OhioStatePride2003 wrote:

Al Capone wrote: Looking back at past drafts, isn't it amusing that Cleveland always has a pick in the top 10. hahaha!!!!

Dude you're such a dickwad that it isn't even funny. At some point you've got to realize that no one really gives a flyin' fuck what your dumb ass has to say.

The funny thing about it is that his fellow Steeler fans are embarrassed to have the "guilty by association" label attached to them because of his stupidity/douchery. There are some quality Steeler posters on here who just want to talk FOOTBALL and not drop a shitbomb on every Browns thread.

Ans as a side note, these multiple Roethlisberger threads are getting REALLY old.

If the eagles are willing to give that much up for berry I would see if swabbing first rounders and both there 2nds if they don't do it then you take berry

10 riskiest draft picks in the 2010 draft...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Buyer-Beware-The-10-riskiest-2010-draft-picks?urn=nfl,234844

I know the Browns have had their eye on Dwyer....


Sources: Ga. Tech, USC players failed NFL Combine drug test
Fox Sports
Jay Glazer and Alex Marvez
PRINT EMAIL RSS
ADD THIS
2 comments »
Updated Apr 18, 2010 6:56 PM ET
Every year, a few of the draft’s top prospects appear on the confidential list for failed NFL Scouting Combine drug tests.

FOXSports.com has learned the two biggest names for 2010: Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer and Southern California tight end Anthony McCoy.

Dwyer tested positive in February for amphetamines, but this appears unlikely to hurt his standing as a late first-round/early second-round selection in this week’s draft. A source said the positive test was triggered by a prescription medication that Dwyer has NFL clearance to use for a pre-existing condition.

“The NFL knew this going into the Combine,” the source said. “Every NFL team is aware of the medication he takes and the confirmation from all the [NFL] doctors involved. Some NFL players take the same medication.”

An early-entry junior with a pounding running style, the 5-foot-11, 229-pound Dwyer rushed for 1,385 yards in both the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

McCoy, who is projected as a second-day pick, tested positive for marijuana

A source told FOXSports.com that McCoy’s representatives (Priority Sports and Entertainment) revealed the positive test to NFL franchises several weeks ago to give teams time to perform due diligence as part of the scouting process. Such honesty paid dividends in 2005 for Priority client Luis Castillo, who admitted to failing a steroid test at the Combine well before the official results were given to NFL clubs. The defensive end was still selected in the first round by San Diego and hasn’t failed a drug test since.

As a senior, McCoy caught 22 passes for 457 yards and one touchdown while struggling with an ankle injury for the second half of the 2009 season. Besides his receiving prowess, the 6-foot-5, 259-pound McCoy is regarded as one of top blocking tight ends in this draft class.

As first reported by FOXSports,.com, Minnesota wide receiver Percy Harvin failed a drug test for marijuana at the 2009 Combine. He was still drafted in the first round and was voted the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Sources-say-Georgia-Tech-and-USC-players-failed-NFL-Combine-drug-test-041810

'Instinctive' Earl Thomas earns high praise as fast-rising safety on NFL draft boards
By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer
April 18, 2010, 7:16PM

If Tennessee safety Eric Berry is gone when the Browns pick at No. 7, they might not have to settle for second best.

At least one noted draft expert ranks Texas' Earl Thomas, who visited the Browns earlier this month, as the best safety in this draft.

"I've probably watched 300-400 snaps apiece and in my opinion, Earl Thomas is the most instinctive free safety I've seen on tape in five or six years," said NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock. "He's a playmaker, he's got loose hips, and he's got the best range of any centerfielder I've seen coming out of college football in a long time."

Mayock should know. He played safety for Boston College and the New York Giants in the early 1980s after being drafted by the Steelers in the 10th round in 1981.

"When I watch tape of these kids, I want to see how quickly they react to what their read is, and that's what I believe separates Earl Thomas," said Mayock. "He can go sideline to sideline in zone and make plays, he can cover the No. 2 or No. 3 [receiver]. In the NFL these days, anytime a free safety can drop down and cover like a corner, it's a huge plus. Eric Berry can do most of those things, but I don't think he has the instincts [that Thomas has]."

Thomas' collegiate position coach, Duane Akina, who coached 2006 first-round safety Michael Huff and 2007 first-rounder Michael Griffin at Texas, couldn't agree more.

"I'm not surprised Mike would say that because he's played and watched a lot of tape," said Akina. "We tried to recruit Berry here and he's an outstanding player. But I don't think there's another safety that's been asked to do everything we asked of Earl -- the one-on-one situations, the zone situations, playing in the middle of the field.

"Plus, you can look at the number of interceptions [eight in 2009] and fumbles caused [five in two seasons], and the fact that he'll return punts next year and play special teams."

Akina said he's talked with some of the Browns scouts and coaches about Thomas (5-10, 208) "and they seem very positive about Earl. Cleveland would be a great fit for him because of their system and Eric Mangini's background as a secondary coach."

He said the No. 1 thing that comes to mind about Thomas is his passion.

"Earl has taken his great, natural, athletic ability and worked so hard at his craft -- not just weightlifting and drills, but studying tape."

Thomas started only two years at Texas and is coming out as a sophomore largely because Hurricane Rita destroyed his family's home in Orange, Texas in 2005 and he wants to buy them a new one.

"But Earl is ready for the next level," said Akina.

Knowing teams might want him as a corner -- he ran a 4.38 at his pro day -- Akina practiced him there in the week leading up to the BCS title game against Alabama to get it on tape.

"Earl is one of the really unique guys that could line up and play corner in the NFL," he said. "He can also play nickel and both safeties. I'm not sure there's many athletes that have that kind of flexibility."

Browns General Manager Tom Heckert said it might be a stretch for Thomas or Berry to line up at corner "but they both have cover skills. Somebody may try it and if he doesn't work out, you know he can play safety."

At the NFL Combine, Thomas said he's comfortable at corner, safety and nickel, and that he's blitzed a lot from the nickel. "I'm just ready to play," he said.

He was humbled by comparisons to Baltimore's Ed Reed. "I'm pretty sure he's going to be in the Hall of Fame and that's a great comparison," he said. "I think I have a long way to go, but thank you for the accolades."

Thomas also fits the Browns' profile of high character players. His grandfather, Earl Sr., was a pastor, and Thomas used to lead the church in song as a child. He also plays the organ for his church and is skilled at the piano, saxophone and drums. Unfortunately, he heads into the draft with a heavy heart, because Earl Sr. is on life support and Thomas is at his bedside.

"You won't meet a finer young man than Earl," said Akina. "I promise you, the Browns won't be disappointed if they draft him. He's the same whether he's practicing in the 110-degree heat in front of no one or playing in the national championship game in front of millions on television. I know he'll be an excellent pro."

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/04/instinctive_earl_thomas_earns.html


Mayock knows his stuff. He's better than Kiper and WAY better than McShay.

Earle is very. very good...but the collegiate numbers show Berry is a little better.

great read if berry isnt there i would love to have thomas. he may end up having a better career than berry

I've been on the Thomas bandwagon for awhile now. I would be happy with Berry or Thomas.

At least I can understand a rational debate about the worth of these 2 DB's. Compare that to the knuckleheads that claim McCoy is better than Suh.

How some people get paid for their touting is quite remarkable.

I feel like if Berry isn't there at 7 they should just take Thomas....there have been bigger reaches.

krazie45 wrote: I feel like if Berry isn't there at 7 they should just take Thomas....there have been bigger reaches.

Two things that were said at last weeks press conferance make me have total faith in what the Browns will do in the draft. One was Heckert saying "We wont reach for a player just because of need', and Holmgren saying "I have two thumbs and five holes in the dike". The Browns know they are more than this years class away with a lot of holes to fill before they can compete for the division. I hope they trust their board and go with the best player available no matter what position it is. It wont surprise me one bit if they move down and get more picks for either this year or next. That being said, defense is still a top area of concern.

Dwyers drug results are coming back because of his ADD meds per Schefter's Twitter.

Bluepride13 wrote:

krazie45 wrote: I feel like if Berry isn't there at 7 they should just take Thomas....there have been bigger reaches.

Two things that were said at last weeks press conferance make me have total faith in what the Browns will do in the draft. One was Heckert saying "We wont reach for a player just because of need', and Holmgren saying "I have two thumbs and five holes in the dike". The Browns know they are more than this years class away with a lot of holes to fill before they can compete for the division. I hope they trust their board and go with the best player available no matter what position it is. It wont surprise me one bit if they move down and get more picks for either this year or next. That being said, defense is still a top area of concern.

The thing is that pretty much everyone has him as a 1st rounder and the #2 safety in the draft (with some even grading him higher than Berry). I'd rather they take him then go for a BAP like Dez Bryant or Jimmy Clausen.

By all accounts, Bryant is off their board and Clausen isn't that high up.

Yeah, I've heard Bryant is off their board. I pray that ISN'T a smokescreen and they do take him. I really want no part of a diva WR with work ethic issues.

If Berry is gone and the Browns are ok with picking Thomas do they just draft him at No. 7 or trade down and bank on him still being there?

Non wrote: If Berry is gone and the Browns are ok with picking Thomas do they just draft him at No. 7 or trade down and bank on him still being there?

I think you def look to trade down a few spots and maybe aquire a 3rd and player possibly.

miller45452003 wrote:

Non wrote: If Berry is gone and the Browns are ok with picking Thomas do they just draft him at No. 7 or trade down and bank on him still being there?

I think you def look to trade down a few spots and maybe aquire a 3rd and player possibly.

I agree, I say move down and gain an extra pick. Use that pick to combine with our 2nd to move back into the 1st round to get McCoy. That way we get a top rated safety (I think Berry and Thomas are 1 and 1a personally) and the QB we were hoping to snag all for somebody elses pick.

I would love McCoy he is a hard worker and very tough he could become a excellent qb and he could end up being the best qb out of this draft the best senerio would be to trade down snag Thomas and trade back into the late first round and grab McCoy

I don't think we'll have to trade up into the first to get McCoy. I think he'll still be there when we come back up. But that's just my opinon...

Why would we pick a RB in the 1st round????

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d81797479&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

^ Best available? Thats all I got.

OneBuckeye wrote: ^ Best available? Thats all I got.

I could see the best available defensive player, but no way should we draft a RB at 7 IMO.

royal_k wrote:

OneBuckeye wrote: ^ Best available? Thats all I got.

I could see the best available defensive player, but no way should we draft a RB at 7 IMO.

I think they will take the BPA, regardless.

RB is not a position of need compared to others on the team. I think that would be a huge mistake.