Day 1 of Browns Draft an Emotional Rollercoaster

I loved the Browns move up to #3 to ensure they got Alabama RB Trent Richardson.  They knew who they wanted and they didn't give up any high picks to get him.  He will instantly upgrade the offense.

My happiness evaporated when the Browns #22 pick of QB Brandon Weedon was announced.  I was stunned, confused and angry, and judging by most comments I've read online, I'm in the majority.  A player you pick in the first round is someone you expect to start right away.  Can Weedon, a rookie, coming from a spread offense do that?  I'm highly skeptical.  In addition he's 28 years old, which means your time to let him grow and learn is shortened.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a huge Colt McCoy fan, but I don't hate the guy either.  Fact is last year was his first full year as a starter with a new coach, new offense, and no offense.  On top of that he had no offensive weapons and a shaky line, so of course he looked bad.  The Browns should have gone WR or offensive line at #22.  If there was one WR left that they thought was head and shoulders above the rest take him.  If not, take either OG DeCastro from Stanford, or OT Reiff from Iowa.  Both were expected to be gone by #22 and both would have solidified the line.

Now the Browns still need to fix the holes on the o-line and at WR, but now they will have to do it with a 2nd and 3rd round pick, unless Weedon can block for himself and throw to himself.  I'm not saying Weedon is a bad player.  He may turn out to be great and I hope he does.  But for a team with so many needs and the players still on the board to fill them, QB at #22 was a huge reach the Browns didn't need to make.

Browns 2012 Draft - WR at Picks 22 or 37

My hope for the Browns next two picks is that they continue to address the offense.  I would love to see them take a wide receiver (assuming they didn't take Blackmon at 4) and an offensive lineman (preferable right tackle).  A stud RB, WR, and OL would massively improve the offense. 

For receiver, I think the Browns need to find a burner.  Someone who scares teams and can stretch the defense.  After Blackmon, my favorite receiver is Michael Floyd from Notre Dame, but there are a number of good ones left.  Stephen Hill from Georgia Tech is an interesting combination of size and speed, but is very raw.  Kendall Wright has great speed and hands, but is small.  Here is a table I put together of top WRs, using information from the Draft Tracker at NFL.com.  I expect Floyd to be gone by the time the Browns pick again, but would like to see them take either Wright, Hill, Randall, or Alshon at 22 or 37.

Name	College	Height	Weight	40 time	Vertical	Grade	Pros	Cons
Justin Blackmon	Oklahoma St	6' 1"	207	4.46	42	93.5	Speed, leaping ability.  Excellent at reading coverage and finding opening in zones.  Makes good adjustments, good hands. Yards after catch.	Not quick off the ball, doesn't run greatest routes.  Blocking.  Change of direction.
Michael Floyd	Notre Dame	6' 3"	220	4.47	36.5	89.5	Good burst, size.  Good route runner, blocker, good hands.  Can make tough catches and go across the middle.	Not a deep threat, inconsistent.  Some nagging injuries and off-field problems
Kendall Wright	Baylor	5" 10"	196	4.61	38.5	88.5	Athletic ability. Quick, deceptive moves to get open.  Good underneath and deep.  Good after the catch.	Size, not best route runner.  Blocking.  Isn't engaged if ball isn't coming his way.
Stephen Hill	Georgia Tech	6' 4"	215	4.36	39.5	86	Big, fast, athletic, good blocker, deep threat, can make tough catches.	Simple college system.  Little experience with reading defenses or finding holes in zone.  Not comfortable running after the catch.  Some drops.
Reuben Randall	LSU	6' 4"	210	4.55	31	86	Size.  Gets good seperation.  Good hands.  Good at reading defenses.	Skills still developing.  Learning to run routes.
Jeffrey Alshon	South Carolina	6' 4"	230	4.47	36.5	84	Good size and hands.	Needs to run better routes and learn to get better seperation from defenders.  Some concern about his weight and off-season conditioning
Mohamed Sanu	Rutgers	6' 2"	211	4.67	36	80.5	Excellent in short routes and finding holes in the zone.  Well suited to a west coast offense.  Good hands.  Fearless across middle.	Not a deep threat. Lazy in and out of downfield breaks.  Not many yards after catch.

Browns 2012 Draft - My pick for #4

If I were running the Cleveland Browns draft it would be a hands-down, slam-dunk, iron-clad, no brainer:  Take RB Trent Richardson.  I like Richardson a lot and here's why:  He is a complete back.  Power, shiftiness, speed, blocking, catching.  Yes, a running back has a short life span--all the more reason to take one when just coming out of college  Yes, it's a pass first league--despite that, Richardson is still pegged as a top 5 pick, with the next back likely not going until late first round at best.

Richardson will give the Browns an instant play-maker.  A weapon.  A threat to score every time he touches the ball.  When's the last time the Browns had a player fitting that description?  Richardson will take pressure off of Colt McCoy to make all the plays, and will open the passing game by making defenses respect the run.

My biggest nightmare is that some team that covets Richardson--Tampa Bay and St. Louis have been mentioned--trades ahead of the Browns to take him.  If that happens I would be disappointed, but then I think the Browns go with the next best offensive weapon on the board, WR Justin Blackmon.  I like Claiborne and Kalil, but the Browns need guys who can score points.  Someone defenses have to game plan for and account for on every play.  Richardson and Blackmon fit that description.  Why not Blackmon before Richardson?  Because this year's WR class is deep, so the Browns can still get a very good WR with the 22nd or 37th pick.  Take Richardson first, because the drop off to the next best RB is steep.  The Browns need to hit a homerun with this pick, and Richardson fits the bill.

Browns 2012 Draft Preview - Ryan Tannehill

Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill rocketed up the draft boards largely on the strength of a great pro day workout.  Since then the likelihood of him becoming an elite quarterback have been debated as analysts pick apart his college stats and film.

Reasons the Browns will take him:  The Browns are not sold on Colt McCoy as a franchise QB.  They are looking for an upgrade and made a failed attempt to get Robert Griffith III.  Tannehill is viewed as the next best option.

Reasons the Browns won't take him:  Tannehill has only 19 college starts under center and his game tape lacks "wow" factor according to some analysts.  Despite the potential upside he is a huge risk of being a bust if not put into the right situation.  Also, neither Holmgren or Heckert has ever drafted a quarterback this high.

Likelihood the Browns take him:  Low.  At #4 the Browns need an impact player from day 1, not a project who may or may not pan out. 

Browns 2012 Draft Preview - Justin Blackmon

The consensus top wide receiver in the draft would certainly help the Browns and Colt McCoy.

Reasons Browns will draft him:  Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon, is big, strong, has great hands, and runs great routes.  He would be the Browns #1 receiver from day 1, starting opposite Greg Little.  Blackmon is excellent at gaining yards after the catch, which is a key to the west coast offense.

Reason Browns won't draft him:  Despite all of the appove he doesn't possess elite speed.  Not thought to be as good as AJ Green or Julio Jones who were top 10 picks last year.  Drop-off from him to the next tier of receivers is not as great as at other positions.

Likelihood the Browns take him:  Medium to high.  He will fill a glaring need, give the Browns a legitimate #1 receiver, and take pressure off Colt McCoy.

Browns 2012 Draft Preview - Morris Claiborne

LSU Cornerback Morris Claiborne is almost unanimously the best defender in the draft and will be a day 1 starter wherever he goes. 

Reason Browns will draft him:  In the pass-heavy NFL you can never have two many good CBs, and the Browns only have one.  Starting Claiborne opposite Joe Haden would make the Browns improving defense very very good.  Claiborne is considered a can't-miss choice.

Reason Browns won't draft him:  Although a need, not even close to the biggest for the Browns.  With the first two picks of the last two drafts dedicated to defense (Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, Joe Haden, TJ Ward) the Browns need to turn their attention to getting some playmakers for their anemic offense.

Likelihood the Browns take him:  Medium to low.  There are players just as good at higher priority positions.

Browns 2012 Draft Preview - Trent Richardson

Alabama's Trent Richardson is an absolute beast at running back.  There is no denying that.  However with the increased emphasis on the passing game and some of the leagues best backs taken in the 2nd round or later, there has been some debate about whether or not the Browns, or any team, should take a running back this high.

Reasons Browns will draft him:  He's the complete package--he can run, catch, and block.  Some have said he's the best back to come out of college since Adrian Peterson.  And with Peyton Hillis gone and the next best RB on the roster the oft-injured Montario Hardesty, the Browns desperately need to upgrade their running game.  Richardson would start from day one, take some heat off of Colt McCoy, and open up the passing game because defenses would need to put additional defenders in the box.  Plus, no matter how important the passing game has become, you need to be able to run the ball in Cleveland in December.

Reasons Browns won't take him:  He's a running back, and RBs generally have a short shelf life.   Those picked in the first rounds the past few drafts haven't been any better than those picked in later rounds.  The Browns have a lot of needs, and other players could address them.

Likelihood the Brown take him: High.  Most mock drafts have him going to the Browns.  On ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike show on Friday, draft analyst Todd McShay said that after Luck and Griffith, he thinks Richardson to the Browns is the "most sure thing" in his mock.

Browns 2012 draft preview - Matt Kalil

With the first two picks of the draft a foregone conclusion--Andrew Luck to Indianapolis and Robert Griffith III to Washington--the next player expected to be picked is tackle Matt Kalil out of USC.  Most think that Minnesota will take him at #3, but reports have leaked recently that the Vikings also like WR Justin Blackmon and CB Morris Claiborne and could go with one of those with their pick.  Those rumors have led the Browns to give Kalil a private workout just in case he is available.

Reasons Browns will draft him:  He's pretty close to a sure thing, and the Browns have a need at right tackle.  Kalil has been described as Joe Thomas with a little more of a nastiness to him.  With Joe Thomas on the left and Kalil on the right, the offensive line would be hugely upgraded.  If he is here, he will be hard to pass up.

Reasons Browns won't draft him:  He probably won't be here with most believing he is still Minnesota's top pick.  The Browns are set at left tackle, and teams usually don't draft a right tackle this high.  Kalil's agent's might demand left tackle money, since that's where most teams project him.  While right tackle is a need, the Browns have bigger ones that they can fill with the #4 pick while addressing right tackle later in the draft.

Likelihood the Browns take him:  Medium.  He's pretty close to a sure thing, but Browns have bigger needs.

Browns 2012 NFL Draft Preview

Well, after not having posted here for 4 and a half years, I am still a Browns fan, and as frustrated as ever.  Time to try this again.  I have been obsessing about this draft and feel compelled to write about it.

This year's draft selections are critical to the long term success of the Browns.  With 3 of the first 37 picks, the Browns have a chance to add 3 starters and really improve the team.  It's a rare opportunity that not many teams get, and the Browns need to take full advantage.  If the Browns' front office makes a mistake in this draft they will continue to wallow in mediocrity for years to come.

Over the next week I will take a look and some of the potential players the Browns could pick with the #4 overall selection, as well as give my opinion on what I think the Browns should do.

One more time

For their stellar performances in the 51-45 win over the Bengals last week, Derek Anderson and Jamal Lewis were named the FedEx Air & Ground players of the week. Anderson was also named AFC player of the week.


Don't look now, but the Browns offense is ranked 6th in the NFL in scoring, 7th in total yards, 8th in passing yards, and 9th in rushing yards and 5th in kick return average. Unfortunately, the defense is the exact opposite: 31st in points allowed, 32nd for total yards allowed, 30th for passing yards allowed, and 29th for rushing yards allowed. Of course the offensive explosion by both teams last week definitely skewed the numbers.


If you want to relive the game one more time, check out these great highlights from NFL.com.

The Browns are at the Raiders on Sunday, one of the few teams in the league that have been as bad as the Browns the last couple of seasons. Cleveland looks for back-to-back wins in the same season for the first time since 2003 when, coincidentally, they beat Oakland. The Raiders meanwhile have lost 11 in a row. I haven't seen them play this season, but know that Lamont Jordan is running the ball well and has had good games against Cleveland in the past. Oakland had the number 3 defense last year and has a lot of speed, as well as a few pro bowl players on the roster. Oh, and Gerard Warren too. "Big Money" was acquired in a trade with Denver near the end of the preseason, and will likely start this Sunday.

What a difference a week makes!

Last week at this time, I didn't want to talk about, write about, or even think about the Browns after their horrible performance against the Steelers. I was shocked at how badly the team and especially Charlie Frye looked. It seemed that it would be another long miserable year, and it still might.

After making the unprecedented trade that sent Frye to Seattle just days later, the Browns named Derek Anderson their starter, Brady Quinn the backup, and re-signed Ken Dorsey to hold the clipboard. Honestly, I think that this is the QB lineup that the Browns wanted all along, but Anderson's poor performance in the preseason didn't give them justification to trade Frye. Plus, there were differences of opinion within the organization, as Romeo Crennel preferred Frye's experience, while offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski preferred Anderson and his strong arm. After Frye's performance against Pittsburgh, in which he looked tentative and confused, the Browns had the justification they needed to trade him, without a huge backlash from the fans. Still, its unbelievable that a guy could win a QB competition, start week 1, and get benched and traded before week 2.

In steps Derek Anderson as the #1 QB on the depth chart for the first time in his career, and what an entrance he made. He threw for 5 TD passes, over 300 yards, and was named AFC offensive player of the week. Actually the entire team looked great--Jamal Lewis ran for 200+ yards, the offensive line opened big holes and didn't surrender a sack, and Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow had career days and finally lived up to their first round draft status.

I live in Cincinnati, and I can't remember the last time I enjoyed going into the office this much on a Monday morning. Those Bungles fans that were so cocky last week have been very humble this week. The talk radio in Cincy has been hilarious as well, as it seems the entire city is hopping off the band wagon and calling for Marvin Lewis to be fired. All in all a great week to be a Browns fan.

If the offense can play half that good the rest of year, and the defense can get a little bit better, this will be a very enjoyable season.

Browns roster ramblings and some predictions

Looking over the final roster, here are some random thoughts:

Best units:
1. Linebackers--Their youth could hurt at first, but they are fast with huge potential. Could develop into the one of the best LB corps in the league down the road.
2. Tight ends--KWII appears healthy, Heiden is always dependable, Dinkins provides depth.

Shakiest units:
1. Defensive line--The starting nose tackle is a year older and the guy being groomed as his replacement is unproven and starting at left end due to injury. Free agency and the draft changed a lot of faces, but can any of them play? Run defense has to be a huge concern.
2. Defensive backs--The talent is there if it is healthy, but that has been a big "if" the past two seasons. The Browns kept 10 DBs, 7 of them CBs for just this reason.
3. Running backs--Jamal Lewis has looked good, but can he carry the load all season, and if he gets hurt, can either of the remaining guys be a starter week in and week out?
4. Wide receivers--Braylon Edwards is talented, but inconsistent. Joe Jurecvicious is dependable, but not a star. Beyond those two, no one has stepped up. Someone needs to.

Most improved unit:
1. Offensive line--A couple years ago the Browns restocked the line with a bunch of past-their prime free agents. This season they rebuilt it with young free agents and draft choices. Steinbach, Thomas, and McKinney are a huge boost, and if Bentley comes back this line could be great.

Players that worry me the most:
1. Ted Washington--he struggled at times last season, with one front office exec saying "He's already retired, he just doesn't know it." His experience and tremendous size earn him the starting spot, but the skills just aren't there any more.
2. Phil Dawson--he struggled the last half of last season, missing 5 of his last 9, and also missed a couple of field goals during the preseason.

The next Browns Pro Bowlers: Kamerion Wimbley and Kellen Winslow

Browns Potential Pro Bowlers over the next few years: Sean Jones, Eric Steinbach, Joe Thomas, Leigh Bodden, Eric Wright, Leon Williams, Braylon Edwards, Brady Quinn

Browns name practice squad

Minutes after finishing my previous post, I discovered that the Browns named their practice squad:

• Returning players: RB Chris Barclay, OL Cliff Louis, DLs Chase Pittman and Melila Purcell, and WRs Steve Sanders and Syndric Steptoe
• New faces: CB Tim Mixon, undrafted out of Cal, cut by the Bears; TE Jonny Harline, undrafted out of BYU, cut by the Colts

The Final Cut Down

NFL teams pared their rosters to the mandatory 53 player limit over the weekend. Nothing shocking, although a few mild surprises among the Browns cuts:

• QB Ken Dorsey's release--while Dorsey was never a threat to start, or even be the#2, he seemed to have embraced the role of mentor to Quinn, and probably knew Chud's offense better than anybody
• RB Chris Barclay's release--following a strong NFL Europe season and some nice pre-season special teams performances, I thought he would make the team
• Draft picks cut--7 second day picks from the last 3 years were cut, although I imagine that Purcell, Pitman, and Steptoe from this years draft will probably be re-signed to the practice squad.
• Baba Oshinowo released, again--wasn't this guy supposed to be the 2nd best NT in the draft last year and a real steal in the 6th round? If he can't make it on the Browns D-line he must suck.
• Steve Sanders--I think he had a good camp, and is a good story. I hope he gets invited back on the practice squad.

Draft poll results

New polls are up! Not too surprising, the results of the draft polls were overwhelmingly positive.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

It's great to have football back again! What a long off-season. On a couple of occassions I have found myself watching the 2nd half of preseason games of teams I have absolutely no interest in, just to get a football fix.

I've been away for awhile, but here's my take on the first few weeks of training camp:

The good:

• Getting Joe Thomas and Eric Wright into training camp on time. This is huge. Both have looked good, and will likely start week 1
• Getting healthy--Gary Baxter and Kellen Winslow have practiced and so far have suffered no setbacks.
• The LBs--Kamerion Wimbley, Leon Williams, Antwan Peek, and Chaun Thompson are quietly having a nice camp.

The bad:

• Injuries--as always, the Browns have been bit by the injury bug already. Nothing season ending, but of note: Eric Steinbach, Orpheus Roye, Willie McGinest, and Leigh Bodden have all been slowed. Bodden worries me the most since it seems to suggest that his ankles have not heeled and may plague him all season.
• Brady Quinn's holdout--its never good for a 1st rounder to holdout, especially when its a QB.
• The WRs--Josh Cribbs is the #3 receiver not because he has been that good, but because the guys supposed to challenge for the spot (Travis Wilson & Tim Carter) have either been hurt or can't hold onto the ball.

The ugly:

• The QB competition--I had hoped that the starter could be named following the 2nd preseason game, but so far that's not the case--and its not because they are both playing so well. Neither Charlie Frye nor Derek Anderson look worthy of starting.
• LeCharles Bentley--I love that he is trying to come back and is progressing so well, but the Browns have not exactly been welcoming him back with open arms--their response has been odd. Seems like something fishy is going on behind the scenes here. I hope I'm wrong.

Will Brady Quinn win, or be a bust?

Football Outsiders has a nice article that looks at what factors predict QB success in the pros. It turns out that number of games started and completion percentage in college are the most important predictors of pro success.

Based on this, Quinn should do well, while JaMarcus Russell is a risk.

How the draft was won

I love this photo, and I'm still smiling about the draft.

If, like me, you can't get enough of reliving the draft, here are two more good articles on the Browns draft. The first, from USA today, describes what happened in the Browns war room during the 1st round. The second, from Foxsports.com describes what Brady Quinn went through while waiting to be drafted. Good reading.

Consensus Draft Grades

ESPN.com has a nice compilation of draft grades from various sports sites. The Browns got an A from everyone except Mel Kiper, but then what does he know.

CBSSportsline.com's Pete Prisco	C	B-	A+	B-
FoxSports.com's John Czarnecki	C-	C	A+	B
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr.	B	C+	B+	B
NBCSports.com's Tom Curran	C	C+	A	B
SI.com's Paul Zimmerman	B-	C	A	B-
ESPN.com's SportsNation	B	B	A	B
SportingNews.com's War Room Scouts	B	B	A	B
USAToday.com's Tom Weir	B	B	A	B
Yahoo.com's Charles Robinson	B	C	A-	B
Consensus GPA	2.6	2.5	4.0	2.9

Defining Day for Browns

What a day! The first day of the draft was a day that will determine the fate of the Browns for years to come. It will also define the career of Phil Savage & possibly coach Romeo Crennel.

As everyone now knows, the Browns drafted OT Joe Thomas at #3. I love this pick. Addressed a huge need that has thus far been neglected in the draft. He was the first tackle drafted by the Browns in the first 3 rounds since 1979, and the first drafted in the 1st round since 1970. A solid player, with very little downside.

All the speculation of trades among the top 10 teams drafting never occurred, and when the Dolphins surprisingly passed on Brady Quinn at #9, Phil Savage went to work, trading the Browns 2nd round pick this year, and 1st rounder next year to Dallas to move back into round one to grab Quinn! I don't know if Quinn will be the answer, but I like the gutsiness and aggressiveness that the Browns showed to improve the team.

"Five years from now we'll be saying, 'That was the day the Browns turned around,' " Savage said on Saturday night. "Either that, or 'Boy, that was the day Savage screwed up the whole thing.' "

Amen.