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the_system
Posts: 465
Apr 30, 2011 7:49pm
Mulva;755400 wrote:Not too excited about any of the picks today. Marecic could be solid, but the others are meh at best.
Browns did work in the 1st two rounds though, and set themselves up nicely for the draft next year. Overall, I'd give the draft a much better grade than last season. Probably a solid B+.
Hagg was an absolute steal with their last pick.
1st team all big 12, team MVP on a team that was pretty darn good and had one of the best pass defenses in the country, won the team award for best character...
Hagg played all over the field; he can go man to man (which a lot of safeties can't), play the run well, and makes plays.
JerseyBuck
Posts: 429
Apr 30, 2011 8:31pm
Another year of solid drafting by the Browns.
Writerbuckeye
Posts: 4,745
Apr 30, 2011 8:32pm
Mulva;755400 wrote:Not too excited about any of the picks today. Marecic could be solid, but the others are meh at best.
Browns did work in the 1st two rounds though, and set themselves up nicely for the draft next year. Overall, I'd give the draft a much better grade than last season. Probably a solid B+.
You can't (shouldn't) grade a draft for 3 years. When all is said and done, last year may end up producing 5 starters. Six if Carlton develops as a wide receiver. I'd say that is an A in anyone's book.
Also, I'll bet you right now that at least two of the picks today end up as starters, probably more, while at least one other ends up on special teams as a reserve.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 30, 2011 9:04pm
Writerbuckeye;755451 wrote:You can't (shouldn't) grade a draft for 3 years. When all is said and done, last year may end up producing 5 starters. Six if Carlton develops as a wide receiver. I'd say that is an A in anyone's book.
Also, I'll bet you right now that at least two of the picks today end up as starters, probably more, while at least one other ends up on special teams as a reserve.
I agree on this assessment. Heckert has been nothing but solid. Nice injection of youth since this new regime came in.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 30, 2011 9:13pm
Was surprised that Sanzenbacher went undrafted. There are still some pretty sweet UDFA's out there when free agency finally opens.
sleeper
Posts: 27,879
Apr 30, 2011 9:18pm
JerseyBuck;755450 wrote:Another year of solid drafting by the Browns.
BR1986FB;755473 wrote:Was surprised that Sanzenbacher went undrafted. There are still some pretty sweet UDFA's out there when free agency finally opens.
These.
Writerbuckeye
Posts: 4,745
Apr 30, 2011 9:24pm
Man I just hate that the mutha fuckers heading up the NFL (owners, union folks) are screwing up free agency like this, and likely screwing the season. The draft always gets me psyched for pro football -- and knowing how inept and greedy these SOBs are all but ensures the season will end up being a wash in some way.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 30, 2011 9:27pm
Agreed. I don't care who wins or who loses in this $9 billion fight. All that matters is that we get some FOOTBALL !
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 30, 2011 9:46pm
Browns Land Hagg
By Dave Kolonich
OBR Reporter
Posted Apr 30, 2011
The Browns close out their 2011 draft by selecting another defensive back.
The Browns finished out their 2011 draft by selecting defensive back Eric Hagg with their seventh round selection. The 6'1, 209 lb. strong safety from Nebraska was a three-year starter for the Cornhuskers and contributed 41 solo tackles and 5 interceptions during his Senior season.
Hagg joins fifth-round draft pick Buster Skrine as the newest members of the Browns' secondary. In selecting Hagg, Browns' GM Tom Heckert has drafted Nebraska defensive backs in consecutive years. Last year, Heckert selected Hagg's former teammate Larry Asante.
After being selected by the Browns, the Peoria, Arizona native admitted that he didn't know a great deal about the Browns.
“I really don’t know too much," Hagg said. "I know Larry Asante, my ex-teammate was there for a while and then he left, I think to the Buccaneers. Other than that, that’s the only information that I know.”
Hagg also expressed some surprise when his name was called as the 248th player selected in the draft.
“I had no indication," Hagg said. "I had a couple of other teams call me and say that they were possibly going to pick me up, but to actually get the call I was in awe. I was in shock. I didn’t even believe it to be true actually.”
Hagg's selection was made with the compensatory pick the Browns were awarded earlier in the offseason.
However, despite the long odds most seventh-round draft picks face in making an NFL roster, Hagg does feature the kind of versatility that may allow him to stick with the Browns. Hagg played both safety and nickel cornerback in college.
“The position I played at Nebraska was the nickel position," Hagg said. "Most teams say it was the drop-down safety. I would assume that I would be able to play corner and safety, but it really depends on what the coaches want me to do and I will work at what they want me to do.”
As for his style of play, Hagg offered the following.
“My playing style would be close to the line of scrimmage, getting my hands on the receiver, running with them, being a little bit physical at the line and then being able to go after the ball when it’s in the air.”
http://cle.scout.com/2/1068778.html
By Dave Kolonich
OBR Reporter
Posted Apr 30, 2011
The Browns close out their 2011 draft by selecting another defensive back.
The Browns finished out their 2011 draft by selecting defensive back Eric Hagg with their seventh round selection. The 6'1, 209 lb. strong safety from Nebraska was a three-year starter for the Cornhuskers and contributed 41 solo tackles and 5 interceptions during his Senior season.
Hagg joins fifth-round draft pick Buster Skrine as the newest members of the Browns' secondary. In selecting Hagg, Browns' GM Tom Heckert has drafted Nebraska defensive backs in consecutive years. Last year, Heckert selected Hagg's former teammate Larry Asante.
After being selected by the Browns, the Peoria, Arizona native admitted that he didn't know a great deal about the Browns.
“I really don’t know too much," Hagg said. "I know Larry Asante, my ex-teammate was there for a while and then he left, I think to the Buccaneers. Other than that, that’s the only information that I know.”
Hagg also expressed some surprise when his name was called as the 248th player selected in the draft.
“I had no indication," Hagg said. "I had a couple of other teams call me and say that they were possibly going to pick me up, but to actually get the call I was in awe. I was in shock. I didn’t even believe it to be true actually.”
Hagg's selection was made with the compensatory pick the Browns were awarded earlier in the offseason.
However, despite the long odds most seventh-round draft picks face in making an NFL roster, Hagg does feature the kind of versatility that may allow him to stick with the Browns. Hagg played both safety and nickel cornerback in college.
“The position I played at Nebraska was the nickel position," Hagg said. "Most teams say it was the drop-down safety. I would assume that I would be able to play corner and safety, but it really depends on what the coaches want me to do and I will work at what they want me to do.”
As for his style of play, Hagg offered the following.
“My playing style would be close to the line of scrimmage, getting my hands on the receiver, running with them, being a little bit physical at the line and then being able to go after the ball when it’s in the air.”
http://cle.scout.com/2/1068778.html
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 30, 2011 9:55pm
Heckert: We Added Guys We Really Wanted
By Fred Greetham
OBR Reporter
Posted Apr 30, 2011
The Browns' organizational leaders seem pleased with the results of this year's draft.
BEREA—The Browns brain trust of Mike Holmgren, Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur are happy with the results of this year's draft.
“We’re really excited,” Heckert said. “Time will tell, but we added guys that we really wanted and are really excited about it.”
“We picked players who we really feel good about,” Shurmur said. “We feel these guys can come in and compete to play right away.”
Holmgren admitted he wasn’t involved in the process this year.
“We made a decision early on that this was going to be Tom and Pat’s draft,” Holmgren said. “I was a little more involved last year, but the overall draft strategy was Tom’s.
“I think these guys did a marvelous job,” he said. “After working with Tom and Pat, I have the utmost confidence in them. We took the best players that filled needs without reaching for them.”
The Browns finished the 2011 draft with eight players. The Browns selected four on defense and four on offense. They have picked up two defensive linemen, a cornerback and safety on defense. Offensively, they’ve added a wide receiver, tight end, fullback and tackle.
Shurmur said he thinks the defensive linemen (Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard) taken with the first two picks can come in and play right away.
“We feel at that position, the defensive lineman can come in and start in their first year,” Shurmur said.
Holmgren added that he thinks Little could be a big addition.
“I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what you see in Little,” Holmgren said. “Home run hitters don’t have to go long every play. I’m hopefully we added to our receiver pile.”
“I like to add quarterbacks every year to the pile, but it has to make sense,” Holmgren said.
Here are some comments from the Browns on the four draft choices thus far on Saturday.
(4)TE Jordan Cameron: “We’re really excited about this kid. He’s big and super talented with great hands. He played well at the all-star game and at the combine. We’re excited about him.”—Tom Heckert
“He was 100 percent the guy we wanted to take. We’re pretty sure the teams behind us would take him.” –Heckert.
“He made the adjustment from basketball to football and is really a good athlete. I think there is a tremendous upside to this player.”—Mike Holmgren
“I think Evan (Moore) and he are different. Both are very good and to add another weapon to the offense can only help.”--Heckert
(4)FB Owen Marecic: “You know the story about Owen playing both ways. He’s a legit fullback and he’s a great blocker. We think he will help us on offense and special teams.”--Heckert
(5)CB Buster Skrine: “He’s a super athletic player who can fly. He can play inside and outside for us. Obviously, you want 6-0 guys, but he’s fast, fast.”—Heckert
(5)OT Jason Pinkston: “We think he can play right tackle, left tackle and guard. We obviously traded both our sixth picks to get him, so we like him.” --Heckert
(On why they traded up)“We were looking at the teams picking ahead of us and we projected some of those teams looking at offensive lineman.” --Pat Shurmur
“Versatility is always important. The more you can do the more value they are to the team.”—Heckert
"We’ll probably look at him first at guard, but eventually he could be at tackle.”—Shurmur
http://cle.scout.com/2/1068784.html
By Fred Greetham
OBR Reporter
Posted Apr 30, 2011
The Browns' organizational leaders seem pleased with the results of this year's draft.
BEREA—The Browns brain trust of Mike Holmgren, Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur are happy with the results of this year's draft.
“We’re really excited,” Heckert said. “Time will tell, but we added guys that we really wanted and are really excited about it.”
“We picked players who we really feel good about,” Shurmur said. “We feel these guys can come in and compete to play right away.”
Holmgren admitted he wasn’t involved in the process this year.
“We made a decision early on that this was going to be Tom and Pat’s draft,” Holmgren said. “I was a little more involved last year, but the overall draft strategy was Tom’s.
“I think these guys did a marvelous job,” he said. “After working with Tom and Pat, I have the utmost confidence in them. We took the best players that filled needs without reaching for them.”
The Browns finished the 2011 draft with eight players. The Browns selected four on defense and four on offense. They have picked up two defensive linemen, a cornerback and safety on defense. Offensively, they’ve added a wide receiver, tight end, fullback and tackle.
Shurmur said he thinks the defensive linemen (Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard) taken with the first two picks can come in and play right away.
“We feel at that position, the defensive lineman can come in and start in their first year,” Shurmur said.
Holmgren added that he thinks Little could be a big addition.
“I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what you see in Little,” Holmgren said. “Home run hitters don’t have to go long every play. I’m hopefully we added to our receiver pile.”
“I like to add quarterbacks every year to the pile, but it has to make sense,” Holmgren said.
Here are some comments from the Browns on the four draft choices thus far on Saturday.
(4)TE Jordan Cameron: “We’re really excited about this kid. He’s big and super talented with great hands. He played well at the all-star game and at the combine. We’re excited about him.”—Tom Heckert
“He was 100 percent the guy we wanted to take. We’re pretty sure the teams behind us would take him.” –Heckert.
“He made the adjustment from basketball to football and is really a good athlete. I think there is a tremendous upside to this player.”—Mike Holmgren
“I think Evan (Moore) and he are different. Both are very good and to add another weapon to the offense can only help.”--Heckert
(4)FB Owen Marecic: “You know the story about Owen playing both ways. He’s a legit fullback and he’s a great blocker. We think he will help us on offense and special teams.”--Heckert
(5)CB Buster Skrine: “He’s a super athletic player who can fly. He can play inside and outside for us. Obviously, you want 6-0 guys, but he’s fast, fast.”—Heckert
(5)OT Jason Pinkston: “We think he can play right tackle, left tackle and guard. We obviously traded both our sixth picks to get him, so we like him.” --Heckert
(On why they traded up)“We were looking at the teams picking ahead of us and we projected some of those teams looking at offensive lineman.” --Pat Shurmur
“Versatility is always important. The more you can do the more value they are to the team.”—Heckert
"We’ll probably look at him first at guard, but eventually he could be at tackle.”—Shurmur
http://cle.scout.com/2/1068784.html
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Apr 30, 2011 10:35pm
• Cleveland -- Maybe this Mike Holmgren character knows what he's doing as a talent evaluator. The Browns came away from their draft with two big valuable pieces for their transition back to a 4-3 defense in burly Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor and athletic Pitt defensive end Jabaal Sheard, and that was just the start of their strong work.
They also picked up a potential No. 1 receiver in North Carolina's Greg Little, former basketball player and pass-catching tight end Jordan Cameron of USC, and two-way Stanford star Owen Marecic, who played both fullback and linebacker for the Cardinal, but at fullback will be asked to bulldoze the path in front of leading rusher Peyton Hillis.
What's not to like about the Browns' draft, especially since their bonanza of a first-round trade with the Falcons -- moving down from sixth to 27th in exchange for five Falcons picks -- also sets them up for 2012, with extra first and fourth-round selections?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/04/30/nfl.draft.saturday/index.html#ixzz1L40I7v3r
They also picked up a potential No. 1 receiver in North Carolina's Greg Little, former basketball player and pass-catching tight end Jordan Cameron of USC, and two-way Stanford star Owen Marecic, who played both fullback and linebacker for the Cardinal, but at fullback will be asked to bulldoze the path in front of leading rusher Peyton Hillis.
What's not to like about the Browns' draft, especially since their bonanza of a first-round trade with the Falcons -- moving down from sixth to 27th in exchange for five Falcons picks -- also sets them up for 2012, with extra first and fourth-round selections?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/04/30/nfl.draft.saturday/index.html#ixzz1L40I7v3r
OQB
Posts: 6,679
Apr 30, 2011 11:54pm
Here are Highlight videos of all our draft picks: Enjoy!
Phil Taylor: http://www.newyorkjets.com/photos-an...a-bacd6e99f434
Jabaal Sheard: http://youtu.be/VUXMVmDwvmA
Greg Little: http://youtu.be/VRKB-KIQMg4
Jordan Cameron: http://youtu.be/2gQ2ERdpki0
Owen Marecic: http://youtu.be/eQsTxFsNdMk
Buster Skrine: http://youtu.be/W2jksB_vrsM
Jason Pinkston: http://youtu.be/XkPavuADljI
Eric Hagg: http://youtu.be/ljPfszRua98
GO BROWNS!
Phil Taylor: http://www.newyorkjets.com/photos-an...a-bacd6e99f434
Jabaal Sheard: http://youtu.be/VUXMVmDwvmA
Greg Little: http://youtu.be/VRKB-KIQMg4
Jordan Cameron: http://youtu.be/2gQ2ERdpki0
Owen Marecic: http://youtu.be/eQsTxFsNdMk
Buster Skrine: http://youtu.be/W2jksB_vrsM
Jason Pinkston: http://youtu.be/XkPavuADljI
Eric Hagg: http://youtu.be/ljPfszRua98
GO BROWNS!
Mulva
Posts: 13,650
May 1, 2011 4:28am
Writerbuckeye;755451 wrote:You can't (shouldn't) grade a draft for 3 years. When all is said and done, last year may end up producing 5 starters. Six if Carlton develops as a wide receiver. I'd say that is an A in anyone's book.
Also, I'll bet you right now that at least two of the picks today end up as starters, probably more, while at least one other ends up on special teams as a reserve.
What would the point be of giving my opinion on a draft 3 years after the fact when everyone can definitively say what worked and what didn't? It's an opinion. It would be like me starting a thread tomorrow saying "Vernon Gholston was a terrible pick for the Jets!" No shit. Everyone can make a comment about something that has already happened. I just see no reason to believe (based on collegiate careers and scouting reports) that anyone drafted today will make a difference for the team (outside of possibly Marecic, who won't be any better than Vickers, one of the best fullbacks in the league, if he is not re-signed).
As to your 'bet', if Vickers isn't re-signed Marecic basically 'starts' (when a fullback is used) by default, and I would hope sure Pinkston would be an upgrade at right guard/tackle as poor as that's been for us. If he isn't then there was no business drafting him to begin with. That isn't saying anything though. If every single draft pick starts and the team is 4-12 in 5 years, why does that matter? Bad starters don't mean shit.
I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong (ex. I thought TJ Ward was a reach last year that early in the 2nd round, and I was happy with the Carlton Mitchell pick, and thought he might be a steal. By the way, the guy had 0 catches. He isn't going to develop into a starting receiver if he couldn't work his way into a single catch with as bad as the Browns receivers were last year. It just doesn't happen).
Again, I liked the draft overall, because I loved the Falcons fleecing and liked the first 3 picks, I just don't see a reason to be excited about anyone drafted today. Forgive me for not being a complete homer and sucking Browns' front office penis over every pick they made.
SportsAndLady
Posts: 35,632
May 1, 2011 6:46am
Mulva;755653 wrote:What would the point be of giving my opinion on a draft 3 years after the fact when everyone can definitively say what worked and what didn't? It's an opinion. It would be like me starting a thread tomorrow saying "Vernon Gholston was a terrible pick for the Jets!" No shit. Everyone can make a comment about something that has already happened. I just see no reason to believe (based on collegiate careers and scouting reports) that anyone drafted today will make a difference for the team (outside of possibly Marecic, who won't be any better than Vickers, one of the best fullbacks in the league, if he is not re-signed).
As to your 'bet', if Vickers isn't re-signed Marecic basically 'starts' (when a fullback is used) by default, and I would hope sure Pinkston would be an upgrade at right guard/tackle as poor as that's been for us. If he isn't then there was no business drafting him to begin with. That isn't saying anything though. If every single draft pick starts and the team is 4-12 in 5 years, why does that matter? Bad starters don't mean shit.
I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong (ex. I thought TJ Ward was a reach last year that early in the 2nd round, and I was happy with the Carlton Mitchell pick, and thought he might be a steal. By the way, the guy had 0 catches. He isn't going to develop into a starting receiver if he couldn't work his way into a single catch with as bad as the Browns receivers were last year. It just doesn't happen).
Again, I liked the draft overall, because I loved the Falcons fleecing and liked the first 3 picks, I just don't see a reason to be excited about anyone drafted today. Forgive me for not being a complete homer and sucking Browns' front office penis over every pick they made.
I think you just are wanting "wow" players in this draft, and the Browns simply were not looking for that (or else they would have drafted Julio Jones)...they didn't get any stars (most likely) but they did get good, mean players on both sides of the ball that will at the very least add depth to an improving roster.
I think this draft was great for 2 reasons: obviously the Atlanta fleecing...and because they didn't take any fliers or risks (or else they would have taken Bowers in the 2nd round) they took solid players they know will come in and produce for them. Can't ask for much more in a draft for a team that isn't uber-talented.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 1, 2011 7:51am
BR1986FB;755550 wrote:• Cleveland -- Maybe this Mike Holmgren character knows what he's doing as a talent evaluator. The Browns came away from their draft with two big valuable pieces for their transition back to a 4-3 defense in burly Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor and athletic Pitt defensive end Jabaal Sheard, and that was just the start of their strong work.
They also picked up a potential No. 1 receiver in North Carolina's Greg Little, former basketball player and pass-catching tight end Jordan Cameron of USC, and two-way Stanford star Owen Marecic, who played both fullback and linebacker for the Cardinal, but at fullback will be asked to bulldoze the path in front of leading rusher Peyton Hillis.
What's not to like about the Browns' draft, especially since their bonanza of a first-round trade with the Falcons -- moving down from sixth to 27th in exchange for five Falcons picks -- also sets them up for 2012, with extra first and fourth-round selections?
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/04/30/nfl.draft.saturday/index.html#ixzz1L40I7v3r
What pisses me off about this article is that Holmgren is NOT the talent evaluator. Holmgren is a piss poor talent evaluator. Heckert needs to start getting some friggin credit. He's pulling the trigger on these drafts.
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 1, 2011 7:58am
I wouldn't quite give up on Carlton Mitchell yet. He, along with Jayme Mitchell (their BEST pass rushing DE), are part of the reason Mangini was dismissed.Mulva;755653 wrote: I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong (ex. I thought TJ Ward was a reach last year that early in the 2nd round, and I was happy with the Carlton Mitchell pick, and thought he might be a steal. By the way, the guy had 0 catches. He isn't going to develop into a starting receiver if he couldn't work his way into a single catch with as bad as the Browns receivers were last year. It just doesn't happen).
In a couple of interviews, Heckert was just short of furious & baffled that Mitchell & Mitchell didn't see the playing field. They will both be playing this year and Jayme Mitchell may be the starter opposite Sheard.
I can equate Mangini's thought process to "I gotta save my job and play the vets" (see foolish insertion of John St Clair at RT) versus "let's bite the bullet, give the young 6th rounder a chance, and if we lose it's ok because I've got another year."
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BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
May 1, 2011 8:25am
About the Browns ...
1. After sitting through Phil Taylor's press conference, it's obvious the Browns' first-round pick is one massive man. He is listed at 6-3, 337 pounds. He doesn't seem fat, just enormous. He answered questions without adding a lot of detail, mostly coming across as guy who seems sincere and doesn't think you need to talk a lot about what he does.
2. Can he play? I find it impossible to evaluate these huge guys in the middle of the defensive line. You need to know the defensive schemes, the talent around him. I don't know a lot about Baylor football.
3. But I tend to favor what this front office does. Tom Heckert has a record of solid drafting. New coach Pat Shurmur is an offensive guy, but he really seemed thrilled by the pick. The Browns obviously need defensive linemen. I sense this guy is their T.J. Ward, the player they targeted last season -- someone they rated higher than many other teams.
4. Kansas City definitely had an interest in Taylor, and the Browns believed the Chiefs would take him -- unless they could make a deal. So they offered the third-round pick. There also were concerns that Baltimore or Philadelphia would take Taylor -- all picking before the Browns at 27. Taylor was definitely the Browns' main target, so they decided not to gamble and wait.
5. Taylor's value was helped by the fact that he has the classic size for a 3-4 nose guard, but has always played in the 4-3 defense. That means he could play in either defensive scheme. As for second-rounder Jabaal Sheard, he fits into the pass rushing defensive end in the 4-3 defense that Heckert likes. He believes those 250-pounders who are supposed to become outside linebackers in the 3-4 are much better suited to stay at their natural position and go get the quarterback in the 4-3.
6. Here is a reality that the Browns are facing -- their run defense has been awful ever since the franchise returned in 1999. In the last seven years, they never ranked better than 27th against the run. Their highest rating since 1999 was 23rd in 2003.
7. This team hasn't even had a mediocre run defense since 1999. The hope is that with a 4-3 anchored by Ahtyba Rubin and Taylor in the middle, that can change. But they also will need a play-making middle linebacker. Not sure Chris Gocong is that type of player.
8. I do give the Browns credit for not playing to the crowd, as most fans would have loved to see them grab receiver Julio Jones at No. 6. Or if they had picked someone besides a nose tackle at No. 21. Da'Quan Bowers would have been the popular choice, but the Browns seem to think Taylor is a better bet.
9. Of the final eight teams in the 2010 playoffs, all but Seattle ranked in the top eight of the fewest points allowed. In terms of yards allowed, five playoff teams ranked in the top 10: Pittsburgh (2), Jets (3), Packers (5), Bears (9) and Ravens (10). For good reason, the Browns are focusing on defense.
10. It was nice to see Peyton Hillis be the one announcing the choice of Taylor on draft night. It would be great if Hillis can have another 1,000-yard rushing season, because this franchise is really looking for players whose jerseys they can proudly wear. Perhaps that will happen with the emergence of Joe Haden, Colt McCoy, Joe Thomas, Ward and of course, Joshua Cribbs.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/04/terry_plutos_talkin_about_a_yo.html
1. After sitting through Phil Taylor's press conference, it's obvious the Browns' first-round pick is one massive man. He is listed at 6-3, 337 pounds. He doesn't seem fat, just enormous. He answered questions without adding a lot of detail, mostly coming across as guy who seems sincere and doesn't think you need to talk a lot about what he does.
2. Can he play? I find it impossible to evaluate these huge guys in the middle of the defensive line. You need to know the defensive schemes, the talent around him. I don't know a lot about Baylor football.
3. But I tend to favor what this front office does. Tom Heckert has a record of solid drafting. New coach Pat Shurmur is an offensive guy, but he really seemed thrilled by the pick. The Browns obviously need defensive linemen. I sense this guy is their T.J. Ward, the player they targeted last season -- someone they rated higher than many other teams.
4. Kansas City definitely had an interest in Taylor, and the Browns believed the Chiefs would take him -- unless they could make a deal. So they offered the third-round pick. There also were concerns that Baltimore or Philadelphia would take Taylor -- all picking before the Browns at 27. Taylor was definitely the Browns' main target, so they decided not to gamble and wait.
5. Taylor's value was helped by the fact that he has the classic size for a 3-4 nose guard, but has always played in the 4-3 defense. That means he could play in either defensive scheme. As for second-rounder Jabaal Sheard, he fits into the pass rushing defensive end in the 4-3 defense that Heckert likes. He believes those 250-pounders who are supposed to become outside linebackers in the 3-4 are much better suited to stay at their natural position and go get the quarterback in the 4-3.
6. Here is a reality that the Browns are facing -- their run defense has been awful ever since the franchise returned in 1999. In the last seven years, they never ranked better than 27th against the run. Their highest rating since 1999 was 23rd in 2003.
7. This team hasn't even had a mediocre run defense since 1999. The hope is that with a 4-3 anchored by Ahtyba Rubin and Taylor in the middle, that can change. But they also will need a play-making middle linebacker. Not sure Chris Gocong is that type of player.
8. I do give the Browns credit for not playing to the crowd, as most fans would have loved to see them grab receiver Julio Jones at No. 6. Or if they had picked someone besides a nose tackle at No. 21. Da'Quan Bowers would have been the popular choice, but the Browns seem to think Taylor is a better bet.
9. Of the final eight teams in the 2010 playoffs, all but Seattle ranked in the top eight of the fewest points allowed. In terms of yards allowed, five playoff teams ranked in the top 10: Pittsburgh (2), Jets (3), Packers (5), Bears (9) and Ravens (10). For good reason, the Browns are focusing on defense.
10. It was nice to see Peyton Hillis be the one announcing the choice of Taylor on draft night. It would be great if Hillis can have another 1,000-yard rushing season, because this franchise is really looking for players whose jerseys they can proudly wear. Perhaps that will happen with the emergence of Joe Haden, Colt McCoy, Joe Thomas, Ward and of course, Joshua Cribbs.
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/04/terry_plutos_talkin_about_a_yo.html
Laley23
Posts: 29,506
May 1, 2011 9:26am
BR1986FB;755663 wrote:What pisses me off about this article is that Holmgren is NOT the talent evaluator. Holmgren is a piss poor talent evaluator. Heckert needs to start getting some friggin credit. He's pulling the trigger on these drafts.
Maybe its good. HEckert doesnt need his ego stroked like Holmgren, so this makes him happy to get credit.
DeyDurkie5
Posts: 11,324
May 1, 2011 10:01am
mulva, if you think this draft wasn't good, then you don't know browns/football/anything
Writerbuckeye
Posts: 4,745
May 1, 2011 10:45am
Mulva, my point wasn't that you can't evaluate drafts right away (obviously it's fun to do so) but that you really don't know how good a draft was until you see if players chosen as development projects panned out -- like a Mitchell at receiver. Since experts say it typically takes 3 years to know if receivers are going to be solid players in the NFL, THIS will be the year Robo and MoMass hit make or break status. If they can't perform well in an offense geared to them and (hopefully) with one QB healthy and throwing the ball, then they aren't going to be on the team.
This draft was a bit unique because I think the Browns chose as many development players and those they hope will make more of an immediate impact. Little, Jordan and Pinkston definitely are longer range projects, even though they are hoping to contribute SOME right away as they develop, but probably not reach peak performance for a few years.
Obviously, that's not the case with the two DL players, who will have to contribute right away, but also who the team thinks can do so. Everyone else selected that I haven't mentioned, will be special teams players right away...while the fullback (don't have his correct spelling) will be playing simply because Vickers isn't likely to be re-signed. I'd put him in the category of being both a development and immediate player because he's obviously going to play, but may not hit full productivity for a year or so as he learns the system and the team learns how to best use him.
I've said this before: when people look at the past two drafts (last year and this) they are going to see an amazing percentage of players who not only made the team, but ended up contributing as solid starters if not above average players. Already, 2010's draft has given us 3 starters, with a fourth (Louavo) almost certain. Four productive players in one draft is an "A" in just about everyone's book.
I look for more of the same with this year's group.
This draft was a bit unique because I think the Browns chose as many development players and those they hope will make more of an immediate impact. Little, Jordan and Pinkston definitely are longer range projects, even though they are hoping to contribute SOME right away as they develop, but probably not reach peak performance for a few years.
Obviously, that's not the case with the two DL players, who will have to contribute right away, but also who the team thinks can do so. Everyone else selected that I haven't mentioned, will be special teams players right away...while the fullback (don't have his correct spelling) will be playing simply because Vickers isn't likely to be re-signed. I'd put him in the category of being both a development and immediate player because he's obviously going to play, but may not hit full productivity for a year or so as he learns the system and the team learns how to best use him.
I've said this before: when people look at the past two drafts (last year and this) they are going to see an amazing percentage of players who not only made the team, but ended up contributing as solid starters if not above average players. Already, 2010's draft has given us 3 starters, with a fourth (Louavo) almost certain. Four productive players in one draft is an "A" in just about everyone's book.
I look for more of the same with this year's group.
Art Modell
Posts: 2,338
May 1, 2011 12:12pm
The top ten drafts this year according to draftmetrics:
broncos
pats
bills
redskins
cardinals
bengals
comboys
vikings
49ers
titans
broncos
pats
bills
redskins
cardinals
bengals
comboys
vikings
49ers
titans
Writerbuckeye
Posts: 4,745
May 1, 2011 12:19pm
Art Modell;755730 wrote:The top ten drafts this year according to draftmetrics:
broncos
pats
bills
redskins
cardinals
bengals
comboys
vikings
49ers
titans
Here's what Modell didn't include from that report:
"The Browns dropped from 5th to 12th, largely due to some of the value it acquired in trades being received in the 2012 draft"
So the overall ranking was dropped significantly because they deferred a couple picks to next season. Otherwise, their ranking might have been much better than the 12th they were given.
Of course, the Steelers ended up at 26th in the rankings, so I guess it wasn't all bad.
like_that
Posts: 26,625
May 1, 2011 12:22pm
lol nice fail Capone.
Art Modell
Posts: 2,338
May 1, 2011 12:24pm
Steelers end up 26th? Cant be because BR said the site is biased because the guy is from Pittburgh. hmmmm
KR1245
Posts: 4,317
May 1, 2011 12:28pm
Capone looks like a jackass......again