Move for Brady Quinn sends a message
Quinn, once the darling of the Browns franchise, will challenge Orton for Broncos QB job
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The Broncos have acquired quarterback Brady Quinn for Peyton Hillis and draft picks. Quinn, who was the first round pick (22 overall) for the Cleveland Browns in 2007, was supposed to be the franchise quarterback, but couldn’t wrestle the starting job from Derek Anderson, who was recently released.
Peyton Hillis became a fan favorite in Denver in 2008 after picking up playing time in the wake of multiple backfield injuries. Hillis could never make it into the good graces of head coach Josh McDaniels, however, and saw his playing time diminish to almost nothing.
The Broncos also sent a 6th round draft pick in 2011 and a conditional pick in 2012 for Quinn, who is expected to land on the depth chart as the backup to Kyle Orton.
On first look, I’m inclined to like this move if only for one reason: Hillis was done here anyway, and getting anything for him was a coup. I loved to see Hillis in the backfield, but it was clear McDaniels had no such love. If the guy was gone, then we oughta get something for him. If that something is a quarterback to push Orton, then even better. Of course Orton is the starter, but word is that BQ has the chops to master the McDaniels system (he’s familiar with former Belichick assistants anyway … Crennel, Mangini), and he certainly has more raw arm strength. I’m not calling Quinn the savior just yet, but that McDaniels even went after another QB at least sends the message to Orton that his job isn’t any safer than anyone else’s. So for that reason alone, I give this trade a solid B.
