Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Romeo: Draft CB, DC, OL
Crennel throws out his wish list in the PD:
Of course, the coach is not tipping the club's hand on taking a quarterback or running back with its first pick.
"I don't think that you can rule anything out," Crennel said.
Including a trade down?
"If you get an offer you can't refuse, you should probably take it," he said.
Crennel said that both quarterbacks Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, who ended last season with injuries, reported to him that they are feeling well and are throwing in the team's off-season conditioning program.
Crennel reiterated the club's position that Frye has "a leg up" on the 2007 starting job, but that Anderson performed well enough last year to earn a shot at unseating Frye.
Of course, the coach is not tipping the club's hand on taking a quarterback or running back with its first pick.
"I don't think that you can rule anything out," Crennel said.
Including a trade down?
"If you get an offer you can't refuse, you should probably take it," he said.
Crennel said that both quarterbacks Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson, who ended last season with injuries, reported to him that they are feeling well and are throwing in the team's off-season conditioning program.
Crennel reiterated the club's position that Frye has "a leg up" on the 2007 starting job, but that Anderson performed well enough last year to earn a shot at unseating Frye.
Raider's Boy Coach: JR Like a "Video Game"
Raiders Coach Larry Kiffin, if Davis let's him, will probably draft JR No. 1. According to NFL Network, Al was comparing Russell to John Elway today, so those chances look pretty good.
From SI.com: "With JaMarcus, you have someone who's like a video game, I guess,'' said Kiffin, whose table at the AFC head coaches media breakfast was jam-packed with reporters, in no small part because Oakland owns the top pick in next month's NFL Draft. "That's what I tell our guys. Just because he can make all these throws you can make on a video game.''
From SI.com: "With JaMarcus, you have someone who's like a video game, I guess,'' said Kiffin, whose table at the AFC head coaches media breakfast was jam-packed with reporters, in no small part because Oakland owns the top pick in next month's NFL Draft. "That's what I tell our guys. Just because he can make all these throws you can make on a video game.''
Sav On Draft: Talks Up QBs, AP
Writes Grossi: Asked about a possible backlash from fans if the team passes on one of the top two quarterbacks, he said, "When you pick in the top five, you're not expecting on being up there again. Now that we're back up there this year, it changes your perspective on things to a degree."
Asked if the Browns can afford to trade up to No. 1 or No. 2, he did not say he wouldn't investigate the cost.
"I would sense it's going to be prohibitive because I think the two teams up there can ask for whatever they ask for. There's no real rules," Savage said.
Asked about rumors that Oakland may be leaning to Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, which may push Russell within the Browns' reach, Savage replied, "I can see it happening. There are going to be those that argue he's the best player in the draft, so if you're sitting there at No. 1, I wouldn't rule it out."
What about Wisconsin left tackle Joe Thomas and Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson? Savage gave the impression - purposely, perhaps - that Peterson is higher on the Browns' radar screen.
Does Peterson's injury history concern Savage?
"I don't think so much," he replied. "I think he's a terrific talent. He's fast, he's physical. He's got acceleration. He's got burst. We've got Jamal [Lewis] on a one-year deal, so I don't think it takes us out of picking Adrian."
Could he find decent offensive linemen after the first round?
"I think there will be some linemen available that we like," Savage said. He then raised the example of the explosive San Diego Chargers, whose highest-drafted lineman was 2006 second-round pick Marcus McNeill.
"But they have a pretty good back behind those guys," Savage said, referring to LaDainian Tomlinson.
Asked if the Browns can afford to trade up to No. 1 or No. 2, he did not say he wouldn't investigate the cost.
"I would sense it's going to be prohibitive because I think the two teams up there can ask for whatever they ask for. There's no real rules," Savage said.
Asked about rumors that Oakland may be leaning to Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, which may push Russell within the Browns' reach, Savage replied, "I can see it happening. There are going to be those that argue he's the best player in the draft, so if you're sitting there at No. 1, I wouldn't rule it out."
What about Wisconsin left tackle Joe Thomas and Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson? Savage gave the impression - purposely, perhaps - that Peterson is higher on the Browns' radar screen.
Does Peterson's injury history concern Savage?
"I don't think so much," he replied. "I think he's a terrific talent. He's fast, he's physical. He's got acceleration. He's got burst. We've got Jamal [Lewis] on a one-year deal, so I don't think it takes us out of picking Adrian."
Could he find decent offensive linemen after the first round?
"I think there will be some linemen available that we like," Savage said. He then raised the example of the explosive San Diego Chargers, whose highest-drafted lineman was 2006 second-round pick Marcus McNeill.
"But they have a pretty good back behind those guys," Savage said, referring to LaDainian Tomlinson.
Browns Wont Add a Vet QB
Speaking at the owner's meetings, Sav says he's sticking with his QBs.
Write's the PD:
So you can forget about Trent Green, David Carr, Daunte Culpepper, Anthony Wright or any other veteran quarterback coming to Cleveland.
"I would say it's something we lightly considered, but probably will take a pass on," Savage said.
He admitted the Browns talked internally about making a run at former Atlanta backup quarterback Matt Schaub, but he expected the price tag to be "prohibitive." Schaub was traded to Houston last week for second-round draft picks in 2007 and 2008 and a swap of the teams' No. 8 and No. 10 places in this year's draft. The Texans then signed Schaub for $48 million over six years.
"That's a pretty substantial contract for a guy that really hasn't played a ton of football," Savage said.
All of which leaves Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson still the only competitors for the starting job in 2007. Whether the Browns decide to choose a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick, or later, may hinge on the initial stages of that competition under the auspices of new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.
"I think we're content with what we're doing, to stay with the direction we're going," Savage said. "We've got six weeks of off-season conditioning and [organized] programs. Chud's putting the offense in, meeting with the quarterbacks, along with [assistant head coach] Rip Scherer. So I think we'll have a pretty good gauge of the two primary competitors, Charlie and Derek, by the time we get to the draft."
Write's the PD:
So you can forget about Trent Green, David Carr, Daunte Culpepper, Anthony Wright or any other veteran quarterback coming to Cleveland.
"I would say it's something we lightly considered, but probably will take a pass on," Savage said.
He admitted the Browns talked internally about making a run at former Atlanta backup quarterback Matt Schaub, but he expected the price tag to be "prohibitive." Schaub was traded to Houston last week for second-round draft picks in 2007 and 2008 and a swap of the teams' No. 8 and No. 10 places in this year's draft. The Texans then signed Schaub for $48 million over six years.
"That's a pretty substantial contract for a guy that really hasn't played a ton of football," Savage said.
All of which leaves Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson still the only competitors for the starting job in 2007. Whether the Browns decide to choose a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick, or later, may hinge on the initial stages of that competition under the auspices of new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.
"I think we're content with what we're doing, to stay with the direction we're going," Savage said. "We've got six weeks of off-season conditioning and [organized] programs. Chud's putting the offense in, meeting with the quarterbacks, along with [assistant head coach] Rip Scherer. So I think we'll have a pretty good gauge of the two primary competitors, Charlie and Derek, by the time we get to the draft."
Monday, March 26, 2007
Lerner Talks - Complete Interviews
Complete transcript from the Beacon Journal here.
"Fundamentally, without getting anywhere you need approximately 35 odd players. Rule of thumb. Maybe I’m off by a little. Fundamentally, you can really only get about seven players a year that are football ready at the NFL level – maybe three or four out of the draft or three or four out of free agency.Given the fact that after five years when Romeo and Phil got here for the sixth and the seventh, the previous five years, which should have created 35 football players they had no football players to speak of, with the exception of maybe five or six or seven."
With the Canton Rep - Lerner's interview parts one and two.
"Fundamentally, without getting anywhere you need approximately 35 odd players. Rule of thumb. Maybe I’m off by a little. Fundamentally, you can really only get about seven players a year that are football ready at the NFL level – maybe three or four out of the draft or three or four out of free agency.Given the fact that after five years when Romeo and Phil got here for the sixth and the seventh, the previous five years, which should have created 35 football players they had no football players to speak of, with the exception of maybe five or six or seven."
With the Canton Rep - Lerner's interview parts one and two.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Pluto Having 1999 Flashbacks
Terry Pluto doesnt want to draft Brady Quinn:
• If the Browns draft Brady Quinn in the first round, I'll scream. There, I said it: I'll scream. OK, maybe not scream. I'll just mumble, ``What are they doing?'' And I'll wonder, ``Hasn't anyone learned anything in the eight years since the Browns came back?''
• This is not a knock on Quinn. With the right team, given time to develop, the Notre Dame product will probably, eventually become a decent pro. But this is not the right team, because of the problems on the line. It's not like Carson Palmer's situation. He had a reliable veteran in Jon Kitna to play ahead of him for a season in Cincinnati. Besides, Quinn is not as physically gifted as Palmer. He needs protection and strong coaching.
• It happens every year, right after the season: Fans want linemen. Closer to the draft, they want quarterbacks, running backs and receivers, in that order. It's as if they know they must lose weight, eat the veggies, fish and lean protein. But then they think: ``What I really want is a $100 gift certificate from Dairy Queen. That will make me feel better.''
• If the Browns draft Brady Quinn in the first round, I'll scream. There, I said it: I'll scream. OK, maybe not scream. I'll just mumble, ``What are they doing?'' And I'll wonder, ``Hasn't anyone learned anything in the eight years since the Browns came back?''
• This is not a knock on Quinn. With the right team, given time to develop, the Notre Dame product will probably, eventually become a decent pro. But this is not the right team, because of the problems on the line. It's not like Carson Palmer's situation. He had a reliable veteran in Jon Kitna to play ahead of him for a season in Cincinnati. Besides, Quinn is not as physically gifted as Palmer. He needs protection and strong coaching.
• It happens every year, right after the season: Fans want linemen. Closer to the draft, they want quarterbacks, running backs and receivers, in that order. It's as if they know they must lose weight, eat the veggies, fish and lean protein. But then they think: ``What I really want is a $100 gift certificate from Dairy Queen. That will make me feel better.''
Lerner Goes to the Core
PatMac talks to Randy Lerner.
As he spoke, he turned and grabbed a sheet with a list of players he had compiled. These were the ``core players'' he had thought of as he pondered his team off the cuff.
``I have (Joe) Jurevicius, (Orpheus) Roye, Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, Kamerion Wimbley, Sean Jones, Brodney Pool, Eric Jamal Lewis, Andra Davis, Charlie Frye, D'Qwell Jackson, Leigh Bodden, Josh Cribbs for special teams certainly if not other, Steve Heiden, and emerging players like Leon Williams, Lawrence Vickers, Jerome Harrison, Travis Wilson,'' he said. ``So... that's 18. Now are they the 18 of the 35? No. Do we still have holes to fill?''
He then answered his question with another question.
``Do we want to make sure that we have the right wideout, quarterback, running back, pass rusher, cover corner and defensive lineman to really fill out the critical positions?'' he said. ``We got holes to fill, there's no doubt.
``Hopefully we get one or two of those filled this year in the draft. (But) the picture that I'm working off of is not so much to be alarmed by the turnover.''
As he spoke, he turned and grabbed a sheet with a list of players he had compiled. These were the ``core players'' he had thought of as he pondered his team off the cuff.
``I have (Joe) Jurevicius, (Orpheus) Roye, Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards, Kamerion Wimbley, Sean Jones, Brodney Pool, Eric Jamal Lewis, Andra Davis, Charlie Frye, D'Qwell Jackson, Leigh Bodden, Josh Cribbs for special teams certainly if not other, Steve Heiden, and emerging players like Leon Williams, Lawrence Vickers, Jerome Harrison, Travis Wilson,'' he said. ``So... that's 18. Now are they the 18 of the 35? No. Do we still have holes to fill?''
He then answered his question with another question.
``Do we want to make sure that we have the right wideout, quarterback, running back, pass rusher, cover corner and defensive lineman to really fill out the critical positions?'' he said. ``We got holes to fill, there's no doubt.
``Hopefully we get one or two of those filled this year in the draft. (But) the picture that I'm working off of is not so much to be alarmed by the turnover.''
Tony Grossi Answers All Your Questions
Q: Hey, Tony: Do yo think Adrian Peterson will be a good fit for the Browns?
A: Hey, Marvin: His injry history scares me. People are comparing him to LaDainian Tomlinson, whom the Browns passed on in 2001. Bt Tomlinson demonstrated amazing drability at Texas Christian and that has contined in the NFL.
Read them all, here.
A: Hey, Marvin: His injry history scares me. People are comparing him to LaDainian Tomlinson, whom the Browns passed on in 2001. Bt Tomlinson demonstrated amazing drability at Texas Christian and that has contined in the NFL.
Read them all, here.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Falcons Not Likely to Move Up
According to the AJC: "Obviously we've got a local player who is not a good player, he's a great player," Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay said after the official announcement of the trade. "There will be a lot of speculation with respect to that, but it is not so easily accomplished.
"It's extremely expensive from a draft-pick standpoint. Am I going to say to you, 'No, it won't ever happen?' I won't say that, because we've moved up before. Moving up in the first round is very difficult. I think it is more likely to move down than it is to move up. In our case, we've got a number of players that we like up there."
"It's extremely expensive from a draft-pick standpoint. Am I going to say to you, 'No, it won't ever happen?' I won't say that, because we've moved up before. Moving up in the first round is very difficult. I think it is more likely to move down than it is to move up. In our case, we've got a number of players that we like up there."
Banking on Quinn
SI's Don Banks mock guess = NDQB
Quinn wants to be a Brown, and as much as Cleveland needs a quarterback for the future, it's hard for me to imagine that they could hold the third pick and not come away with either of the top two passers or the best prospect in the draft (Johnson). If Browns owner Randy Lerner green lights a QB pick, general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel shouldn't take a must-win-now approach.
Quinn wants to be a Brown, and as much as Cleveland needs a quarterback for the future, it's hard for me to imagine that they could hold the third pick and not come away with either of the top two passers or the best prospect in the draft (Johnson). If Browns owner Randy Lerner green lights a QB pick, general manager Phil Savage and coach Romeo Crennel shouldn't take a must-win-now approach.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
The Randy Lerner Interview
From the PD
Q: Is this a make-or-break year for coach Romeo Crennel?
A: I think it's more of a make-or-break year for me. Ownership is not a birthright. It's a performance-based privilege just like anything else. If I don't perform, then why own it? The only thing I want to do is win. I don't know how to not consider losing as a threat to my job. If I don't consider it a threat to my job, then I have converted it to a birthright. And that I'm not going to do.
Q: It was reported on NFL Network that you told General Manager Phil Savage he had to draft a quarterback. True or false?
A: I'd say it's somewhere between preposterous and ludicrous.
Q: What role will you have in the draft?
A: I'll have no voice in who we draft.
Q: Phil Savage was almost ousted after his first season, yet seems in great standing after a 4-12 season. Why is that?
A: I think Phil's done a great job. He's recognized, along with other people in the building, what it is we needed to address immediately following the season, and he's brought our organization together to do that. We communicate well and talk every day.
Q: Is this a make-or-break year for coach Romeo Crennel?
A: I think it's more of a make-or-break year for me. Ownership is not a birthright. It's a performance-based privilege just like anything else. If I don't perform, then why own it? The only thing I want to do is win. I don't know how to not consider losing as a threat to my job. If I don't consider it a threat to my job, then I have converted it to a birthright. And that I'm not going to do.
Q: It was reported on NFL Network that you told General Manager Phil Savage he had to draft a quarterback. True or false?
A: I'd say it's somewhere between preposterous and ludicrous.
Q: What role will you have in the draft?
A: I'll have no voice in who we draft.
Q: Phil Savage was almost ousted after his first season, yet seems in great standing after a 4-12 season. Why is that?
A: I think Phil's done a great job. He's recognized, along with other people in the building, what it is we needed to address immediately following the season, and he's brought our organization together to do that. We communicate well and talk every day.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Friedman, Kevin Mack Back to Brown
From the PD: Lennie Friedman joins center Hank Fraley, who re-signed for four years on the eve of free agency. The Browns also have added veteran guards Eric Steinbach and Seth McKinney in free agency.The Browns also announced that former running back Kevin Mack will join the organization as assistant director of player programs. Mack served an apprenticeship with the Browns last summer. He will work with Jerry Butler, director of player programs, to facilitate personal development programs to active players.
McKinley the Newest Brownco
From ESPN:
When Mike Shannahan has needs on his defensive line he usually looks to Cleveland, and, believe it or not, he did it again.
McKinley
On Tuesday, the Broncos reached an agreement in principle on a four-year contract with Browns defensive lineman Alvin McKinley. McKinley becomes the eighth former Browns defensive lineman to join the Broncos in the past three offseasons.
When Mike Shannahan has needs on his defensive line he usually looks to Cleveland, and, believe it or not, he did it again.
McKinley
On Tuesday, the Broncos reached an agreement in principle on a four-year contract with Browns defensive lineman Alvin McKinley. McKinley becomes the eighth former Browns defensive lineman to join the Broncos in the past three offseasons.
K2 Stomps Out PFT's Injury Rumor
Yesterday Profootballtalk.com was once again the bearer of bad news for Cleveland fans. Citing unnamed sources - is there any other kind for his website? - Florio wrote "we've determined that the powers that be in Cleveland are not counting on Winslow to be available for the 2007."Well Today K2, who also says he's excited to be re-united with new OC Chud, has answered with an interview on the Browns official site.
Of the report, Winslow responded, "I don't even know where that came from - I don't know who said that," he said. "But I love to prove people wrong. That's fuel for me. "I'll be back. People continue to count me out, and that lights my fire."
He said Monday he's been off crutches for nearly two weeks and has been following his rehab program closely.
"I really just started with concentrating on the little things," he said. "I'm following the program that our medical staff laid out for me before we decided to have the surgery. I first need to get the strength back in my leg, then progress from there. It's a step by step process, and my next step is running.
"But I am feeling great. As far as my rehab goes, I am ahead of schedule. I'll be back by training camp, if not before."
Monday, March 19, 2007
Kirwin Mocks Peterson with His Latest Draft Guess List
Pat has AP sliding #12 to Buffalo
(March 19, 2007): It's still early for a mock draft, but with free-agent signings slowing down a bit, it might be a good time to look at a few draft-day trades that could make the 2007 draft very interesting.
With each passing week, the free-agent signings and the latest information coming out of the Pro Day workouts clear up the draft picture. I had nine changes from the first mock draft to the second mock draft, and now with a few hypothetical trades and draft boards adjustments, there are 12 more changes.
Note: Changes from the second mock draft are marked with an asterisk.
1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU -- The Raiders have a lot of needs, but as long as quarterback is one of them, they have to respond by selecting the guy with the great deep ball. I could see a move down, especially now that Cleveland will not need Adrian Peterson and someone was counting on tackle Joe Thomas or wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
2. **Tampa Bay (after trade with Detroit): Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech -- There is a relationship between Lions head coach Rod Marinelli and Tampa Bay general manager Bruce Allen and Allen loves to make deals. After the great workout by Johnson, it's time to move up to get him but not until the Raiders make their selection. There's no sense to move up if Johnson is already gone. The Lions get Tampa's second- and fourth-round selections to move down.
3. Cleveland: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin -- The signing of Jamal Lewis turned the top of this draft upside down. Thomas reminds me of the year general manager Phil Savage, then with the Ravens, took Jonathan Ogden with the third pick in the draft. Thomas can start for 10 years, but the Browns still need a quarterback.
Kirwin's First Round
(March 19, 2007): It's still early for a mock draft, but with free-agent signings slowing down a bit, it might be a good time to look at a few draft-day trades that could make the 2007 draft very interesting.
With each passing week, the free-agent signings and the latest information coming out of the Pro Day workouts clear up the draft picture. I had nine changes from the first mock draft to the second mock draft, and now with a few hypothetical trades and draft boards adjustments, there are 12 more changes.
Note: Changes from the second mock draft are marked with an asterisk.
1. Oakland: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU -- The Raiders have a lot of needs, but as long as quarterback is one of them, they have to respond by selecting the guy with the great deep ball. I could see a move down, especially now that Cleveland will not need Adrian Peterson and someone was counting on tackle Joe Thomas or wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
2. **Tampa Bay (after trade with Detroit): Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech -- There is a relationship between Lions head coach Rod Marinelli and Tampa Bay general manager Bruce Allen and Allen loves to make deals. After the great workout by Johnson, it's time to move up to get him but not until the Raiders make their selection. There's no sense to move up if Johnson is already gone. The Lions get Tampa's second- and fourth-round selections to move down.
3. Cleveland: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin -- The signing of Jamal Lewis turned the top of this draft upside down. Thomas reminds me of the year general manager Phil Savage, then with the Ravens, took Jonathan Ogden with the third pick in the draft. Thomas can start for 10 years, but the Browns still need a quarterback.
Kirwin's First Round
Robaire Smith, Ravens O-Line Woes and Kirk Ferentz
Steve Doerschuk gives you the latest on all three right here.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Looking at Things the Browns way - Scouting the Defensive Talent for a 3-4
NFL.com's Pat Kirwin lists Branch, Carriker, Harris and Spencer at the top
(March 17, 2007) -- Draft boards are set up differently around the National Football League. A team that uses a 3-4 defense is going to see talent from a much different perspective than a 4-3 team, for example.
It wasn't too long ago that a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers merely had to figure out which college defensive ends could become 3-4 outside linebackers in order to continue to build their famous 3-4 package.
But over time, things have changed and now the Patriots, Jets, Browns, Chargers, Cowboys and 49ers are all looking for the same players. When you throw in the hybrid defenses that like to jump back and forth from 3-4 to 4-3 packages, there is a much bigger drain on all of the front-seven positions for the 3-4.
Don't get me wrong -- great players can play in any scheme, but building a front-seven unit is much different. more
(March 17, 2007) -- Draft boards are set up differently around the National Football League. A team that uses a 3-4 defense is going to see talent from a much different perspective than a 4-3 team, for example.
It wasn't too long ago that a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers merely had to figure out which college defensive ends could become 3-4 outside linebackers in order to continue to build their famous 3-4 package.
But over time, things have changed and now the Patriots, Jets, Browns, Chargers, Cowboys and 49ers are all looking for the same players. When you throw in the hybrid defenses that like to jump back and forth from 3-4 to 4-3 packages, there is a much bigger drain on all of the front-seven positions for the 3-4.
Don't get me wrong -- great players can play in any scheme, but building a front-seven unit is much different. more
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