Category: Cleveland Browns (Page 113 of 114)

If the Browns decide to go defense in the first round ? either at #3 or after trading down ? Derrick Johnson may be the team?s top priority. Regarded as the best linebacker in the draft by most and the top defensive player available by some, Johnson has tremendous speed and proved to be an explosive playmaker during his career at Texas. A senior season that included two sacks and an NCAA-record nine forced fumbles netted Johnson the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player and the Butkus Award as college football?s best linebacker. With the Browns moving to a 3-4 defense, Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel are hunting for a playmaking outside linebacker who can rush the passer and force turnovers, and Johnson may fit that description better than anyone else in this draft. There are those who aren?t sold on the former Texas star as a top-five selection but others believe he has skills comparable to NFL superstars like Dwight Freeney and Jevon Kearse, and while he didn?t record many sacks in college the Browns believe Johnson has what it takes to be an elite pass-rusher in the NFL. An intelligent player with a strong work ethic and no red flags, Johnson may not wind up in Cleveland on draft day but he?ll certainly be one of the first defensive players off the board.

The Plain Dealer?s Mary Kay Cabot talks about the Browns? opinion that outside linebacker is the critical position in a 3-4 scheme while also examining the attributes that should make Johnson a great NFL pass rusher.

The Daily Texan details how former Texas defensive coordinator Greg Robinson helped Johnson improve his game last season.

Meanwhile, Jeff Schudel from the News-Herald says ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper describes Johnson as a player who could be a huge success in the NFL or a slightly above-average pro.

Finally, more than 41% of the 22,000 people polled in a recent ClevelandBrowns.com survey believe Johnson will be the Browns? pick at #3.

Here?s more commentary from around the web on Derrick Johnson:

Detroit News

NFL.com

Mercury News

The Sporting News

Boston Globe

USA Today

CBS Sportsline

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Florida Today

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

Once considered the second-best quarterback in the draft, behind Cal?s Aaron Rodgers, it?s now looking more and more like the San Francisco 49ers would prefer Smith with the first pick Saturday. On the downside, Smith doesn?t have the arm strength that Rodgers possesses and he?s not as polished, but many scouts and GMs believe that of the two quarterbacks, Smith has more upside and is therefore a more intriguing pick. He?s mobile and has great leadership abilities, plus he?s an extremely intelligent young man, having graduated from Utah with an economics degree and a 3.74 GPA in only two years. It had long been assumed that, should the Browns keep the #3 pick and Braylon Edwards was not available, Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel would not hesitate to make Smith the team?s quarterback of the future, but with all the uncertainty surrounding the #1 choice there?s no way to tell right now if the Browns will have a shot at either guy. Several teams are rumored to be talking trade with the 49ers and Dolphins, including the Vikings, who just lost a guy by the name of Randy Moss. And if Smith and Edwards do in fact go 1-2, then not only have the Browns lost the top two guys on their draft board, but they?ve also lost much of the leverage they had for a trade, considering teams looking to move up were primarily interested in Smith and Edwards.

Still, if Smith and Edwards are taken with the draft?s first two picks, Patrick McManamon from the Beacon Journal says the opportunity to draft Auburn running back Ronnie Brown could have several teams calling the Browns once they?re on the clock.

The PD?s Tony Grossi says Phil Savage should be talking Smith up more to the media to help generate some trade interest from other teams.

In his USA Today column, Larry Weisman reports that the 49ers have already made a contract proposal to Smith but that his financial demands may price Smith out of the top pick.

Newsday.com?s Bob Glauber says deciding which quarterback is the right quarterback on draft day is never easy, pointing to past debates like Peyton Manning vs. Ryan Leaf, John Elway vs. Dan Marino, and Tim Couch vs. Donovan McNabb (ugh). But Ira Miller from the San Francisco Chronicle says the choice is clear for the 49ers: Aaron Rodgers.

Here are links to more commentary on Smith:

San Diego Union Tribune
Washington Post
FOX Sports
Rocky Mountain News
Ohio.com
New York Times
CBS Sportsline

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

Many rate Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards as the top player in this weekend?s draft, but where he?ll actually be selected is anybody?s guess. The Browns are reportedly very interested in the 6-3, 211-pound receiver at #3, though reports suggest they?d still rather move out of that slot if they can find a trade partner. If, however, the right deal doesn?t present itself and Edwards is available when the Browns are on the clock, it?d be a surprise if they didn?t choose the Biletnikoff Award winner. Teamed with Kellen Winslow, Edwards would give the Browns offense a pair of lethal downfield weapons, even with Trent Dilfer behind center, while also opening up the running game by spreading out opposing defenses.

Cleveland.com?s Mary Kay Cabot details the Browns? interest in the wide receiver and his interest in the Browns.

In his NFL.com column, Vic Carucci talks about the on-field skills and off-field intangibles that make Edwards such an appealing choice on draft day.

Here?s some more commentary on the talented receiver:

The Daily Campus
St. Louis Dispatch
CollegeSports.com

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

The NFL Network reported that newly acquired Browns running back Reuben Droughns may hold out of training camp in an effort to net a new contract. Excuse me? What kind of leverage does this guy think he has? He’s not even the starter. In fact, the best he can hope for heading into camp is an even split of the carries with Lee Suggs. Sure, he’s got a chance to win the job but that doesn’t entitle Droughns to demand a new contract.

Of course, this is all just a rumor but you’ve got to think there’s at least a sliver of truth involved in the NFL Network’s report. It’ll be interesting to see how this one unfolds.

ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli wrote an interesting column on how Mike Nolan, Nick Saban and Romeo Crennel are approaching their first drafts as head coaches and how their decisions could very well shape the entire draft. Pasquarelli says that while Nolan, Saban and Crennel are rookie coaches, their considerable NFL experience will serve them well this weekend.

It’s a good read, one that offers a glimpse of what the Browns may be thinking while also hinting at what the 49ers (Nolan) and Dolphins (Saban) may do ahead of Cleveland. For the first time in quite a few years, I have complete confidence in those making decisions for this franchise.

Of course, I also remember feeling this way for the first couple of Butch Davis drafts. But this is different. I hope.