Month: April 2005 (Page 6 of 18)

The Browns picked the right guy in Braylon Edwards, but they weren’t the only ones in the AFC Central who made good selections today. The Bengals nabbed Georgia DE David Pollack, one of the guys reportedly on the Browns’ radar had they been able to trade down. An undersized guy with a non-stop motor, Pollack will be pressuring Browns QBs for years to come.

Torry Holt, working the draft for ESPN, loves the Ravens’ selection at #22, Oklahoma receiver Mark Clayton. He’s small (5-10, 193) but this kid’s ultra-talented and pretty damn quick. The Ravens filled a big need here (remember the botched Terrell Owens trade?) and Kyle Boller gets some help on draft day. Judging by his first two years in the NFL, he needs it.

Early word this morning had the Browns talking about trading up for Alex Smith. Thankfully, Phil Savage was too smart for that, though I have to wonder if the Browns had any offers for the third pick when Braylon Edwards fell. I would think if there were any offers that made sense for the Browns, Phil Savage would’ve jumped at the opportunity to move down.

So now the question is, who’s #2? Quarterbacks Jason Campbell (Auburn) and Charlie Frye (Akron) have been the hot rumors for the Browns in the second round, and both would make sense for a team without a QB of the future. But don’t be surprised if Savage and Romeo go defense with their second pick. One of the top remaining DE/OLB would make sense, or maybe a corner, but only if they’ve decided to pass on Campbell and Frye.

Phil Savage chose WR Edwards out of Michigan. This is the right move – he’s a brilliant WR – if they keep him, which is a big IF, they’ll have 2 playmakers on offense in Winslow and Edwards. He is also trade bait right now – we’ll see what happens.

I talked to Tony Rizzo on thesportsking.com yesterday. He told me that his sources with the Browns have WR Braylon Edwards listed as the #1 overall prospect on the Browns big board. The Browns are “fighting their guts out” to trade down (how could we have a draft day and not refer to Butchie?), but it may depend on Alex Smith and the Niners. If they don’t have an agreeement in place with him by Noon today (EST), they may take Rodgers and Smith could fall to the Browns at #3, as the Dolphins WILL NOT (despite their pathetic smokescreens) take a QB at #2 as they have too much invested in Feeley. They’ll take a RB (Ronnie Brown) and then Smith will be there at #3. Then the phone calls from Tampa will begin. Let’s hope Tom Condon (Smith’s agent) plays a little hardball and the Niners are their cheap selves – the Browns may get their wish if this happens.

Regarded by most as the top offensive tackle in the draft, the 6-7, 320-pound Alex Barron is a tremendous athlete with a massive 7-6 wingspan who allowed just one sack in his senior season at Florida State. There are injury concerns here, including a torn ACL in 2000, fractured hands in 2001 and shoulder surgery last year, but Barron looks like an ideal NFL right tackle with the potential to develop into an anchor at left tackle. Some question his work ethic and motivation, while others wonder if he?s mean enough to dominate in the NFL, but the physical characteristics are all there. Still, the only way Barron winds up in Cleveland is if they?re able to trade down in the first round, but all indications are that Phil Savage would love to move down a couple times to stockpile picks. If they end up in the 10-15 range, Barron could be targeted.

The Plain Dealer?s Mary Kay Cabot says Barron?s college coaches believe he?ll be an All-Pro tackle one day while admitting that he has some growing up to do.

Dennis Gilbert from the Sporting News says scouts love Barron because he?s ?fast, he’s huge, and he’s a gifted athlete.?

A February 2004 column from CollegeFootballNews.com tabbed Barron the best tackle in the nation while adding that he looks like the ?prototype NFL tackle.?

For more on Alex Barron, check out these links:

Sun Sentinel

Tampa Tribune

ESPN

FOX Sports

Northwest Herald

Draft profiles:
NFL.com
CBS Sportsline
ESPN.com
FOX Sports
CNNSI.com