Well, that escalated quickly.

Just mere hours after Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert made their first signature franchise move by acquiring Seneca Wallace, the buzz among Berea is thicker than Tim Tebow’s career-making NFL Combine calf density. 

And while Wallace was merely another QB name bandied about this time yesterday, today’s he’s a Browns and possibly quite more…

Take it away…

Wallace Has the Tools To Be Browns’ Starting QB

“He’s accurate, he’s decisive, he’s got a strong arm and drives defenses crazy because he’s very mobile,” a league source said of Wallace.

“Seneca at least gives him some flexibility with someone who knows the system. He’s got someone who can help the other skill guys with the system. There’s nobody on the staff who knows that system. So when guys get together on their own, he can work with them.

“Seneca is one of the best locker room guys in the league, an unbelievable leader. Very athletic and has a much stronger arm and is more accurate than people think.”

Granted, any free agent QB brought in to Cleveland would ultimately prove to be an upgrade over Brady Quinn.  Wallace is no different - however, what’s interesting here is the overwhelmingly positive response that Holmgren’s first move is getting.

Besides the characteristics of being knowledgable, athletic, and accurate, Wallace obviously has a history with Holmgren.  And if you know anything about the current state of journalism, access is king.  Is there any wonder why Wallace is being thought of so highly?

Everyone’s on board, right?

As for some other “analysis”, here’s this…

This move tells you that the Browns will run Holmgren’s offense immediately. Holmgren’s top aide, Gil Haskell, has been meeting regularly with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to teach him the basics.

Holmgren had to acquire a quarterback with intimate knowledge of the system. A trade for Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb is highly improbable because the Eagles would want the Browns’ No. 1 pick. Wallace, 29, will serve as a transition quarterback until Holmgren acquires a young quarterback of the future.

I completely get the idea that Holmgren eventually wants to shape the offense in his own vision.  But, to suggest that such a thing will occur in 2010 is a little far-fetched.  Simply put, the Browns do not have the types of players available for any immediate offensive upgrade.  Although Holmgren may want to improve the passing game – and no one would argue against this idea – the current offense is constructed to solely run the ball.

After all, what else can they do?

Regardless of how many meetings Gil Haskell has with Brian Daboll, the Browns are a running team. 

Regardless of whichever “transition” QB gets the start, the Browns will struggle to throw the ball.

And regardless of the Wallace move, we should all just face the inevitable…

With Seattle, Holmgren drafted a quarterback five times in 10 years — but none higher than the third round.

“I think Mike’s still thinking about other moves,” the source said. “Whether it happens or not, I don’t know. He could draft a young guy in the second or third round.

The move greases the departure of Derek Anderson. He probably will be released in the next week or two, if not traded. Brady Quinn could be shipped out, too. If he stays, it’s doubtful he will be able to learn Holmgren’s system in one off-season and beat out Wallace for the starting job. Same thing if a quarterback is drafted.

I can’t imagine that Wallace becomes the impetus for DA’s release.  His Cleveland departure coluld not have been avoided at this point.  However, if you’re counting just Wallace, Quinn and Ratliff, it’s obvious that some changes need to be made in the future.

Not first-round changes, mind you.  At least not this year.

After all, maybe Wallace can become something more than just a “transition” player. 

Just follow the hype.