May 23, 2013

NFL Draft: Browns Defensive Backs

The most glaring weakness the Browns have has to be in the defensive backfield. Last year the secondary was 29th out of 32 in passing yards allowed. They surrendered 22 TDs through the air- and that includes the 4 game winning streak at the end of the season. As Scott pointed out in our Holmgren Report on the DBs, this group is in severe need of an upgrade.

The Candidates- Safeties

Eric Berry  Tennessee 5’11⅝”, 211 lbs.

Earl Thomas  Texas 5’10¼”, 208 lbs.

Taylor Mays  USC 6’3⅛”, 203 lbs.

Nate Allen  South Florida 6’0½”, 207 lbs.

Major Wright  Florida 5’11½”, 206 lbs.

T.J. Ward  Oregon 5’10½”, 211 lbs.

Chad Jones  LSU 6’2⅛”, 221lbs.

Reshad Jones  Georgia 6’1¼”, 214 lbs.

Kam Chancellor  Virginia Tech 6’3¼”, 231 lbs.

Larry Asante  Nebraska 6’0″, 212 lbs. [Read more...]

NFL Draft Rumors: Piecing it all Together

We figured that if the NFL Network can start Draft coverage at 11am, so could we.  Talking heads love this time of the year because it is entirely based on speculation and there is next to zero accountability when it comes to reports. 

Mel Kiper has two defensive tackles atop his “Big Board,” yet Sam Bradford (the second quarterback on his list) is nearly a lock to go first.  Mock drafts everywhere attempt to take a stab at what will go down, but people like Eric Mangini circa 2009 make sure that they’re all wrong.  And that’s what makes this all fun – no one truly knows what to expect.  Especially when people like Al Davis are involved.

So given all of this, I will do my best to lay out everything that I have heard over the last 48 hours when it comes to your Cleveland Football Browns… [Read more...]

Browns Create Mystery While Still Communicating

Nobody truly knows what the Browns will do with the number seven pick on draft day.  Even the Browns don’t know what they are going to do because they don’t know what will happen in front of them or what opportunities will present themselves.  Still, they have managed to create mystery and intrigue for Browns fans during the run-up to the draft not by being painfully and obnoxiously tight-lipped.  Instead, we have heard about opinions of players from Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen and Tim Tebow all the way to Eric Berry and Earl Thomas.  What a contrast this is from last year with the serially vague Eric Mangini as the team mouthpiece.

Of course it helps Holmgren and Heckert in creating mystery when there are so many needs associated with the Browns.  Even with all the moves the Browns have made, it is reasonable to assume the Browns could take a stud player at quarterback, cornerback, safety, defensive line, offensive line, wide receiver and running back.  In fact, at different times as fans, I think we have entertained options at each and every one of these positions. [Read more...]

Browns 2010 NFL Draft Update: Defense, Defense and More Defense?

59209971Four weeks ago I began the trend of updating the draft board for the Browns, and my how things have changed since the beginning of week 15 in the NFL season. Finishing the season on a roll with a four-game winning streak, Cleveland avoided the top of the draft slot yet again this year. It looks like the Browns will be drafting seventh this coming April and with the arrival of new team president Mike Holmgren, it will be interesting to see what direction the team will take with said selection.

As has been written many times, the Browns have 10 picks (Update: 11 picks) in the upcoming draft including two in the third round and three in the fifth round. This will be a huge opportunity for the new head man in charge to make a statement with some bold selections that actually contribute on the team next season. The lack of production from Cleveland’s second-rounders in 2009 gives me a sense of pessimism as always, but with 10 picks it will be fairly difficult not to get a few solid starters early on in the proceedings.
[Read more...]