I have written in the past that if the Tennessee Titans are really all in on second-year quarterback Zach Mettenberger, one of the best scenarios could be picking up former Tampa Bay Buccaneer quarterback Josh McCown.
McCown is a career backup who can provide positive mentoring for Zach Metttenberger
Yeah, I hear you! Josh McCown had a horrible year in Tampa last year, but like the Titans, the Buccaneers were a bad team in 2014 and that’s why they are picking first in the 2015 NFL Draft, so stick with me here.
Since I last wrote about McCown back in February “Why Tennessee Titans Should Take A Look At Josh McCown” he has been cut by the Bucs, and signed by the Cleveland Browns. This is even better.
With their number one guy, Johnny Manziel in rehab and his future uncertain at this point, the Cleveland Browns become a possible suitor for Oregon quarterback, Marcus Mariota with the second pick in the draft on April 30th.
What makes the Browns an interesting story here is that they have two first-round picks, and those picks along with Josh McCown would be a nice deal for head coach Ken Whisenhunt and his staff. Add the possibility of another pick later in the draft into the mix, and it could be a gift that keeps on giving.
We know that Browns owner, Jimmy Haslem and his staff have made stranger deals in the past, so why not another one?
The Browns have picks at eleven and nineteen in the first round, and picking twice the Titans could add some sorely needed help at some other positions. They could get another nice player on defense, and possibly one of the offensive tackles that will undoubtedly go in the first round.
As pointed out by NFL.com’s Path To The Draft analyst Charles Davis in an April 9th article, the Browns have a connection to Marcus Mariota:
"their quarterbacks coach, Kevin O’Connell, spent about six weeks preparing Mariota for the draft earlier this offseason, before he was hired by Cleveland."
Davis also had this to say about a possible trade with the Browns:
"The Browns have the ammo to make a move with two first-round picks (No. 12 and No. 19). They also have plenty of uncertainty at quarterback, even after taking Johnny Manziel in the first round a year ago. What if the Browns decide they’re tired of searching for an answer under center and view Mariota as the solution to their problems? Sure, there’s been some speculation that Mariota could slide out of the top 10. Why trade up if he could be waiting for them at No. 12? Well, there’s also been plenty of speculation that Mariota won’t last past No. 2. To ensure they land him, perhaps the Browns go all in and move up to No. 2 in a deal with the Titans, who are said to be open to dealing, if the price is right."
As far as sweetening the deal with Josh McCown, McCown had an excellent year in backing up Jay Cutler in Chicago back in 2013.
With some nice pieces around him, including a running game with Matt Forte, and a receiver like Brandon Marshall, McCown in an eight game stretch, passed 224 time and connected 149 times for 13 touchdowns with only one interception.
That was good for a 66.5% completion average, 1829 yards and a QBR of 85.1.
McCown is a career backup who can provide positive mentoring for Zach Metttenberger, and we can all find out in 2015 if Zach is the man.
I like the San Diego possibility that brings Philip Rivers to Nashville more than this scenario, but this is not a bad backup option.
Next: Tennessee Titans 2015 Pre Season Schedule Announced