The "Inside Word" on the QB Search

[SmootSmack]

There have been a lot of names floating around re: the next Redskins QB so I thought I'd just take a moment here to sort of refresh the discussion and summarize what I've heard.

Reminder: This is only about what I've heard. And remember things change. Also, this isn't about some of the later round prospects they have been scouting like Harnish or Dominique Davis

Current QBs

Rex Grossman: They've been working on a 1-2 year deal, but talks have stalled. But that may be because both sides decided to just hold off further talk until the offseason. I know there are other teams that have expressed interest in Rex (to the surprise of many I'm sure) as a veteran backup.

John Beck: Gone, but don't be too surprised if he stays through most of training camp. Particularly if Grossman goes elsewhere

Jonathan Crompton: Likely gone

Free Agents (only those who have been linked to the Redskins):

Kyle Orton: I'm actually not totally sure he's a FA, but the Redskins aren't likely to pursue him. Have heard the Jets are a possibility for KO

Matt Flynn: I know his name is the hot name being tossed around and everyone is connecting him to the Redskins. But I haven't had one legit source tell me there is true interest. Maybe there is, but from all I've heard it sure doesn't sound like it

Josh Johnson: Interest, but not as a starter.

Brian Hoyer: He's Restricted, but he's a potential sleeper. Papa Shanahan likes him (I can't speak for Junior). But he might be someone to keep an eye on.

Peyton Manning: None that I've heard of

Trades:

Jimmy Clausen: Very possible if the Panthers decide to move him. Redskins won't offer higher than a conditional 5th and he wouldn't be brought in to be the unquestioned starter. Skins have been monitoring Clausen situation since last spring when Panthers took Cam.

Mark Sanchez: Rumor was smoking hot three weeks ago but has died down a bit. Not as likely to happen anymore

Sam Bradford: This is probably choice #1. To figure out some way to get Bradford without giving up both their 1st and 2nd this year. No one knows that the new Rams regime is going to do, but Redskins are definitely keeping tabs on what happens there because if they can get Bradford they'll likely do just about "whatever it takes" to get him. Which is interesting, because they didn't want to 2 years ago. Though now "whatever it takes" is probably much less

Colt McCoy: Have not heard of any legit Redskins interest in him.

Draft:

Andrew Luck: As of right now, it doesn't look like they are seriously considering trading up for him

RGIII. Not to be confused with this RGIII. They like him a lot, though I don't think more than Luck as has been reported here, but they probably won't move up to get him.

Landry Jones: Chris Russell (ESPN 980 Redskins Beat Reporter) says the Skins have zero interest in LJ. But I've heard otherwise many times. If they're going to "reach" for anyone at 6, don't be too surprised if it's Jones. This is all assuming he declares. Kyle is the one who likes him. Well, let me specify Kyle seemingly prefers Jones to Tannehill (though both father and son like both), sees him as having much of the same qualities Schaub has.

Ryan Tannehill: See Jones. Though honestly I think they're more likely to take Jones at 6 than Tannehill. Feeling is Jones can start now, Tannehill may need a little more time

Nick Foles: 2nd round possibility, won't move up for him.

Kirk Cousins/Ryan Lindley: 3rd round possibilities

Brandon Weeden: No...not that I've heard

So I think Plan A is make a run for Sam Bradford and possibly add someone like a Jimmy Clausen/Brian Hoyer. Though Hoyer may cost too much to not start him. Bradford and Clausen! Could you imagine, how silly would that be. Plan B is draft a Jones/Tannehill and someone like Grossman or Josh Johnson is the veteran/transition QB.

My gut prediction as of today...Landry Jones (I know I've been saying Tannehill but I'm honestly going back and forth on the two) and Rex returns as the backup.

[skinsfaninok]

Thanks ss. No big shockers there I'd like to see us get Flynn if and only if we can't trade for Sam or Andrew luck. I'm with them on Landry Jones and tannehill, both are OK players but we want a true franchise qb and we've earned one dammit.. Oh and sanchez aka baby rex can stay in ny or go back out west

[tryfuhl]

Thanks for the insight

[NC_Skins]

Thanks for the intel/info Smoot! You sir are a gem.

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

RGIII. Not to be confused with this RGIII. They like him a lot, though I don't think more than Luck as has been reported here, but they probably won't move up to get him.

Yeah, that dude got a lot of flack for that intel about the Skins liking RGIII more than Luck. Hell, I find it hard to believe, but then again, I'm not the one looking at game film or projecting his transition into our offense. If you listened to Phil Simms, Luck is overrated.

TwitLonger — When you talk too much for Twitter

Weeks ago I put it out there that NFL scouts/front offices have RG3 rated over Luck. A majority of people told me i was crazy.. Everyday that passes more NFL people come out and say the same.

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Ryan Tannehill: See Jones. Though honestly I think they're more likely to take Jones at 6 than Tannehill. Feeling is Jones can start now, Tannehill may need a little more time

Why would you select either one at #6? Tannehill should be available at our second round selection, and I imagine you could get Jones mid first round perhaps? (depending on how he grades out)

[CultBrennan59]

Thanks for the insight smoot, however I really hope that your wrong about us being high on both Tannehill and Landry Jones.

I don't want Tannehill, because he doesn't impress me and seems like a lot of long development. LJ as I've been saying for a while is overrated according to my OU buddies who watch every OU game, say he is very overrated and they hope he declares so that they don't have to see another year of LJ on OU's team. They pointed out what others pointed out; once his best WR went down, so did he.

I'm waiting for 'Andy Dalton' of this year (guy who is projected in the mid rounds, but after senior bowl and workouts and interviews and second evaluations he'll climb to late first - early second).

[Paintrain]

If we draft any QB other than Luck or RGIII I'm going to be very disappointed. Not interested in Hoyer or Flynn either. Clausen fits the mold of a backup worth developing but at a reasonable cost of course.

[12thMan]

Awesome! So provided that the Skins somehow land Bradford and don't part ways with this year's first, they could indeed possibly end up with Sam Bradford and Matt Kalil. Or Sam Bradford and Justin Blackmon. Though the former is probably more likely given how Blackmon finished the season.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Awesome! So provided that the Skins somehow land Bradford and don't part ways with this year's first, they could indeed possibly end up with Sam Bradford and Matt Kalil. Or Sam Bradford and Justin Blackmon. Though the former is probably more likely given how Blackmon finished the season.

I think he was saying that if there was a way to not part with this years first AND second round picks, meaning it would cost our first but we'd still have our second.. SS, clarification please?

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I think he was saying that if there was a way to not part with this years first AND second round picks, meaning it would cost our first but we'd still have our second.. SS, clarification please?

Correct. That's how I understood it as well.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I think he was saying that if there was a way to not part with this years first AND second round picks, meaning it would cost our first but we'd still have our second.. SS, clarification please?

Yeah, I think you're right. Seemed too good to be true. That said, don't underestimate Dan Snyder's ability to reach deep into the cookie jar. #justsayin

[NC_Skins]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Yeah, I think you're right. Seemed too good to be true. That said, don't underestimate Dan Snyder's ability to reach deep into the cookie jar. #justsayin

Dan isn't controlling football operations anymore. Just signing the checks.

[skinsguy]

My thoughts:

Free Agents: I don't see Kyle Orton being that much of an upgrade over Rex Grossman. He's a journeyman, but I wouldn't mind him being the backup. Kyle can give you a few good games, but honestly, if we're talking transition/backup QBs, I think Rex is good enough for that. I don't know much about Josh Johnson or Brian Hoyer, so I really can't comment on either one of those guys. I'm sure there must be some type of interest for Matt Flynn, but the 'skins might be keeping that hush hush until they see who the other legit bidders are for him and what gets offered. No surprise that there is zero interest in Peyton Manning. Since yesterday's events, I'm thinking Manning may in fact stay with the Colts, assuming he's cleared to play football by the time training camp rolls around.

Trades: Jimmy Clausen - If not much is given up for him, then I think it's a great idea to bring Jimmy in knowing he's going to serve as a backup to whoever is starting, and a guy the Redskins can hopefully develop over a period of time. I don't think he's trash and I kind of questioned (before the season) why the Redskins didn't try to pursue him prior to the start of this season. I suppose with the lockout, the team probably felt the price would be too high for a QB that would not see the field at all this year.

Mark Sanchez - I don't think he leaves NY. If he does, it's because Rex Ryan is fired, and I don't think that will happen, so I think Sanchez stays a Jet. I don't really have any interest in Colt McCoy. For some strange reason, I just get this Patrick Ramsey vibe when I hear about McCoy.

I am 100% on board with getting Sam Bradford, but I'm also curious as to why the Redskins did not make a legitimate move to draft him when they had a chance. I guess they felt Donovan McNabb was the guy at that point and didn't feel it necessary to make a move for a QB.

The Draft: I don't believe the Redskins have a chance at drafting Andrew Luck or RG III. I would be ecstatic if either one landed in Washington, but I don't think it's going to happen. I think both QBs get taken - which could be how we wind up getting Sam Bradford. If there was some magical way that the 'skins could land Bradford and finagle their way into getting Blackmon, I would probably think I have died and gone to Heaven!

Landry Jones and Tannehill: I think between the two I'd take Tannehill, although like Smootsmack has said, I too tend to go back and forth. I think either may not be ready to start from day one and if they do, I just hope Snyder is patient, because I can't see the 'skins winning more than 8 games in their rookie year. However, I might be completely wrong. But, I don't think the Redskins would have to draft either one at #6. As matter of fact, I think they could possibly get Tannehill in the early second round and use their first pick for either Blackmon or Kalil. But, if those guys are gone by #6, the 'skins should trade down and keep building depth. I have confidence they would find a potential franchise guy later in the first or early second.

I don't know anything about Foles, Cousins, or Lindley. I had always questioned why Weeden wasn't talked about more until I realized he was already 28 years old. If we go with a QB out of the draft, I want someone young who if developed into a franchise guy, one that we can hold on to for at least 10 years.

So, I say yes to Sam Bradford, Clausen as a backup ONLY if not much is given up for him, probably yes for Tannehill. I say no to Mark Sanchez, Peyton Manning (I actually think he doesn't play anymore), intrigued by Matt Flynn, and maybe to Landry Jones.

[Lotus]

Thank you so much, SS! That is very helpful.

[Hog1]

Good Stuff!
I knew you would spill your guts.........once you left the Mother Ship.

[SmootSmack]

We don't want to trade our 1st and 2nd for Bradford. Possibly one or the other. More likely this year's 1st plus future high picks. It's tough to know right now because no one knows who is going to be running the Rams

I wouldn't take Jones or Tannehill at #6. But I don't think either falls below 12-15. With QBs though, there's always the possibility someone reaches.

I could end up being totally wrong here. But I liken the Flynn talk to Peppers from a couple of years ago. When just about everyone was linking Julius Peppers to the Redskins, and what did I repeatedly say here? The Redskins had no interest and he wasn't coming here...and he didn't