[Hacksaw_64]

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are among the teams trying to trade for 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, a longtime favorite of coach Hue Jackson, a league source told cleveland.com.

A person directly involved with negotiations told cleveland.com that the Browns are in the mix.

The Broncos, who lost Brock Osweiler to the Texans on Wednesday and Peyton Manning to retirement this week, are believed to be frontrunners. But the Jets and Browns are also making push -- particulalry the Browns.

Their involvement was first reported by Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee and Matt Maiocco of csnbayarea.com.

Kaepernick, 28, has made it known that he wants out of San Francisco.

NFL Network's Michael Silver, who's close to Jackson, stressed that the Browns' interest is more serious than the Jets'.

The Browns have the draft picks to acquire him and also the cap space to restructure his contract. They have the No. 2 overall pick, the No. 32 pick and a high pick in the the third round. The asking price is unknown, but it would likely take a second or third round pick.

Kaepernick been linked to the Browns because Jackson loved him when he was head coach of the Raiders in 2011 and Kaepernick was coming out Nevada. Jackson has said the Raiders tried to trade up to draft, and the lamented the fact it didn't happen.

In 2013, Jackson told Peter King of si.com that "we wanted the kid in the worst way.'' He acknowledged that the late Raiders owner Al Davis was also upset that they didn't land him.

"Scouting him, I fell in love with the kid,'' said Jackson. "Leader, won a ton of games at Nevada, really impressive when you talked to him, strong, all the tools to win in the NFL. No doubt in my mind he was going to be good.''

Kaepernick took the 49ers to the Super Bowl after his second season, where they lost to the Ravens. He's gone 27-20 in his five seasons and 4-2 in the playoffs. He's thrown 56 touchdowns and only 26 interceptions and has an 88.4 quarterback rating.

But he went 2-6 in an injury-marred season in 2015 and was benched in favor of Blaine Gabbert. Ultimately, he finished the season on injured reserve. He's also recovering from surgeries to his shoulder, thumb and knee.

Any team trading for him will have to assume his $11.9 million salary for 2016, which will be fully guaranteed on April 1.

The Browns are expected to draft a quarterback at No. 2 overall, either North Dakota State's Carson Wentz or Cal's Jared Goff, but have said they'll explore all options to improve the team.

The 49ers have said they want to keep Kaepernick, but he reportedly wants to be traded.

Two weeks ago, coach Chip Kelly told 49ers reporters that Kaepernick "wants to be here" and that he was excited to work with him.

"I've never thought that, 'Hey, I'm going to go to San Francisco and he's not going to be there,' '' he said. "I don't know why everybody else looks at it that way, either. ... Kap's really good. He had the ball on the 5-yard line, taking the team in to win the Super Bowl. You can just look at the tape and know how talented he is. Our job is acquiring talent, not getting rid of talent."

49ers owner Jed York recently told the The San Jose Mercury News that his last conversation with Kaepernick was good.

"I asked how he was feeling,'' York said. "I hope he's doing well. I care about his health and well-being because I think he can be a big piece of what we're doing going forward."

49ers GM Trent Baalke also said at the NFL Combine that Kaepernick would "absolutely'' be on the roster April 1st, but that was before NFL Network's Ran Getlin reported that he wants out.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.s ... r_col.html

Please do it. That would sure throw a monkey wrench in the QB draft race.

[moklerman]

Good luck, Browns.

[The Ripper]

Good luck, Browns.

Good luck, Kaepernick.

[Elvis]

Also read "up to 3" teams are interested in Manziel. But they left out it could also be "as few as zero..."

[Elvis]

[Elvis]

[Hacksaw_64]

https://twitter.com/DailyNewsVinny/status/707991496696332288

LOL I'm sure he would. His options are kinda limited. I hope the feeling isn't mutual...

[moklerman]

I really tried to remind myself just how important it was for me to ride the high of the Rams moving back as long as I possibly could. When it comes to actual football matters, it looks like very little will change.

[Elvis]

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/2016031 ... ource-says

Robert Griffin III wants to play for LA Rams, source says



By Vincent Bonsignore, Los Angeles Daily News

The Rams want to upgrade their quarterback position. And it looks like a former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year wants to be that upgrade.

Robert Griffin III “very much” wants to play for the Rams in Los Angeles, a source close to the situation indicated Thursday.

The fit seems natural, although it comes with risk after RG3 lost his starting job with the Washington Redskins and was ultimately released last week after four seasons in D.C.

Nevertheless, the Rams can surround him with a strong supporting cast that includes dynamic young running back Todd Gurley — the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year — playmaker Tavon Austin, an improved offensive line and a solid defense,

In other words, RG3 won’t have to carry the Rams as much as he just needs to complement them. And that seems appealing to a player trying to revive his career with a change of scenery.

The best year of RG3’s career came in 2012 when he and Redskins running back Alfred Morris beautifully played off each other. Operating out of the zone-read offense, the powerful legs of Morris and RG3 combined for 2,431 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. The running threat helped open up the passing game for RG3, who threw for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns and compiled a 102.4 quarterback rating.

It was a spectacular rookie season, one in which Griffin became the youngest player in NFL history to post a perfect 158.3 passer rating while throwing for 200 yards and four touchdowns against the Philadelphia Eagles. He established rookie records for best QB rating and best TD-to-interception ratio. The Redskins made the playoffs for the first time since 2007, and RG3 was voted team captain by his peers and named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Apparently, the possibility of operating in the same backfield as Gurley appeals to RG3.

There is risk.

As good as that 2012 season was, it also set the stage for three ensuing years of drama thanks to a late-season leg injury that Griffin obviously returned from too soon. The resulting dysfunction pitted coaches and player and team doctors against each other, with everyone absorbing and deflecting the blame for letting RG3 back on the field too soon.

And it ultimately sent the Redskins scurrying around changing coaches and offensive systems, figuring out ways to best protect and utilize their prized young quarterback.

But when Washington finally settled on Jay Gruden as its head coach, it created the worst-possible situation for RG3: He was a square peg in Gruden’s drop-back pass offense. But his teammate, Kirk Cousins, was built perfectly for it.

Which is why the Redskins just slapped Cousins with the franchise tag, and why RG3 is looking for a job.

For all those reasons, any team — including the Rams — should be wary of the former Baylor great.

There is the potential reward.

RG3 did not play one snap last year, which means his body is as healthy as possible. So many of his problems in Washington, D.C., were related to the injuries — a fact even Gruden supported — so it only stands to reason a healthy-bodied RG3 might also be a spiritually sound RG3.

The breath of fresh air created by moving out of the drama of Washington, D.C., to the warmth and promise of the Los Angeles Rams might just be the key that unlocks the trapped star.

It likely won’t require a monumental investment. RG3 is so eager to re-establish himself, he’ll no doubt be interested in a short-term show-me contract that allows him to regain his footing while maintaining the flexibility to tap back into the financial market sooner rather than later.

That makes sense for the Rams, who can then use the 15th pick on a much-needed wide receiver to complement Austin — and RG3 — and circle back to a development quarterback in the second or third round.

If it works, the Rams might have found the 26-year-old quarterback of their present and future.

If it doesn’t, they can easily and quickly move on.

[Hacksaw]

I know I'm going to get slammed for this but it doesn't look like we're going to get a quarterback this year unless it's RG3. Even Kaepernick would be an improvement but he's going to go to a contender. Rather have Griffin instead of Manziel. Sanchez , Hoyer,, who has more upside than RG3? If we can grab one of the top college kids I'd prefer that, but I just don't see that happening either. If Griffin wants to play for the Rams and since the Rams need an upgrade,, I'd pull the trigger. . Otherwise it's Keenum, Mannion or bust..