It's been expected that there would be a quarterback competition on the Cleveland Browns this year after everyone in the organization has been noncommittal on Brandon Weeden being the starter. On Friday, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam confirmed it.
"I think Norv [Turner] and [Rob] Chudzinski have been very open that they like a lot of what Brandon does, but we're going to have competition at that position," Haslam told Cleveland reporters at the Super Bowl, "and I think competition makes us all better."
The next question is: who will be part of this competition? I'm not really buying Michael Vick. There are reports linking Vick to the Browns based on his ties with Joe Banner in Philadelphia and Chudzinski's success with Cam Newton in Carolina. But offensive coordinator Norv Turner was on the coaching staff in San Diego when the Chargers passed on taking Vick in 2001.
The more logical candidates are the 49ers' Alex Smith and the Patriots' Ryan Mallett. Smith played under Turner in 2006, and Mallett has been a favorite of vice president of player personnel Mike Lombardi. With Turner, Smith completed 58.1 percent of his passes for 2,890 yards with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Mallett has thrown four passes in the NFL, completing one. Smith and Mallet both could be traded before free agency begins March 12.