Week 13

Congratulations Pat Shurmur.  You've done something I never thought possible.  On December 9th, 2012 you coached an almost perfect game.  You led your team to a 30-7 victory over the Chiefs for their third victory in a row.  Your gameplan was outstanding.  You used creativity on offense and special teams.  You put the ball in the hands of your best playmakers.  You showed confidence in your players.  And you made me believe that maybe you should be the one to lead this team next season. 

Like this young team, Shurmur has gotten better.  Winning makes everything better, but Shurmur genuinely seems more at ease now that the Browns have been able to string together some wins.  The Browns looked like they were having fun playing football today.  I've been as big a critic as anyone, but I will give credit where credit is due.  After the Dallas game this team could have packed it in.  They could have laid down against the Steelers, especially after falling behind early.  They could have gone out to Oakland and laid an egg on the west coast following the win against the Steelers.  They could have come home and disappointed the home crowd against the Chiefs, and lost a game that everyone thought they were going to win.  And trust me, they could have.  I've seen it before.  But they didn't.  And forget about the competition, it's hard to win in the NFL, especially if you don't know how.  And for the first 10 games this season, this team didn't look like it knew how to win.  But they're learning now, both coach and team.  Maybe this is a shortsighted reaction to a few wins against lesser competition.  Maybe the Browns will come out and get pasted by the Redskins next week, and I'll kick myself for even thinking this.  But maybe, just maybe, Shurmur is the right coach for this team.  He has three more games, against better teams than the Chiefs and Raiders, to state his case.

But just think about this.  If LJ Fort catches the easy interception that Michael Vick lobbed into the endzone in week 1, and the Browns win that game, they would be 1 game behind the Steelers for the final playoff position.  Taking every bad coaching decision, dropped pass, clock management issue, every third and one, EVERYTHING out of the equation, the Browns are one easy interception away from being in the thick of the playoff race.

The Chiefs were coming off an incredibly emotional week, and seemed due for a letdown after a gutsy win the previous week against Carolina.  And it only took 1 play for them to take the lead, on an 80 yard touchdown run by Jamaal Charles.  The Browns punted on their first possession, and the Chiefs used a blatant push off by Dwayne Bowe against Joe Haden on a 47 yard pass to move down the field.  However they missed a chip shot field goal that went off the uprights.  And that pretty much highlights the Chiefs offense.  The Browns added a field goal, and after forcing the Chiefs to punt on the next possession, they dialed up their first trickeration of the day, shockingly on special teams.  Josh Cribbs was back to return the kick but ran up to the line as Travis Benjamin, the Belle Glade Blur, simultaneously ran back to field the punt.  Benjamin fielded the punt at the 7, and bobbed and weaved his way through the coverage, getting great blocks from pretty much everyone on the Browns for a 93 yard touchdown.  And with that, the Chiefs were down 10-7 going into halftime.  They never threatened again.

On the first play of the second half, Shurmur dialed up a double reverse to Benjamin for 15 yards.  Weeden then completed passes to Josh Gordon and Greg Little, both of whom had outstanding games, moving the ball into the redzone.  They brought in Josh Cribbs, and gave him a chance to run the ball on a direct snap, which he took down to the one yard line.  Richardson then smashed into the endzone for a 17-7 Browns lead.  Creativity on offense.  It's a beautiful thing.

The Browns defense played exceptional in the second half.  On Kansas City's first possession in the second half, they sacked Quinn on first down.  After forcing him to scramble on second, Sheldon Brown jumped a  3rd down slant route to Jonathan Baldwin, just missing the interception but tipping the pass into the waiting arms of my man Tashuan Gipson, who picked it off and returned in to the Chiefs 13.  They had 5 sacks in the game to go along with the Gipson pick and credit must be given to Dick Jauron who has done a great job with this group.

The Browns could only add a field goal but actually scored two touchdowns, the first to Watson nullified by an illegal shift and the second nullified on an absolutely horrible offensive pass interference call on Trent Richardson.  20-7 and the Browns were rolling.

They forced another Chiefs punt on the following possession and rode the legs of Montario Hardesty and hands of Ben Watson down the field.  Shurmur called another great play on 3rd and 9, coming out with a 5 wide receiver set and motioning Little into the backfield before the snap.  Weeden pitched to Little with Joe Thomas and John Greco out in front and he gained seventeen yards down to the 1 yard line.  Richardson finished the drive with another one yard touchdown.  And while I like Richardson scoring the touchdown and tying Jim Brown's rookie rushing touchdown record, I also liked in the press conference after the game where Shurmur said he was "pissed off" at himself for not letting Hardesty score after getting them down there.  Players appreciate things like that.  Hardesty has played great as a complement to Richardson.

Dawson added a 34 yard field goal to close out the scoring, the Browns rolling off 30 straight points to win 30-7.  Colt McCoy came in and took some knees to close out the game.  The Browns were the dominant team, and rarely has a victory come with so little drama. 

An outstanding win for this young team, as momentum is starting to build.  The have Washington at home next week, and Denver and Pittsburgh on the road to close the season.  They are technically still in the playoff chase, and if they finish 8-8 they'll own the tiebreaker with every team except Buffalo.  There are no shortages of storylines for the last 3 weeks.  Playoffs??  Could the Browns run the table?  Would that save Shurmur's job?  Should it?  Or have the fates of Shurmur and Tom Heckert already been decided?

Maybe the writing is on the wall, and has been since the sale.  I refuse to believe that is the case, although the flames of change have produced a tremendous amount of smoke these last few weeks regarding both of their futures.  I already stated my case for Heckert here but I just don't see how it can be possible for Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner to ignore what seems to be building here, and the support and credibility that Heckert has developed with the fans.  But everyday it's a new rumor, and Joe Banner refuses to come out with anything public to endorse either man.  It seems more and more likely that Heckert will not be with the Browns after the season. 

Only in Cleveland would we have to deal with this.  Only Browns fans.  Not one other fan base has suffered through what we have.  We could have jumped ship, many did.  Those turncoats, those fair weather fans, they wear black and yellow now.  We didn't jump ship.  We stayed, knowing one day that our Browns would be back, a football team worthy of wearing those orange helmets and representing the best fans in the country.  I'm not ready to declare this team worthy yet, but they just may be.  At the very least, they inspire hope.  There are legitimate future stars on this team in Richardson, Gordon, and Haden.  Each of whom was brought here by Tom Heckert, who as GM has an obvious eye for talent and a willingness to roll the dice that has not been seen around here since the 1980's.  Those three players, possible franchise cornerstones, were not slam dunks.  Heckert selected Haden with the 6th pick in the draft despite his poor 40 yard dash at the combine, when "experts" said you can't draft a corner without world class speed that high.  Heckert was blasted for trading 4th, 5th, and 7th round picks to ensure he got Richardson, a franchise running back.  And Heckert took the biggest risk of all in this year's supplemental draft, giving up next years second round pick to select Josh Gordon.  I would venture to guess that there is not one other GM in the league that would have had the stones to make that pick in the same situation.  Every week, Josh Gordon gets better, and makes Tom Heckert look smarter, and makes the people who blasted him after he made the pick look stupid.  Only in Cleveland would we finally have someone who has built a team that we can enjoy watching grow, that offers real hope for the future, and have to worry about him getting replaced.  It would only happen here, that a guy who to this point has been as good as anyone in the NFL at his job would be replaced just for the sake of change.  I don't know what is going to happen over the next 3 weeks, or beyond.  I don't want to have to think about Michael Lombardi or Josh McDaniels, or about switching to a 3-4 defense, or about whether Joe Banner thinks Brandon Weeden is a franchise quarterback.  I want to enjoy the last 3 games for what they are, and hope that for once the course of the franchise is the right one.  And I want to believe that if they Browns keep playing like they have been, Banner and Haslam won't halt the momentum that is building.  And if they do blow this franchise up again, well, it would only happen in Cleveland.

That's my last Tom Heckert rant for this week.


Gifs of the week

Rivers don't want none of Tomlin

Pacquiao.  KO'd.

 

 

Santa.  KO'd.

 

The Case to Keep Tom Heckert

I'm on record as saying I believe it will be a huge mistake for Joe Banner and new Browns owner Jimmy Haslam to get rid of Tom Heckert.  I believe he is an excellent General Manager, I believe he has an excellent eye for talent and I believe he's set this franchise on the proper course for maybe the first time since they've been back.  His overhaul of the roster he inherited from Eric Mangini is probably one draft and offseason away from being complete, and there are few who can honestly say that this franchise isn't on the way up.

However I also stated when Jimmy Haslam took over that I understand if he wants to put his people in place.  If a person spends a billion dollars on anything, they should have it they way they want.  Heckert has not been perfect, I can't think of too many GM's that are.  But he is the absolute best one the Browns have had since they've been back, by a LOT, and probably the best since Ernie Accorsi.  Jimmy Haslam has all the respectability in the world right now with the fans of the Browns, it would be a shame to see that diminish in his first major decision as an owner.

I think the general consensus on the Browns is that they're moving forward.  This long suffering fanbase, the best in the country, have been punching bags pretty much since the franchise returned in 1999.  We suffered through Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark, Butch Davis and Pete Garcia, Phil Savage, and Eric Mangini while the team was owned by the Lerners, first Al, Art Modell's buddy, on who's plane the deal to move the Browns out of Cleveland in 95 was brokered.  Following his death, his son, Randy was forced into ownership.  He had no desire nor interest in owning the Browns, he was a soccer fan.  He rarely spoke about the team, it's direction, and actually paid Mike Holmgren ten million dollars a year to act as the owner for him.  Holmgen took Lerner's cash, kept a coach (Mangini) that had no future here for a season for absolutely no reason, hired his buddy's nephew, a guy that probably had no business being a head coach (Pat Shurmur), rarely spoke to the Cleveland media or it's fans but had a weekly call in show in Seattle, and is now publicly clamoring for a head coaching position for the Cowboys.  If anyone outside of Cleveland wants to know why the Browns have been so bad over the past 13 years, there it is.  For all his ineptitude though, it appears Holmgren found the right GM for this team in Tom Heckert.  Heckert undertook the task of rebuilding the Browns, who at the time he was hired in 2010 had one of the oldest rosters in the league under Eric Mangini (who still went 5-11).

In 3 years he has transformed a roster devoid of talent as well as youth into a young, talented team.  He has fortified the offensive line, which has long been a problem spot for the Browns.  Their oldest starter is Joe Thomas, who is 27 28 as of Tueday - thanks to my editor Bryan Powers for pointing that out.  This year's second rounder Mitchell Schwartz looks to be a 10 year starter.  The interior of the defensive line looks strong with Ahtyba Rubin, Phil Taylor, John Hughes, and Billy Winn.  He's added a legitimate pass rusher in Jabaal Sheard and an absolute stud at cornerback in Joe Haden.

Offensively at the skill positions, the Browns have their best playmaker in years in Trent Richardson.  The supplemental pick of Josh Gordon looks like an absolute steal as he has been outstanding and is only getting better.  Both of those offensive cornerstones are 21 years old.  Greg Little looks to be a legit starting NFL wide receiver, he's in his second season.  Rookies Travis Benjamin and Josh Cooper have shown flashes at times, as has second year tight end Jordan Cameron.  And while the jury is still out on rookie Brandon Weeden, he has an NFL arm and is an upgrade over Colt McCoy.

We've examined the drafts of the guys before he got here right here,

and Heckert's draft history before this past draft here.

The results are starting to speak for themselves on the field, as the Browns have won 2 straight and 4 of their last 7.  The team is not the less talented team on the field everyweek, like they have been for what seems like forever.  They are young, talented, and winning.  And their architect is Tom Heckert, who it appears won't be around to see the fruits of his labor.  To me, that's sad, frustrating, maddening, and flat out wrong.  Because the future seems bright finally.

This is a young team without too many glaring holes.  They are growing together and gaining confidence. They could easily have 6 wins and be in the playoff conversation if not for some curious decisions by their head coach.  The light on the horizon that Browns fans have been waiting to see is getting brighter and brighter.  But all indications are that Joe Banner and Haslam want to go in a different direction, for whatever reason.  I don't know much about Joe Banner and his role in Philadelphia, I do know that in the war room on draft day I'd much rather have Tom Heckert making the calls than Banner.  And while I believe Heckert has made a strong case to remain with the Browns as GM, Banner has yet to give any positive signs about his future here.  And in the past few weeks, the rumor mill has been churning regarding his possible replacement, Michael Lombardi.

Those rumors have exploded in the past week or so.  And while Banner has said nothing either way, there appears to be too much smoke to not have a fire somewhere.  And that rumor, true or not, has people in this town on edge.

I don't know anything about Michael Lombardi, except this

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=149&f=1547&t=10938553

and this

http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/08/22/bill-belichick-had-an-erection-for-warren-sapp-in-1995-but-michael-lombardi-wouldnt-let-the-browns-draft-him/

and this

http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=9031

and this from the OBR (small sample size but GEEZ)

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=149&f=1547&t=10971295

or this (BLAINE GABBERT IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE DRAFT????????????????)

http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/03/08/lombardi-mock-draft-3-0-newton-to-bills/

Oh and this guy, also.

I also know he treated two of the Browns most popular players in Bernie Kosar and Kevin Mack like garbage, before releasing Kosar, with rumors that he selectively edited gamefilm to sell Modell on Kosar's "diminishing skills".  I know he trashed the Browns for the Josh Gordon pick, and called the trade up for Richardson a panic move.  He had Kyle Wilson rated higher than Joe Haden.  Those are three of the Browns best players, cornerstones of this team, that Lombardi is on record as being critical of.  Not exactly a ringing endorsement for his talent evaluation skills.

I know that he's been at NFL Network for a few years because no one, not even his pal Bill Belichick, thought highly enough of him to give him another job.  And after his failures at his previous stops why would they?  Going from Tom Heckert to Michael Lombardi would be yet another step back, and a major one in my opinion, when it looked like the Browns were moving forward.

But people like Jason La Canfora have the audacity to go on Cleveland radio and talk about how he thinks Lombardi is being personally attacked.  It's not personal Jason, it's BASED IN FACT.  First of all it's in Jason La Canfora's benefit to have a colleague in a position like Lombardi could be.  That's how reporters gain a reputation, by breaking stories leaked to them by people inside NFL facilities.  So there's that.  Ok Jason, maybe Michael Lombardi is your friend and colleague and you want to defend him.  But know who you're defending and to whom you're defending them.  IF ANY FANS IN ANY NFL CITY KNOW BAD PERSONNEL PEOPLE IT'S CLEVELANDERS.  HELL WE'VE LIVED THROUGH THEM FOR YEARS. WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THE WORST OF THE WORST.  AND LOMBARDI WORKED HERE.  AND HE WAS BAD.  AND TONY GROSSI COVERED THE TEAM WHEN LOMBARDI WORKED HERE, AND HAS NO AGENDA AS FAR AS I CAN TELL.  And I'm not a huge Tony Grossi fan, but the man knows what he's talking about in this case.

La Canfora can say what he wants but Lombardi's track record speaks for itself.  And it might not even be Lombardi that fans are upset about.  Fans are upset because when it finally looks like we have a good GM and talent evaluator who is building something promising, we're going to get rid of the guy.  There wouldn't be this outrage if Heckert was doing a lousy job.  Cleveland fans are upset because when the skies appear to be clearing, another storm looks to be rolling in.  Jimmy Haslam and Joe Banner are taking a huge risk with the fans in this town.  Especially if the team continues to win this season, which we all hope.  That's all we want.  We want a winner.  We want to see exciting football.  We want our kids to understand why we love a team that has done nothing but crap on us since they left.  We don't want to see this thing get blown up again.  We don't want to go backwards, which appears where we're headed should Heckert not be retained..  If Haslam and Banner decide that Heckert isn't their guy, rest assured the honeymoon's over.  The apathy in this town towards the Browns was heading towards levels that were unfathomable to anyone who knows what a great football city this is before Jimmy Haslam bought the team.  He'd better hope his first major decision is the right one.  And in this fan's mind, the right one is keeping Heckert and letting him finish what he started.

Draft Grades - Complete Idiocy

Grading a draft before any of these players have played a down is straight up stupid.  It's like giving away Academy Awards based on previews.  I've already discussed the 2009 draft here, an absolute franchise crushing display of total stupidity by one Eric Mangini.  Here are some of the grades given for that draft by the so called experts aka the media.



Rob Rang - CBS Sports

Cleveland Browns: B
The Browns created plenty of intrigue, as well as a collection of middle-round picks, by trading down three times in the first round before selecting Cal center Alex Mack with the 21st selection. Mack's toughness and versatility will come in handy in the ultra-physical AFC North, and the team was wise to add depth -- and perhaps open the door for the departure of Braylon Edwards -- with the selection of Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Massaquoi in the second round. The Browns could get immediate impact out of underrated linebackers David Veikune and Kaluka Maiava, but watch out for a pair of sixth-rounders -- San Jose State cornerback Coye Francies and Clemson running back James Davis -- to surprise.

Mel Kiper - ESPN

Cleveland Browns: GRADE: B-

Alex Mack was a good pick at No. 21 and Mohamed Massaquoi was a very good pickup in the second round. I think fellow second-rounder David Veikune was a bit of a reach in that round, but not enough of one to seriously dent the Browns' grade. They didn't get a great receiver in Brian Robiskie in the second round, but he's polished enough as a rookie that he could be a solid possession guy for this franchise.

Walter Football - (who was on it)

• “I’m willing to bet that Eric Mangini has weird, worthless crap scattered all over his apartment. I’m also going to guess that he eats Ramen noodles each night, as he watches his black-and-white TV. How did I come up with this? Well, Mangini moved down from No. 5 to 17 in the first round for just a second-rounder, two backups and a developmental quarterback. Well, actually, Cleveland’s roster is so devoid of talent that the two backups will probably be starters. I like Alex Mack and Brian Robiskie. But Mangini has done nothing to improve a horrific defense and a non-existent running game. Drafting your first linebacker at No. 52, who happened to be a mid-round prospect, is not a good move. Neither is failing to address the right tackle or inside linebacker positions.”
• Grade given on 4/27/09: C-

USA Today

• Cleveland Browns: Creative deal-making allowed the Browns to load up on picks and players from the New York Jets that coach Eric Mangini likes. C Alex Mack was the best at his position, solidifies problem area, but may have gone a tad early at 21. Both receivers, Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, will contribute quickly and Robiskie may start. LB/DE David Veikune may lack a true position, should get first look as rush end in 4-3 sub package.

(They gave them a B)

Again, the 2009 NFL Draft is the reason that the Browns are so devoid of talent, coupled with their opt out in 2008.

Here's some grades from the 2007 Draft





Dr Z from Sports Illustrated - (who was outstanding by the way)

BROWNS -- A

Ah, the never-ending mysteries of draft day. They get both Brady Quinn and the draft's most highly regarded blocker, tackle Joe Thomas. After that it gets a bit murky. Second-round CB Eric Wright ... great talent but here we go again, character issues. Hey, I thought Roger Goodell outlawed that stuff. Only one thing can dull the euphoria that Browns fans are feeling at this moment, and that is if Quinn turns out to be, as some have predicted, not a franchise player but a meticulously schooled system QB with a tendency toward occasional wildness.

Pete Prisco - Football Genius - CBS Sports

Best pick: Going back into the first round to get Brady Quinn was a bold move, but one that will pay off in a big way.

Questionable move: Second-round pick Eric Wright has first-round ability, but there are character concerns. This team can't afford to have this pick blow up on them.

Second-day gem: Fifth-round pick Brandon McDonald is a raw corner who made the move from receiver. With some seasoning, he can be a nice cover player.

Overall grade: A+. They get a franchise left tackle and a franchise quarterback. And if Wright can stay out of trouble they got a franchise corner. That's three key pieces.

Walter Football

 Grade given on 5/1/07: B
Good Moves: I would have chosen Joe Thomas at No. 3 as well. Thomas helps Cleveland win right away. I wasn't expecting the Browns to land both Thomas and Brady Quinn, however. I'm torn. I like the fact that they obtained a franchise quarterback, but I'm not crazy that they surrendered next year's first-rounder to do so. I love the Eric Wright selection. I know he has character issues, but the Browns can't worry about that. They need talent.

Bad Moves: Who is Melila Purcell? Why didn't Cleveland take a receiver until the fifth round?

Instant 2007 Starters: OT Joe Thomas.
Potential 2007 Starters: QB Brady Quinn, CB Eric Wright.
Other Picks: CB Brandon McDonald, DE Melila Purcell, DE/OLB Chase Pittman, KR Syndric Steptoe.

Now here are a few grades from the aforementioned writers this year.



Mel Kiper - ESPN

Cleveland Browns - He gave them a B-

Top needs: QB, RB, WR, RT, CB

Summary: The Browns will get questions on value, but they had a plan and stuck to it. They moved up to get Trent Richardson, ostensibly so Tampa Bay couldn't, and while a running back at No. 3 is always a tough value proposition, Richardson is a rare talent. The Browns clearly felt they couldn't wait to take Brandon Weeden at No. 37, and locked him up at No. 22. Given the talk surrounding Colt McCoy, they clearly expect Weeden to start. Mitchell Schwartz was a slight reach on my board at No. 37, but he's extremely experienced, and you know what you're getting at right tackle. Cleveland finally got a receiver with the No. 100 pick. I saw that as a bigger need than right tackle. There were good wideouts available at No. 37, so that's the pick I question the most.

Pete Prisco - famous fellator of Blaine Gabbert - CBS

Cleveland Browns

Best pick: Second-round pick Mitchell Schwartz is a tough, nasty player who will start at right tackle. Scouts I talked to loved this kid. I agree. Nice pick.

Questionable move: Taking Brandon Weeden in the first round. That was a reach. Is he that much better than Colt McCoy? And he'll be 29 in October.

Third-day gem: Fourth-round receiver Travis Benjamin went to Miami as a huge recruit. He didn't put up big numbers, but he has explosive ability.

Analysis: The Browns had a bad first round in my mind, which knocks their draft down. They had two first-round picks, and traded up to get Trent Richardson. I just don't see how trading up for a back is a good thing -- even a good back like Richardson. Taking Weeden is a real reach. They did bounce back some, but I don't like the way they started.

Grade: C-   

Rob Rang - CBS Sports

Cleveland Browns: C
Needing an infusion of talent on offense and energy in the fan base, the Browns nabbed arguably the best player in the draft in running back Trent Richardson and may have found their starting quarterback at No. 22 overall, Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden. I gave Richardson a higher grade than Adrian Peterson coming out of college and love the fit in Cleveland. Weeden, if protected, has the strong arm and accuracy to be a winning quarterback in the NFL. Frankly, his lack of pocket awareness and mobility are a bigger concern -- especially in this offense and against the pass rushes in the AFC North -- than his age. Though he'll be panned as a reach by some, offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz was one of the draft's safer right tackle prospects and will contribute early. The Browns followed these three solid selections with some questionable mid-round choices before finishing stronger with front seven defenders James-Michael Johnson (fourth), Emmanuel Acho (sixth) and Billy Winn (sixth) late. Frankly, in entering the draft with the most picks of any team (13), the Browns should have come out with more. Should Richardson and Weeden justify their lofty selections, however, Cleveland will ultimately be called a winner for their efforts.

Chris Burke  - Sports Illustrated

Cleveland Browns: I don’t mind Cleveland going all-in to get Trent Richardson at No. 3. Heck, I don’t even really mind reaching for QB Brandon Weeden at 22. I’m not sure what happened after that, though, as the Browns took OT Mitchell Schwartz when they needed a receiver, then tanked picks on DT John Hughes (87) and WR Travis Benjamin (100). Grade: C-plus

Walter Football

2012 NFL Draft Grade: C-

Goals Entering the 2012 NFL Draft: No one wants to play for the Browns, per certain reports. Whether you believe them or not, there's no denying that this Cleveland team doesn't appear as though it's going anywhere. There's no franchise quarterback, while the offense as a whole lacks play-makers. The 2012 NFL Draft will be all about bolstering the scoring unit.

2012 NFL Draft Accomplishments: There's nothing worse than targeting one player in a certain spot and then panicking when that prospect is plucked off the board a selection or two earlier. That's exactly what happened to the Browns at No. 22. They were set to take Kendall Wright, but then had to reach for Brandon Weeden when Tennessee took him at No. 20. Mike Holmgren did not have a Plan B.

If Weeden can be a franchise quarterback, this will be a good draft class. However, that's unlikely. He'll be 29 soon, and by the time he figures things out, he'll be in his 30s. He'll be 33 when his first contract is up. Oh, and then there's the dubious history of Big XII quarterbacks flopping in the NFL. Weeden should not have been a first-round pick, and Cleveland must be heavily downgraded for that.

Some other choices didn't make much sense. Both John Hughes and Travis Benjamin were major reaches; the Hughes pick was particularly confusing because it didn't fill a need and failed to upgrade the offense. On the bright side, Trent Richardson will be a stud, while various late-round selections provided great value.

What does all this mean?  Nothing really.  I just wanted to look back and see how these people currently blasting the Browns felt about previous drafts.  The Browns are getting maligned for various reasons (not taking a WR, Weeden, etc), and I don't get it.  Everyone's got an opinion on how these things should go (myself included) and mine is that they did very well in this draft.  I'm pumped about it really.  And I've been on record (2009, the Dwight Clark era, 2006, Willie Green, etc) as being downright pissed off when I don't think they're doing things the right way.  My point is that finally it appears that we have a GM that gets it and is building this team the right way, and people are angry because he solidified the line that everyone has been bitching about for years and took a QB that he feels is better than the one we had.  I love it, and now more than ever, In Heckert I Trust.

By the way, great work by Steve Doerschuk here on Heckert's drafts

Knee Jerk - Day 3

Overall impression of the Browns draft - I love it.  I don't care what anybody thinks the Browns are hella better than they were on Wednesday and got better at key spots.  The picks from yesterday.






Travis Benjamin - WR, Miami - I'm on record as being in love with Jarius Wright, but Travis Benjamin is in the same mold.  He's small, (5'10 175) and fast (4.35 forty).  Nicknamed the "Belle Glade Blur" and they're fast down there.  He's a different type of player than the Browns currently have, and offers special teams ability to take some of the load off of Cribbs.  He's a dynamic player that can take a short pass the distance, and exactly what I've been clamoring for.  He was a good pick.  I'd have taken Wright but I am not the general manager of a football team.  And it's apparent that at the 87th or 120th pick, they didn't think there was a receiver there that is better than Massaquoi, Cribbs or Norwood.  Or they'd have taken another one.  Last thought on this, Brandon Weeden should make the current receivers better.  That's what QB's do.

James-Michael Johnson - LB, Nevada - He can't be any worst than the last linebacker we took from a state school in Nevada (Beau Bell).  This guy has position versatility, he can play inside or outside, and will play special teams.  We knew the Browns were going to address the linebacker position, they have no depth.  This guy could develop into a starter.  I was going to do a little write up in my linebackers take about him but thought he was a Mike and skipped over him.  Solid pick.











Ryan Miller - OL, Colorado - He was one of the top recruits in the country when he was in high school.  He's a giant (6'7 300) who stated a ton of games at both tackle and guard.  He may be a guard, but again, position versatility is paramount for players like this to stick in the NFL, and he can play tackle as well.  Building young depth up the middle on the offensive and defensive lines was obviously a focus of this draft.  Again I liked the pick.  Cody Risien anyone??











Emmanuel Acho - LB, Texas - Solid if not spectacular weakside linebacker prospect.  Was a tackling machine last year for Texas playing in the wide-open Big 12.  It will be interesting to see if he's a better player when he plays against pro-style offenses.  I liked him better than Keenan Robinson, who was a 4th round pick.  He flies to the ball, and again should provide depth at linebacker and be a key special teams player.  His brother is a good player for Arizona, and was a 4th rounder last season.  I'll get a better  scouting report from my Uncle Chris.








Billy Winn - DT, Boise State - This is an example of the inanity in attempting to analyze the draft.  Everywhere you read this guy was a second-third-fourth round prospect.  The Browns got him at the tail end of the sixth.  So, if they'd have taken him in the third, and John Hughes with this pick, no one would have complained in the least.  Be that as it may, the defensive tackle position should be fortified with the addition of Hughes and Winn.  He's got good size and may be able to play end as well.  He was a powerlifter and wrestler in high school and was a highly productive player in a good program (36.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks in his career).  Good teams are strong up the middle and the Browns got stronger.

Trevin Wade - CB, Arizona - Another guy who was projected to go a lot higher than he did.  I would not have been mad if they took him in the 4th or 5th.  I really like the guy.  He's a good man cover corner who should be able to develop into at least a number 3.  Not a burner but has good functional speed and quickness.  Three year starter.  Really like the value pick here.

Brad Smelley - FB/TE, Alabama - Try hard, hybrid type who lacks the size (6'2 238) to be a tight end but should compete at fullback.  He has good hands (7 catches in the National Championship game) and is a willing blocker.  Everybody complained about Marecic last year (who I think will be much better this year) and they brought in some competition.  Blocked for Trent Richardson in college.








They've also signed some undrafted free-agents at this point, you can view the list here (rumors only until they're announced).  Like Josh Cooper, Andrew Sweat and my guy Tashuan Gipson.  Also looks like we signed Toby Gerharts brother Garth, JB "false start" Shugarts, and another William Green, since the first one worked out so well.


All and all I really like this draft.  I know I'm in the minority but I think in terms of building this team and getting stronger up front they were solid.  They drafted an absolute MONSTER and running back, a quarterback with the physical tools that the position requires and a starting right tackle.  They got two solid linebackers for depth, one of whom should develop into a starter.  They got great value in the 7th on a good corner, and they solidified their defensive line.  I'm not usually a rosy person on the day after the draft but I honestly feel that this team has a direction and a GM that gets it.  Solid work Heckert, PLAYOFFS IN 2013!!!!!!  BOOK IT!

Knee Jerk - Day 2

I really do miss the old format of the draft.  My dad had a draft day tradition of cleaning the garage and listening to the radio when Saturday used to be the first 3 rounds, and then that Sunday he'd go about his life and read up on the picks after they were made while I obsessed over why they didn't take the guy I wanted with the 195th pick.  It was awesome.  This 3 day thing is for the birds but it is what it is.


In the second round, with the 37th pick the Browns went with Mitchell Schwartz, RT from Cal.  I sort of had a feeling he was going to be a Brown, although I had him going in the 3rd round.  I read somebody say that he was going to go before a lot of people thought he would and was a candidate to sneak into the late 1st.  Anyways I like the guy.  People wanted a WR or a different RT but all I heard all year was people complain about how lousy the right side of our line was.  Guess what, it's fixed.  Here's why they went with Schwartz, in my opinion.  He started 51 games at Cal, he's got prototypical size.  The Browns know EXACTLY what they have in him.  They're not banking on potential or player development, they took the guy that they can plug in from day 1.  They obviously don't want to have to address the right tackle spot again for the next 6-8 years.  They took the sure thing.  Maybe Glenn or Martin or Adams have more potential, but they all come with more risk.  Hell I liked Massie coming in and he's still on the board.  Schwartz is a more polished player.  They swung for the gap and not the fences.  I love it.  Also in play here was the fact that this is not a deep draft for tackles and the talent pool has dried up considerably.  WR and CB are deep positions this year and I'd expect them to get addressed in the 4th.

Ah the 3rd round.  I think Shaun Lauvao is the only decent third round pick the Browns have made since they came back.  They traded back from 67 to 87 and picked up Denver's 4th rounder, pick 120.  They moved back after Reuban Randle and Josh Robinson (2 guys I think they liked) were taken in front of them by NY and Minnesota.  For whatever reason they decided not to go after a starter with this pick and instead drafted John Hughes from Cincinnati.  I love Uncle Buck, Home Alone was hilarious, but I'm not sure John Hughes was a great pick.  Hell this John Hughes might have been more highly rated than the one the Browns took.  CBS has him as the 534th overall player.  Do I think he's that lousy?  No.  However even he didn't think he was going to get picked until Saturday, because that's when he was planning on having his draft party.  A backup nose tackle at 87 with the holes on this team is a hard sell for me.  I always tell my dad it's not who they take it's who they don't.  I liked TY Hilton, Brandon Boykin, and Jayron Hosely at that spot, I think all 3 of those guys can play, and I don't know about John Hughes, but I'm skeptical on this one.  Boykin is still on the board, maybe he's the pick at 100.  We'll see.

On the last day of the draft, the Browns should add at least one receiver and linebacker and Heckert's history tells us he should be able to find a contributor or starter late.  Guys I'd be targeting include my 2012 mancrush Jarius Wright, possibly Boykin, Juron Criner or Chris Givens at WR, maybe a small-school corner like Josh Norman or Ryan Steed or Jeremy Lane.  They probably take a DE somewhere (Cam Johnson maybe??)  They also may make a move for a player (Leodis McKelvin perhaps) or move McCoy.  It'll be an interesting day.

And to borrow from a John Hughes classic, here's how I feel about people who don't think the Browns are way better than they were on Thursday (PEEBO) - Warning - Foul Language

GO BROWNS

Knee Jerk - Day 1

I love what the Browns did last night.  It took me until the morning to really say that, but I do.

First of all, I love Trent Richardson and he's immediately the best player on our team.  I don't care about trading a 4th, 5th, and 7th rounder for him, they had extra picks anyway.  Moving up to secure the guy you think is the best player in the draft not named Luck or Griffin is something that good teams do, and it was the right move by Heckert.  He also said they knew another team was going to get Minnesota's pick, so they did what they had to do.  Brilliant.

I was far less happy about Brandon Weeden when the pick was announced.  I loved Kendall Wright and he was gone, but I've made my statements about why I wouldn't have taken a QB.  I also thought he'd be there at 37, but the more I read the more I don't think that is true.  San Fransisco was apparently targeting him (inside info from Walt's workout buddy Reggie Corner, friend of Donte Whitner).  The Browns should sign Reggie Corner by the way.  Solid CB. 

Anyways they took the guy they wanted after Wright was gone.  I have been complaining about Colt McCoy's noodle arm so I shouldn't complain that they took a strong armed passer who can throw the ball further than 5 yards downfield.  They took him to play, not sit.  So we'll roll the dice.  Don't care about his age in the sense that we haven't had a QB that's been here more than 5 years since Bernie anyways. 

With the next couple picks I think they'll target WR, RT, and possibly CB.  If they come out with Stephen Hill or Rueban Randle and Mitchell Schwartz or Cordy Glenn and Juron Criner or Jarius Wright we should all be very very happy.  Or they move around.  Fact is they're blowing up the offense which was obviously needed.  And I'm on board, because we should at least be entertaining this season.  Onward and upward, but more and more, In Heckert I Trust.

Heckert's Draft History

In looking at the Browns draft scenarios, it's important to understand the history of the man doing the drafting.  I wanted to look and see if there are patterns in Tom Heckert's drafts that can give an idea about what we can expect in this draft.  Heckert was named GM of the Eagles in 2006, so that's where we'll start.

2006 -

1.14	DL	Brodrick Bunkley	Florida State
2.07	OL	Winston Justice	Southern California	from TEN; trade 2006 2.13, 4.19
3.07	LB	Chris Gocong	Cal Poly	from NYJ; trade 2006 3.12, 7.12
4.02	OL	Max Jean-Gilles	Georgia	from NO; trade 2006 4.11 and DT Hollis Thomas
4.12	WR	Jason Avant	Michigan	from GB; trade 2006 4.18, 6.16 (through STL; trade 2006 3.29, also received 6.14)
5.14	WR	Jeremy Bloom	Colorado
5.35	LB	Omar Gaither	Tennessee	compensatory pick
6.35	DL	LaJuan Ramsey	Southern California	compensatory pick

Bunkley was a starter for Phily and was shipped briefly to the Browns, failed a physical, was traded to Denver, and played in every game for the Broncos last season, starting 13.  Justice never developed into a reliable starter, but started 31 games in 6 seasons.  Gocong is now starting for the Browns at LB.  Jean-Gilles started 26 games in 5 seasons with Phily.  Avant is Phily's #3 receiver, and Gaither started 40 games at LB in 5 years in Phily and a year in Carolina.  Bloom never played in the NFL and Ramsey made the team and played in the league for 4 seasons.

This was a pretty solid draft by all accounts.  The important thing to note in this draft is the trades.  The Eagles traded a 4th rounder and their 13th pick in the second round to move up to the 7th pick in the second for Justice.  In the third round they traded a 7th rounder to move up 5 spots to get Gocong.  They traded Hollis Thomas and their 4th rounder to move up to get Jean-Gilles.  They traded up again in the fourth to get Avant.


2007 -

2.04	QB	Kevin Kolb	Houston	from CLE through DAL
2.25	DL	Victor Abiamiri	Notre Dame
3.23	LB	Stewart Bradley	Nebraska	from DAL
3.26	RB	Tony Hunt	Penn State
5.22	DB	C.J. Gaddis	Clemson	from DAL
5.25	TE	Brent Celek	Cincinnati
6.27	DB	Rashad Barksdale	Albany, N.Y.
7.26	RB	Nate Ilaoa	Hawaii

In the first round, the Eagles traded down from pick 26 with Dallas (who selected Anthony Spencer), acquiring the 4th pick in the second round (originally Cleveland's pick shipped to Dallas in the Quinn trade). They also picked up an extra 3rd and 5th in the trade.  They took Kevin Kolb with their first pick.  He was their backup for his first 3 seasons, started a few games in 2010, and was shipped to Arizona in 2011 for a second rounder and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie.  He was on track to be their starter but got hurt and opened the door for Mike Vick and the rest is history.  Abiamiri never turned into a starter in Phily.  Bradley started at LB for the Eagles in his second and third seasons, before heading to Arizona in free agency. Tony Hunt washed out after 2 unremarkable seasons.  Gaddis, Barksdale and Ilaoa failed to make the final roster, but Celek is one of the better TEs in the league and was a great value pick in the late 5th round.

2008 -

2.16	DL	Trevor Laws	Notre Dame	from MIN
2.18	WR	DeSean Jackson	California
3.17	LB	Bryan Smith	McNeese State
4.10	OL	Mike McGlynn	Pittsburgh	from CAR
4.18	DB	Quintin Demps	Texas-El Paso	from MIN
4.32	DB	Jack Ikegwuonu	Wisconsin	compensatory pick
6.18	OL	Mike Gibson	California
6.34	LB	Joe Mays	North Dakota State	compensatory pick
6.37	LB	Andy Studebaker	Wheaton	compensatory pick
7.23	OL	King Dunlap	Auburn	from SEA

The Eagles traded out of the first round again in this draft, trading the 19th pick to Carolina for a second, fourth, and a first in 2009.  They also moved down again in the second, trading down 4 picks and sending a 5th rounder to Minnesota, picking up a fourth.  They took Trevor Laws with their first #2, and he has been a rotational defensive lineman.  They took DeSean Jackson with their other second rounder, and he has been an electric playmaker and difference maker in their offense.  Bryan Smith was out of the league in 2 years.  McGlynn has been a backup linemen/spot starter in the NFL.  Quintin Demps is a backup safety.  Joe Mays has developed into a starter, in Denver now.  Studebaker never made the Eagles but has been on the Chiefs for 4 seasons, starting a few games.  Ikegwuonu and Gibson had no impact.  King Dunlap has developed into a spot starter.

2009 -

1.19	WR	Jeremy Maclin	Missouri	from TB through CLE
2.21	RB	LeSean McCoy	Pittsburgh
5.17	TE	Cornelius Ingram	Florida	from NYJ
5.21	DB	Victor Harris	Virginia Tech
5.23	OL	Fenuki Tupou	Oregon	from NE
6.21	WR	Brandon Gibson	Washington State
7.04	OL	Paul Fanaika	Arizona State	from SEA
7.21	LB	Moise Fokou	Maryland

Struck gold in the first two rounds with Maclin and McCoy.  They gave up a 6th rounder to move up 2 spots and take Maclin.  They also traded the extra first they acquired from Carolina, along with a 4th and a 6th to Buffalo for Pro-Bowl tackle Jason Peters.  They traded down twice in the third round, picking up a 5th from the Giants and then a 2010 3rd rounder, a 5th and a 7th with Seattle.  Ingram failed to make the team. Macho Harris started a few games his rookie year but was cut the following season.  Tupou is currently on the Saints.  Brandon Gibson has developed into a starting WR for the Rams.  Fanaika is with the Seahawks after not making the Eagles.  Fokou has started 22 games in 3 seasons.

Maclin and McCoy, along with the acquisition of Peters, make this a great great draft.

2010 - With the Browns -

1.07	DB	Joe Haden	Florida
2.06	DB	T.J. Ward	Oregon
2.27	RB	Montario Hardesty	Tennessee	from DAL through PHI
3.21	QB	Colt McCoy	Texas	from NE through OAK
3.28	OG	Shawn Lauvao	Arizona State	from NYJ
5.29	DB	Larry Asante	Nebraska	from NYJ
6.08	WR	Carlton Mitchell	South Florida
6.17	DL	Clifton Geathers	South Carolina	from CAR

Heckerts first draft with the Browns.  Traded Kam Wimbley to the Raiders for a 3rd, and got a 3rd and 5th from the Jets for Braylon Edwards.  They also traded a 4th and a 5th to the Eagles along with Alex Hall for Chris Gocong and Sheldon Brown.  The 6th from Carolina was acquired for Louis Leonard.  Haden looks like a star.  Ward has been solid.  They traded their 3rd rounder along with two 5th rounders to move up to take Montario Hardesty.  McCoy is the starting QB for now.  Lauvao has made progress and is a starting guard.  Mitchell may be gone, and Asante and Geathers were on other rosters in 2010.  Solid draft, big whiff on Hardesty.


2011 -

1.21	DL	Phil Taylor	Baylor	from KC
2.05	DL	Jabaal Sheard	Pittsburgh
2.27	WR	Greg Little	North Carolina	from ATL
4.05	TE	Jordan Cameron	Southern California
4.27	RB	Owen Marecic	Stanford	from ATL
5.06	DB	Buster Skrine	Tenn.-Chattanooga
5.19	OL	Jason Pinkston	Pittsburgh	from NYG through Vikings
7.45	DB	Eric Hagg	Nebraska	compensatory pick

They made the big trade with Atlanta, trading out of 6 and moving back to 27 in exchange for a 2nd and 4th in this draft and a 1st and 4th in 2012.  Moved back up to 21, giving up a 3rd rounder to take Taylor, who showed flashes as a rookie.  Sheard looks to be a great pick in the 2nd, and Little led the team in catches and yards.  Jury's still out on Cameron, Skrine, and Hagg.  Marecic was the starting FB before ending the year on IR and should improve in year 2.  Pinkston proved to be a great value pick in the 5th, starting all 16 games at guard and improving as the year went on.  Along with the additional picks this looks early on like a very very good draft.


So what does this tell us for this upcoming draft?  For one thing, it shows that more than likely the Browns will be moving around.  He's shown that if he likes a guy he'll go get him and he's also willing to move down and acquire picks.  From the moves he made in Phily it seems he's more comfortable picking late in the first and early second, although with the new CBA things may have changed.  He's only taken 2 quarterbacks (Kolb and McCoy) and none in the first round.  He's not afraid to double up on positions in the same draft, so it won't be surprising if they come out with a couple of WRs.  Most Browns fans are hoping that he'll take offense with his first 3 picks and I wasn't sure if it was in his nature, but he did in 2009.  I'd expect him to take an offensive linemen in the mid-rounds regardless of whether they grab a RT in the 1st or 2nd.  You can also expect him to take at least a defensive lineman or 2, he's done that in every draft except 2009.

Heckert's eye for talent is apparent in his drafting.  With 13 picks this year he has the ammunition he needs to secure some top-level talent in the first few rounds and history says he will be able to find a starter or two late.  The big question heading into this years draft is whether or not this is the year we take the elite level talent or trade down again and acquire more picks, in this draft or next.  I've stated what I hope they do, but my job isn't riding on it.  And with the importance of this draft for the future of the Browns, rest assured Heckert's is.