<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Kosar thinks Browns might trade down</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" type="block" width="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By Terry Pluto, Beacon Journal sports columnist
Bernie Kosar would not be shocked if the Browns made a draft-day trade today, and he said the team should be under no pressure to take a quarterback in the first round.
"I don't have any real inside information," said the former Browns quarterback. "But I am certain that Miami and the Browns are open to trading down -- and they both may do it."
Kosar believes that Tampa Bay (No. 5) is looking to draft a quarterback, probably Utah's Alex Smith. And Minnesota (No. 7) wants a receiver to replace
Randy Moss.
Miami has the No. 2 pick, the Browns are at No. 3. Kosar believes both want to add draft picks, and both are in an admirable position.
"I'm very excited about this draft for the Browns," he said. "There will be teams that want their pick. I think with Phil (new general manager Phil Savage), we can get some players that make a difference. Let's face it, there are a lot of opinions on this draft.
Mike Williams is rated the No. 1 player in the entire draft by (ESPN's) Mel Kiper, and other teams don't even think Williams is the best receiver in the draft."
Meaning?
"I don't think there is a big difference between Braylon Edwards and Williams," said Kosar. "So if I want a receiver, I can trade down and still get one of those guys -- or someone else I want."
Kosar said he likes both Williams and Edwards. "Trying to pick between them is splitting hairs. Both would really help the Browns."
He also said not to be surprised if the Browns worked a trade, then took a defensive player lower in the first round.
"They are a team that needs help in several areas," he said. "That also gives them a lot of options to really pick a good player to make an impact right away."
Kosar was speaking by telephone from Florida, where he lives. He has no official role with the Browns, but says he has been in conversation with owner Randy Lerner and team president John Collins.
"They are great guys," he said "I hope we can work something out."
For Kosar, the key will be if he wants to move his wife and children from the Miami area to Cleveland. His wife is a Florida native.
Kosar's business interests include ownership of about 50 football Web sites across the country, including Bernie's Insiders and Bucknuts in this area. He said he still follows the game closely and wants the Browns to get it right.
A former Browns quarterback, Kosar knows the position well and has strong opinions.
"Teams at the top of the draft can make a mistake thinking they must pick a quarterback," he said. "Usually, if a team is drafting in the top five, it has a lot more wrong with it than a quarterback. When you inject a young quarterback into that situation, he usually plays too early, gets beat up and it's a problem."
Is that what happened to Tim Couch?
"To an extent," he said. "But I had Couch ranked well behind (Donovan) McNabb and (Daunte) Culpepper in that (1999) draft because Tim was a system quarterback at Kentucky," said Kosar. "He threw a lot of short passes. To be good in the NFL, you have to consistently be able to throw down field."
Kosar didn't spend much time discussing the draft's top two rated quarterbacks -- California's Aaron Rodgers (expected to be the No. 1 pick) and Utah's Smith.
He was more interested in Auburn's Jason Campbell and Akron's Charlie Frye -- both expected to be available in the second round.
"The Browns have really looked hard at Campbell," he said. "I know they also like Frye. I like them both. If you look at the history of the draft, there's a good chance one of these guys will be better than either quarterback at the top of the draft. (Miami coach) Nick Saban said only 30 percent of first-round quarterbacks really make it, and that seems about right to me."
Kosar seemed very impressed with Frye.
"He played on a team with not a lot of talent, but he wasn't afraid to throw down field and try to win the game," he said. "I like that. I don't like a guy who just checks down and makes the safest throw all the time. Charlie led them to some big wins. I understand he has tremendous character and leadership, something you can't teach."
Kosar talked about how
Drew Brees was a second-round pick of the
San Diego Chargers, the same as
Brett Favre. He mentioned how
Tom Brady was taken in the sixth round.
"I'd love to see a draft like San Diego's (in 2001) when they got
LaDainian Tomlinson in the first round, Brees in the second round," he said. "That's how you begin to build a team."
He praised Savage's decision to trade for
Trent Dilfer to take over for
Jeff Garcia at quarterback.
"The Browns need a veteran to stabilize things and to help the young quarterbacks," he said. "One of the biggest blessings to me was coming to a team with Gary Danielson (back in 1985). He taught me so much."
Kosar believes Dilfer can fill that role for the Browns.
"Suppose they draft a Frye or a Campbell," he said. "It's tough just to play any rookie right away. Trent has a Super Bowl ring. He is a tough guy and well-respected. He can teach a quarterback things that a coach can't -- just as Gary Danielson did for me."
Kosar paused. "It not just about the quarterback," he said. "You need to get talent around the quarterback. I think the Browns understand that, and it's why they'd like to trade down and get some more picks. They know they need players."
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
