If we stay at #4, which I expect us to do, I would expect us to select one of the following 4 prospects (you heard it here first!)........ Justin Blackmon, Trent Richardson, Morris Claiborne, Dre Kirkpatrick.  Blackmon ripped it up last night, and the other three are playing in the championship game next week.  I would be happy with any of those prospects

I was very impressed with Blackmon last night. And wasn't he the guy who was helping the little girl in the stands overcome her cancer? If so, sounds like a quality person, not just a quality player.

 

While I'd love to get a shut-down corner like Dr. Dre or Claiborne, I just don't see us going defense with our top pick this year. I think we got to get some offensive help. I'm not as crazy about Hillis as some people, and Hardesty's glass body scares me. Ogbonnaya showed some promise. But I wonder if he was a flash in the pan. And don't forget we have Brandon Jackson who ran for 703 yards and caught 43 passes in 2010 for the Super Bowl champion Packers. If he doesn't stub his toe again, he should be on the field for us in 2012.

 

So, to me, running back isn't the priority on offense. It has to be a field-stretching, game-breaking WR. Blackmon certainly fits that description. And considering how many WRs are headcases, this guy seems like something special on and off the field.

 

And, I hate to say it, but QB is a priority too. If we can get a franchise QB in this draft, you have to take him. If not, draft Blackmon. I think we're set at TE, unless there's some really good ones in the draft. I'm hoping we can get some more offensive lineman and a speedy LB in the second or third rounds. We have to get some run-stoppers in there.

Heckert is on record saying that there are 3 positions which you have to give serious consideration if you are at the very top of the draft because such a high value is placed on these positions that you would be really challenged to get quality players in the lower rounds.  Those positions are OT, CB, and DE.  We need a RT, we need a rush-DE, and we could always use another shutdown corner to pair with Haden.

 

I don't see an OT other than Kalil who is worth the #4 pick and I think Kalil will be gone by the time we pick.  This year's DE class is less than underwhelming IMO.  But Kirkpatrick and Claiborne, from a talen standpoint, would warrant a pick that high.  At least we wouldn't have to worry about drafting another CB for the next 7-9 years.

 

The one thing we absolutely can not do is "miss" on this draft pick because we are too focused on need and not on BPA and value.  This team has too many needs to fix everything with one draft pick.  All that said, if they take Blackmon, count me as a happy man.  If you have any doubts about him, just watch this video....

 

I really hope Blackmon is there at 4. 

The Browns season is over.  They had a terrible year.  The Cavs are an exciting young team to watch, with two of the top 4 picks, and are off to a good start.  Yet when I turn on the radio, all I hear is about some silly pipe dream of trying to convince Peyton Manning to finish his career here and what the Browns might do in the draft.  OIC..... OIC.

Hey, look at the most-commented-on articles at Cleveland.com. They're almost always about Browns news/columns. The Browns rate over everything here, except maybe an occasional doses of county corruption, or an event in the whole SB5 thing. But the Browns hold staying power, like some long-running soap opera.

Anyone listen to Holmgren's presser this morning? I caught a little of it on the radio. While I'm in partial agreement with the message (we can't just blow this up again, we have to stay the course, blah blah blah), I wasn't in love with the way he delivered it. Very condescending, and he took no ownership of any of the problems, or really of the issues we had this year (he actually said we were competitive against the divisional foes...said we had a good corp of receivers, had nothing but praise for Shurmer, etc). I feel like he doesn't care, or maybe just won't acknowledge the dire need for the fans in this town to have a competitive team to root for.

I read the report on cleveland.com

 

The man is full of complete $hit, and is clearly uninterested in maintaining his legacy and dignity.

 

That's all I have.

I definitely get the impression that when his 5 years is up, he's gone baby gone, and F-it if the team's any better. CREAM got the money, dollah bill y'all!

Really?  I would bet that he does care.  Maybe not because he loves Cleveland, but at least because he is competitive.  I just don't believe he would be doing this if he didn't care.  Im sure he has money to spare, he doesn't need our money.  I bet he does get tired of being asked if Shurmer is on the hot seat... how many times can you give an emphatic "no" before you start sounding condescending?  I think he is right about the need for stability and time.  Lots of Browns fans want to clear house after each game we lose.  I'm going to wait until next year and see if they get better.

 

He says some of the things that he says because he probably has to, if for no other reason, sports etiquette.  Rex Ryan says whatever he wants, and he is that guy.  Coaches and GMs rarely ever spill their guts.  We will know if he truly believes in our receiving corps AFTER the draft and free agency.

 

I do believe that he is not going to be here long, but I also believe he is trying to set us up for the long term without him. 

 

Remember Lane Kiffin's Tennessee speech, where he talked about singing old rocky top?  Do you think he was really that excited, or do you think he was just pandering?  Most athletes and coaches seem to pander to their fan base to a certain degree.  That's why there are 32 teams with the "greatest fans"

The guy just wanted more dollars, and Lerner has it. No matter how rich you are - cough Mr. Pujols - a lot of these guys feel they deserve more and are fine with destroying or hurting their legacies grabbing at every penny.

 

Based on these conferences, in which he's often hostile to the reporters asking legitimate questions, along his virtual absense during Concussiongate, along with his highly questionable hiring decisions, along with his own 'I'm only here for five years, gang' comments, along with his confrontational and condescending attitude towards the media, along with his routine nonanswers, (and so on and so forth),  I would say Holmgren really doesn't care all that much. He certainly comes across as bored. Is he even a fan of the Browns? Has he ever?

Fandom wasn't expected of him, but professional competence was.  Shurmur was a terrible hire even if Bill Walsh floats down on a cloud to call plays for him.  Maybe he develops into something awesome.  Right now he seems weak and unimaginative.  Belichick wasn't popular here, but he never seemed weak or unimaginative.

Bill Walsh floating down on a cloud, ha!  That would guarantee the Browns some primetime games for sure.

I heard he wasn't sure if he wanted to give up calling the plays. He said that is the fun part...

Belichick wasn't popular here, but he never seemed weak or unimaginative.

 

Eh.... that kind of WAS the perception of Belichek, especially the unimaginative part.  I am not sure if you are old enough to remember too well, but for those who are, I'll just say.... "Metcalf up the middle"

 

DISCLAIMER - in no way am I saying that Shurmer will or can develop into Belichek.  I am not a fan of his style at all.  West Coast offense here in Cleveland on the lake in the AFC North?..... whiskey tango foxtrot?

Belicheck was a defensive coach and his defenses here didn't suck.  Local hated of Belicheck was based on his personality and his treatment of Bernie... and yeah, his treatment of Bernie stemmed from Bernie's refusal to accept Metcalf up the Middle, so in a way, unimaginative offense did have a lot to do with it.  The defense was still good though.  And any coach who jettisons a local hero for Phil Toddcox isn't weak.  I was at that Oilers game, having bought the tickets months earlier with my dishwashing money thinking I'd get to see Bernie play.

 

Read an interesting article in ESPN magazine a couple years ago, where Bernie said the term "West Coast Offense" originally referred to Al Davis' bomb-it-down-the-field approach.  Bernie wasn't sure how or why it had come to mean dinking and dunking.  Whatever it means, it has nothing to do with making Greg Little stand next to the opposing MLB and wait for a 3-yard pass.

The early mocks are saying the Browns take RG3.  I think that's premature.  He's had just one great year, and I still think McCoy has potential, especially well protected.

 

Assuming Kalil and Blackmon are gone (likely), the Redskins would likely give us their 3rd round pick and of course the sixth overall for the fourth pick and the right to take RG3.  The Browns take Riley Reiff (OT, Iowa) at the six, the best WR remaining with the 22nd, and the best guard with the 35th.  Several top prospects should be there at each position.

Not that I am personally against taking an OL at #4..... Browns fans would storm Berea, capture H&H, and nail them up to the soldiers and sailors monument tarred and feathered for all to see.

 

And if I am moving back two spots so the Redskins can take who they think will be their franchise QB, they better come stronger than an extra 3rd round pick.  Next year's 1st will be the going price (or at least it should be)

Not that I am personally against taking an OL at #4..... Browns fans would storm Berea, capture H&H, and nail them up to the soldiers and sailors monument tarred and feathered for all to see.

 

And if I am moving back two spots so the Redskins can take who they think will be their franchise QB, they better come stronger than an extra 3rd round pick.  Next year's 1st will be the going price (or at least it should be)

 

The points matrix most teams use shows the difference between 4 and 6 as about a third rounder.  I'd rather have the next year's first of course.

 

My experience on a Browns board suggests our fans are pretty aware of the importance of the OL.  Also, lately they've been drafting in groups.  The DBs were addressed in '10, the DL in '11.  With Steinbach coming back, grabbing a top RT gives us perhaps the best OL in the NFL, and taking a top guard too builds depth.

We had to give up more to move up 1 spot to take K2.  NYG definitely gave up a lot more to swap picks with the Chargers and take Eli.  That points matrix is a Jimmy Johnson thing and is simply used as a guide.  Most NFL teams don't adhere to it.  I also think the dynamic changes when a QB ranked in the top 10 of the draft is involved.

I like RG3.  I think he has way more potential than McCoy.  McCoy just doesn't have the arm to make it in the NFL IMO.

My fear of taking RG3 is that Colt beats him out.  Look up the history of a guy named Jevan Snead who, when recruited to Texas, was supposed to be the second coming....

My fear of taking RG3 is that Colt beats him out.  Look up the history of a guy named Jevan Snead who, when recruited to Texas, was supposed to be the second coming....

 

Who Colt beat out.  Say what you want about McCoy, he was a winner in college.

 

Patch up the OL and give him one more receiver and I think he thrives.

 

Thanks for the reference though, I had never heard of the "Reggie Cleveland All Star Team" before.  Pretty funny.

They're taking Richardson or Blackmon.  Mark it down.

My fear of taking RG3 is that Colt beats him out.  Look up the history of a guy named Jevan Snead who, when recruited to Texas, was supposed to be the second coming....

 

Who Colt beat out.  Say what you want about McCoy, he was a winner in college.

 

Patch up the OL and give him one more receiver and I think he thrives.

 

Thanks for the reference though, I had never heard of the "Reggie Cleveland All Star Team" before.  Pretty funny.

Agreed. I don't think Colt is the problem, I don't think he's the best QB I've seen with an orange helmet, but I don't think he's the problem. If he had decent protection from the line, someone to throw to that can catch better than my 3 year old, and someone to block for the RBs (so they could move the ball more than a couple yards at a time without a trick play) I think Colt would be ok. You can't build a good offense with a great QB and 10 guys that ought to be on your practice squad.

a good offense can make an adequate adequate qb look very good.

They're taking Richardson or Blackmon.  Mark it down.

 

As of now, I would be shocked if they took Richardson.  It might make sense on paper, but it flies in the face of their philosophy.  You can get great, not just good, running backs later in the draft.  The track record of top 10 picks at the running back position wouldn't blow you away, especially since to be picked that high the RB had to prove his worth in college and put a lot of tread on his tires..... thereby shortening his NFL shelf life.  The leading rushers from the past 2 years (Chris Johnson and MJD) were not top 10 picks.  Neither was Ray Rice or the all-purpose yards leader, Darren Sproles.  Point being, while you can land a quality back that high (e.g. McFadden), it is not one of those positions where if you don't pick 'em high the success rate drops significantly.

 

Heckert might be persuaded to take Blackmon, but I think his preference is to take either a CB, OT, or DE if he stays at #4.  Those are the three positions he values above all else on his draft board.

In town the other day and listened to 2 clowns on 850 complain about having a non participating owner! Have they forgotten Modell and his terrible trades, hirings, and firings?

 

How did Homer Jones and Mike Phipps work out?

 

Its nice having an owner with money willing to at least try to hire the right people. Hopefully this time he got it right!

Didn't the Colts teach us this year how much of a difference a great QB makes to a football team?

They taught us how much of a difference a Peyton Manning makes to a football team.  I hope you are not comparing RG3 to Peyton Manning.

Do you really think Manning turns that team into a 12 game winner? There are other issues there which is a big reason neither side really wants him back. The colts don't want to pay that much for a .500 team's QB, and Manning wants to play for a team with a chance.

Didn't the Colts teach us this year how much of a difference a great QB makes to a football team?

 

Leroy Kelly, Paul Warfield, Gary Collins, and Milt Morin sure made Bill Nelson look great.

 

The Pruitt boys, Ozzie and Dave Logan sure made Sipe look great!

pruitt? bring back the tearaway jersey! speaking of, whats with the damn superstick velcro mitts the wr are allowed to wear? that aint right.

 

oh and i agree with erocc 100% re continuing to build the o line. qb is not the issue, colt is good enough. get him a primo line first and foremost and some scoring talent secondarily.

It would be refreshing not to see him on the ground after taking a hit every single play. We need an Oline big time.

^ How about the more recent Mangini/Kokinias hiring and subsequent firings....

 

Edit:Oops, don't type and then post 15 minutes later.

 

 

We don't need to rebuild our entire OL.  Thomas and Mack are more than solid.  Steinbach will hopefully be back next season (fingers crossed), which would solidify that entire side of the line from C to LT.  Then there is Pinkston who suprised the hell out of me with his play.  He could potentially either move over the right side or make the Browns decide they don't want to pay Steinbach anymore.  Lavao is meh.... but I like his nasty streak.  What we desperately need is a RT...... a road-grader who can hold his own in pass-protection.

 

I don't blame the OL for all of Colt's hits this season.  A lot of the time he was simply not reading the hot routes correctly and holding on to the ball too long.  It shouldn't have to be a newsflash to an NFL quarterback that if the other team rushes 6 or 7 guys, you only have a couple seconds to throw the ball.  But, also, if they rush that many, SOMEONE is open..... wide-open.  He needs to learn how to read the blitz at the line and adjust the routes if necessary.  Great QBs like Manning and Brady will burn you if you blitz them too often.

We need offensive playmakers.  Heckert knows that and he will deliver!  When was the last time Cleveland had a game breaker WR?

so if you add up all the forumers opinions we need an entirely new offense at every position lol.

I like Colt alot especially the kids heart but let's face it, everybody says surround him with better WR's, OL and colt will be ok ? problem with ok in this generation of football doesn't take you to the top of the NFL. This is a QB's league, and its rare that you can win it all without an elite QB. I'm not saying R.Griffen is the answer but its up to our front office to decide whether he's our guy or not. If we do need a QB in the near future for not taking one this year, then its Barkley or bust because I personally think Landry Jones is a dud :-D. I felt more good about McCoy in his first year in the league but ever since that first game he's played, he's really be regressing. I could be wrong tho since I'm not some expert :-D

^Colt isn't going to win us a super bowl, but if we drafted the greatest QB available next year it would be a waste because he'd spend all his time either running away from sacks or sitting on the sideline icing the latest injury.

We don't need to rebuild our entire OL.  Thomas and Mack are more than solid.  Steinbach will hopefully be back next season (fingers crossed), which would solidify that entire side of the line from C to LT.  Then there is Pinkston who suprised the hell out of me with his play.  He could potentially either move over the right side or make the Browns decide they don't want to pay Steinbach anymore.  Lavao is meh.... but I like his nasty streak.  What we desperately need is a RT...... a road-grader who can hold his own in pass-protection.

 

Riley Rieff can be that guy, and also gives you some depth as he's played G and LT in college.  He's not too much of a stretch at the 4, but will probably be there at the 6 if we can get the Redskins to give us something to move up.  If RG3 is still on the board after the 3rd pick (I expect him to be), expect the Browns to be holding an auction and the Skins to win it.

For the record, I am hoping to end up with Tannenhill somehow.  Problem is, 4 is too high and I'm not sure he will be there at 22.  While he is not the 'swing for the fences pick' Griffin is, I consider him the safer 'NFL prospect'.  Plus, he is a big QB and that seems to be a criteria for success in our division.

 

With that 4th pick, if we don't trade it, I want either Blackmon or one of the CBs (Claiborne or Kirkpatrick).

Do you really think Manning turns that team into a 12 game winner?

 

No, but I'd bet they win 8 or 9 games, not 2.  My point is that a great QB makes a big difference in the NFL, thanks to all the pass-encouraging and QB protection rules.

I'd actually say the Colts would have won their normal 10-12 games with Manning (especially in that division), although they would have been eliminated from the playoffs in short order.  He (Manning) makes that much of a difference.  The epitome of a field general.

No doubt a great QB helps, I was just pointing out that it can be done with an average one.  8 or 9 wins puts you in the same place.

 

As to your other point, aren't you tired of all the QB protection rules?  I say don't run if you don't want to risk injury, or wear the same kind of equipment running backs wear.  Also, for a pass happy league, they certainly are letting DB's and safeties get away with a lot of bumping and touching of receivers.

I'd love to have Blackmon. Too many WRs are headcases, especially top-flight WRs. Blackmon seems to be a gem of a human being off the field and a game-breaker on the field. He could also be a mentor to Little, even though Little is almost a year older. Problem is, I have my doubts as to whether Blackmon will last to the 4th pick. I've read that the Rams may take him at #2, but they may also take a top OL to protect Sam Bradford. So who knows?

 

BTW, while reading about draft prospects and rankings, I see that former Browns pro bowl CB Frank Minnifield has a son who takes after his dad. Chase is a CB too and is likely to be in this year's draft. His dad was a joy to watch, and I thought he was better than CB Hanford Dixon who got more of the media attention because of his playing up the Dawgs Defense with LB Eddie Johnson (RIP). Anyway, here's Chase Minnifield's info....

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1272264/chase-minnifield

 

 

As to your other point, aren't you tired of all the QB protection rules?

 

Mixed feelings.  I understand the need to protecct the players in certain situations, but they've definitely already gone too far.  And I'm not sure where it will end.  It started with protecting the punters.  Then the QBs and WRs..... and eliminating the wedge rules.... and pushing the kicko.  What's next?  Are you not going to be able to iso a LB?  No trapping a DT? Give the QB a red jersey for gameday?  I think if they just strictly and harshly enforce the spearing rules, that would solve most of the problems alone.

I'd love to have Blackmon. Too many WRs are headcases, especially top-flight WRs. Blackmon seems to be a gem of a human being off the field and a game-breaker on the field. He could also be a mentor to Little, even though Little is almost a year older. Problem is, I have my doubts as to whether Blackmon will last to the 4th pick. I've read that the Rams may take him at #2, but they may also take a top OL to protect Sam Bradford. So who knows?

 

BTW, while reading about draft prospects and rankings, I see that former Browns pro bowl CB Frank Minnifield has a son who takes after his dad. Chase is a CB too and is likely to be in this year's draft. His dad was a joy to watch, and I thought he was better than CB Hanford Dixon who got more of the media attention because of his playing up the Dawgs Defense with LB Eddie Johnson (RIP). Anyway, here's Chase Minnifield's info....

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1272264/chase-minnifield

 

 

 

Blackmon is my vote! I would do all I could to draft Minnefield too. I don't understand why Clay Matthews isn't a Brown either. Could you imagine having those 2 on our defense? It would have meant a lot to the franchise and city. The legacy would have been imoortant.

As to your other point, aren't you tired of all the QB protection rules?

... Give the QB a red jersey for gameday?  ...

Put skirts on 'em --Jack Lambert

Classic Lambert. I'm surprised he never killed any linebackers, especially Brian Sipe after Joe Turkey Jones spiked Terry Bradshaw in 1976!