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A.J. McCarron - QB - BengalsA.J. McCarron has won his grievance against the Bengals and been awarded unrestricted free agency.
The grievance dated back to McCarron's rookie season in 2014, where the Bengals kept him on the non-football injury list for all but two games, saying he suffered a shoulder injury away from the team. That prevented his contract from tolling, and meant he was headed for restricted, instead of unrestricted, free agency this offseason. McCarron contended his injury was wrongly listed as non-football, and an independent arbitrator agreed. Going on 28, McCarron will now be one of the "stars" of a slightly-deeper-than-usual free agent quarterback class. The No. 164 overall pick of the 2014 draft, McCarron has attempted just 133 career passes. He could be a Brock Osweiler or Mike Glennon waiting to happen. McCarron has a noted admirer in ex-Bengals OC/current Browns coach Hue Jackson, who nearly pulled off a deadline deal for his ex-pupil.
Hmm.... this is certainly going to help soften the FA prices I would think. Cousins will still get his big deal, but the rest of the pack is all in the same type of prove it style deal so it should play well for the teams not set on Cousins.
The next Glennon for sure.
McCarron has some qualities that teams really like: leadership, takes control of the huddle, played in big games in college. There will be interest for him, not sure how much however.
"McCarron has a noted admirer in ex-Bengals OC/current Browns coach Hue Jackson, who nearly pulled off a deadline deal for his ex-pupil."
Well, at least he has that goin' for him...which is nice. 
Quote: @Ralphie said:
"McCarron has a noted admirer in ex-Bengals OC/current Browns coach Hue Jackson, who nearly pulled off a deadline deal for his ex-pupil."
Well, at least he has that goin' for him...which is nice.
lets say we dont outbid denver or the jets for Cousins. having the browns and their mega cap enamored with mccaron and not chasing one of the other guys that we would like to get is actually nice for us.
there was a lot of mocking of the browns when the mccaron deal fell through, but in hingsight it could end up being a blessing in disguise. Jackson will possibly get his man and keep all his picks. the browns are still a bit of a mess, but they are a mess that looks very much like its a team ready to emerge and at least enter the realm of being competitive, with the Steelers looking to be about at the end of their run of solid QB play, the ravens and bungles being the ravens and bungles, the browns could easily find themselves in the mix for the division crown as early as 2019.
As Jimmy noted, this may lower the price of Cousins, especially if a team like Denver or Arizona aims for McCarron instead. If AJ signs with the Browns, I don't think it matters much, because I can't see Cousins choosing Cleveland anyway.
I really hope the Vikings are not interested in McCarron, because IMO he has a ton of red flags and the biggest: Bengals were willing to trade him to a rival within their own division - and their own state. Ever heard of a team trading a player they think is great to a team they will have to face twice a year??
Quote: @Jor-El said:
As Jimmy noted, this may lower the price of Cousins, especially if a team like Denver or Arizona aims for McCarron instead. If AJ signs with the Browns, I don't think it matters much, because I can't see Cousins choosing Cleveland anyway.
I really hope the Vikings are not interested in McCarron, because IMO he has a ton of red flags and the biggest: Bengals were willing to trade him to a rival within their own division - and their own state. Ever heard of a team trading a player they think is great to a team they will have to face twice a year??
I was actually thinking that Cousins price will still be what it is. He will likely be the prize of FA this year and those guys get their top dollar regardless of if its a bumper crop or not. I think what this does is dilute the waters a bit for the rest of the guys that will be looked at as "prove it" or "bridge" players like our 3, Tyrod Taylor, Fitzgerald etc. Lots of 10-15 million dollar guys on the market and only so many openings for them. It would be interesting though if it did lower the demand for cousins, but I have my suspicion that there are several teams with 30 million already in the brief case with a little extra in their pockets just waiting for that tamper period to open up... if they actually wait that long. Elway needs a win in denver, and the jets just need something, anything.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
@ Jor-El said:
As Jimmy noted, this may lower the price of Cousins, especially if a team like Denver or Arizona aims for McCarron instead. If AJ signs with the Browns, I don't think it matters much, because I can't see Cousins choosing Cleveland anyway.
I really hope the Vikings are not interested in McCarron, because IMO he has a ton of red flags and the biggest: Bengals were willing to trade him to a rival within their own division - and their own state. Ever heard of a team trading a player they think is great to a team they will have to face twice a year??
I was actually thinking that Cousins price will still be what it is. He will likely be the prize of FA this year and those guys get their top dollar regardless of if its a bumper crop or not. I think what this does is dilute the waters a bit for the rest of the guys that will be looked at as "prove it" or "bridge" players like our 3, Tyrod Taylor, Fitzgerald etc. Lots of 10-15 million dollar guys on the market and only so many openings for them. It would be interesting though if it did lower the demand for cousins, but I have my suspicion that there are several teams with 30 million already in the brief case with a little extra in their pockets just waiting for that tamper period to open up... if they actually wait that long. Elway needs a win in denver, and the jets just need something, anything.
Probably exactly right. IMO McCarron will sign in Cleveland on the first day of FA because Jackson was ready to overpay for him last year. That would make Sam Darnold the biggest winner in this decision! But also would alter the draft, probably lead to Cleveland dealing the #1 pick to whoever wants their favorite draft QB badly enough.
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