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Justin Blackmon makes sense for Cleveland Browns, but team has plenty of draft options By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer Published: Sunday, March 25, 2012, 1:55 AM Updated: Sunday, March 25, 2012, 2:03 AM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- With the NFL draft about a month away and Robert Griffin III bound for Washington, the Browns are zeroing in on their remaining options at No. 4 and their strategy for their three first picks in the draft, including No. 22 and No. 37. If they stay at No. 4 -- and Browns President Mike Holmgren has said he'll discourage a trade down -- they're likely to draft one of the following players: Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill or LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. Holmgren also said last week that he's leaning toward sticking with Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace, and adding weapons to help them. If you can believe him during this lying season, that would seem to eliminate Tannehill, who's started only 19 games at quarterback after starting at receiver and leading the Aggies in receptions his first two years. The Browns have also made it clear their priority is to score more points, which would seem to scratch Claiborne. That brings us to Blackmon and Richardson, and as NFL Network analyst Charlie Casserly observed on Friday, "it depends on if you want to be a pass-oriented team or a run-oriented team." So by process of elimination, we're going to keep it simple and take Blackmon at No. 4 in our first top-10 mock, which will be updated periodically before the draft April 26-28. Last season, Blackmon caught 18 touchdown passes, which was two more than all Browns combined. In the past two seasons, he's caught 38, which makes him the scoring machine and red-zone threat the points-starved Browns truly crave. Granted, Blackmon measured a shade under 6-1 at the NFL Combine, which didn't help his case. But he peeled off a stellar 4.46 at his Pro Day on March 9, which proved to teams he's got the speed they need. "He's got a nice little buzz going about him right now because of that 40 time," said Nfldraftscout.com analyst Rob Rang. "He'd be a logical pick for the Browns at No. 4." But wait -- that's almost too easy, right? Of course, the Browns have plenty of other options at No. 4, and here's a quick look at some of them: 1. Trade up: If the Browns have fallen madly in love with one of their Fab Four, they might actually have to trade up to No. 3 with Minnesota to get him. The Vikings seem set on USC left tackle Matt Kalil, but for a huge haul, they might deal the pick. Teams might be willing to jump up over the Browns for any one of their likely four faves, especially Tannehill and Blackmon. The Rams at No. 6 love Blackmon, and now have the extra picks to swing a deal. The Dolphins at No. 8 might like Tannehill enough to beat the Browns to the punch. Their new offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, was Tannehill's head coach at Texas A&M. With the new rookie wage scale, it costs a lot less to trade up these days. In 2011, the No. 3 pick, Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, received almost $15 million less in guaranteed money ($20.4 million) than the 2010 No. 3 pick, Tampa Bay defensive tackle Gerald McCoy ($35 million). 2. Draft Tannehill at 4: Would the Browns spend their top pick on a player who's started only 19 games? He does run the Browns' beloved West Coast offense and has loads of potential. "I could see them doing it," said Rang. "With the incredible premium teams are now putting on quarterback, they'll have to consider him at that point, even though I think it's too high. He's at least a year away." Others, like Casserly, are leery. "No way [Tannehill] at four," Casserly said on air Friday. "Write that down." Sports Illustrated draft expert Tony Pauline told the Palm Beach Post: "He's a big risk. If you draft him and he pans out, he could be your starting quarterback for a long time. If he doesn't work out, you could find yourself in the same situation two or three years down the road." 3. Draft Richardson at 4: Teams shy away from taking running backs high, but Richardson certainly warrants a top five pick. He's a triple threat as a runner, a receiver out of the backfield and a returner. Some, such as ESPN's Todd McShay, say he's the best back to come out since Adrian Peterson in 2007. But the Browns love the short passing game more than they do the run, and most of the playoff backs lately have been taken in later rounds. "If I were operating that club, I'd take Trent Richardson ahead of Blackmon," said Rang. "He has the best tape of any player in the draft, and you can make the argument he's the best player in the draft." 4. Trade down: If Blackmon, Richardson, Tannehill and LSU cornerback Mo Claiborne are there at No. 4, teams will undoubtedly call the Browns. At the combine, Falcons GM Thom Dimitroff -- who views picks as currency -- predicted that some team will hear the same siren call for Blackmon that he heard last year for Julio Jones and pay a king's ransom. Would the Browns do it again? Would Heckert have to convince Holmgren to do it? By the time that trade plays out, it could make the Browns a contender. But they can't count on Tannehill in a trade down, because the Dolphins like him at No. 8 and maybe even the Seahawks at No. 12, despite the fact they signed Matt Flynn. If the Browns do trade down, it would be for a second-tier players such as Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd. 5. Draft Claiborne: Would the Browns really go defense with the No. 4 pick? It's doubtful, because they need points, but if they knew they could come back at No. 22 and No. 37 and add a receiver such as Baylor's Kendall Wright and a running back such as David Wilson of Virginia Tech, maybe it's not so far-fetched. Claiborne and Joe Haden would provide the Browns with a pair of shutdown corners, and some think he's even better than former teammate and current Cardinal Patrick Peterson. He's coming off surgery Friday to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist, but that shouldn't affect his draft status much. He also ran a blazing 4.39 in the 40 at his Pro Day, which boosted his stock. On Twitter: @marykaycabot web page
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The only thing that suggests to me we may take Blackmon is we are in a WCO offense and plan to pass the ball a lot more than we run it.
BUT there are those that think having a solid RB will open up things for Colt.. This is gonna be hard.. and I wouldn't doubt that Heckert tries to trade down to make the decision a lot easier.
I want to address offense with that first pick.. but wouldn't be mad if we took Claiborne either.
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Spot on. I want offense as well. Regardless of picks and when and where, I want to move beyond the current debacle: "We need help in so many areas." Hope that we do some FA pickups and solid draft choices (better at four, RB is OK with me). i hope we get deeper and stronger this draft. 
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
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jc...
Trent Richardson is scheduled to workout in a couple of days, I believe March 27...after having what was reported as minor knee surgery.
There will be a lot of interest in how he performs and if there is any evidence of a possible lingering effect from the injury or surgery.
Richardson's pre draft weight was 228lbs and he is 5'-9 1/4".
If Richardson runs a 40 in the 4.4 range with no lingering effects, it will help.
Richardson is a workout warrior with reports of him benching over 450 lbs and squatting over 600 lbs.
Richardson also shows decent hands, catching 29 passes for 338 yds last season.
Richardson is a rare talent...BUT...the most important opinion about his future in the NFL might come from team doctors, concerned about his durability.
Last edited by mac; 03/25/12 07:58 AM.
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Richardson is a rare talent...BUT...the most important opinion about his future in the NFL might come from team doctors, concerned about his durability.
our doctors let Hardesty pass though.. Richardson will have no problems either. 
I'm still a hair bit on the line of getting Richardson over Blackmon though. Only because I think we can still get a big threat at WR in the 2nd round.. hopefully Jeffery.
Richardson really impresses me on screens too.. I've watched Alabama quite a bit and he has this knack for making busted screens turn into 20+ yard gains.. He is VERY VERY good at making defenders miss. They may get contact, but he just doesn't go down.
I don't like to disrespect great RB's.. but Richardson's vision really reminds me of Barry Sanders.. Dude's peripheral vision is out of this world, as he sees the field and makes the right moves to get more and more yardage.
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But wait -- that's almost too easy, right? Of course, the Browns have plenty of other options at No. 4, and here's a quick look at some of them:
1. Trade up: If the Browns have fallen madly in love with one of their Fab Four, they might actually have to trade up to No. 3 with Minnesota to get him. The Vikings seem set on USC left tackle Matt Kalil, but for a huge haul, they might deal the pick. Teams might be willing to jump up over the Browns for any one of their likely four faves, especially Tannehill and Blackmon. The Rams at No. 6 love Blackmon, and now have the extra picks to swing a deal. The Dolphins at No. 8 might like Tannehill enough to beat the Browns to the punch. Their new offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, was Tannehill's head coach at Texas A&M.
After reading this I just have to say that "I miss Tony Grossi!"
I'm going to have to go to WKNR's website to read what he's saying.
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JC.......
I am salivating over the thought of Haden / Claiborne combo.
But to me there are only two options for us: draft Richardson or trade down a few spots. Would love to sell the world on us grabbing Blackmon only to have the Rams panic and move up to get him. We take whoever is left between Claiborne and Richardson at 6.
What if we nabbed Claiborne that way then took the next tier WR / RB? That would be a nice haul.
What does everyone think the cost would be for the Rams to move up to 4 ....assuming the two teams would even do business together?
LOL - The Rish will be upset with this news as well. KS just doesn't prioritize winning...
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I would say a #2. I don't think anybody would give up a #1 next yr. to move up 2-3 spots.
Dawginit since Jan. 24, 2000 Member #180
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Quote:
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But wait -- that's almost too easy, right? Of course, the Browns have plenty of other options at No. 4, and here's a quick look at some of them:
1. Trade up: If the Browns have fallen madly in love with one of their Fab Four, they might actually have to trade up to No. 3 with Minnesota to get him. The Vikings seem set on USC left tackle Matt Kalil, but for a huge haul, they might deal the pick. Teams might be willing to jump up over the Browns for any one of their likely four faves, especially Tannehill and Blackmon. The Rams at No. 6 love Blackmon, and now have the extra picks to swing a deal. The Dolphins at No. 8 might like Tannehill enough to beat the Browns to the punch. Their new offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, was Tannehill's head coach at Texas A&M.
After reading this I just have to say that "I miss Tony Grossi!"
I'm going to have to go to WKNR's website to read what he's saying.
It must be because she has actually been providing readers with plausible realities that have some logical thought as to what might happen on draft day.
Tony is probably stirring the pot on anything he can find, his style of writing gets old very quick.
I personally am interested in facts or legitimate possibilities.
Meh.
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JC.......
I am salivating over the thought of Haden / Claiborne combo.
Lots of posters here talk about it being a passing league. Being able to shut down the opposing passing game would seem to be as important as increasing your own passing game ability. It makes sense in that light and I'm not opposed if that's the way that Holmgren & Heckert want to go.
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But to me there are only two options for us: draft Richardson or trade down a few spots.
Personally, I don't even think that Richardson is even in the discussion. Immensely productive RBs can be had later in the draft. I would not be surprised to see Richardson fall to the middle of the first round or later.
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Would love to sell the world on us grabbing Blackmon only to have the Rams panic and move up to get him. We take whoever is left between Claiborne and Richardson at 6.
If we trade back to 6, I don't think Claiborne will be there to be had as TB would probably take him. As for Richardson, see above.
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What does everyone think the cost would be for the Rams to move up to 4 ....assuming the two teams would even do business together?
I don't think the Browns would deal with the Rams without St. Louis paying an uncomfortable price to move up. It would likely cost them both of this year's 2nd rounders (their own and the one they got from Washington) and more. Maybe even the last first rounder. I think that if the Rams called the Browns war room on the evening of the draft, the Browns might see who it is and just let it go to voicemail.
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Quote:
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But wait -- that's almost too easy, right? Of course, the Browns have plenty of other options at No. 4, and here's a quick look at some of them:
1. Trade up: If the Browns have fallen madly in love with one of their Fab Four, they might actually have to trade up to No. 3 with Minnesota to get him. The Vikings seem set on USC left tackle Matt Kalil, but for a huge haul, they might deal the pick. Teams might be willing to jump up over the Browns for any one of their likely four faves, especially Tannehill and Blackmon. The Rams at No. 6 love Blackmon, and now have the extra picks to swing a deal. The Dolphins at No. 8 might like Tannehill enough to beat the Browns to the punch. Their new offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, was Tannehill's head coach at Texas A&M.
After reading this I just have to say that "I miss Tony Grossi!"
I'm going to have to go to WKNR's website to read what he's saying.
You can get all you want of Grossi at www.espncleveland.com..
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Well, a couple of things.
I'd be willing to bet that there is no way at all the Browns draft Blackmon at 4. Zero. Zilch. None. Nada. If I had to guess their draft board looks like this .... Claiborne .... Richardson ..... Tannehill .... Blackmon. I just don't even see Blackmon as a consideration at all if we stay at 4.
However, we need to make the Rams think otherwise. I wonder if the Browns are feeding Cabot some info to make her write Blackmon at 4. Wouldn't surprise me. But here the thing .... I think absolutely the Browns would deal with the Rams and take the best deal for the franchise. I'd guess the Rams hav the Browns on ignore after our illustrious President accused them of nepotism in public.
LOL - The Rish will be upset with this news as well. KS just doesn't prioritize winning...
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Quote:
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But wait -- that's almost too easy, right? Of course, the Browns have plenty of other options at No. 4, and here's a quick look at some of them:
1. Trade up: If the Browns have fallen madly in love with one of their Fab Four, they might actually have to trade up to No. 3 with Minnesota to get him. The Vikings seem set on USC left tackle Matt Kalil, but for a huge haul, they might deal the pick. Teams might be willing to jump up over the Browns for any one of their likely four faves, especially Tannehill and Blackmon. The Rams at No. 6 love Blackmon, and now have the extra picks to swing a deal. The Dolphins at No. 8 might like Tannehill enough to beat the Browns to the punch. Their new offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, was Tannehill's head coach at Texas A&M.
After reading this I just have to say that "I miss Tony Grossi!"
I'm going to have to go to WKNR's website to read what he's saying.
It must be because she has actually been providing readers with plausible realities that have some logical thought as to what might happen on draft day.
Tony is probably stirring the pot on anything he can find, his style of writing gets old very quick.
I personally am interested in facts or legitimate possibilities.
I stopped reading her article when it listed the first possibility as a trade up from #4 to #3.
Anything else she had to write was of non consequence. If this front office even entertained that idea, they should be fired immediately.
Unless the Browns can swing a trade to go up to the #1 spot with Indy, I don't see a trade up at all.
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I already went.
Nothing all that good there either.
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I don't think that Tannehill is even in the discussion. I don't think that Richardson is seriously in the sights. He could be on the fringe, but my view is that they're would take either Blackmon or Claiborne or seek a trade back and accumulate even more picks.
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Holmgren and Heckert come from the philosophy of WR being the last piece of the puzzle not the first. I really dont see Blackmon worth that high of an investment. He isn't a top 5 talent when you start adding up the drops, drama queen attitude and good speed but not great speed. Richardson well we are shaking the trees looking at all of those 2nd and 3rd round backs. It doesn't look good for him with us looking hard at the other backs but he is a hoss. Claiborne has serious cover skills and ball skills, but does anyone truly believe we are going defense here? TAnnehill seems to be the most controversial player in this draft. All the physical tools but still raw. Question will be how much does heckert and Homey like the kid. 2 huge proday events this week will decide a great deal. 1 month to go to decide the future of this franchise. Fun stuff 
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J/C
This talk of a RB opening up the passing game is pure fantasy.
You have to possess those weapons in the first place. Otherwise teams will 'continue' to key on and take that away from us.
Once you do possess those vertical threats, then that can help open up the running game.
The only thing having a RB will do is to ensure that we have a club to bring to the battle, meanwhile the good teams have Trebuchet's and Ballista to throw into battle against us.
Taking Richardson with the 4th pick would be a sign/omission that Hardesty was and is a busted selection/trade.
While this may in fact be the truth. I think it could be premature, because last year was only his first year back from major knee surgery.
Our best defense is a good offense. The rules favor offense too.
With that in mind I see our options at 4 as follows;
Blackmon, Tannehill or trade down.
WR should not be the last peace to the puzzle. That's thinking in terms of yesterday's technology in a modern day battle.
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Do the Patriots,or Giants have elite shut down CB's?
How about the Packers or Ravens?
Offense is king these days.
Its all about out scoring the other team.
there was a day where you could put the outcome of the game in your defense's hands.
Great defenses are a thing of the past.
Drafting Claiborne looks a like a great pairing with Haden..but it doesn't help the Browns expansion team offense.
in the NFL to give yourself a chance to win..you have to average at least 20 pts a game.
when was the last time the Browns offense even averaged 18 pts a game...that mirage of 2007?
this team needs as many playmakers it can get in this draft cause Heckert refused to add any through free agency.
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The only spot I see in the receiving game that will benefit from a guy like Richardson is the TE position..
If a LB is covering a TE but also has to worry about Richardson.. that can cause some problems.
Watson and company were Colt's go-to-guys as a rookie.. they were always pretty wide open..
Speaking of TE's.. Evan Moore needs to step it up.. not sure how he got in the dog house.. but I'd prefer to see him on the field more than Smith.
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cause Heckert refused to add any through free agency.
Refused or couldn't?
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Quote:
The only spot I see in the receiving game that will benefit from a guy like Richardson is the TE position..
If a LB is covering a TE but also has to worry about Richardson.. that can cause some problems.
Watson and company were Colt's go-to-guys as a rookie.. they were always pretty wide open..
Speaking of TE's.. Evan Moore needs to step it up.. not sure how he got in the dog house.. but I'd prefer to see him on the field more than Smith.
Watson was injured a lot, so that's a reason why we saw so much of Smith last season.
Moore is a 2nd TE and is only effective with an in line TE on the other side or used as a WR.
Jordan Cameron needs to be the player who steps up from the TE position.
If he can then it could help our WR's and RB's in the passing game.
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I think that the greatest thing about this draft is that no matter what, we're going to have at least four very solid options available to us at #4. 1. Blackmon 2. Claiborne 3. Richardson 4. Trade Down There's also an outside chance that one of 1 thru 3 is gone and Kalil is there, instead. Any one of those is going to help us tremendously next season..... the only debate is which one will help the most, or which one makes the most strategic sense in terms of building this team. Not any team... but THIS team, with what we're trying to do. If you think that the addition of Claiborne "finishes off", or solidifies, our Defense rebuild, a strong argument could be made to do that... and then we'd have a solid, young defense for many years to come (minus the need for some LBers). For Blackmon vs. Richardson.... I guess you'd have to ask yourself which option you feels gives you more bang for the buck: -- Blackmon plus some RB at #22 or #37 -- Richardson plus some WR at #22 or #37 I say that because I think, ideally, that we want to come away from the early rounds with both a WR and a RB.... I think the order in which it happens is the only choice. If Kalil is there, there's the bookend to Joe Thomas for the next 10 years, and God forbid anything happens to Joe, Kalil could step right in for him. He'd immediately be the best RT we've had since Ryan Tucker, and may end up better than him. Our line would be ridiculously good. Trading down.... well, that almost certainly takes all of the first three options off the board (unless we only trade down to like #6), but it adds at least one more early round pick... which really helps a talent-deprived team like ours. I'm confident in this front office's talent acquisition abilities, so more chances at quality pieces equals more quality pieces, sooner. We really can't lose - it's kinda nice. 
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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You might be right about Holmgren & Heckert and WRs, but I'm not sure that they don't think they can get the final pieces in this draft, including if they take Blackmon at #4.
Here's the thing, I think they like the defense that they've been able to assembled so far and will make some picks to fill it out. We still need a OLB, but one will likely be taken in this draft, but not at #4.
We could use a RB, but they may not be ready to give up on Hardesty just yet and they may go to RB by committee with Hardesty, Ogbonnaya, and Jackson with an occasional Marecic tossed in.
I can see the Browns taking 3 (maybe even 4) receivers in the draft and spending 2 additional picks on OL. We were very short on NFL-caliber depth on the OL, especially on the right right side. Then adding more depth in the defensive backfield.
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I agree with us drafting a couple of receivers. I think that is just the way they approach the position. I could see a Jeffery or Sanu in the 2nd and then a Broyles, or a Dwight jones later. I cant see them investing a #4 overall into a receiver to be honest. Phily, Seatle, GB all tend to attack the position with multiple picks but never seem to be a top 20 pick.
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Quote:
Our best defense is a good offense. The rules favor offense too.
With that in mind I see our options at 4 as follows;
Blackmon, Tannehill or trade down.
WR should not be the last peace to the puzzle. That's thinking in terms of yesterday's technology in a modern day battle.
Hence the reason that so many fans have a irritating rub with Holmgren. He's the one that is directing the whole show. They went with Little last year and maybe he'll turn into a fine piece on a team with more potent weapons, but he won't be the Browns top target next season. If he is, the team won't win more games than last year - or even have a chance to win more games than last year.
The way that the Browns have drafted and made moves isn't necessarily the way that I would have done it, but I think I like (or have come to like) the following draft picks from the past two years.
2010: Joe Haden (liked it), T. J. Ward (had injury concerns), Colt McCoy (liked it)
2011: Phil Taylor (liked it), Jabaal Sheard (liked it), Greg Little (only because our WRs were atrocious!), Jordan Cameron (yeah, I liked this pick and still do), Owen Marecic (liked it), Buster Skrine (liked it), Jason Pinkston (liked it for depth)
Looking back at it, I kind of the like the Eric Hagg selection with the compensatory pick in 2011 too, but at the time I didn't.
I'm concerned about the Jordan Cameron selection I'm not convinced that the TEs will be used as targets in mismatches with opposing LBs. Here's to hoping the coaches get these targets utilized more.
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They went with Little last year and maybe he'll turn into a fine piece on a team with more potent weapons, but he won't be the Browns top target next season. If he is, the team won't win more games than last year - or even have a chance to win more games than last year.
gonna have to disagree with you on that one. Little can be a top target, and he and Colt seemed to have some decent chemistry.. I don't think you can compare his success to how many wins we will have.
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I'm concerned about the Jordan Cameron selection I'm not convinced that the TEs will be used as targets in mismatches with opposing LBs. Here's to hoping the coaches get these targets utilized more.
Seems to me that Cameron will go into the season as the 4th TE again.. something is wrong if he cannot surpass Smith.
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"Claiborne and Joe Haden would provide the Browns with a pair of shutdown corners"
I guess this means we are going to split Claiborne into a pair of players... Their are NO shut down corners anymore and Joe isn't even in that conversation from what I saw last year. Too many slips and reaches while the receiver just jumps up and swipes the ball out of the air. He gets beat consistantly by the better receivers in the AFC north way too often for my liking. I don't think any team is afraid of throwing to his side of the field just yet.
Joe IS a quality corner and will get better, but you just can't cover a taller, quality receiver with the rules these days.
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I think that any GM and FO needs to be flexible. Just as a General needs too make adjustments to his battle plans in reacting to the situation at hand, so to does a NFL FO.
TOP and ball control is a good philosophy if that's what you are battling against, but the best teams score points in bunch's and in a hurry in many cases and those are the teams that we must set our goals to being on par with to be at the top of the League and that should be our goal.
Yesterdays game and philosophies don't have the same success, if what you are facing has found ways to beat that philosophy.
A strong range attack is what you need today to be competitive with these offensive Juggernauts.
That in turn can present your defense with a more liberal approach or tactics. It's been said before that it's much easier to play defense with a lead or with the knowledge that your offense can score against your or any opponent.
As far as our past 2 Drafts. I agree that we did the prudent thing by going defense first as that side of the ball was a wreck and too old to sustain.
It's time to turn our attention to that of the offense (playmakers) now and I probably would not use a selection on defense until the 4th round, where I think that we can draft LB, DB and or depth at DT.
Last edited by FL_Dawg; 03/25/12 11:59 AM.
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Quote:
I agree with us drafting a couple of receivers. I think that is just the way they approach the position. I could see a Jeffery or Sanu in the 2nd and then a Broyles, or a Dwight jones later. I cant see them investing a #4 overall into a receiver to be honest. Phily, Seatle, GB all tend to attack the position with multiple picks but never seem to be a top 20 pick.
Except for Seattle, there haven't been a lot of opportunities for GB or Philly to be picking in the top half (I know, that only accounts for 16 spots) for a WR, so they're picking from among less scouted or less coveted players at that position and finding some nice gems in there.
I wouldn't touch Sanu or Jeffery in any round, however, I love the Broyles kid. I think better talent than Sanu or Jeffery could be had in the draft at later rounds. I could see us potentially using the 2nd on a RB like Doug Martin, Jamar Miller or Dave Wilson. I know we could probably get a nice RB further down in the draft, but I think that taking one of these might give fans the sense that the front office is looking to address some weaponry positions with not just bodies but the best at the position.
I know that a lot of people aren't as big on Stephen Hill as I am (who I think is going to be phenomenal in the NFL) but what would you think if Heckert & Co. went this way with the first 3 picks?
1a: Justin Blackmon
1b: Stephen Hill
2: Doug Martin, Dave Wilson or Lamar Miller
Would you say that instantly increases the offensive firepower of the team?
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Would certainly be exciting - I think the offense would be better if we picked up an RT with one of those three picks, and the RB later.
"When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19:33-34
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Seems to me that Cameron will go into the season as the 4th TE again.. something is wrong if he cannot surpass Smith.
Smith? Isn't he a fullback? 
But in all seriousness, Cameron was only a one-year football player. He played basketball before moving to the gridiron. One would make the assumption that he can catch the ball being used as a TE. Maybe he just needs some coaching up.
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I just don't like Blackmon. I would rather we take Ingram at 4 than Blackmon. He just has to many drops and he comes off as another I wanta be a superstar like Edwards, Owens, Crabtree me first attitude that just isn't worth the trouble.
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Quote:
Would certainly be exciting - I think the offense would be better if we picked up an RT with one of those three picks, and the RB later.
I was going to say grabbing someone like Nate Potter for the RT spot in the 3rd (although some will say that's too high). If the Browns like him, they can take him anywhere.
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I just don't like Blackmon. I would rather we take Ingram at 4 than Blackmon. He just has to many drops and he comes off as another I wanta be a superstar like Edwards, Owens, Crabtree me first attitude that just isn't worth the trouble.
I tend to agree that he has a big of overconfidence about him but the drops don't really scare me too much. All receivers drop the occasional ball. It happens. We had an overabundance of dropped balls last year by our receivers and that might make some gun-shy about taking a WR high in the draft. In my opinion, coming out of college, Edwards isn't even on the level of Blackmon. Blackmon is far-superior to Edwards.
I'm not sold on taking him, only because I'm curious to see how much we can get from trading out of the spot. If we can't find a suitable offer, I have no problem with taking either Blackmon or Claiborne (both of whom I'd be selling at #4).
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Just a few thoughts...
Blackmon is far and away the best WR prospect in this year's draft. Maybe not measurables or combine numbers but as a productive WR that shows up on game day and makes a difference. He is a true #1 receiver which we desperately need to add to this offense for it to take that next step. There is no chance Blackmon slides down the board so you grab him while you can unless Minnesota pulls a shocker and take's him and goes with a Mike Adams in round 2. Stranger things have happened. Tannenhill and Richardson each are capable of sliding down the board. If I am Heckert and I am serious about getting "playmakers that score TD's" I keep my eye on both of those guys and if they slide to a range that you can give up the 22 and 68(which I believe is around 14) then I pull the trigger and get the guy you like(preferably Richardson). Keeping in mind the two 4ths, one of which can be used in a package to regain a third. Would anyone complain if the first three picks were.
4)Blackmon
14)Richardson
37)Jeffrey/Dennard/Mike Adams/LB
I would be thrilled to have an offense with Richardson at RB, Blackmon as WR1, Jeffrey as WR2 and Little as WR3 and let MoMass battle out for the 4th with Norwood in the slot. Give all those guys a year together to help McCoy this year to be the guy or be ready and embedded in a system for the next guy.
"Going from 4-12 to 6-10 isn't good enough. I believe we are going to be better than that. We're going to be a lot better than that." - Mike Holmgren (3/15/12)
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Quote:
4)Blackmon
14)Richardson
37)Jeffrey/Dennard/Mike Adams/LB
Honestly, the only pick I would be alright with is the Blackmon one.
Jeffery is a headcase. Adams isn't as good as some think. Dennard either.
Who do you have in mind as the LB to be selected?
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Legend
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Legend
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I think David, Wagner, and Z. Brown are probably all in play at 37.
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Jeffery is a headcase.
That's a new one for me - where you getting that from?
"When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19:33-34
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Quote:
Would certainly be exciting - I think the offense would be better if we picked up an RT with one of those three picks, and the RB later.
This is a good reason why I would go WR at 4, because we need a RT who is going to be able to step in and start.
I have that position targeted with either the 22nd selection or no later then the 37th. Which ever one we don't use on a RT might be a good place to Draft QB Brandon Weeden (I don't forsee him falling to us in the 3rd round), so I am not hopeful that we can get a WR with either of those 2 picks. I think that our only other option might be trading back into the middle of the 2nd round for a RT after the 37th selection. Taking a RT that we hope to step in and start is a real gamble later on.
There should still be good value at RB in the 3rd round if we don't use a selection on one before hand.
The only thing that could change my thinking here is if we Draft Tannehill at 4, in witch case I think we our then drafting for the future and a (go to) WR will have to be put on the back burner, but our RT I think will have to come between picks 22 or 37.
To me it comes down to the best combinations of picks for us.
Last edited by FL_Dawg; 03/25/12 12:23 PM.
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Legend
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Legend
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Quote:
Quote:
Jeffery is a headcase.
That's a new one for me - where you getting that from?
he made it up.
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DawgTalkers.net
Forums The Archives 2013 NFL Season NFL Draft (2013) PD: Justin Blackmon makes sense
for Cleveland Browns, but team has
plenty o
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