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Complicated Quinn Talks Under Way

June 6th, 2007

Stephen Rhodes

Posted in Cleveland Browns, NFL

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The Browns have met recently with Brady Quinn’s agent Tom Condon and are bracing themselves for potentially challenging negotiations for the rookie quarterback, who tumbled to No. 22 in the draft. “It’s somewhat unique,” said Browns General Manager Phil Savage. “On the surface you’d like to think it’s the 22nd pick in the draft . . . but obviously, their viewpoint is going to be that there’s a premium with the quarterback position. “There’s going to be some natural argument built into this negotiation. We know that, but at the same time we’ve tried to get out in front of it and get in front of his people and say, ‘Hey this is kind of where we’re going to be operating from and this is what our thinking is.’ ” Condon, formerly of IMG but now with Creative Artists Agency, met with Savage in Cleveland two weeks ago and the Browns presented him with their opening proposal. But talks will be much more complicated than those for a routine No. 22-overall pick.

For starters, the Browns said leading up to the draft Quinn was one of their top five players. Then, they traded away their first-round pick in 2008 to get him. Quinn’s free fall to No. 22 potentially cost him millions – but Condon will try to cushion the blow. Last year, quarterback Vince Young was picked third overall and received a six-year deal worth $56 million, including $25.9 million guaranteed. The 22nd pick, outside linebacker Manny Lawson, received a 5-year deal worth $13.6 million, including $4.9 million guaranteed. Quinn’s deal will ultimately land somewhere in between. But the big money paid to the Browns’ linemen – four $30-million-plus men – will be a factor. You can bet Condon won’t want linemen making twice as much as someone who might be the starting quarterback.