Cleveland has a fanbase that deserves a lot better then they've gotten. The Dawg Pound faithful have been treated to just two winning seasons in the ten years since Cleveland rejoined the NFL. Only once have they made the playoffs in that span.
But the Browns aren't terribly far off. Despite their major issues last season, the Browns have a lot of talent, but very little chemistry and zero discipline. Low and behold, the Browns hire former Jets head coach Eric Mangini who is a master of discipline. For one, at least there won't be Browns players accused of giving up on the season, because Mangini won't stand for it. It's his way or the highway, and he'll get that through your head after the first day of training camp.
Once again, the Browns aren't terribly far off. It may just be posturing to increase Anderson's trade value, but Mangini is a believer in open competition, and the Browns will have an open battle at quarterback to start the season. Quinn will likely be the starter, and there will likely be a draft day trade for Derek Anderson (low value), but if both are on the roster when training camp opens, the Browns will have an open competition for sure. My money is still on Quinn, who is a technician on the field, as opposed to Anderson who is a gunslinger with a big arm and below average short-to-moderate accuracy.
Mangini has brought over a slew of ex-Jets for depth purposes. David Bowens and C.J. Mosely will both be back-ups, but Eric Barton will likely start next to D'Qwell Jackson. The Browns are still searching for a valid pass rusher across from Kamerion Wimbley, who has struggled immensely since a great rookie year.
What the Browns need the most to get back to their old school winning ways is for Shaun Rogers to adapt to a 2-gap system (which Mangini should be able to accomplish), and for Corey Williams to drop about 10 pounds and do the same. These two have a ton of talent, but don't exactly fit the 2-gap 3-4 system that Romeo Crennel, and now Eric Mangini, are running. The Browns invested big money in these two, so they'd better adjust, because Cleveland needs to be able to stop the run this year.
In the secondary, the Browns have a lot of potential. Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright have shown flashes of brilliance, but neither have been able to put it all together. Brodney Pool has shown similar flashes, but has been dealing with injury problems. The Browns are expected to upgrade at safety during the draft.
Cleveland Browns Team Needs:
OLB (3-4)
RT
WR2
ILB (3-4)
SS
DE (3-4)
RB
RG
CB
C
Expect Mangini to try and get out of the fifth overall pick, but it's unlikely that he's going to be very successful unless the Seahawks pass on Matthew Stafford and he falls to Cleveland. In that case, the Browns might be able to get a QB starved team to trade up for Stafford.
But the Browns have some really good options to look at. They still have a lot of work to do, but I can imagine Mangini using similar smoke and mirrors from the 2006 Jets squad to hide the Browns potential flaws next season.
1. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech
Crabtree is a great compliment for Braylon Edwards, who is likely going to remain in Cleveland now that Kellen Winslow II is gone. Edwards was the right choice to stay in Cleveland as he has the longer shelf life, even though he has not endeared himself to the Cleveland fans, and may find himself out of Cleveland after this season. While Edwards is a terrific deep threat, Crabtree will get the tough yards and over the middle routes that Brady Quinn excels at. Crabtree would be lethal with Quinn as his quarterback, because Quinn can best utilize Crabtree's superb route running and soft hands. The Browns will look hard at Crabtree on draft day.
2. Brian Orakpo, OLB, Texas
Orakpo was a defensive end in college, finishing this season with 10.5 sacks, but he's going to play rush outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, and there's a very high probability that he winds up in Cleveland. He's considered the best pass rusher in the draft, and he's got quite a bit more size, but similar athleticism to Kamerion Wimbley. Adding a pass rusher will benefit Wimbley and Cleveland as a whole. They've been missing this for a very long time. One thing to note is that it's a very deep draft class for 3-4 outside linebackers.
3. B.J. Raji, NT/DE, Boston College
There is no one player who could have a bigger impact in Cleveland then B.J. Raji. He's built like Casey Hampton, but plays like Kris Jenkins. There are two main issues with Raji. He's built to play NT in a 3-4 or a 4-3, or UT in a 4-3. However, he really doesn't have the correct build to play defensive end. He's shorter than a standard 3-4 DE, and his arms are far shorter then the prototypical 3-4 DE. If, however, the Browns feel that Shaun Rogers can kick outside to play 3-4 DE (he'd have to lose a little weight though), then the Browns could kick Raji inside and have their true 2-gapper at nose tackle. Rogers wouldn't have to be as disciplined at DE, though it would still require a lot of gap control. Raji would be a big risk for Cleveland to take, but if they feel that Rogers can play DE, this pick may be worth it, because Raji is going to be an elite NT (or 4-3 UT even) in the NFL.
4. Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
The Browns will entertain this notion briefly, before ultimately shooting it down. Smith would be a Hall of Fame right tackle in the NFL, but you don't take a player to play right tackle at 5th overall.
5. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State
The Browns have a not-so-secret love affair with local college Ohio State, and Wells would be the eventual replacement for Jamal Lewis at some point during this season. The Browns still would need a scat back if they feel Jerome Harrison can't do the job. Wells would fit right in with Mangini's running philosophies.
6. Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
The Browns will definitely entertain this one. Jenkins is an Ohio State graduate and a very physical corner who compares favorably to Nate Clements. Many think that his timed speed will limit him to free safety in the NFL, but there's no reason he can't play just as well as Darrelle Revis did for the Jets. This isn't a big enough need for Cleveland for them to take Jenkins this early, nor is he the best player available.
Two more names I want to throw out, but won't write about are Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU) and Evander "Ziggy" Hood (DE, Missouri). Both will play defensive end in a 3-4, and neither player is worth the 5th overall pick. I won't be surprised if Cleveland trades back to take either of these two players, or trades up to acquire one of them.
Be that as it may. It's decision time in Cleveland. Michael Crabtree puts way too much money in one position, B.J. Raji is too much of a risk for us, we won't draft a RT 5th overall, and CB isn't a huge need.
So it comes down to Brian Orakpo vs. Beanie Wells? In this case, the answer is obvious. The 3-4 defense is very specialized, and running backs are usually a dime a dozen. Beanie is talented, but Orakpo fills an enormous need and can excel from the rush linebacker position.
With the 5th overall selection in the 2009 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns select Brian Orakpo, outside linebacker from the University of Texas.
No comments:
Post a Comment