NFL Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns Rumors: Ryan Mallett Trade Talks are Heating Up

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By @ryanpruiz24

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Something big is coming. There is a reason why the Cleveland Browns signed one of the best defensive linemen available in free agency. Defensive tackle Desmond Bryant was signed to a five-year deal on Monday. Does that make one of the Browns’ young defensive tackles disposable?

The Browns now have underrated veteran Ahtyba Rubin, Phil Taylor, John Hughes and Bryant who can all man the nose tackle position. Is this too many?

“There’s no reason to think we have an abundance at this point. It’s a crucial area as we look at the team. We feel good about where we are at numbers-wise,” CEO Joe Banner said on Wednesday. Could this be another smoke screen?

It’s no secret that the Browns are not 100 percent comfortable with quarterback Brandon Weeden as their starter if the season were to start tomorrow. New owner Jimmy Haslam has stated that there will be a quarterback competition when training camp starts. Is he talking about Colt McCoy vs. Weeden or Thaddeus Lewis vs. Weeden?

Are the Browns and New England Patriots in talks as you read this? Former Patriots backup quarterback Matt Cassel was just released by the Kansas City Chiefs. Could Cassel head back to the team that gave him his start? If so, does that mean former third round pick in 2011 Ryan Mallett is disposable?

New general manager Michael Lombardi really liked Mallett in 2011 and had him rated the top quarterback on his analyst draft board. For good reason too–Mallett (nicknamed “Big Tex”) is 6’6″ with a live arm. While there is much talk about Weeden being almost 30, Mallet is only 24 years old. In his college career, he threw for more than 8,300 yards and 69 touchdowns. The hype and intangibles are there for him.

The questions then becomes: at what price would it cost Cleveland and is Mallett a better fit than Weeden? Often when new regimes come in, they want their own players. Is this what they are thinking with Mallet? Has Weeden hit his ceiling or was his subpar play last year due to horrendous coaching?

These are questions the Browns need to answer soon rather than later. It would be nice to know what’s in place when the season begins.

Ryan Ruiz – Cleveland Browns Writer

Please Follow Me on Twitter @ryanpruiz24

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