Shea still in the fold

Radio is reporting that Aaron Shea has resigned. That's an okay move considering he is the closest thing to an "H-back" the team currently has. I saw Aaron at the Harp a few months back when it looked unlikely he'd be back, and boy did he looked bummed out -- wasn't even drinking a Guinness. Anyway, Aaron can now be pretty happy he is back and I believe he will now be guaranteed an NFL pension for playing in the league this long. God, what I wouldn't give to have an NFL pension...

Oh yeah, the bernie's insider tipline says Lee Suggs also has some sort of degenerative spinal condition that causes his spinal cord to narrow. Another reason why he was drafted so low. No one is saying he won't be able to play or that it is serious to affect anything. Not yet, anyway.

Miller would be part-timer

Tony Gorssi reports that if Miller resigns, he would be used as a situational pass rusher. While it is probably appropriate to use him that way, it says a lot about Davis' and Campo's faith in the linebackers they have under contract. They are probably right in this regard -- the linebackers won't be too bad. It's the secondary that we have to worry about.

Jets liked Thompson too

For what it is worth, and it ain't much, the NY Post reports that the Jets were set to pick LB Chaun Thompson with their pick immediately following the Browns' in the second round on Saturday.

This is interesting because if you watched ESPN's draft coverage you would have noticed that someone cursed loudly when the Browns selection was announced. A few newspapers reported that the offending person was a Browns fan but I doubt it. Everyone knows the fans in attendance at the draft are overwhelmingly Jets fans, and it seems reasonable it was a Jets fan unhappy about the Browns pick... anyway, sort of a different spin on what this draft's naysayers have been reporting.

Progress with White, Hope with Miller

As far as anyone knows, the Browns are the only team bidding for Jamir Miller's services. I have a feeling another team will take a look at him (and Jamir probably thinks so too), but it is uncommon for teams to make significant signings right after the draft. It is possible that Miller will choose to wait until training camp for a job to open up somewhere, but then it will be unlikely he'll get much more than the veteran minimum. If no other team steps up this week, he will probably be back.

Jamel White is also sounding like a Brown, or at least getting there. The team and his agent appear much closer to a contract and the situation should be resovled in the next week. I am hoping for a 3-4 year deal, and in 2004 seeing Green, White and Suggs tearing it up.

In other news,
Steve King says our faith is being tested and Terry Pluto is not very happy. They both make some good points.

Rookie free agents focus on LB, DB, OL

As might be expected, the Browns are stockpiling players at positions of need via the rookie free agent pool. 3 DBs, 6 OL, 2 LBs have already signed. Most of these players will get cut, but a few will be placed on the practce squad and a couple may make the final roster. But these signings are flat-out impossible to judge. The most we can hope for is that by signing players from places like Manitoba, the Browns have done their homework and will bring in a couple guys who can help the team.

Draft recap

OK the draft is over and we can all calm down. After the initial impression -- who the heck did they just pick!?!? -- I think the Browns draft was fine, and it is not hard to see the logic behind each of the picks (even if you don't agree with it). Let's take a look at each pick and see how that player may fit in and affect the team:

Jeff Faine C: Immediate starter, and there's little question about this. He will be expected to be an average center from day one and develop into a rock on the offensive line. How this affects the rest of the line is another story. Last year's 3rd round pick, Melvin Fowler C, becomes the backup and will see most of his time at guard. Fowler may even start at guard, but my guess is that he will spell O'Hara and Stokes. Verba and Tucker remain the tackles. The wildcard is how much playing time Joaquin Gonzalez and Qasim Mitchell earn. In the end, Faine becomes the replacement for Wolabaugh and the rest of the line should develop as previously scheduled.

Chaun Thompson: How Thompson will be played is likely to depend on whether the team resigns Jamir Miller, who, if he signs, may see more time at DE than before. Thompson seems fit for a similar role, though he may have the speed to play more pass coverage. The Browns clearly believe in this guy much more than the draft pundits, and he'll be expected to make a regular contribution and start within a year or so. I think we'll eventually see a LB core of Bentley, Davis/Taylor, Miller/Thompson with Boyer and Gardner getting a lot of playing time. We are unlikely to have a dominating presence here, but the unit will be much better than what the naysayers are predicting.

Chris Crocker CB: Crocker is expected to switch to CB from safety. He has some speed but his 40 time wasn't that fast. There seems to be a lot of conflicting imformation about Crocker. Right now, I think the team starts McCutcheon and Henry/Sanders, but a veteran cornerback has got to be high on the team's shopping list. Little and Griffith seem to be the likely starters at safety. Jameson has some potential, but I think he and Crocker play backup roles until they show something.

Lee Suggs: Will redshirt the upcoming season. There's a bit of an uproar over this pick but it's a good move, and could turn out to be a great move. The known quanitites of Green, White, and Jackson will remain the running backs this season. In 2004, the team could potentially have a great stable of runners with Green carrying the load, White (if he resigns) dashing and catching passes, and Suggs playing short yardage and spelling Green. Two more positives: 1) in 2004-2006 the Browns will have a 1st/2nd round talent at a 4th round price. 2) this guarantees depth at RB for several years, meaning the team is well-stocked at the skill positions. The offense has a chance to be something very special over the next two years.

Ryan Pontbriand LS: Drafting a long-snapper in the 5th round is insane. That said, the team did have a need and they filled it. I'll give credit to Butch for having such faith in his scouting system and the players already on the roster. But letting Keuhl, who was by all accounts a fine performer at this positon, go in free agency was a mistake and perhaps caused the Browns to make a minor mistake drafting a long-snapper so high. But this is also a case where the team did not have a 7th round pick, felt they'd get decent players with their other two selections, and had a team need here. I don't have anything more than a minor complaint about this.

Mike Lehan CB: Sounds like he can contribute, and has size and some speed. Most likely he'll displace one of the other DBs currently on the roster. Like a lot of picks at this stage in the draft, he has a chance to be good but that is far from a certainty.

Antonio Garay DE: A pretty good gamble, as he's reportedly very tough against the run when he is healthy. Our D-line has some talent, and if his injuries are behind him Garay will make a nice addition to the defensive line rotation. Getting a player who is more geared towards playing the run is a welcome addition.

All in all, I think the Browns stayed true to their needs. It would have been nice to get a linebacker who was more ready-for-primetime, but in a draft weak at LB the team opted for the guy available with the most athleticism. If Faine is an anchor, Thompson plays regularly, and Crocker pushes for playing time then I will be happy. We could get a little more production out of this draft this year, and we could get a very good RB in Suggs next year. While other teams got the headlines this draft, the Browns stayed the course. As usual, time will tell how well the team did.

Suggs likely to be on IR this year

Looks like Lee Suggs is unlikely to displace Jamel or Jackson as Butch stated at his news conference that he'd probably spend the year on injured reserve because he needs surgery due to a torn rotator cuff. This pick makes a lot more sense now.

Draft is about over, and we are still trying to figure out what the Browns are looking for

If you were sitting in front of the tv looking for the Browns to draft some pf the late-round prospects mentioned the last few weeks, you've been dissappointed as the players acquired by the Browns were not ones you would have expected. Nor did they pick another linebacker. And only on defensive back. In fact, the team seems to be drafting for depth by choosing: Lee Suggs RB, Ryan Pontbriand C, Mike Lehan CB, and Antonio Garay DL. If nothing else, this gives us plenty to speculate upon.

Not drafting a linebacker and the Ravens drafting Terrell Suggs (who will play LB in the 3-4) increases the likelihood that Jamir Miller can be resigned. Will that happen? I hope so because the Browns will sorely need him. But with the draft over their may be some other teams who enter the picture for his services.

With the Browns drafting Lee Suggs in the 4th -- a great value if he is healthy -- does that mean Jamel White is getting traded? Or does it mean James Jackson is getting cut? There will be lots of speculation that White is gone, but Suggs is not known as a great receiver. So my first guess is that White stays.

More later..

What of Jamir?

Meanwhile, Saturday’s draft doings made it more likely the Browns will bring back veteran linebacker Jamir Miller. The Ravens had been interested, but may not be now that they have drafted pass rusher Terrell Suggs with the 10th pick.

Reviews are Mixed

Local papers seems to be giving the Browns a shot with their selections of Faine, Thompson, and Crocker. I am too. But it's going to be easy to wonder "what might have been" had the Browns been able to make a trade or two. This was a crazy draft and there seemed to be plenty of opportunities to make a bold move. For instance, the Steelers moved up 15 spots in the first round for only a 3rd and a 6th. Or how Baltimore managed to get Suggs with the 10th, then swapped next year's 1st for Boller. Or even how the Bengals got their QB in Palmer and watched Steinbach fall to them at the start of the 2nd. At first glance, all of the Browns AFC North foes had better drafts but Faine will be a fine pick if Fowler contributes at guard. Chaun Thompson is someone the team had scouted relentlessly and has to contribute this season -- possble but not an easy task coming from timy West Texas A&M.. And they seemed thrilled with Crocker playing CB and eventually some safety. The Browns did not make the bold moves of many other teams in the this draft. We will have to wait until September to get a sense of how they really did.

Other, better Browns blogs...


http://www.cleveland.com/weblogs/dawgblog/

http://clevelandbrowns.blogspot.com/

Same for Steinbach

9 picks after the Browns took Faine as their first round pick, Bailey and Steinbach are still on the board. LB Nick Barnett was the first LB chosen.

Bailey Slide Conitues

Well, if you wanted the Browns to take Boss Bailey you can be upset with your team -- just like fans of the Bears, Bills, Colts, Giants, 49ers, and now the Chiefs. I don't know why he has fallen so much, but the Browns certainly were not alone i their asessment of him. 7 picks later and he is still on the board.

Oh yeah -- Baltimore is going to be tough next year with Suggs playing linebacker. But hopefully we will have an offense to match them.

The pick is Faine

Wow. Never would I have expected ALL of the players the Browns mightw ant to consider to be available at #21 -- Steinbach, Harris, Bailey, Faine and others. The run on defensive tackles left all these players undrafted and gave the Browns their choice. I think it's a great pick, although it is hard to judge him compared to some of the other possibilities especially Steinbach. Also, it will be interesting to hear what sort of trade options the Browns had available to them -- a trade with the Bills, Colts, Giants or 49ers would have still netted the Browns a top player considering how many good players slid.

Whew. My heart is still racing. I had a feeling that, as much as I was looking for Steinbach, that the Browns had someone else in mind. Faine is probably more of an immediate force at his position, although it is rare for a center to be drafted so high. Like said a few days ago, the initial impression of a draft doesn't mean much and we won't really know if this is the right pick until at least a few weeks into the 2003 season.

Faine has to be the guy the Browns wanted. Obviously they preferred him over all the other guys available at #21. And Davis knows he'll get some heat for drafting a center one year after drafting Melvin Fowler, which is now possibly a mistake if Fowler or Faine doesn't start at guard. Much of the draft pundits had very high things to say about Faine -- immediate starter, likely Pro Bowler, likely anchor for the next decade.
But the draft is all about getting the guy you want and by all account Faine is likely to be an immediate starter at center and possibly a Pro Bowl player for the next decade. It's tough to gripe about that. But of course everyone will be measuring Faine against the performances of Bailey, Steinbach, or Harris. I don't think the Browns will look too bad in that comparison. Now let's see what happens in the second round, where the team is likely to start picking defensive players.

Akron Beacon Journal says Browns trying to move up

Dallas @ #5 is the most likely partner. CB Newman would be the likely target of such a move.

Steelers shopping pick

The Steelers are apparently looking to deal their 3rd round pick to move up and take USC safety Troy Polamalu. He's been rising up draft boards and apparently they think he won't be around by the time thy pick at #27.

Some more interesting stuff

Mel Kiper has the Browns picking Steinbach, which would be a great pick if it is possible. Interestingly, one of the things that makes this happen in his mock draft is Nick Barnett going at #18, which would be an amazing rise. Of course that makes me wonder how, you know, the Browns need a linebacker or two as well. A few drafts had the Browns picking him in the 2nd round.

Another guy going in the low-20's has been TE Jason Whitten. I'm not initially very excited about picking a TE so high, but on the other hand I think the Browns have a chance to have a pretty special offense if their OL problems can get sorted out.

The rest of the AFC North:

• Baltimore -- supposedly is pining for Leftwich but would take a DT or Boller.
  
• Cincinnati -- Palmer, which is not going to radically affect the 2003 season. They should get a good player in the 2nd round. If you ask me, they have needs almost everywhere so who knows.
  
• Pittsburgh -- DBs and QB. But they are always looking for LBs and DL players. EJ Henderson would look good if he's available. Personally, I think they should pick Grossman or McGahee but they don't usually pick those positions in the first round. Maybe they'll pick up Suggs or another of the promising later-round backs.
  

On a side note, I'd like to state that the "Steeler's linebackers are awesome" attitude is just not true -- it's the team's 3-4 system that turns mid-level talent into big-time players. It's also why you should never sign a former Steeler LB in free agency unless you play a 3-4 defense. And it will be interesting to see how the increase in NFL teams running a 3-4 affects the Steeler's ability to find linebackers that fit that system so well; those same types of players should start going a bit earlier in drafts.

On the Bengals signing Palmer

If the Bengals are changing for the better, why do Takeo Spikes and Corey Dillon what nothing to do with the place? I could be wrong, but if you compare the players coming and going the Bengals are not securely in the positive this offseason. Lewis may indeed change the fate of the franchise but he'll do it by being a better coach and keeping his players playing hard, neither of which happen in April.

First Trade 4th for 13th and 22nd

The Bears move down and the Jets move up. It is too bad they didn't do this on Saturday so we could see all the Jets fans pissing and moaning. Conventional wisdom has the Jets interested in one of the top receivers or Dewayne Robertson and the Bears looking at perhaps DT and QB but who knows cause everyone is lying right now.

Draft going down to the wire

It could be an interesting Saturday afternoon for the Browns. It seems very possible that Jamel White or even Tim Couch could get traded before or during the draft, and either of those decisions would radically affect the rest of the draft and the team on the field in 2003. Personally, I think it'd be stupid to trade White and good to trade Couch. To my dismay, it seems more likely that White would go than Couch.

Anyway, the draft speculation is pretty much incomprehensible. Many of the mock-drafts have the Browns picking players who are unlikely to be available at #21. And there is a decent chance the pick is traded as another team's highly rated prospect inevitably falls to late in the round. With that, I will make my fearless predictions of likely stuff to happen---

• Browns first round -- CB Sammy Davis. They've scouted him hard, and I don't think our favorite OL or LB players are available. The most likely alternative is that the Browns pick a DL of someone slides to them. Or perhaps they draft down a few spots and pick Faine, Hunter, or some other cornerback. Or perhaps one of the better OL or LB players slide. There are a lot of possibilities, but I think Davis is the most likely. Which is to say there's a 20% chance he's the guy.
  
• The Steelers really should pick a QB. Grossman would be great for them. Ragone is a possiblility in the second, as is Simms. Simms is a weenie.
  
• The Browns do not take a WR in the second round.
  
• The Browns do take an OL in the first or second round. Please god.
  
• The BSK on WKNR will be all pissed off about the Browns draft. That is certain to be a good sign. The guy is so full of food and crap...
  
• Ragone will be around in the league for a while. The guy is tough, and he's going to be able to handle life in the NFL. Whether or not her has the talent to really excel is something we'll have to wait and see. I think he makes sense for Green Bay or Chicago in the second round.
  
• This is a time of year my Ignatius education is a factor in my NFL interest. Overall, Ignatius grads have started to make their mark in the NFL with Hovan excelling in Minnesota, Dan O'Leary longsnapping with the Bills, Steelers and Giants, and Drew Haddad making the Colts (barely). This year it's Ragone and Tom Arth from John Carroll. Arth might get a shot as a QB or could get moved to another position. It'll be interesting to see if things pan out for him.
  
• The Browns do not take a punter to displace Gardocki. It's more likely they bring in some undrafted guys or other veterans to compete in training camp.
  
• Jamel White has a big year next year, wherever he plays.
  
• Butch surprises everyone and stays away from Miami players.
  
• The Steelers don't pick a QB in the first round, but they really should take a guy like Grossman. That's not really our problem though.
  
• One of these predictions will actually be proven correct.
  

You have to get a free registration, but Rick Gossellin's mock draft is the most worthwhile from year-to-year. He usually nails 90% or so of the players who'll be in the first round, often to the right team.

White is not happy

The Browns offer to White sounds like it was a low-ball offer. White now expects to be traded. I'd have to agree with the guy's logic on pretty much all points. I don't understand why the team does not recognize what it has in Jamel White -- he is as versatile as any player in the league and could be the team's most dangerous offensive weapon. He doesn't need to start ahead of William Green to be the team's lynchpin on offense -- Instead of single-back sets, put them both back and let Jamel cause huge match-up problems when he goes out for passes. Give him get 1/3 of the carries. White is a lot more Marshall Faulk than Eric Metcalf and we will be hugely sorry of he is cut loose.

Couch to Dallas sounds unlikely but rumor is still the most likely!

The trade rumors involving the Cowboys have been discounted by numerous people in the media. This rumor is, however, by far the most plausible one of the offseason. And call me crazy, but if Trivisano insists there's no truth to the rumor that only means that the Browns want everyone to think there is no truth to the rumor...

Browns look to make a deal with White

Ah, good news! After Jamel White agreed to sign a one-year offer the other day the team has made moves to sign him for a longer deal, according to the Browns own web site. The words of Butch Davis say it all: "We covet Jamel White." This is encouraging news as White is a fantastic football player and a threat anytime he touches the ball or goes out for a pass. White is not too happy with the "3rd-down back" label placed on him, but such a label really doesn't do justice to his value. He's proven he can carry the rushing load at times, and has looked good lining up in the slot.

Draft thoughts: I am hoping Steinbach or Harris is available at 21. I think last year the offensive line was good enough that one more quality player would have significantly improved their performance. The Browns have very good offensive weapons at all the skill positions, and Green + White would tear it up with an improved offensive line. That said, I will be pretty surprised if Steinbach falls to the Browns...

Policy getting annoyed with Jamir

And frankly I am too. Miller continues to wait on signing a deal, while the Browns grumble about his indecision. Miller was obiovusly better he'd get a stronger response from teams in free agency; the Browns thought otherwise and were right. Jamir, now it's time to move on. You are wanted in Cleveland, but waiting this long certainly gives the impression you'd rather be elsewhere. Maybe you need to be reminded that if you play for the Browns you are a celebrity in Cleveland. And if you play well for the Browns for multiple seasons, you are a HERO in Cleveland for the rest of your life. Someone close to Jamir should tell him to take the one-year offer, solidify his place in Cleveland sports, and cash in after he has a good season. Or at least tell him to make a decision for his own benefit.

It's also pretty obvious that Policy's comments are not offhanded. The team wants to know Miller's status for the 2003 season before this weekend's draft. You can bet that if Miller doesn't make up his mind that the Browns take the offer off the table.

Gammons on Tribe

The glory days of 1994-2002 are gone, but we shouldn't stop watching. There's nothing like watching a team develop, and the current Indians have a decent shot at growing into something good. Here's a nice Peter Gammons article.

Pre-draft rambling

The pre-draft NFL coverage has kicked into high gear and, with the Browns holding a fairly late 1st-round choice, there is no way we can tell who the team might pick. In fact, it is guaranteed that the Browns themselves have no idea because it will depend on the players selected before the 21st selection. But the jist of the last week's coverage is that the Browns may go with an offensive lineman (Steinbach or Harris), an linebacker (Bailey or Henderson), or a defensive lineman (Joseph). The could also turn to a cornerback like Woolfolk. Since only 1 or 2 of these players is likely to be available when the Browns pick, it doesn't matter who the Browns want, but who many other teams do not want. Good luck trying to figure that out.

Len Pasquarelli says the Browns still are interested in Sehorn. I still think this would be a bad move, unless his price has gone down a lot. If he comes cheap, he could be a good nickel corner or a decent safety. But if Sehorn is our starting cornerback it would not be a good harbinger of the 2003 season.

In other news, Janel White agreed to a deal, but it doesn't resolve his status with the team. He still figures to be traded around or after the draft, or get a better deal. If he plays out 2003 he is gone in 2004. Although I'd hate to see him go, getting one more season out of him might be the best scenario for the team. So far he hasn't attracted a strong trade offer. That may change, however, as teams consider a somewhat weak incoming running back class And of course, Jamel has speed to burn....

Here's a quick summary of the Browns' linebacker issues. Jamir Miller is apparently at an inpasse with the Ravens, which likely means he is not getting a very strong offer from them and may elect to wait until after the draft to sign. That could be a risky move for Miller as teams seem to use up their cap space quickly, but perhaps he doesn't have much to lose. At this point, I think there's a chance he could wind up back with the Browns. Butch has not been Miller's largest fan, but if Miller's ego isn't too bruised by the fact that the Browns evaluation of him was shared by the rest of the league then we could get a nice season out of a motivated Jamir Miller in 2003.

Couch trade rumor...

Couch to Dallas? It sounds plausible, unlike a lot of the rumors.

Rudd signs with Bucs, Miller still likely gone

Rudd goes to Bucs, where he will probably play very well. Miller appears to be falling the Ravens lap. The Browns should at least bid up his price a little.

Nelson visits

THe linebackers continue to walk through Berea as Jim Nelson, formerly of the Vikings, visited the Browns recently. I really don't know much about him other than he was a backup last year.

Schedule out, Browns host Rams on a Monday night

Browns return to Monday Night Football by hosting the Rams late in the season. They also face the Steelers in Pittsburgh on a Sunday night. The rest of the schedule -- pretty tough, I think. One glance ought to temper anyone's enthusiasm for next season. But that is okay with me -- the lower the expectations the better IMO.

Monday @ home, +draft build up

Policy stated last night that he's still optimisitc the Browns will get a home game on Monday night this year. The schedule gets released later tonight so we should see soon enough. Obviously it'd be nice to get this game, although it is going to wreak havoc on a Tuesday workday in Cleveland.

As I am sure you already know, Ben Gay signed on again in the CFL. As a former Official Gaybacker, I wish Ben the best. Hopefully he has not threatened anyone with a gun in the months prior to this signing....

Except for the inevtiable signing of Jamir Miller elsewhere or an unexpected roster change, the news for the next few weeks will be all about the draft. As the Browns get ready, it's worth listing out the team's obvious needs. In roughly the order of need: offensive line, defensive backfield, defensive line, linebacker, tight end, fullback. I can't speculate on exactly who the Browns should take (not yet, anyway) or put together a mock draft but personally I am still longing for a good/great offensive lineman. We have too many good offensive weapons to waste, and the offense is clearly closer to being "top 5" quality than the defense.

Nothing is happening. That's right, nothing is happening.

Nothing might be defined today as, "Jamir Miller May Sign with Ravens." I guess we knew all along that the Ravens were looking for someone to pressure the passer. And we of course know that Miller is potentially a very good player if he's healthy. So perhaps Miller will become the next released Brown to move to Baltimore. If he does, we'll get to hear everyone moan about it but the bottom line is that the Browns are just not willing to bet much on Miller's Achille's. Considering the lack of cap space, there is no way the Browns can risk signing Miller. Yeah, the Ravens defense will be tough next year. All we can hope is that the Ravens pay him a lot more than he is worth.

Like consumer spending, it seems that Browns news is down sharply while the situation in Iraq dominates the headlines. First thing's first.