Category: Cleveland Browns (Page 114 of 114)

Okay, so it’s impossible to predict what’s going to happen during the draft this Saturday, but it sure would be nice if there was some general agreement about how the first few picks were going to unfold. Early rumors had the Browns interested in QB Alex Smith at #3 while also entertaining trade offers from other teams looking to move up. Then the news was all about Braylon Edwards. Then trade talk with the Bucs. Then some rumors about the Vikings wanting to move up.

The latest from ESPN Insider claims that the Browns may find themselves stuck at #3 with both the players they covet at that spot, Edwards and Smith, gone with the first two picks. Apparently, the 49ers, reportedly more interested in Cal’s Aaron Rodgers all along, are now leaning toward Smith, who most agree has more upside but is much less polished than Rodgers. That’s assuming that the ‘Niners don’t trade down, of course. And yes, it appears the Vikings are trying to put themselves into position to take Edwards, but that position unfortunately may be #2, with the Dolphins also eager to move down.

So where does that leave the Browns? Out of luck, potentially, since most of the teams looking to move up were hoping to get Smith or Edwards. And if both players are gone by the time the Browns are on the clock, not only will they have nobody to trade with, they’ll be left with a bunch of guys they’d much rather not take at #3. Insider says it may be too high to select USC receiver Mike Williams, and that it may make more sense for them to reach for a defensive player like linebacker Derrick Johnson or cornerback Adam “Pac Man” Jones. It’s a tough spot, if that is indeed where the Browns find themselves Saturday afternoon. I’ve hoped all along that they’d be able to trade down and, if they couldn’t find an offer to their liking, the fall-back plan would be Edwards. If both of those options are unavailable, though, my heart tells me Mike Williams should be the guy.

Fortunately, my heart doesn’t have a say in the matter. The only thing we can do is trust the expertise of Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel and hope the draft plays out the way they want it to.

ESPN is becoming desperate for new programming. That’s the only explanation for the new “You Can’t Blame” TV series that just aired an episode claiming that Art Modell can’t be blamed for moving the Browns. The show aired a list of 5 reasons, each of which could be considered factors that contributed to Art’s decision, but none of which could justify Art’s decision. They mentioned Belichick’s failed tenure as a coach, though they don’t mention Art’s idiotic personel decisions, like signing Andre Rison to a rich contract that he couldn’t afford. They mentioned the other owners who moved teams, without acknowledging that Baltimore wasn’t supporting the old Colts. They pointed out how the Indians had captured the hearts of Cleveland fans, while not mentioning that Art still could sell out the old stadium. They claimed he didn’t have a choice, yet he obviously put himself in that situation, and he didn’t give the city the chance to give him the stadium that he needed to survive. Then they refer to the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, as if that decision somehow prevented Art from getting a new stadium. Of course, Art was not asking for a new stadium. He wanted a renovated stadium, and he was clueless on how to force the city to take care of him. Do the politicians deserve some of the blame? Sure they do. But Art made the decision, and his own incompetence put him in the difficult situation he found himself in back in the 90’s

Finally, they did not focus on the hypocrisy. Art always claimed he would never move the Browns. He lied. He was too weak and too stupid to hold a gun to the city’s head and demand a new stadium. He let greed and pride get in the way. If you don’t blame Art Modell for that decision, then you’re saying that integrity doesn’t matter.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that the Vikings may try to trade up into one of the top-three slots in Saturday’s draft. What makes this rumor particularly intriguing is that the Vikes, who have their eyes on receivers Braylon Edwards and Mike Williams, currently own picks #7 and #18 and are willing to package them to move up. Man, if this rumor is true it’s potentially great news for the Browns. Landing the seventh and 18th picks would allow them to grab a top defensive player like Antrel Rolle or Derrick Johnson while also putting them in prime position to get one of the draft’s top-rated offensive tackles. If I’m Phil Savage, I’m talking to the Vikings every single day this week and all morning Saturday trying to get a deal done.

ESPN Insider is reporting that the Browns will likely take Braylon Edwards with the #3 pick if he’s available, while Mel Kiper has them picking QB Alex Smith. I like the idea of getting Edwards. Most experts have him rated as the best overall player in the draft.

If the Browns trade down, they reportedly covet Georgia DE David Pollack who would fit in as a rush linebacker in Crennel’s 3-4 scheme. I love this potential pick. Reading Pollack’s bio on ESPN I was reminded of former OSU great Chris Spielman. Pollack’s motor never stops running, and he’s a real football player, not just an athlete. He doesn’t have ideal size, but he performs on the field. He could fill a role similar to Tedi Bruschi in New England.

Finally, ESPN is reporting that the Browns like Auburn QB Jason Campbell in the second round if they don’t pick a QB in the first round. I’m not as excited about this pick. I think Frye would be a better choice.

Apparently, William Green won’t be backing up Tiki Barber next year. According to the New York Daily News, Giants GM Ernie Accorsi called the rumors that he was interested in trading for Green “absurd.” Don’t be surprised if the idea of acquiring Green becomes less absurd if the Browns end up cutting the back after the draft.