http://news-herald.com/articles/2011/04/19/sports/nh3903527.txt

Stanzi will meet with Browns on Wednesday

Published: Tuesday, April 19, 2011

By Mark Podolski
MPodolski@News-Herald.com

Lake Catholic graduate and Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi is apparently on the Browns’ NFL draft radar.

According to a source, Stanzi will be in Berea on Wednesday to meet with the Browns.

Stanzi has been a polarizing QB draft prospect the past few months. Some draft experts love Stanzi’s NFL potential, and some aren’t high on him at all. Some have him just below top QB prospects Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert, and some much further down the pecking order.

One thing is for sure: Stanzi’s name definitely will be called during the draft, perhaps by the Browns in the mid-rounds.

Stanzi has been working out in California with Saints QB Drew Brees, and Tom Brady’s personal QB coach, Tom Martinez. Stanzi is scheduled to return to Northeast Ohio on Tuesday.

The Browns aren’t the only teams interested in Stanzi. According to reports, the Dolphins and Patriots put Stanzi through private workouts. Other teams reportedly interested in Stanzi are the Chiefs and Vikings, plus others.

In meeting with the Browns in Berea, the team is not allowed to physically work out Stanzi. At Iowa’s pro day, Stanzi threw for representatives for all 32 NFL teams.

At 6-foot-4, 223 pounds, Stanzi has the ideal frame for an NFL quarterback. The fact he is one of the few QBs in this draft to have played in a pro-set offense in college under Coach Kirk Ferentz and offensive coordinator Ken O’Keefe is another selling point on his NFL potential.

Stanzi also improved in each of his three seasons at the Hawkeyes’ starting QB, and was 28-11 as Iowa’s starter in three seasons.

His best season was 2010, when he completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 3,004 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions as a senior. As a junior, Stanzi and the Hawkeyes were undefeated until he suffered an ankle injury and missed the last two regular-season games. He returned to lead his team a win over Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns.