DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2013 NFL Season NFL Draft (2013) Peterson, Prince and the Browns

Louisiana State cornerback Patrick Peterson is widely-regarded as the king of the 2010 cornerback class, but Nebraska's Prince Amukamara is certainly no pauper.

The Browns had both of the top cornerbacks in for a visit last week and are considering both with their No. 6 pick in the draft. Surely, the Browns would take Peterson ahead of Amukamara, but not everyone has Peterson in the lead.

"If you polled 10 teams, it wouldn't surprise me if Amukamara was considered the top corner by five of them," Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki said on a conference call. "He may be the best pure cover corner in the draft."

Of course, the likelihood of the Browns taking Amukamara increases if Peterson is off the board at No. 6. Some experts, including nfldraftscout.com's Rob Rang, have Peterson ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the draft.

"But I do think he'll still be there at No. 6," said Rang. "If he's there, I think the Browns will take him. But if he's gone, I do think there's a possibility they could take Prince.

"In my mind, there is a significant difference between Patrick and Prince, but if Peterson is off the board, I strongly believe that Prince is worth a top 10 grade and I think he'd be a consideration for them. He has the physicality, the size, he has virtually everything you're looking for in a top 10 cornerback. He just doesn't have the ball skills, the return ability that Patrick Peterson has."

One thing is certain: Heckert has made it clear since February that he wouldn't hesitate to take a premier cornerback at No. 6 despite drafting Joe Haden No. 7 last year.

"If there's a really good one, you're not going to pass on him," Heckert said at the Combine. "Corner is just as good a possibility as anything. You're going to play close to 60 per cent nickel so you are going to have three corners on the field 60 per cent of the time. If you don't have three of them they're going to find the one."

Heckert had nothing but praise for Peterson, who could possibly go in the top five.

"He's a rare guy just because of his size alone, his size and speed," said Heckert. "I know Nnamdi [Asomugha] was a big guy but I don't think he ran like Patrick did. He's a rare guy, a rare athlete and he's a very good football player."

Peterson, who ran a sizzling 4.31 at the Combine, was impressed with the Browns new coaching staff and would love to be drafted by Cleveland.

"It was a great atmosphere during my visit and I can definitely see myself playing there," said Peterson in a phone interview. "It would be wonderful to play with Joe Haden. I had an opportunity to go play with Joe at Florida, but I turned down that offer and went to LSU. Joe Haden is definitely one of the top corners as well. He's very intelligent, smart, he plays with a lot of panache. He plays with a lot of anger and an aggressive style. He got all of those interceptions in the back half of the season.

"To me, he's definitely going to be one of the best players at his position. If I were paired with Joe Haden, I think we'd be the best cornerback tandem in the NFL sooner or later."

Peterson, an accomplished returner, also relishes the thought of learning from one of the best in the game in Josh Cribbs.

"I'd be honored to learn some new stuff from Josh," said Peterson. "If I end up at the Browns and Josh Cribbs is still doing his thing in the return game, I'd just respect that and cause turnovers and get the ball back for my offense. If I get the chance to have the ball in my hands, just take it the opposite way and try to get in the end zone. I'd just have to be patient just like I was at LSU, wait my turn and make the best of my opportunity when it's presented to me."

Peterson said he hasn't let news of a low Wonderlic test score bother him. Nawrocki reported that Peterson was one of four players to score in single digits -- nine out of 50.

"It just adds more fuel to the fire," said Peterson. "I'm not able to stop what people say about me. I just have to keep pushing because people try to bring me down each and every day when they see you at the pinnacle. I just have to be a mature young man and let it go in one ear and out the other."

Peterson, whom some teams project as a safety because of his size (6-01/2, 219), said it's his dream to go down as one of the best defensive backs to ever play the game.

"I definitely believe I have the tools to do that," he said.

Akumara, who surprised scouts with a 4.38 in the 40 at the Combine, declined to say if he's better than his good friend Peterson.

"That's a good question," he said. "I guess we'll find out. Patrick Peterson is an amazing player. Whatever attention or notoriety he's getting, he deserves it."

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man i want this guy

If I were paired with Joe Haden, I think we'd be the best cornerback tandem in the NFL sooner or later."

Best predraft quote of 2011

Finally getting some guys in here who other players want to play with...

Haden was a GREAT pick, not only for the Cleveland Browns, but for the city of Cleveland.

Nice read... to be honest I haven't read/thought much about the Nebraska boy... will have to read a bit more about him this week before the draft... some nice quotes there by Peterson!

J/C

Glad to see more people excited over a corner.


In the past it seemed Attack and I were the only ones who really valued corner play.


Maybe the addition of Joe is what did it. When he was drafted I was having to defend the pick quite a bit....


Of the starting 11....or starting 22 for that matter, corners are exposed more than any other position....I even include QB because QBs can choose way more then a corner can.

You play poorly...it shows.

It's like they are a long snapper who makes a bad snap, a punter who shanks the ball, or a kicker who misses a 16 yard kick try, a punt returner who can't catch a punt, or a holder who drops the ball......the difference is corners are out there every defensive play, not just a play every now and then.


Al Davis has dementia now, but in the past he always had pretty darn good teams, and he would build his teams around defensive backfields....his were always good.

A lot of us guys that have been around for a while saw what it was like to have outstanding corners. Minni and Dixon.. they were the real deal. having Haden and Peterson could actually be better than that... Hard to imagine but it's possible.

we land peterson or Prince,, this could get to be fun...

I've read some places that Jimmy Smith out of Colorado is the best corner out of the three.

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In the past it seemed Attack and I were the only ones who really valued corner play.

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Puh-lease...

Since Prince mince wouldn't make me wince, the cinch is, either he or PP matched up with Haden would be an absolute upgrade.

I would call this a catbird seat. It is almost impossible, if not totally improbable, they would both be gone before pick 6. Even then you could take the kid from Colorado,...?

Yep, it's a catbird seat.

I agree completely. I think Peterson is probably option #1 but if he is gone Fairley is everything the Reid/Heckert combo looked for. If we walk away with Peterson, Green or Fairley I am a happy camper.

I agree...

If Peterson and Green are gone...

It's gonna be a tossup between Quinn and Fairley.. And I'm kind of itching for Fairley... I like his presence, and feel we could get some quality DE's in the 2nd round on. I think our history drafting DT's (ie G. Money) hasn't been so good, so there is always that second guessing

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer

Have the Browns downplayed the extent of their interest in Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley? Terry Pluto is beginning to think so.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It doesn't have to be NFL Draft week to know that some opinions are always on the clock.

About the Browns ...

1. Why do I have a feeling the Browns are seriously considering Nick Fairley? I'm convinced they won't pass LSU defensive back Patrick Peterson. But if Peterson is gone, and the Browns find themselves looking at different defensive linemen -- then what?

2. General Manager Tom Heckert added this at his Thursday press about the defensive tackle from Auburn: "[Fairley] is one-year wonder from a sack standpoint. ... It's a great thing to have 11.5 sacks as a defensive tackle. That's impressive. There is probably no other defensive tackle that is close to that in the draft so, you can't say he is a one-year wonder. He had a really good year but you can't say that he didn't have a good year as a sophomore."

3. I wasn't alone in assuming Heckert preferred North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn over Fairley, but Heckert added, "I wouldn't say [that's true in] everybody's perception." Is it smoke to disguise the fact the Browns like Quinn, a speedy, 250-pound pass rusher? Or is Heckert preparing the fan base for the possibility of drafting Fairley, who hasn't been discussed much?

4. There are three defensive linemen who have been rated in the top 10 by most scouts -- Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers, Quinn and Fairley. All have some warning signals. I doubt the Browns will take Bowers because he is not as quick as Quinn, and there are questions about his knee. Even if the Browns are sincere when they say his knee isn't a concern -- if there are questions about his speed, and he has some knee troubles ... how do you take him at No. 6?

5. Quinn didn't play this season because he was suspended for taking money (reportedly $5,642 for some watches and earrings) from an agent. The Browns don't consider this a mortal football sin, because Quinn had no other serious discipline issues. But the fact is he didn't play this season. So while Bowers had 24 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks for Clemson and had at least one sack in 11 of 14 games, Quinn didn't play.

6. USC wide receiver Mike Williams missed a season because he thought he could turn pro -- when he couldn't. He was drafted by Detroit with the 10th pick in 2005. He did little in two seasons, then was traded to Oakland. The Raiders cut him. Tennessee signed and cut him. He was out of football for two years, came back with Seattle in 2010 and caught 65 passes. Not sure what this has to do with Quinn -- other than Williams is the last top pick who missed a year.

7. So we have Quinn (sitting out a season) and Bowers (productive, but questions about his knee) as the top defensive ends. Then there's Fairley, the 6-3, 290-pound tackle who had 24 tackles for a loss, 111/2 sacks. These are big-time numbers. In 2009, he started only two games (played in 13) with 11/2 sacks. That led to claims Fairley is a one-year wonder.

8. Pro Football Weekly talks about Fairley's "boom or bust" potential. Fairley dominated the line for a team that won the BCS title. That's can't be dismissed. He also has been late for some meetings with NFL coaches, missed a plane for a meeting and his temper bubbles up on the field. He was penalized for several personal fouls.

9. Some Browns fans have compared Fairley to Gerard Warren. Maybe he will be a draft blunder such as Warren. But there are two differences: A) He's not nicknamed Big Money, as was the case with Warren. Never draft a guy named "Big Money." B) Warren had only 4.5 sacks as a senior at Florida, and only 9.5 in his three-year college career. Fairley was far more productive in the same conference.

10. The issue is that all of the players in the draft are in their early 20s. Maturity is an issue for most people in college. Add that they are on scholarship and know big NFL money awaits, that is not a recipe for wisdom in every circumstance. What the Browns need to determine is who will be a productive pro, and who is a major risk. My guess is that Fairley is getting a lot of attention from the Browns.

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4. There are three defensive linemen who have been rated in the top 10 by most scouts -- Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers, Quinn and Fairley.

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I'll start my post by saying I have no real evidence ... (so the exact same amount as anyone else on here ) ... but I just don't trust fairley at all. I would much rather trade down and take the next available DE even if it would be considered somewhat of a reach than to take a guy who has already shown some control problems and playing dirty on the field (aggresive = good ... dirty = you can play for the black and canary yellow). I also don't like the fact that his game is almost of a speed rusher. The big plays that he makes remind me more of a regular D-End than anything else.

I don't trust him overall and I cringe when you see what looks to be his lower body frame ... in that it is completely undersized and almost looks like he can't generate power with his twig legs.

That being said ... if Dareus, Peterson, Green, Jones, and Bowers are all gone and we can't get a steal in a trade down, I would consider Fairley with Quinn and Amukamara at the same time - possibly all equally.

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if Dareus, Peterson, Green, Jones, and Bowers are all gone and we can't get a steal in a trade down, I would consider Fairley with Quinn and Amukamara at the same time - possibly all equally.

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^ That. Though I would personally lean toward Prince over Fairly & Quinn, given our situation, I expect the FO will take Fairly.

EVERY YEAR I WATCH THE STEELERS AND THE RAVENS TREAT THE BROWNS OFFENSE LIKE A PITBULL TREATS A LAPDOG!!!

Every year we lose those games with the Browns OFFENSE on the field!!!

Say this out loud, THE BEST COVER CORNER IN THE WORLD BACKPEDALS AT THE SNAP

You could get better play if you add to the db's from last year with a pass rusher, or if you get an offensive weapon, EVEN ANOTHER QB that kkeeps the opponents offense on the bench!!

Put myself in the shoes of a Steelers fan for a second, and I say Yes Browns draft BOTH AKUMURA, AND PETERSON, AND SIGN BERRY FROM LAST YEAR I don't care because as long as I know that the Steeler or Raven defense is going to make your Browns offense look like
well, look like DA, look like Charlie Frye, look like BQ, look like Garcia,

As long as YINs doesn't fix your offense we have no worries
take myself out of the shoes of a steelers fan.

I perfectly understand that philosophy...,...but a WR is not going to change "that" overnight. If I thought it would, I would be screaming to take Jones or Green at six and not worry about Pete.

We just cannot pass on this kid,...in my opinion, compared to the unknown that a WR WITHOUT a RT fix is.

You can put a receiver on the field that can catch the ball.

My brother and I are of the opinion that that could be Evan Moore.

I am starting to think that we are on 3 players .... and one of them will definitely be there.

1) Dareus
2) Fairley
3) Peterson


I don't see us taking a DE with Heckert's statements about his ideal DE. He wants smaller, quicker DEs, and those can be found outside of the 1st round. The supremely disruptive DTs can't. I also think that a high quality CB can be found at the top of round 2 .... and a disruptive DT, with talent even remotely approaching Dareus/Fairley cannot be found outside of the top 10.

I would love to see either Dareus or Fairley paired up with Rubin on the inside. A pair of really disruptive players in the middle of a new 4-3 line is really exciting to think about. Maybe Benard might make the transition to DE ... who knows? If he could, we would be well on our way to having a great pass rushing DL.

I would do whatever I could, within reason, do to make sure I could get Dareus though. If he cost me a 3rd rounder to move up from 6, I'd do that in a heartbeat. I think he might just be the best player in this draft.

Unfortunately, I suspect that the Panthers and Broncos think so too ..... and where he goes depends on if the Panthers want a QB more than the best player in the draft.

I like Fairley as well and will be happy if we take him.

I don't get peoples concern over his aggressive style of play....I think we need that..


yep...it might cost us some yards for a late hit here and there, but I am willing to accept that.

It would be refreshing to see our D actually beat some people up and not have grass stains on the seat of their pants.

Fairley was #2 for me behind Dareus until he made the "Anywhere... as long as it's warm" statement. He would still be choice #2 for me had he not said that, because he really is a heck of a player at a position of dire need for us. I really don't see that many impact DTs behind Dareus and Fairley in the draft.

If Heckert is confident that he won't have any issues playing in Cleveland then I'm all for the Fairley pick.

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I would love to see either Dareus or Fairley paired up with Rubin on the inside. A pair of really disruptive players in the middle of a new 4-3 line is really exciting to think about. Maybe Benard might make the transition to DE ... who knows? If he could, we would be well on our way to having a great pass rushing DL.

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I think it's safe to say Dareus is gone by the 4th pick...I say 2nd to Denver...

If Green goes 4 and Peterson 5...I say take Fairley too...Not the least bit concerned about some stupid comment about "Warmth" coming from a kid who KNOWS you're gonna be in cold weather late in the season...U don't get 16 home games...

4 man fronts need a penetrating Tackle also...Not just an End...

Benard--Fairley--Rubin--FA Johnson/Kiwanuka

Sounds pretty damn good to me...IF Peterson's gone...

Man I'm curious as heck to see where Heck has Fairley rated...Possibly #1???...#2???

I would not be the least bit surprised if he was #1 on our board above Von Miller, Dareus, Peterson and Green. He just has insane rush skills and he fits in that mold of Heckert DTs, athletic, great hands and most important tremendous upside. All of his picks seems to have that tremendous upside label. Boom or bust prospects.

Evan Moore certainly can catch the ball.

Are you saying that you think they'll move him further out and use him like a slot receiver?

I wouldn't mind seeing more 2 TE sets though. Mismatches everywhere and Watson & Moore have proven that they can catch the ball.

Then draft a WR like Jonathan Baldwin (2nd round), Tandon Doss (4th), Austin Pettis (4th) or any receiver familiar with the WCO.

Give us some DL help and LB depth later in the draft. Even consider packaging some picks or even some players to get extra picks.

You are the first person I've seen say they don't like Dareus. Care to elaborate?

He wants offense. He said he would be very disappointed that the Browns drafted Peterson instead of helping the offense.

And while I want a solid receiver too ... name a wide receiver in our division who was drafted in the first round by that team. I'll give you a hint. There are none.

You could answer Jermaine Gresham and Heath Miller ... both are solid receiving options, but both are also tights.

I would love to draft a playmaking WR at #6 ... but if a better player is there who we can build the franchise around ... we will get by.

Problem is that AJ Green imho is the only offensive player worth a top 15 pick. I would rather have Randall Cobb, Hankerson or Little in the 2nd than Jones in the first and honestly there is very little difference in any of those 4.

I do not disagree with you or PStu. Just simply stating what he said in the other thread.

Me personally, I've always felt that later round receivers are a better bet than a 1st round receiver. Plus, they are typically less divaish than 1st or 2nd rounders.

what about the comment Fairley made about not wanting to play for a team who plays in the cold?

thats the only thing that keeps me from drafting him.. I mean seriously.. YOU ARE ALREADY COMPLAINING!!!