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Quinn's draft drop still stings
By ANDREW ABRAMSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
PALM BEACH GARDENS — What could have been a dream scenario for Dolphins fans became nothing more than a tease.
But Quinn, in town for the NFL's rookie symposium at PGA National, wore a Cleveland Browns shirt. He said he was stunned when the Dolphins passed over him and instead drafted Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. with the ninth pick in the NFL Draft.
"At that point we pretty much thought it was a done deal," Quinn said.
Quinn said Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis had talked with the Dolphins, and was led to believe Miami would select Quinn if he was available.
"That was something said to (Weis by the Dolphins)," Quinn said.
Weis and Dolphins officials were unavailable for comment Tuesday, but Quinn said he's come to terms with being drafted No. 22 overall - far below his projected status. The Dolphins elected to go with Ginn, before drafting quarterback John Beck out of Brigham Young in the second round.
"A team's going to pick based on what they need," Quinn said. "Maybe (drafting Ginn and Beck is) what they wanted all along and they were trying to hide that."
On Tuesday all 255 rookies participated in a clinic with kids from the Palm Beach Gardens Pop Warner football team.
Ginn and Beck were there, signing autographs and receiving their share of media interest. But the spotlight was on Quinn, the highest-profile rookie despite his draft free fall.
Dolphins fans, hoping for a long-term solution at quarterback, wanted that spotlight to take place in Miami.
"When it got to the Dolphins' pick, I knew there'd be a lot of pressure (for Miami to draft him) just because he was predicted to go so high," Beck said. "I don't think anybody would have guessed him to fall (past the Dolphins)."
Quinn said that a week after the draft, his friends e-mailed him a video clip on YouTube of the Dolphins' draft party fiasco. Fans booed coach Cam Cameron, and walked out of Dolphins headquarters after the team passed on Quinn.
"It feels good that a team's fans would feel that way about you," Quinn said.
Quinn spent hours waiting to be drafted while cameras chronicled his obvious frustration before he and his agent were led to a private room. The Browns eventually took him with the 22nd pick, though many anticipated they would draft him with the third overall pick.
Instead, the Browns went with offensive tackle Joe Thomas at No. 3, and then traded up to select Quinn at No. 22.
The difference cost Quinn millions of dollars, and his contract negotiations with Cleveland are stalling.
Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said Quinn is in the running with Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson for the starting job. But Quinn may hold out while trying to land a contract for more money than is typical of a 22nd pick.
"I have complete faith in ... the Browns in getting this done," Quinn said. "I'd think they'd want to get me signed if they want me to compete for the starting job."
Quinn spoke with Beck this week, but Quinn sees Miami's decision coming down to the Dolphins wanting Ginn over Quinn, and not necessarily Beck over Quinn.
"There's so much emphasis put on where guys go in the draft," Quinn said. "You never look back at Tom Brady and say, 'Oh, he was a sixth-round pick, that's miraculous.' He was a great player all along.
"(Not drafting me) was something between (Dolphins General Manager) Randy Mueller and Coach Cameron and I don't have any hard feelings toward them. That was their decision, and Ted Ginn's a great player. I'm sure they're going to be happy with him."
Noteworthy: Ginn and Beck both said they will sign contracts before training camp opens.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2007/06/27/a1c_quinn_0627.html
By ANDREW ABRAMSON
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
PALM BEACH GARDENS — What could have been a dream scenario for Dolphins fans became nothing more than a tease.
But Quinn, in town for the NFL's rookie symposium at PGA National, wore a Cleveland Browns shirt. He said he was stunned when the Dolphins passed over him and instead drafted Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. with the ninth pick in the NFL Draft.
"At that point we pretty much thought it was a done deal," Quinn said.
Quinn said Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis had talked with the Dolphins, and was led to believe Miami would select Quinn if he was available.
"That was something said to (Weis by the Dolphins)," Quinn said.
Weis and Dolphins officials were unavailable for comment Tuesday, but Quinn said he's come to terms with being drafted No. 22 overall - far below his projected status. The Dolphins elected to go with Ginn, before drafting quarterback John Beck out of Brigham Young in the second round.
"A team's going to pick based on what they need," Quinn said. "Maybe (drafting Ginn and Beck is) what they wanted all along and they were trying to hide that."
On Tuesday all 255 rookies participated in a clinic with kids from the Palm Beach Gardens Pop Warner football team.
Ginn and Beck were there, signing autographs and receiving their share of media interest. But the spotlight was on Quinn, the highest-profile rookie despite his draft free fall.
Dolphins fans, hoping for a long-term solution at quarterback, wanted that spotlight to take place in Miami.
"When it got to the Dolphins' pick, I knew there'd be a lot of pressure (for Miami to draft him) just because he was predicted to go so high," Beck said. "I don't think anybody would have guessed him to fall (past the Dolphins)."
Quinn said that a week after the draft, his friends e-mailed him a video clip on YouTube of the Dolphins' draft party fiasco. Fans booed coach Cam Cameron, and walked out of Dolphins headquarters after the team passed on Quinn.
"It feels good that a team's fans would feel that way about you," Quinn said.
Quinn spent hours waiting to be drafted while cameras chronicled his obvious frustration before he and his agent were led to a private room. The Browns eventually took him with the 22nd pick, though many anticipated they would draft him with the third overall pick.
Instead, the Browns went with offensive tackle Joe Thomas at No. 3, and then traded up to select Quinn at No. 22.
The difference cost Quinn millions of dollars, and his contract negotiations with Cleveland are stalling.
Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said Quinn is in the running with Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson for the starting job. But Quinn may hold out while trying to land a contract for more money than is typical of a 22nd pick.
"I have complete faith in ... the Browns in getting this done," Quinn said. "I'd think they'd want to get me signed if they want me to compete for the starting job."
Quinn spoke with Beck this week, but Quinn sees Miami's decision coming down to the Dolphins wanting Ginn over Quinn, and not necessarily Beck over Quinn.
"There's so much emphasis put on where guys go in the draft," Quinn said. "You never look back at Tom Brady and say, 'Oh, he was a sixth-round pick, that's miraculous.' He was a great player all along.
"(Not drafting me) was something between (Dolphins General Manager) Randy Mueller and Coach Cameron and I don't have any hard feelings toward them. That was their decision, and Ted Ginn's a great player. I'm sure they're going to be happy with him."
Noteworthy: Ginn and Beck both said they will sign contracts before training camp opens.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2007/06/27/a1c_quinn_0627.html
