^Right..... PMQ :)

 

Draft week mocks tend to return to some level of sanity and start to calm back down to where they were pre-combine.  At this time, I actually like to look back at mock drafts from before the start of the season or at least before all the hype started.  The safest first round picks are going to be the guys who were projected as such at the end of last season and at the end of this season.  One guy who falls into that category who I would be more than happy with the Browns taking with their second 1st rounder is Marquise Lee (WR, USC).  He was generally considered ahead of Sammy Watkins before injury problems this past year.  Bradley Roby (CB, OSU) is another guy who might be dropping well below his true value (remember, OSU has a long history of producing very good CBs - Winfield, Gamble, Plummer, Clements, Springs, etc.). 

Dustin Fox ‏@DustinFox37  4m

LOL RT “@PurpleForTheWin: Girlfriends of the NFL Draft QBs

pic.twitter.com/almmsbjCys”

 

Draft week is when I like to tune out all the "buzz" and "hot rumors" which are rarely correct and more often than not smokescreens.... but do generate a lot of business for the media.  Forget about the hype.  Just take an objective look at things and I think this year's draft is not all that hard to figure out for the Browns.  They are at #4.  There is a largely undisputed consensus, and has been for some time, that there are 4-5 'can't miss' top-tier prospects in this draft.  Clowney, Mack, Watkins, Robinson, and (depending on who you ask) Matthews.  If we stay at #4, we take one of those guys.  I think everyone has Clowney on top, no matter what they say.  I myself would rate them exactly in the above order.  The Browns could probably be enticed to trade back a few spots with Atlanta or Tampa Bay, but I would demand a King's ransom because you are passing up the opportunity to take one of those 5.

 

No QB in this draft will help them win "now", especially with a shaky RT and two atrocious G's, and the Browns pass D caved in 3-4 times last season, giving up 4th Qtr leads. 

 

Are you forgetting the PQ signing?  I would at least hesitate to call him atrocious until we see him play with our unit.  We also don't know whether he will play G with Schwartz staying at RT, or whether he will play RT, with Schwartz moving to G.  The competition between Pinkston and Greco should also be healthy.

I had forgotten, but the Browns signed McQuistan to a 2 year $3M contract, I just don't think they (or any other team) view him as a long-term solution at G.  In comparison, Lauvao signed a 4 year $17M contract with the Redskins this off-season.

In comparison, Lauvao signed a 4 year $17M contract with the Redskins this off-season.

 

Just because someone was signed to a long-term contract doesn't make them a long-term solution either -- which Lauvao surely is not. I was blown away Lauvao got that juicy deal. The only thing that surprised me more was free agent Oniel Cousins actually getting signed by someone. Anyone. I wouldn't give that guy a bag of rocks. Instead Tampa Bay gave him a million bucks.

The Manziels are one screwed-up family. Johnny was no doubt affected by it. Questions are, did it screw him up or cause him to want to get away from it and start anew?

 

The Long Con: How The Manziels Conquered America

Timothy Burke

8/12/13 5:10pm

 

When news broke eight days ago that reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel faces an NCAA investigation into whether he sold autographs, the college football world reacted with either confusion or outright skepticism. After all, the press had created an image of the Manziel family that suggested something out of TV's Dallas. Wright Thompson's recent ESPN The Magazine feature alluded to the "Texas oil fortune" that "still funds the family." As Manziel's father, Paul, told Thompson, "It's not Garth Brooks money, but it's a lot of money." If Johnny Football's so rich, the thinking went, why would he stoop to selling autographs for pocket change?

 

But maybe it isn't so weird. It turns out the Manziels are a much more colorful and interesting bunch than any of the profiles thus far have indicated. Their fortune was indeed made in oil—wildcatting, specifically—but there were also family sidelines in cockfighting, small-time grifting, match-fixing, and, if you believe the federal indictments, cocaine-trafficking and murder. In fact, the first great sporting success under the family name wasn't Johnny Football; it was the Manziel grey gamefowl, bred by Johnny's great-grandfather. The Manziels arrived in Texas after cockfighting was outlawed, but they wound up with a breed named after them anyway.

 

That's the story of the Manziels in America. It's the story of making money just this side (and occasionally that side) of the rules.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://deadspin.com/the-long-con-how-the-manziels-conquered-america-1040593220

In comparison, Lauvao signed a 4 year $17M contract with the Redskins this off-season.

 

Just because someone was signed to a long-term contract doesn't make them a long-term solution either -- which Lauvao surely is not. I was blown away Lauvao got that juicy deal. The only thing that surprised me more was free agent Oniel Cousins actually getting signed by someone. Anyone. I wouldn't give that guy a bag of rocks. Instead Tampa Bay gave him a million bucks.

I wasn't trumpeting for Lauvao's deal and also couldn't believe the Skins gave him that much $$.  The point was that McQuistan could only get a 2 year $3M deal, presuming the Browns made the best offer for his services.  Greco's deal is for much less than than Luavao's, and it should be because he stinks too, just another plodding converted T, just like Pinkston.

 

Had the Browns invested in a G like Zane Beadles (5 years $30M), I would've agreed that they had at least attempted to find a solution at one G position.

 

Until the Browns invest in the G position, we 'll continue to see running plays that look like a construction zone in the backfield with overturned barrels 3 yards deep; the inability to run a simple screen pass; and continued inability to pull & trap, things that NFL G's should be able to do once in a while.

 

We need Guard help big time, not more late round converted T's, but real, actual professional athletic Guards that know how to play the position.

 

We need Guard help big time, not more late round converted T's, but real, actual professional athletic Guards that know how to play the position.

 

I'm not so sure we need to invest more in the o-line, at least give Kyle 1 year to see what his zone blocking can do with who we already have.

I have this feeling that the o-line is going to be fine next year. esp with Hoyer and his quick delivery and a actual quality nfl RB

I want Mack at 4 esp if they think he can play inside.

I think the O-line got better as the year went along. Even with the shaky start due to injuries, it rated in the middle of the pack of NFL offensive lines. And that was with an aging runner who couldn't hit the hole quickly anymore, so D-lines barely acknowledged the running game on their speed rushes to the quarterback.

WKNR CEO Craig Karmazin is temporarily moving from his home in Milwaukee to Cleveland to share reaction of Browns fans post NFL draft. It's for two months. He's bringing his family so he needs a 3 bedrooms.  He's looking for some advice!

 

[email protected]

 

https://twitter.com/craigkarmazin

 

 

I think the O-line got better as the year went along. Even with the shaky start due to injuries, it rated in the middle of the pack of NFL offensive lines. And that was with an aging runner who couldn't hit the hole quickly anymore, so D-lines barely acknowledged the running game on their speed rushes to the quarterback.

I thought the OL was bad all year, 27th in the league in rushing, consistently couldn't pick up a 3rd/4th & short yardage.  Bobby Rainey averaged 2.5 yards/carry with the Browns but 4 yards/carry with Tampa who didn't exactly have the Hogs for an OL.  I also think Schwartz's performance was masked by always giving him TE help on passing downs, making the Browns overly predictable.

 

My "opinion" is that when we stop winning draft day championships by drafting jersey sellers and creating fan buzz, we'll finally start winning games.  I'd like to see a Belichick type draft; OL and Defense early, skill players in the mid to late rounds, especially with Gordon, Cameron, and Tate on the roster.

Does he want to hear from working-class guys, managers/executives, retirees, hipsters, what? Downtown offers access to all of these groups on a day-to-day basis, but what suburb offers all of these? Maybe Lakewood or Cleveland Heights. Possibly Parma.

We need Guard help big time, not more late round converted T's, but real, actual professional athletic Guards that know how to play the position.

 

Guards are not extra fullbacks in today's NFL.  Teams use to put the 'plodders' and 'road graders' at tackle with the more athletic linemen at guard, but ever since Larry Allen's success with the Cowboys combined with a new breed of edge/speed rushers and the proliferation of the 3-4 defense, teams have switched their philosophy.  Guards now tend to be 'rounder' and less athletic than tackles.  Tackles and centers tend to pull and trap more than guards.  It is a drastic change somewhat from what you might have played in high school.  And you also have to consider that we are switching to a zone blocking scheme..... and not just any zone blocking scheme, but the Shanahan zone blocking scheme.  That scheme absolutely depends on more athletic tackles who can move in space, which would be the reason why I would not be surprised at all to see the Browns take Robinson or Matthews and have Schwartz move over to compete at guard.

We need Guard help big time, not more late round converted T's, but real, actual professional athletic Guards that know how to play the position.

 

Guards are not extra fullbacks in today's NFL.  Teams use to put the 'plodders' and 'road graders' at tackle with the more athletic linemen at guard, but ever since Larry Allen's success with the Cowboys combined with a new breed of edge/speed rushers and the proliferation of the 3-4 defense, teams have switched their philosophy.  Guards now tend to be 'rounder' and less athletic than tackles.  Tackles and centers tend to pull and trap more than guards.  It is a drastic change somewhat from what you might have played in high school.  And you also have to consider that we are switching to a zone blocking scheme..... and not just any zone blocking scheme, but the Shanahan zone blocking scheme.  That scheme absolutely depends on more athletic tackles who can move in space, which would be the reason why I would not be surprised at all to see the Browns take Robinson or Matthews and have Schwartz move over to compete at guard.

Not going to argue the issue on today's Guards, other than saying that one of these years we need to draft a GUARD, and not a short college Tackle that couldn't make it as a Tackle in the NFL so he's moved to Guard.

 

I would be happy with Robinson at #4.

I know I sound like a broken record but the wishful thinking fan side of me thinks that the Browns will take Watkins or even Evans if they choose to move back and take a QB in later in the 1st especially if Bridgewater begins to fall. Honestly it just makes the most sense, Watkins is a rare talent and would be a nightmare for defenses along with Gordon, as well as make the QB look good as well. Also after reading the Cleveland.com article and seeing how they were openly saying they love Manziel and are leaning towards Robinson seems like a smokescreen to me. Again this is just the wishful thinking side of me and is not any professional type analysis just the average joe type of opinion.

 

EDIT: I would even take Bortles at 4 but not Carr or Manziel

I know I sound like a broken record but the wishful thinking fan side of me thinks that the Browns will take Watkins or even Evans if they choose to move back and take a QB in later in the 1st especially if Bridgewater begins to fall. Honestly it just makes the most sense, Watkins is a rare talent and would be a nightmare for defenses along with Gordon, as well as make the QB look good as well. Also after reading the Cleveland.com article and seeing how they were openly saying they love Manziel and are leaning towards Robinson seems like a smokescreen to me. Again this is just the wishful thinking side of me and is not any professional type analysis just the average joe type of opinion.

 

EDIT: I would even take Bortles at 4 but not Carr or Manziel

If the Browns move back I hope they take CB Justin Gilbert.  We have Joe Haden and nobody else to play CB.  Not a big fan of 5'8" Buster at CB, though I think we could get by with him at NB.  Insinuating that Robinson would be gone by the time we pick after trading down.

Not going to argue the issue on today's Guards, other than saying that one of these years we need to draft a GUARD, and not a short college Tackle that couldn't make it as a Tackle in the NFL so he's moved to Guard.

 

I would be happy with Robinson at #4.

 

Who's arguing?  We're just talking football here.  Getting back to that, maybe you would prefer a guy like Carl Nicks, Jahri Evans, Andy Levitre, Logan Mankins, Ben Grubbs, Marshal Yanda, Justin Blalock, Evan Mathis, or Jerome Clary?  Those are all the highest paid (in that order) and amongst the highest regarded offensive guards in the league.  Nicks, Evans, Levitre, Mankins, Yanda, Blalock, and Clary all spent their entire college careers at OT..... most of them being left tackles at the college level.  Mathis played OT for 3 seasons before switching to OG for his senior year.  Grubbs was a DT, and then a TE, before finally moving to OG.  That seems like some fairly solid evidence that drafting a college OT and making him an OG in the NFL ain't all that bush-league of an idea.

Not going to argue the issue on today's Guards, other than saying that one of these years we need to draft a GUARD, and not a short college Tackle that couldn't make it as a Tackle in the NFL so he's moved to Guard.

 

I would be happy with Robinson at #4.

 

Who's arguing?  We're just talking football here.  Getting back to that, maybe you would prefer a guy like Carl Nicks, Jahri Evans, Andy Levitre, Logan Mankins, Ben Grubbs, Marshal Yanda, Justin Blalock, Evan Mathis, or Jerome Clary?  Those are all the highest paid (in that order) and amongst the highest regarded offensive guards in the league.  Nicks, Evans, Levitre, Mankins, Yanda, Blalock, and Clary all spent their entire college careers at OT..... most of them being left tackles at the college level.  Mathis played OT for 3 seasons before switching to OG for his senior year.  Grubbs was a DT, and then a TE, before finally moving to OG.  That seems like some fairly solid evidence that drafting a college OT and making him an OG in the NFL ain't all that bush-league of an idea.

 

That's why it's so safe to draft tackle's if they dont work out at OT you can move them to OG

Jay Glazer ‏@JayGlazer  29m

Don't know how I can make this clearer for those arguing against it: CLE would take ME over Manziel at 4 & I totally botched the Wonderlic

 

More detail.......

www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24553046/report-browns-will-not-draft-johnny-manziel-with-fourth-pick

 

And on another player.......

 

Mary Kay Cabot ‏@MaryKayCabot 7m

Ok #Browns fans, maybe this will cheer you up: I'm hearing #OhioState RB Carlos Hyde is on the radar at No. 35.

I like all three of OSU's 1st round prospects this year and would be happy with the Browns taking any of them.  There's been plenty of mocks which have them taking Roby or Hyde.  I'm surprised we haven't seen any in which we take Shazier when he drops to #26.  He would be a perfect fit as the weakside ILB in our 3-4, right next to Dansby.  He's right behind Mosley, and Roby and Hyde are the best prospects at their positions IMO.

WKNR CEO Craig Karmazin is temporarily moving from his home in Milwaukee to Cleveland to share reaction of Browns fans post NFL draft. It's for two months. He's bringing his family so he needs a 3 bedrooms.  He's looking for some advice!

 

[email protected]

 

https://twitter.com/craigkarmazin

 

 

 

Berea or close by.

This Glazer guy seems pretty sure of himself. I hope he's wrong not bc I want Manziel but I want the public to start not trusting these talking heads so much that the provide no clue to readers/listeners. I really find it hard to respect what some of these guys are dedicating their entire lives to

Not going to argue the issue on today's Guards, other than saying that one of these years we need to draft a GUARD, and not a short college Tackle that couldn't make it as a Tackle in the NFL so he's moved to Guard.

 

I would be happy with Robinson at #4.

 

Who's arguing?  We're just talking football here.  Getting back to that, maybe you would prefer a guy like Carl Nicks, Jahri Evans, Andy Levitre, Logan Mankins, Ben Grubbs, Marshal Yanda, Justin Blalock, Evan Mathis, or Jerome Clary?  Those are all the highest paid (in that order) and amongst the highest regarded offensive guards in the league.  Nicks, Evans, Levitre, Mankins, Yanda, Blalock, and Clary all spent their entire college careers at OT..... most of them being left tackles at the college level.  Mathis played OT for 3 seasons before switching to OG for his senior year.  Grubbs was a DT, and then a TE, before finally moving to OG.  That seems like some fairly solid evidence that drafting a college OT and making him an OG in the NFL ain't all that bush-league of an idea.

I would settle for drafting a 1st round T like Mankins or Grubbs instead of the usual late round or UDFA T's the Browns throw in at G.  But I would rather have someone like Iupati, Snee, Beadles, or a dominant G like Hutchinson.

 

The Browns have consistently been in the bottom 1/3 in the league in running the ball, can't pick up 3rd/4th and short yardage on the ground, can't execute a screen pass, and allow bull rushes up the middle on the QB on a regular basis.  It would just be nice to finally address those problems with a viable solution.

 

If the Browns take Robinson I would be content with moving Schwartz inside to see if he looks any better.

The Browns have consistently been in the bottom 1/3 in the league in running the ball, can't pick up 3rd/4th and short yardage on the ground...allow bull rushes up the middle on the QB on a regular basis.  It would just be nice to finally address those problems with a viable solution.

 

Thank you for conjuring up suppressed images of Couch/Frye/etc. being sacked...on plays where they were handing the ball off!! Ugh....

 

Related note, I'm not hearing much about Maurice Carthon's career as Offensive Coordinator ha ha. He could've been the worst OC in recent history. His 19th century offense would've made great strides for the Canton Bulldogs or Dayton Triangles.

^But Carthon was an absolute BEAST on Tecmo Bowl

 

^^I hear you.  But I think those rushing results have as much to do with poor RB/QB play and bad scheming as they do with OL play.  For over a decade, teams know to stack the box on us in short yardage and pin their ears back because we haven't had any QBs that could burn them for doing that.  So much blame gets put on the OL, but 5 guys can't block 7-8.  We need RBs and QBs that keep the front 7 of the defense on its heels.  We need RBs that can read a defense and make a cut-back when necessary.  We need a QB that can audible out of a dive play and into a quick slant when the defense stacks the middle.

In 15 years, the Browns have only used three 1st round picks on the OL to play 5 positions.  While they've drafted 5 QB's/RB's in the 1st round to play 2 positions, and a boatload of 1st/2nd round picks on other skill players.

 

One reason why we haven't been able to pass the ball is because teams can use standard Defensive fronts to stop our run game and generate a pass rush, while smothering screens, dumps, and overall passing game.  Teams seldom send the house on us, they don't have to when DT's can blow past our G's one on one.

 

We need to stop looking at the leaves and start looking at the roots.

Not going to argue the issue on today's Guards, other than saying that one of these years we need to draft a GUARD, and not a short college Tackle that couldn't make it as a Tackle in the NFL so he's moved to Guard.

 

I would be happy with Robinson at #4.

 

Who's arguing?  We're just talking football here.  Getting back to that, maybe you would prefer a guy like Carl Nicks, Jahri Evans, Andy Levitre, Logan Mankins, Ben Grubbs, Marshal Yanda, Justin Blalock, Evan Mathis, or Jerome Clary?  Those are all the highest paid (in that order) and amongst the highest regarded offensive guards in the league.  Nicks, Evans, Levitre, Mankins, Yanda, Blalock, and Clary all spent their entire college careers at OT..... most of them being left tackles at the college level.  Mathis played OT for 3 seasons before switching to OG for his senior year.  Grubbs was a DT, and then a TE, before finally moving to OG.  That seems like some fairly solid evidence that drafting a college OT and making him an OG in the NFL ain't all that bush-league of an idea.

 

That's why it's so safe to draft tackle's if they dont work out at OT you can move them to OG

I've never agreed with that theory.  A good gaurd has to be fast, relatively speaking, for pulling situations. 

^As I said yesterday, the 'prototypical guard' has changed dramatically over the last two decades.  Gone are the days of Randall McDaniel and his 280 pound frame pulling all over the field.  I played some guard in my day in a speed option offense and it really was like being a second fullback.  But in today's NFL, you are much more likely to see an OT get out on the edge in front of the running back nowadays.  This change, ironically, is partly a result of the zone blocking scheme, which figured out it is a lot easier to have the guard shift out to the tackle's zone on the snap of the ball and have the tackle get out on the edge.  When interior lineman do pull, it is becoming more common that it is the center.... and Alex Mack is ideal for that.  If we did want guards that could pull and block well in space, we should've kept Lauvao..... that was the one thing he did exceptionally well.

 

^^Couldn't disagree more adamantly on the defensive strategies used against us.  Teams have blitzed us to death for 15 years.  You won't find any reputable Browns analyst who would disagree with that.  You also have to have an understanding of the DT position to know that many (if not most) defensive schemes do NOT call for the DT to blast on through the line.  NFL DT's (not named Warren Sapp) are more often asked to be blockers themselves, holding off the interior lineman from getting to the second level.  The fact that you have seen DT's blasting through the line with reckless abandon is actually a statement that teams are not worried about their second level players getting burned.

 

I'm the first one to want to address the line over a 'sexy' position.  But to say we don't have enough invested in our OL is confounding.  Joe Thomas and Alex Mack are both 1st round picks who are the highest or among the highest paid at their respective positions.  Schwartz was a high 2nd round pick and Pinkston a 3rd rounder.  We took Joe Thomas in the top 5 and he is a Hall of Famer for sure.  But where has that gotten us?

^As I said yesterday, the 'prototypical guard' has changed dramatically over the last two decades.  Gone are the days of Randall McDaniel and his 280 pound frame pulling all over the field.  I played some guard in my day in a speed option offense and it really was like being a second fullback.  But in today's NFL, you are much more likely to see an OT get out on the edge in front of the running back nowadays.  This change, ironically, is partly a result of the zone blocking scheme, which figured out it is a lot easier to have the guard shift out to the tackle's zone on the snap of the ball and have the tackle get out on the edge.  When interior lineman do pull, it is becoming more common that it is the center.... and Alex Mack is ideal for that.  If we did want guards that could pull and block well in space, we should've kept Lauvao..... that was the one thing he did exceptionally well.

 

^^Couldn't disagree more adamantly on the defensive strategies used against us.  Teams have blitzed us to death for 15 years.  You won't find any reputable Browns analyst who would disagree with that.  You also have to have an understanding of the DT position to know that many (if not most) defensive schemes do NOT call for the DT to blast on through the line.  NFL DT's (not named Warren Sapp) are more often asked to be blockers themselves, holding off the interior lineman from getting to the second level.  The fact that you have seen DT's blasting through the line with reckless abandon is actually a statement that teams are not worried about their second level players getting burned.

 

I'm the first one to want to address the line over a 'sexy' position.  But to say we don't have enough invested in our OL is confounding.  Joe Thomas and Alex Mack are both 1st round picks who are the highest or among the highest paid at their respective positions.  Schwartz was a high 2nd round pick and Pinkston a 3rd rounder.  We took Joe Thomas in the top 5 and he is a Hall of Famer for sure.  But where has that gotten us?

Basically disagree with everything here, and Pinkston was a 5th round pick.  And if the "QB solves everything" crowd can say just because a a QB was drafted in the 1st round (Couch, BQ, Weeds) can simply say he was picked too high, I can say the same for an OL (Schwartz).  The Richardson/Weeden/Schwartz trio was simply disastrous.

I am not advocating for taking a QB at 4.  Not sure where you got that from

 

Right you are on Pinkston's draft position.  It's Greco who was a third rounder (by the Rams)

Sorry, but I don't see our OL as the problem, at least as far as the starters are concerned. Depth is a problem. When we have a franchise QB, more than two reliable receivers, and a running game yet still can't throw the ball (which I dispute, BTW), then we'll know it was actually the OL. But as of right now, it's not a priority -- except for adding depth.

 

So can the Browns throw the ball? Better than more than two-thirds of the league....

 

All Browns quarterbacks last year combined for 4,047 passing yards, or 253 yards per game which ranked the Browns 9th in the NFL.

I would take a QB with my very first pick!

That is my very first pick in the 3rd round. I would use the first two rounds to draft the best available talent. It's said to be a deep draft so there should be 'difference makers' available.

^But Carthon was an absolute BEAST on Tecmo Bowl

 

Ha, well that's true.  Handing off to the blocking back was a Bill Parcell's version of a trick play!

I think Texas takes Clowney at #1, St. Louis takes Robinson at #2, and Jax takes Manziel at #3. They need a QB and they desperately need to sell tickets. But I consider Manziel too big of a gamble to take so high, including at #4. So even if he's still there at #4, I hope the Browns take the BPA -- except for OL. I want Mack on defense or Watkins on offense.

 

And then I think the Browns will take the best QB available with their second first-round pick, whether they stay at #26 or move up. And based on this article by Jason LaCanfora, the Browns think Bridgewater is the best fit for their team after they conducted a $100,000 analytics study of QBs. Something tells me either Lombardi or Banner leaked this news to the media on the eve of the draft.......

 

2014 NFL Draft: Teddy Bridgewater handling craziness like a pro

May 7, 2014 3:09 pm ET

JASON LA CANFORA

CBS Sports NFL Insider

 

Further fueling the Browns' interest in Bridgewater is an expensive and thorough analytics study the team commissioned evaluating decades of successful NFL quarterbacks and taking all sorts of variables into consideration, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Team president Alec Scheiner was the brainchild of the study, which was then commissioned by Joe Banner, who ran the Browns until being let go when the front office was reorganized in February.

 

The Browns, under their former regime, were long in plans to focus on the 2014 quarterback class, unimpressed with the 2013 group and accruing additional 2014 picks to get in position to get the quarterback they desired in this draft. The quarterback study, at a cost of over $100,000, ultimately pointed to Bridgewater having the best success rate of this year's group of quarterbacks, and the trend to analytics is taken very seriously within the Browns organization.

 

By no means would it be the deciding factor -- and it is a part of the equation like other elements -- but this study also incorporated film review and advanced metrics and is another reason why Bridgewater's slide is less likely to get to the second round as some may think.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24553695/nfl-draft-teddy-bridgewater-handling-craziness-like-a-pro

My final wish list for the 1st/2nd round:

 

* Trade back a few spots and acquire another 2nd, then take the top CB available (Gilbert or Dennard).  Outside of a franchise QB (which none are available), CB is the biggest need for the team.  Would allow Buster to move to NB where he should be more effective, so improving 2 positions with 1 pick.

* Hoping that Bortles falls to 26 and Browns take him.  If Bortles is gone, Shazier.  The Browns best and only quality ILB (Dansby) will be 33 this season.

* For the first time in 15 years, draft an actual GUARD to play Guard.  Hoping Su'a-Filo falls to us with our first 2nd round pick, or we move up for a 3rd 1st round pick by giving up both 3rd round picks.  Maybe a quality G next to Schwartz will help him.

* With add'l 2nd round pick, either the developmental QB they like or WR Brandon Cooks.  The Browns already have a Pro Bowl caliber WR & TE, and they picked up two WR's in FA, but could use another WR.

^I'm with you on Shazier. 

 

I am not as high on Dennard as most everyone else.  Roby, Gilbert, and Fuller are all the better prospects IMO.  Dennard is right there with them, but he would be fourth on my list.  I'd be happy with any of those four at #26

 

Mack, Robinson, and Watkins, in that order, are my guys at #4.

 

If they swing for the fences and take Johnny Football, I won't be mad

^I'm with you on Shazier. 

 

I am not as high on Dennard as most everyone else.  Roby, Gilbert, and Fuller are all the better prospects IMO.  Dennard is right there with them, but he would be fourth on my list.  I'd be happy with any of those four at #26

 

Mack, Robinson, and Watkins, in that order, are my guys at #4.

 

If they swing for the fences and take Johnny Football, I won't be mad

I would take Mack as well if there, but thinking the top 3 picks will be Clowney, Robinson, & Mack, three immediate difference makers. 

 

We already have Gordon & Cameron which we'll soon have to re-sign for big $$'s, and picked up Hawkins & Burleson and have a few young WR's who could develop, so not feeling it with a WR at 4, though I like Watkins.  My #1 target at CB would be Gilbert.

 

I'm torn on Johnny, he's a gamer but don't think he's ready to play the NFL game and would bring a circus and off-field attention, some maybe not good.

My dream-scenario on offense for the first three picks is: Watkins at #4, Bridgewater #26 and Hyde #35. All are likely to be there at those picks. The Browns would be an offensive juggernaut if that happens.

 

My dream-scenario on defense for the first three picks is: Mack at #4, Roby #26 and Borland at #35. I'd move Mack inside and start him instead of Robertson. I'd put Borland behind Dansby for the next year or two. This would be a very strong defense if that happens.

So @MikeCairns5 is reporting Browns trying to get 3rd 1st-round pick in top-15 by trading next yr's #1 and this yr's 2nd & 3rd round picks!

 

The rumor is that the Browns are after a blue-chip OL, but I also think one of the top CBs is in the cards as Pettine said you use the draft to get players you can't get in free agency -- and the Browns were able to get a top CB in FA this year. I think they want to address that position now.

 

More....

 

BTW, people in NYC are tweeting that trade talk is going NUTS and no team is mentioned more than the Browns. Vibe is they're being extremely aggressive.

Maybe they are(will be) using the 3rd pick to package (move up) to get the 1'st pick for Clowney

^They're not gonna trade up for Clowney.  They'll take him if he is there at #4, but won't mortgage the future for him.

 

^^That's too much, even for this draft.  I'd consider doing next year's 1st and either (a) our 2nd rounder or (b) third rounder plus another later pick....... but would wait of course to see who was there before making the trade.

 

I'd like a CB too, but I do give some credence to what I heard Hanford "Top Dawg" Dixon say on the radio this morning suggesting that people should be much, much higher on Buster Skrine.  I agree that people are a little too hard on him.  Hanford pointed out that he actually played well last year, even though Haden was given more "over the top" help from the safeties..... mostly because Haden was guarding the #1 WR.  People talk about moving Skrine to nickel, but he is actually much better on the outside.  He struggled as a nickleback the year before last.  He doesn't cover well over the middle for whatever reason.  That said, I could see Skrine becoming the #3 if we either draft someone or McFadden turns out to be a player.  But I still think he would play on the outside when he came in the game, with one of the starters shifting to the slot

^Agreed on Skrine. He's not as bad as his reputation.

I also liked what I saw out of Julian Posey as an extra DB last year.  I thought he really impressed the last few games and could be a sleeper candidate to win one of those jobs.

I think Skrine had a real good 2013. If he can do it again in 2014, then we know we've got something.

 

BTW, regarding any trade with Houston.....

 

NFL on ESPN ‏@ESPNNFL 11m

DEVELOPING: The Texans are now locked in on its player and are not expecting a trade out of No. 1 overall.

 

EDIT: the Browns draft party at the convention center is sold out....

 

CLEVELAND BROWNS: @nflnetwork "They're in a position to get THREE first round picks!" http://on.nfl.com/1obtokC  #NFLDraft

Glad this day is finally here.

 

Going to type three times quickly:

 

Please no Johnny Football

 

Please no Johnny Football

 

Please no Johnny Football

 

Ok there I'm good now.

All I have to add to the conversation is that I'm glad it's perfect outside. I'll spend my afternoon on the motorcycle and evening in the hammock and read about who they actually picked in the morning. No need to listen to more speculation.

I'm heading to the Pub tonight and will spend tomorrow on the hammock.... recuperating

All I have to add to the conversation is that I'm glad it's perfect outside. I'll spend my afternoon on the motorcycle and evening in the hammock and read about who they actually picked in the morning. No need to listen to more speculation.

 

I live for this. I took the day off. I got my windows open with a strong breeze blowing through my fifth-floor condo -- that's the extent of my enjoying this weather. My phone is on one twitter account, my desktop computer on another, with about four more windows open to different sites to track news. I've got  the radio on The Fan. My TV in the office is muted, but on ESPN and my TV in the living room is on the NFL network. I'm recording both channels starting at 7 p.m.

 

Yep, I'm into it. ;)

I just hope the Browns get good so we can stop giving a shit about the draft. The draft talk got old before the regular season ended.

I just hope the Browns get good so we can stop giving a shit about the draft. The draft talk got old before the regular season ended.

 

The draft is how you stay good, too. Ask Mike Junkin, Clifford Charlton, Tim Manoa and the man who picked them (Lombardi) in the late 1980s. That's why a team that went to the playoffs five straight years 1985-89 went 3-13 in 1990.