DENVER - I don't think Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels can definitively tell you the answer to that question.
Even Brady Quinn himself would have trouble stating, without equivocation, that he is the long term answer under center in Denver.
Though, while opinions vary on whether he can ever live up to his vast hype, one fact remains certain: making the trade was the right decision.
The risk is low and the rewards are potentially high. Very high.
It if works, McDaniels finally has the player he needs to fully implement his precision offense. If it doesn't, the Broncos will have surrendered two late round draft choices and lightly-regarded Peyton Hillis - a small price to pay for a player with Quinn's potential.
However, it all goes back to that dirty little word. Potential. This word has gotten coaches hired and fired; players paid millions or cut from rosters. The question with Quinn's potential is this: why did his old team, Cleveland, think of him in such poor terms, they would virtually give him away for pennies on the dollar?
Before we indict the move as just another blunder in a long list for the mistake-prone Cleveland Browns, consider the team is now being run by Mike Holgremn. If a coach that led two different teams to the Super Bowl and coached Brett Favre in his formative years wants little to do with you, how bright is your future?
Obviously, it depends who you ask. Holmgren's trash is apparently McDaniels' treasure.
The Browns acquired quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace last week, so Quinn's tenure in Cleveland was rapidly coming to a close. Holmgren needed to move him and Denver was a willing partner.
My question is: if Holmgren made it known that Quinn was available, presuming there were other teams besides Denver interested, how much more would McDaniels have given up to trade for Quinn? The answer to that question may be the true indicator of exactly how much he covers the former first round pick for his system.
What does all mean for Kyle Orton? In my estimation, nothing. At least not yet.
Orton is the unquestioned starter, for now. You can't possibly hand the reins to a player who is 3-9 in his career as a starting quarterback. Certainly, playing for Cleveland wasn't going to enhance Quinn's numbers, but you have to wonder how much his confidence has been rattled during his tenure there.
He grew up in Dublin, Ohio dreaming of playing quarterback for the Browns. That dream became a reality and, subsequently, became a nightmare for the Browns. Does Quinn need a fresh start or a change in scenery? Or was he overvalued to begin with? Only time will tell.
How small of an impact has Quinn had so far? Justin Bannan, a Broncos defensive lineman who used to see Quinn twice a season when Bannan played with Baltimore, said he knows very little about the former Fighting Irish star.
He said "from what I hear, you know, Brady Quinn has a strong arm, he's a good quarterback and I guess we'll just wait and see what happens".
Justin, you won't be the only person interested in seeing what indeed does happen.
Even Brady Quinn himself would have trouble stating, without equivocation, that he is the long term answer under center in Denver.
The risk is low and the rewards are potentially high. Very high.
It if works, McDaniels finally has the player he needs to fully implement his precision offense. If it doesn't, the Broncos will have surrendered two late round draft choices and lightly-regarded Peyton Hillis - a small price to pay for a player with Quinn's potential.
However, it all goes back to that dirty little word. Potential. This word has gotten coaches hired and fired; players paid millions or cut from rosters. The question with Quinn's potential is this: why did his old team, Cleveland, think of him in such poor terms, they would virtually give him away for pennies on the dollar?
Before we indict the move as just another blunder in a long list for the mistake-prone Cleveland Browns, consider the team is now being run by Mike Holgremn. If a coach that led two different teams to the Super Bowl and coached Brett Favre in his formative years wants little to do with you, how bright is your future?
Obviously, it depends who you ask. Holmgren's trash is apparently McDaniels' treasure.
The Browns acquired quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace last week, so Quinn's tenure in Cleveland was rapidly coming to a close. Holmgren needed to move him and Denver was a willing partner.
My question is: if Holmgren made it known that Quinn was available, presuming there were other teams besides Denver interested, how much more would McDaniels have given up to trade for Quinn? The answer to that question may be the true indicator of exactly how much he covers the former first round pick for his system.
What does all mean for Kyle Orton? In my estimation, nothing. At least not yet.
Orton is the unquestioned starter, for now. You can't possibly hand the reins to a player who is 3-9 in his career as a starting quarterback. Certainly, playing for Cleveland wasn't going to enhance Quinn's numbers, but you have to wonder how much his confidence has been rattled during his tenure there.
He grew up in Dublin, Ohio dreaming of playing quarterback for the Browns. That dream became a reality and, subsequently, became a nightmare for the Browns. Does Quinn need a fresh start or a change in scenery? Or was he overvalued to begin with? Only time will tell.
How small of an impact has Quinn had so far? Justin Bannan, a Broncos defensive lineman who used to see Quinn twice a season when Bannan played with Baltimore, said he knows very little about the former Fighting Irish star.
He said "from what I hear, you know, Brady Quinn has a strong arm, he's a good quarterback and I guess we'll just wait and see what happens".
Justin, you won't be the only person interested in seeing what indeed does happen.
