Back to Standard Offseason Fare

Droughns wants new deal. You know, I don't blame the guy to a certain extent. But it's going to be hard for the Browns to fairly pay a guy they don't yet know how to use. There's been no mention of what kind of dollars Droughns is looking for, but he does say, "I'm not being greedy, and I'm not looking for beaucoups bucks." Of course, an NFL running back's idea of beaucoups bucks is probably not the same as my idea of beaucoups bucks. If the guy is asking for 3 mil/year then that's probably a reasonable amount to at least ask for. But if he's asking for 4 or 5, then he's on crack.

Contracts are a two-way street, even in the non-guaranteed world of the NFL. It's standard practice for a player to get a new contract after a year when he drastically under or overplays his current deal. But if a guy still has a couple years left on his old contract, it's also patently obvious that the guy is not in te best position to renegotiate. And that is indeed fair, because if Droughns had a big year last season he did it while enjoying the security that came from signing his previous multi-year deal. Sure he's in-line for a raise, but it's not going to be a market deal based on his last best season. The only way you get a huge payday in the NFL is to play well during the last year or so of a contract. Droughns hasn't done that yet.

And don't forget, there is no guarantee that a great season in Denver will equal a good or great season in Cleveland. Remember Mike Anderson? Didn't think so.

Second Day and Overall

I liked the second day, based on what I've seen. It's hard to make judgements on the later rounds cause you're dealing with players that are generally unknown, but it isn't hard to find something positive about each guy. I can't debate specifics, but I think Romeo got some quality guys that could be useful on defense. And I do believe Romeo will be able to shape a credible defense. I believe the word he used in his press conference was that the defense will "represent."

Overall, I think it was a very good draft. It's impossible to fill every need, but they filled many. And you can see a path for how this team can grow. 2005 is unlikely to be a playoff season. But it won't be too long.

Frye in the Third; a Great First Day

Charlie Frye at #67? Yep. I was not thrilled about the prospect of picking him at the top of the second, as had ben discussed. But in the third, I think it's a great deal for a guy who could be a legitimately good starting QB. His arm isn't any stronger than, say, Bernie Kosar or Tom Brady (hehe) but how can that be a bad thing? He's also known as fearless and a strong leader, two qualities that are music to my ears. Drafting Frye means that Josh Harris or Luke McCown will likely be dealt, perhaps for a low-round draft choice. Fine by me, as neither one of those guys is going to be starting caliber anytime soon.

Overall, my only dissappointment is that the Browns didn't get a front-seven defender, which they definitely need. I'm not surprised they didn't get an offensive linemen since there was no way any available OG or OT would have been the best player available.

The bottom line is that the Browns got very good football players relative to the position they were drafted. Edwards and Pool can be difference makers. Frye could be a big piece of this team within a year or two. You can't ask for much more.

AFC North Not Getting Easier

Pittsburgh gets a nice tight end prospect that could really help them out. Cincinnati stocks up on defense with a nice DE/pass rusher and solid ILB. Baltimore takes an explosive and polished WR and a formidable pass-rushing DE. On the surface, everyone in the AFC North is having a good draft, getting good players that address needs. The Browns are right there too, unfortunately we have so many needs....

I was about to write how there appeared to be a good number of nice prospects that could drop into the third round, but no sooner did the thought cross my head than did Khalif Barnes and Dan Cody both go off the board. But it's still true -- there are good players still to be had. And for the Browns to gain on their AFC North competition Savage will have to come out of rounds 3-7 with a few good football players. I like his odds in the third, and think they'll find some decent front-seven help on Sunday. The hits are gonna have to keep on coming for the Browns to make a real big leap.

And in the 2nd... Brodney Poole

A FS from Oklahoma, seems like a good pick, although I am a bit surprised Savage didn't go with a front-seven defender. I guess he meant it when he said he'd draft the best player. I'm a little dissappointed the Browns couldn't deal down, but it doesn't seem like there is a lot of wheeling and dealing this year anyway.

There is the predictable complaining going on about this pick ("...we could have had XXX instead!!!") but Poole really was a guy that was expected to go at the top of the second round; it's not fair to call him a reach. Safety is obviously still a need for this team, and Poole seems to have the goods. Most rankings had him rated as the second-best safety in the draft and the guy has speed too. And I believe ESPN's Tory Holt was hoping his Rams would take him with the 20th pick. All in all, seems like a player, even if it's hard to be enthusiastic since the Browns have so many other holes to fill.

Looking at the rest of the draft, it sure seems like Savage will target someone who can rush the passer. I also have some faith Savage and Crennel will unearth a decent nosetackle prospect on Sunday.

Unlikely Rumor...

TRADE RUMOR -- a league source tells us that if/when Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers falls to No. 20, the Browns will try to trade back into round one in order to grab him.

Well, we're at the 19th pick and Rogers is still on the board. I'd be pretty psyched if they could get him for a fair price, but I'm still not getting my hopes up. And we still need some defensive help in a bad way.

Edwards is the Pick

I like the selection quite a bit. After all the smoke and rumors, the top 3 picks went down as one might have expected. The big drama was whether the Browns would trade down. It would have been a good move, but after hearing from Savage that Edwawrds was their clear #1 guy on the Browns board, well, you have to agree with taking him. And it was especially impressive that Savage admitted he felt Edwards was at the top for many months prior, and that he thought Ronnie Brown would go #2 as long as a couple months ago. I'm gonna trust that Savage knows what he is doing.

It is a bit suprising that Aaron Rodgers and Mike Williams remain on the board as I write this (8 picks in). I think Williams will be a very good player but I suppose the question marks about him are underdstandable. Rodgers appears to be a victim of circumstance. But I think whoever picks Rodgers will be happy they got him over Alex Smith (who appears to be an ass, whether he can help it or not). It's a little early to get excited, but I suppose there's a chance Rodgers could slide far enough back to make Jason Campbell a possibility at #34, but I won't get my hopes up.

Smith, Brown Go 1-2

This would seem to be the perfect trade-down scenario for the Browns, or they can take the long-rumored selection of Braylon Edwards....

I think it will be Edwards.

Clayton is a complete idiot. It's nice to see him prove it again today.

On the Clock

The latest, and perhaps most disconserting, rumors floating around are that the Dolphins are convincing people they will take Braylon Edwards at #2, and that the Browns are concerned. First off, this sure seems to be a ploy of Nick Saban to make a trade down, and I hope his bluff is called and he's forced to make a pick. Secondly, this wouldn't be the end of the world. I like Edwards, but he's not a sure-thing Pro-Bowler. And if Smith and Edwards come off the board it's likely to hurt the value of the #3 pick, but it still doesn't make a trade imposible. Wouldn't Tampa be interested in bumping up two slots for a suddenly modest price? I think so.

Anyhow, I do think and hope Miami is bluffing. The question is whether other teams interested in trading up for Edwards believe the same. Should be an interesting ride today.

UPDATE: Just saw John Clayton on tv and HOLY CRAP I CAN'T STAND THAT GUY!!! He said, "The Dolphins WILL take Braylon Edwards with the second pick" and I think his eyeballs popped out of their sockets when he said "will." Arrrgh. What a loser. And now just because Clayton has reported it I am more confident that the Dolphins are full of it.

My Prediction

If the Browns must make a pick at #3, my vote for "most likely selection" goes to Braylon Edwards. I am not exactly sold on Edwards -- I think he could wind up being another Darryl Jackson if he doesn't get better at making the easy catch -- but he does make a case for having the most talent of any player in the draft. But I can't quite see Phil Savage getting ultra excited about using the third pick on Edwards and believe Savage will deal the pick if he can stay within the top 10. If that happens, Barron, Merriman or Rolle should be the pick.

Mike WIlliams falling?

A lot of teams have moved receiver Troy Williamson ahead of Mike Williams on their draft boards.

If you go by recent news srticles, it sure seems like Mike Williams is not a consideration for the Browns. And apparently not that many other teams selecting early in the draft. Like most things like this, it's not clear how or if this changes the Browns chances of trading down. It can't help since Williamson is still unlikely to be considered so high in the draft. But ultimately I think the Browns are choosing too high up in the draft for this to have a major effect. And if Braylon Edwards is the concensus #1 receiver, I think it might strengthen their hand a bit. But we will never really know, will we? Oh well.

5 Days

And still no real news. Not a big surprise. MMQB weighs in today and has the Browns picking Braylon Edwards after not being able to swing a trade. He thinks Miami succeeds in trading down though. Which suggests what is probably the main thing to root for in the opening couple rounds of Satuday's draft -- that SF and Miami are unable to trade down, and a QB and a RB get selected. I think that would maxmize the Browns position. But, to me, it still seems like the Browns will be in a reasonably advantageous position -- not matter what happens there should be somebody's "best player" at either QB, RB, or WR. Maybe we can't get maximum value, but there certainly should be a lot of phone inquiring calls.

Also, MMQB mentions it and I second the recommendation -- keep an eye out for the Dallas Morning News mock draft. That seems to be the most accurate one year to year. But nothing is going to look particularly good this year...

Finally, my golfing partner on Saturday thinks the Browns have to get Derrick Johnson. Could be. But hopefully not at #3.

10 Days Till Draft

Yesterday Phil Savage and the Browns FO held the obligatory headfake to the press and the rest of the NFL. As is to be expected, Savage didn't let on very much, and part of the fun is in separating the truths from the misdirection, and sitting back and admiring the deft moves of our new GM (or at least making yourself believe that is the case).

“Although those home-run hitters hit a lot of home runs, those home-run hitters strike out a lot, too,” Savage said. “... Let’s do something positive every time.” Man, is anyone else amazed at Savage's ability to say exactly the right thing so frequently? Or are we all just so happy to be rid of Butch that he just sounds that good? Doesn't matter. When the guy talks he seems to embody the voice of the Rational Browns Fan. “What I’d like to do every time you make a decision or add a player, I don’t want people walking around saying, ‘Why? What’d they do that for?’" Say a prayer of thanks that Savage does not feel the need to outsmart everyone.

He did talk about the possibility of everybody's wish, trading down. I don't think he's trying to fool anyone on that. He also made a point of mentioning that the team's 2nd-round pick may be one to trade, which also makes sense in a draft with lots of good-but-not-great types. Based on this, I think the odds are good the Browns deal one of their first two picks. And it's all but assured the Browns make a deal at least sometime duriing draft weekend.

One thing that didn't seem to come up is posibility of dealing William Green before the draft. The Giants were the last team to be rumored to have interest. But I'm starting to wonder if the Browns think Green's value can only go up the longer they hang on to him. If they don't plan on selectiing a RB in the draft, that could be the gameplan.

Big Ben

Big Ben

Interesting topic over at Bernie's Insiders on whether ROethlisberger is the real deal or not. The majority think he'll be pretty good, but there are lots of differing opinions.

I _do_ think he'll be pretty good, but probably no better than a solid starter in the NFL, and he'll struggle to live up to his early season heroics of 2004. He's not going to be confused with the best NFL starters. While he's got some valuable natural abilities (particularly his ability to throw downfield on the run), he tends to float balls and didn't seem to react well in the rare cases he was under pressure last season. I expect his 2005 season to be reminicent of his mid-season performances for the Steelers -- he'll struggle often, he'll win most games, and he won't be good enough to carry the team in the playoffs for more than a series or two.

This probably would not be a popular assessment to Steelers fans, but I'd describe Roethlisberger as a bigger version of Tim Couch. Maybe he's smarter too, but that's still a bit of an open question. But essentially they play the same sort of game. Neither have particularly strong arms, but each can look good with enough time in the pocket. And both can make something big happen out of busted plays. Ben, however, is a bigger guy and has more presence in the pocket. I still do think Couch could have had a decent NFL career, but he was a victim of his own bad tendencies and his team's failures. Roethlisberger is in a much better situation and seems to have an edge in his skillset. But he's still going to have to develop. His goal should be to become the best "system qb" in the league. Which, you can probably guess if you read the stuff I write here, is pretty good praise. But he'll have to do it.

Be Sure to Wear a Flower in Your Hair

Marques Douglas has signed with San Francisco. That sucks for the Browns. It is safe to assume that Savage was not willing to pay Douglas more than whatever was last offered, and Douglas kept looking until the 49ers ponied up. Damn. I commend the Browns on not paying out more than whatever they thought the guy was worth. But it leaves a void on the defensive line.

Roye is solid, Fisk is good backup forced to the top of the depth chart, and I have no idea who is going to play the other end. And let's not even think any deeper into the depth chart.

Perhaps most worrisome is that there is nobody left in FA that is starting material. Romeo Crennel will definitely have his work cut out to craft a formidable defense out of the current roster.

In other news, the Vikings will reportedly not match the Browns offer for Brian Russell. I file this move in the "Okay" folder. Russell is hopefully a backup for the Browns. If he winds up starting it will not be a very good sign.

Lastly, former Browns WR Kevin Johnson is on the Chiefs radar. He's not a bad player, but I wonder when the Chiefs are going to get a WR that actually scares somebody. The Chiefs should have been a player for Plaxico Burress.

Misc. Banter

Stalwart sports reporter Roger Brown reports that Kenard Lang is preparing to play linebacker next season. Is it true? I'd say it is probable, since it's expected that a DE in a 4-3 is likely to play some linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. Can Lang do it? Maybe, but I'm not going to expect too much. He could be a decent pass rusher but I'm afraid to see him in coverage.

It is good fun to read a special edition crop of Gerard-Warren-Will-Have-Break-Out-Season stories popping up.

Also popping up in the news recently, is a spate of "Browns Consider Moving Training Camp" stories. This year it is Columbus. I'm sure there are lots of reasons to make such a move, the obvious being that Columbus is the "growing city" in Ohio and, gee, the Browns should tap into those fans. But that would ultimately be a mistake. The Browns ARE Cleveland. And I'd submit that the Browns would do better to be more like the Green Bay Packers than to exert too much effort trying to appeal to far-flung fan bases. Heck, I'd even say that by continually reinvesting in the local fans' fervor, the Browns become a more attractive team to potential fans all-over the country. That's one of the reasons Browns Backers is so big. Maybe John Collins reads about how the Cleveland area is losing population and thinks, "Damn, we need to get Columbus on-board." But perhaps he should instead think, "Damn, we need to be exporting Browns fans all over the country."

On a related note, Les Levine mentions that the Browns intend to move their Berea headquarters into downtown Cleveland in a couple years' time. I guess this is cool. There really isn't much rhyme or reason to having a Berea headquarters. Les doesn't mention if this could affect training camp plans or not, but I'd guess such a move would correspond with relocating training camp as well.

Pretty soon now, the draft frenzy begins...