. Ross is a 1984 graduate of the University of Colorado, where he earned his degree in journalism.
 
He also attended the Sports Management Institute Executive Program in 1991, sponsored by the University of Notre Dame, University of North Carolina and the University of Southern California.

Jim and his wife, Elisa, have a son, Alexander, and a daughter, Emily.

The Cleveland Browns re-signed linebacker Marcus Benard, linebacker Blake Costanzo and running back Chris Jennings, the team announced today. All three players had been exclusive rights players.
 
Benard originally signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and spent the first nine weeks of the season on the Browns’ practice squad. He appeared in six games and recorded 3.5 sacks to finish tied for sixth among all rookies in sacks.
 
Costanzo joined the Browns via waivers from Buffalo prior to the 2009 season and appeared in all 16 games. He notched 14 tackles, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble on special teams. His 14 special teams tackles led the team and his three defensive/special teams fumble recoveries tied for first in the AFC and third in the NFL.

Jennings spent the first three weeks of the 2009 season on the Browns’ practice squad, before being signed to the active roster. He appeared in nine games and registered 220 rushing yards with one touchdown and nine receptions for 56 yards.