The Browns Fired a Bunch of Their Scouts Who Wanted Carson Wentz
I imagine this like the scene in a spy thriller where multiple agents who argued in favor of taking out the target turn in their credentials in disgust that the powers that be won’t authorize military action. I spit on your dovish policies.
According to numerous sources with knowledge of the situation, several of the more seasoned scouts and evaluators the Browns parted with prior to the draft — an unusual time to release such employees — actually preferred Wentz to quarterback Jared Goffand believed him to be the greater pro prospect. It was clear to many in the organization dating back to December, when the Browns held intense draft meetings, that the newly-empowered analytics department, soon to be spearheaded by DePodesta, strongly preferred Goff. And new coach Hue Jackson and his offensive coordinator, Pep Hamilton, were not high on Wentz but prized Goff, sources said, and made that clear to the rest of the organization.
The Browns opted to release six members of the organization — many of them experienced, old-school scouts — just three weeks before the draft. At the time, they were bailing on the quarterback market in the draft (and Wentz in particular) and shopping their second-overall pick to other teams. Many of those men, a group that included former general managers and personnel directors, had never met DePodesta personally before being let go, and, with their contracts set to expire after the draft, they were going to be let go in 2016 as part of downsizing anyway.
Meanwhile, Carson Wentz is the toast of pro football while the Browns have two quarterbacks on the shelf with injury and Jared Goff is, um, merely dressing for a team that starts Case Keenum at quarterback.
Cody Kessler will likely start for the Browns next week.