Mike Mayock, who I think is the best at what he does in the business, released his post-combine rankings. Here's a link. Most everything is on par with what everyone else believes.
Bradford, Clausen are one and two at QB et cetera, et cetera.
There is one major surprise though. He has Earl Thomas ranked ahead of Eric Berry. I haven't seen one ranking that has Thomas ahead of Berry. Is there any chance this can be right? Is there any chance Earl Thomas is better than Eric Berry?
No way! I think Thomas will be good, but I think Berry is a Perennial Pro-Bowler in the making. The guy just does everything at a high level. That is just my opinion though.
I think many believe that Berry can or should play CB in the NFL, don't know if Mayock is one of those that believe that so maybe that's why he has Him ranked ahead of Berry from a safety standpoint because he thinks Berry projects better to CB.
Don't know this to be true but it's the only scenario where I can fathom him thinking he is better than Berry at that respective position.
Quote: I'd be happy with Haden/Berry in the 1st, Brandon Spikes in the second...swweet
Even though we have Scott Fujita and DQ for another year? With Trusnik and Maiava (who I believe will continue to improve and bulk up) backing them up...... I think ILB is a stacked position. That makes me want McClain and Spikes a lot less.
IMO We need secondary and a new RT or RG (RT preferably). I can't help but think that our offense was hindered last year because of one mistake. Losing Kevin Schaffer. I guess our team was out of synch period, but the failures on the right side of the line (neither RG or RT is free of blame) really hurt us.
From what I've read, Pashos might be more suitable at RG. Therefore we still need someone to play RT for us. Guards are easy to replace and find, good tackles are more difficult. I definitely wouldn't mind someone like Trent Williams or Buluaga if Berry/Haden aren't available (or if the RT is deemed a better player). But those positions are what need to be upgraded, and the best at those positions overall should be picked first IMO. This would have the biggest impact.
Quote: I'm seeing more and more mocks now having Eric Berry fall to #7...
especially after the Lions Trade for Corey Williams...
Two QB's should be taken before 7. Two DT's should be taken before 7. Two LT's should be taken before 7.
We take the best safety coming out in years.
I know that's a plausible scenario but I wonder if the Browns are considering trading up to ensure they can select Berry. If the teams drafting ahead of us are in need of the positions you metioned, swapping positions with us will still ensure them of drafting high to fufill a need without reaching. Because of the poor outing by Haden I can't help but think moving up one or two spots is even more possible. It's not like we don't have enough to work with here.
Hey guys,new guy here.About Eric Berry,i am not at all opposed to doing what it takes to drafting him.As long as it is reasonable because in our division that position is vital.Cleveland has not had a dominant safety since the man Eric Turner,God rest his soul.It's about time we get a playmaker like that granted i think Berry's style is different than Turners.
Browns to conduct private workout with Spikes Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on March 9, 2010 10:22 AM ET Mike Holmgren is already re-making the Browns offense, but Eric Mangini remains to pilot the defense. And he needs linebackers badly.
With that in mind, the team will conduct a private workout with Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes, according to a league source. The Buccaneers and Bills will also visit with Spikes.
Spikes has the size and instincts to make an ideal fit inside a 3-4 defense, but there are concerns about his top-end speed. On a 4-3 defense, he could play in the middle and some teams may look at him as a strong-side linebacker.
Draft projections have Spikes going anywhere from the mid-first round to the middle of the second round.
Quote: With that in mind, the team will conduct a private workout with Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes, according to a league source. The Buccaneers and Bills will also visit with Spikes.
Spikes better be prepared to be quizzed. Mangini does his HW and will know what he wants to see from film, but he loves to ask these guys football questions. Mangini wants guys who are football intelligent playing D for him. So I think this private workout is not even that much about the workout and more about quizzing in on field situations or something
I believe that each team is allowed to invite something like 25 players to private workouts... so I wouldn't view this necessarily as specific intent to draft him as much as it would be us doing due diligence should he be the best player available when our pick comes up.
I cant help but think this team has somehow managed to suck me back in and get me all excited for the draft and the upcoming season! Will it be heartbreak again???? I sure as heck hope not!
So far each of our FA moves have been VERY solid....all touched on our weakness...now I feel like the draft we can go BPA instead of need! I wouldnt mind Berry, Spikes in rounds one and two....as long as either RT, or RG is picked up in the 3rd...followed by a bruiser back to complement Harrison and James....
definitely have to address the right side of the o-line. Good thing about this draft, is it is LOADED with tackles!! some with potential, some who should have came out last year, and some have recently made a name for themselves.
I still want Blount in the 4th round. He screams Brandon Jacobs.
Blount in the 4th would be awesome...I'm with you on that one!
I can't remember where I read it, but during the combine some reports were out that he did a good job repairing his image in the interviews and throughout the combine work-outs.
Quote: definitely have to address the right side of the o-line. Good thing about this draft, is it is LOADED with tackles!! some with potential, some who should have came out last year, and some have recently made a name for themselves.
I still want Blount in the 4th round. He screams Brandon Jacobs.
Thats the RB I was talking about but couldnt remember his name haha....I wouldnt be against getting him in the 3rd we have two picks in the third right? I would hate to miss out on that kid....Shock and Awe= Blount and Harrison
Turk,i would be very happy with Berry and Spikes,that is potentially nasty D! Alex Mack grew on me last year,but yes our right side needs help.About the running back position,do u really think blount will be dangerous?I'm just asking because I haven't seen much of him.
Quote: After the Boise St. incident and hearing him in the interviews after the punch, this kid is a moron. I want nothing to do with him on the Browns.
ahhh come on tell me you wouldnt cheer if he layed out Hines Ward after a game hahaha
Quote: After the Boise St. incident and hearing him in the interviews after the punch, this kid is a moron. I want nothing to do with him on the Browns.
I sort of agree with you. If it's 6th or 7th round, I can always be swayed. But 3rd round? What if Dwyer, Gerhart, Matthews, or Best is there? Are you really going to pick Blount ahead of them? There's other RBs that are probably talented as well that didn't do what he did in a game.
Blount gets suspended for the season for cheap shotting some kid then going after everyone on the field in a complete display of no-control and we're talking 3rd rounder? He's a huge character risk, and his upside isn't even that amazing. What has he done to show he's any better than Dwyer or Gerhart or any of those guys?
Quote: After the Boise St. incident and hearing him in the interviews after the punch, this kid is a moron. I want nothing to do with him on the Browns.
I sort of agree with you. If it's 6th or 7th round, I can always be swayed. But 3rd round? What if Dwyer, Gerhart, Matthews, or Best is there? Are you really going to pick Blount ahead of them? There's other RBs that are probably talented as well that didn't do what he did in a game.
Blount gets suspended for the season for cheap shotting some kid then going after everyone on the field in a complete display of no-control and we're talking 3rd rounder? He's a huge character risk, and his upside isn't even that amazing. What has he done to show he's any better than Dwyer or Gerhart or any of those guys?
I wasnt betting on any of them to be around still....Id be more than content with Dwyer, or Gerhart....
Now back to Blount you could clearly see on that video that guy that got punched was talking abunch of smack.....you could see it all over his face...I have no problems with what Blount did! If your going to talk the talk better be prepared to back it up....its not like Blount just ran up and punched him for nothing! Should he of contained himself? yeah maybe....but like I said I think this team needs a little bit of attitude as our "D" looked like girl scouts out there last year afraid to hurt anyone.
How many times have we seen players like Toothlessburger, and Ward taunting the players and fans after games and the first thing that pops up in your head is "Id like to knock that smirk off his face".....Blount did his time, he made a appology time to move on! I find it funny how people judge others when they themselves would probably do the same thing in that situation! I know because I have lost my temper before during my high school years in wrestling....threw a punch or two in my day...but that kid never tried to lip off again after that! haha
I understand what your saying about the incident and how it reflects on his character, but I'm sure the Browns will do their homework if they were to draft him.
I just think talent wise Blount has good value in the 4th round. Matthews is my personal favorite, but he will likely be gone in the first.
Blount made a big mistake and paid for it, we don't know exactly what was said to make him go off like that. The situation with the fans became escalated when a fan tried to hit him with a chair and another fan took a swing at him.
Quote: Hey guys,new guy here.About Eric Berry,i am not at all opposed to doing what it takes to drafting him.As long as it is reasonable because in our division that position is vital.Cleveland has not had a dominant safety since the man Eric Turner,God rest his soul.It's about time we get a playmaker like that granted i think Berry's style is different than Turners.
Welcome to the boards my Browns fan brother!! Figured I'd say since no one has any board etiquette anymore.
it's not the punch that most have a problem with. the issue is that after the punch, he went after teammates, coaches, security personnel, and tried to get into the stands to go after fans as well.
his lack of composure in the heat of the moment is understandable. the fact he could not regain his composure even as security was literally dragging him off the field is what is scary.
Quote: I'm seeing more and more mocks now having Eric Berry fall to #7...
especially after the Lions Trade for Corey Williams...
Two QB's should be taken before 7. Two DT's should be taken before 7. Two LT's should be taken before 7.
We take the best safety coming out in years.
I want Berry to lay out a few people, starting with
1) Big Ben 2) Hines Ward 3) OchoQuatro
I said over a month ago in my mock that this scenario would happen and Berry would fall to us. Don't recall if you did or not but most called me crazy......
Quote: I was one who called you crazy. You were right.
Well that's awfully big of you to admit
But I wouldn't eat crow yet, the draft is still a ways away and anything could happen. I just wanted to point out that I wasn't as crazy as some thought.
Don't know why, but I'm just not feeling that with Holmgren. Still a lot of free agency left though, and we have no idea what he's thinking. But you're right --trade down is tantamount to not getting him, and I think that is a mistake.
The only scenario i see us being able to trade down is if one of the QB's happen to fall into our lap and if that were to happen Berry would most likely be gone. That is also the only scenario where I would like us to trade down.
Like I say, we have no idea what his real plan is. I just don't want to see him end up in some "tandem" with Reed or Polamalu,....wasn't Big Ed talking about retiring ?
Quote: The only scenario i see us being able to trade down is if one of the QB's happen to fall into our lap and if that were to happen Berry would most likely be gone. That is also the only scenario where I would like us to trade down.
If that happens I want us to draft a QB. I would feel much more comfortable going into the future with Bradford or Clausen as our QB than anyone currently on our roster.
Not me, I don't want to waste a pick on a quarterback when next years draft is probably the deepest one in my recent memory.
Christian Ponder all the way! If you looked up prototypical WCO quarterback in the dictionary Ponders name would be on the list imo. At-least on my list anyways.
In a 3-4, you can never have to many linebackers. Though Fujita may be better suited for a ILB in the 3-4 he can play OLB. Plus, Spikes is a pretty talented LB himself and could become a dual threat.
Well, and we're not 100% sure the team is sold on DQ, nor are we 100% sure that Fujita is going to be here a long time. I mean, his deal was only, what, 3 years?
If we draft a stud LB, he either makes his way into the starting lineup and we're set there for a while, or he gets to take his time and adjust to the NFL.
Frankly, I have a feeling DQ is going to be gone after this year. Nothing to back it up, just a hunch. If we get a LB with our 1st pick, that'll add to that feeling. Which is too bad because I like the guy.
Quote: I think Jake Locker would be above him on that list. The guy is a right handed Steve Young!
I don't deny that Locker is good but Ponder does a few things Locker doesn't. He he takes alot of snaps from under center (which I can't really say Locker doesn't), due to his intelligence on the football field he has been given the freedom to change plays at the line, he completed nearly 70% of his passes last year before going down with an injury, He doesn't lock onto one receiver (13 different games he hit 7 different receivers), and he is pretty damn accurate, hence the 70% completion percentage.
And like Locker he is a mobile quarterback who is able to make throws on the run or make plays with his feet. Also like Locker he sells the play action pass to perfection.
The only difference is Locker is a guy who will probably go in the top 5 and Ponder could be had in the mid first to second round providing he doesn't completely blow up the college football scene, which I fully expect him to if he comes back and remains healthy. I'm calling it right now.......Christian Ponder for Heisman.
If we draft a stud LB, he either makes his way into the starting lineup and we're set there for a while, or he gets to take his time and adjust to the NFL.
The backer I think will be there@ 38 would seem to be Spikes..I would take him and sit him at the strongside.. I would then have this lineup:
You are NOT alone....LOL
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