Cleveland Browns (2009 Season)

[3074326]

I don't really see this as a fit. The Browns have a much greater need at safety than corner. I think, if the pass rush is improved, Wright & McDonald will be okay at corner. Plus there is some decent veteran depth with Ivy and Poteat.

I don't think they can afford to be picky on defense. They need bodies in the defensive backfield who can cover, and Brown can both cover and knock the shit out of people. Poteat is not decent, Ivy is good for depth, and McDonald should not be a starter (yet, we'll see if he ever should be). Brown is a #1 CB, a proven guy. The Browns just need to get better at every position and this definitely improves the defensive backfield. Heck, he might be able to play some SS too.

If the Browns are going to trade Edwards then they either have to get a WR or picks to be used on WR's back. Trading Edwards without getting some type of receiving talent back would leave the Browns with one of the worst groups of WR's that I can recall. Patten, Cribbs, Steptoe, Hubbard - at this point you can't argue that any of those guys is anything better than a #3 WR and that might even be stretching it.

I'd rather have a DB than a Mario Manningham-type guy. A guy who has done absolutely nothing in the NFL and barely saw the field on a Giants team that was thin at WR. They're still going to have a terrible group of WRs even if they do trade Edwards. They're still going to be able to address WR with that first round pick, too. If you add any of the guys that they'd get in an Edwards trade, none of them are going to be any better than a #3 themselves.

You give me the choice of Mario Manningham, Domenik Hixon, Reggie Brown, or Sheldon Brown and I'm taking the CB every time. The other guys are just going to add more mediocrity. They'd be better off signing one of the older vets without a team yet.

 

[LitlBuck]

I'd rather have a DB than a Mario Manningham-type guy. A guy who has done absolutely nothing in the NFL and barely saw the field on a Giants team that was thin at WR. They're still going to have a terrible group of WRs even if they do trade Edwards. They're still going to be able to address WR with that first round pick, too. If you add any of the guys that they'd get in an Edwards trade, none of them are going to be any better than a #3 themselves.

You give me the choice of Mario Manningham, Domenik Hixon, Reggie Brown, or Sheldon Brown and I'm taking the CB every time. The other guys are just going to add more mediocrity. They'd be better off signing one of the older vets without a team yet.

Sure, I would rather have a veteran CB over a guy like Manningham or another WR of a similar mold but if we trade Edwards we have to get draft picks and not guys like Manningham. Whoever's going to play QB for the Browns is going to need someone to throw the ball to add if we don't get a quality WR in the draft our offense will look as bad as our defense. I think both Wright and McDonald might be okay if we could put a little heat on the opposition QB. I don't think anyone posting in this thread wants a WR of the caliber of Manningham if they are a Browns fan.

 

[3074326]

Sure, I would rather have a veteran CB over a guy like Manningham or another WR of a similar mold but if we trade Edwards we have to get draft picks and not guys like Manningham. Whoever's going to play QB for the Browns is going to need someone to throw the ball to add if we don't get a quality WR in the draft our offense will look as bad as our defense. I think both Wright and McDonald might be okay if we could put a little heat on the opposition QB. I don't think anyone posting in this thread wants a WR of the caliber of Manningham if they are a Browns fan.

Well, the dude I quoted said he wanted some form of WR in return for Edwards, and that's the quality of guy you'd be getting along with picks. As of now, I think they want a first and a third. Brown would probably eliminate the first, but the third might still be on the table. If they don't get Brown, they're getting a WR with one pick and probably the best available defensive player with the other. I'd rather them get the WR at 5 and a proven guy in Sheldon Brown, but that's just me.

 

[tsteele316]

the whole premise of the edwards to NYG trades is to get a 1st, 3rd, and hixon in return. that is getting wr talent in return. trading edwards for a cb and later picks in return doesn't do cleveland much good.

 

[3074326]

I know. I'm saying I'd rather them improve the defense than add another #3 WR. They can still address WR with their first pick. What's better about getting a first rounder, a third rounder, and another #3 WR than getting Sheldon Brown and maybe still a third rounder?

Basically, my argument boils down to this.. would you rather gamble in the draft and add another #3, or get a proven starter at a position of need minus another #3. I'd rather take the first option.

This argument is probably worthless anyways, I was just throwing it out there as an option. I highly doubt it'll happen.

EDIT: BTW, Edwards to NYG for a 1st, 3rd, and Hixon was shot down because they wanted Steve Smith instead of Hixon. They don't want another #3. If they could get Smith, I'd rather them do that, but the truth is that they're not getting anything in a WR that they don't already have.

 

[Buckrock]

the whole premise of the edwards to NYG trades is to get a 1st, 3rd, and hixon in return. that is getting wr talent in return. trading edwards for a cb and later picks in return doesn't do cleveland much good.

The trading of BE has as much to do with the salary cap long term as it does with his attitude on the field and in the locker room. I'll take a 1st, third and a player. I don't really care who the player is. The 1st and third is fair market based on roy Williams trade late last year.

 

[LitlBuck]

The trading of BE has as much to do with the salary cap long term as it does with his attitude on the field and in the locker room. I'll take a 1st, third and a player. I don't really care who the player is. The 1st and third is fair market based on roy Williams trade late last year.

Agree. If they can get a first and third round pick for Edwards I don't care who the Giants would throw in because we could just throw them out. If we don't get rid of Edwards this year, he won't try to bankrupt us next year. I have no idea what Mangini and George K. have up their sleeves. We are all proud be barking up the wrong tree because Brown's management never usually does what we think they will do.

 

[Mike80]

Shoot me. :2004:

Crabtree is a good player, maybe the best in the draft before his injury. With the Browns in full rebuild mode, I'll take any good players regardless of position.

If the Browns had a defense and were set at QB, I'd be ok with getting Crabtree in the 10-15 range.

IT's a top 5 pick. A WR doesn't touch the ball enough to warrant the pick that high IMO. You need to get an impact player there that either touches the ball every play or almost every play (A QB or RB), a guy who is a stud OL who will anchor your line for the next decade (Joe Thomas), or a pass-rusher who will get 10 sacks a year out of the gates.

Orakpo seems like a good solution although Aaron Curry would be a steal at 5.

 

[Buckeyedynasty]

If the Browns had a defense and were set at QB, I'd be ok with getting Crabtree in the 10-15 range.

IT's a top 5 pick. A WR doesn't touch the ball enough to warrant the pick that high IMO. You need to get an impact player there that either touches the ball every play or almost every play (A QB or RB), a guy who is a stud OL who will anchor your line for the next decade (Joe Thomas), or a pass-rusher who will get 10 sacks a year out of the gates.

Orakpo seems like a good solution although Aaron Curry would be a steal at 5.

I would usually agree with you about this 100% but if they trade Braylon I am fine with drafting Crabtree. It's always scary picking a WR that high especially since the learning curve for wideouts is usually a couple seasons. I really feel that Crabtree is going to be a hell of a player though.
I know a lot of folks, smarter than me, think the world of Orakpo but I am not at all impressed. I hate the idea of bringing in a guy with such a high pick, to play a position he has never played (DE to OLB). I hated the idea of drafting Wimbley for the same reasoning. If we aren't going to trade down....I'd be fine with taking Crabtree or B.J. Raji because at least we aren't taking a gamble on whether or not a guy can adapt to a new postion at the next level.

 

[aurorabuckeye13]

If the Browns had a defense and were set at QB, I'd be ok with getting Crabtree in the 10-15 range.

IT's a top 5 pick. A WR doesn't touch the ball enough to warrant the pick that high IMO. You need to get an impact player there that either touches the ball every play or almost every play (A QB or RB), a guy who is a stud OL who will anchor your line for the next decade (Joe Thomas), or a pass-rusher who will get 10 sacks a year out of the gates.

Orakpo seems like a good solution although Aaron Curry would be a steal at 5.

The draft is a crapshoot... there is never a player picked who is guaranteed to be a star in the NFL. My point was, with a team as bad as the Browns we need good players at ANY position. I really couldn't care more at what position we just need talent. In my opinion, Crabtree is a much much safer pick than Orakpo or Sanchez. The Browns need to hit on this draft pick, regardless of postion. I would be willing to take a guy who is guaranteed to be a good player at any postion (excluding kicker or punter) rather than a guy that as you say touches the ball every play or is an anchor that may or may not be good.

Plain and simple... the Browns need talent on their roster regardless of postion at this point.

 

[Buckeneye]

I'd prefer to see that talent on the defensive side of the ball.

IMHO its far easier to find offensive gems in later rounds than those on the opposite side of the ball (Not saying it can't happen, but still)

I'm just saying, look whats worked for Baltimore. They don't have an overwhelming offense by any stretch, but their defense gets it done and they can wear opposing teams out with consistency and physical play.

I'd like to see this team do just that.

 

[Piney]

The draft is a crapshoot... there is never a player picked who is guaranteed to be a star in the NFL. My point was, with a team as bad as the Browns we need good players at ANY position. I really couldn't care more at what position we just need talent. In my opinion, Crabtree is a much much safer pick than Orakpo or Sanchez. The Browns need to hit on this draft pick, regardless of postion. I would be willing to take a guy who is guaranteed to be a good player at any postion (excluding kicker or punter) rather than a guy that as you say touches the ball every play or is an anchor that may or may not be good.

Plain and simple... the Browns need talent on their roster regardless of postion at this point.

I tend to agree with this. Outside of Curry, there really isn't a defensive player I like at #5. Orakpo will be a project since you will be switching his position, and that kind of switch takes time to find out if it works too.

While you can point to Baltimore having success picking defense in the first round, all you have to do is look at the Steelers. They pick their offensive stars in the 1st round and pick their great defensive players later. So it can be done that way too.

My thinking is this. At #5 you can grab a potential game changer on offense (especially if we trade Braylon away) and at #29 you can grab an OLB in either Matthews or English and a SS in the 2nd round.

It is all about value. In the end which combo would you prefer:

Crabtree & Matthews/English

or

Orakpo & Nicks (or another late round WR)

 

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Tony Grossi's blog: New names in mix for Cleveland Browns
by Tony Grossi/Plain Dealer Reporter
Monday April 20, 2009, 2:18 PM

CLEVELAND -- Profootballtalk.com reports the Browns will travel to Athens, Ga., tomorrow to work out Georgia receiver Mohamed Massaquoi.
Massaquoi is supposed to be one of the fastest-rising players in the draft, reputed to be elevating into high second-round territory.

Every Browns fans should read the scouting report on Massaquoi on nfldraftscout.com. The statement, "Simply drops too many passes" stands out. Hmmmm. Just what the Browns need, no?

Nevertheless, the interest in Massaquoi confirms, to me, that a trade of Braylon Edwards to New York is done. It just doesn't make sense for it to be announced until after the Browns make their first pick on Saturday.
Somebody with a business interest in this Browns' draft mentioned to me today a new name as a possibility for the team's first choice -- Ohio State defensive back Malcolm Jenkins.

I don't see it at No. 5, but I believe the Browns are working hard to move down. If they can do it, I wouldn't doubt that Jenkins would be in a group of players they would consider, depending on how far they can move down -- if at all.

Trade down and draft Malcolm and everybody will be happy:)

 

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Browns pay last-minute visits to top receivers Britt, Nicks
by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter
Monday April 20, 2009, 5:45 PM
UPDATED: 10:15 p.m.

CLEVELAND -- The Browns are paying some last-minute visits to top receiver prospects, meaning they could be poised to trade Braylon Edwards by the end of the week.

On Monday, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and offensive assistant George McDonald traveled to North Carolina to work out prospect Hakeem Nicks, who some experts predict the Giants will take with the 29th overall pick, a source told the Plain Dealer. On Thursday, they'll travel to Rutgers to work out another projected first-round choice in Kenny Britt, who is also expected to go somewhere in the 20s, another source said.

On Tuesday, they'll head to the University of Georgia to put fast-rising receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, a second-round projection, through the paces, according to a source who confirmed the initial report on profootballtalk.com.

More

I could live with Nicks in the second round but I have problems with the WR from Georgia because he did not show up until this year and has a tendency to drop the ball:(

 

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Should Cleveland Browns draft Virginia's Eugene Monroe and move him to right tackle?
by Starting Blocks
Tuesday April 21, 2009, 10:12 AM

Virginia left offensive tackle Eugene Monroe could be the Cleveland Browns' first-round draft choice if the team believes he can switch to the right side.Virginia's Eugene Monroe is considered one of the best players available in this weekend's NFL draft. Monore plays the critical position of left tackle, blocking pass rushers on the blind side of a right-handed quarterback.

The Cleveland Browns are set at left tackle with Joe Thomas, but the News Herald in Lake County believes Monroe could be drafted by the Browns, if he is still available, and moved to the right side:
If the Browns took Monroe they would be getting the best player in the draft, according to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock.

"He has the best feet of any tackle in the draft," Mayock said in a conference call. "His feet remind me of Joe Thomas. I think Monroe is the best pass protection left tackle in the draft."

Monroe would be a right tackle with the Browns because they already have Joe Thomas, picked third overall two years ago by former Browns GM Phil Savage. If they had Thomas and Monroe as bookend tackles, the Browns might not have to conduct a coaching search every four years.

The Browns have the fifth pick - if they don't trade it - in the first round. If they believe Monroe could play on the right side, draft him and are proven right, the selection could be a landmark one in the team's rebuilding process.

Why I would prefer to go defense with the fifth pick if we are looking for a every down player, I guess this would be the guy and he certainly would help solidify our OL for years to come. However, the only way I would take him is if we had some additional picks in the first and second rounds.