Talk about some perfect timing.  The arrival of GM Tom Heckert in Cleveland would seem to represent a shift away from the franchise’s traditional ignorance of and ineptitude towards building a quality roster from the inside out.  Considering Heckert’s Philadelphia roots, which annually embraced the selections of both offensive and defensive linemen, the Browns front office seems lights year away from the fringe-laced efforts of Phil Savage and Butch Davis, who all but abandoned the idea of bolstering the team’s core. 

Of course, in a little more than two months, some distractions along this brave new path the Browns’ organization is encountering may prove too tempting to resist. 

Especially when some guy makes a case for a wide receiver.  

But then again, considering the manifold needs of our current Browns, the new front office could go in a variety of directions.  A first round pick invested in the defensive secondary, among the linebacking corps, or even in an offensive skill player could all be deemed acceptable.   

Yet, you can never go wrong taking a lineman. 

Grossi’s Ten Best Draft Prospects

1. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska, defensive tackle

2. Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma, defensive tackle

3. Eric Berry, Tennessee, free safety

4. Russell Okung, Oklahoma, offensive tackle

Analysis: Secured his lofty draft status by returning for his senior season. Solid play at left tackle made him the draft’s top offensive lineman. Lack of quickness might put him on the right side as an NFL rookie, but he’s not heavy enough to stay there.

5. Joe Haden, Florida, cornerback

6. Bryan Bulaga, Iowa, offensive tackle

Analysis: Another in a long line of NFL-ready linemen produced by coach Kirk Ferentz. Was named Big Ten offensive lineman of the year in 2009 despite missing three games with a thyroid problem. Has the size and athleticism to settle into long career at left tackle.

7. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma, quarterback

Analysis: Won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore, but wasn’t a factor in 2009 because of a shoulder injury and then surgery. He opted to come out rather than reaffirm his ability as a senior. He was deadly accurate in Oklahoma’s spread system. Questions about his shoulder and operating under center keep him out of the top five.

8. Anthony Davis, Rutgers, offensive tackle

9. Rolando McClain, Alabama, inside linebacker

10. Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame, quarterback

Analysis: The latest “NFL-ready” passer groomed by Charlie Weis. He doesn’t have the rifle arm but proved he can make every throw at the college level. In 35 games, had 60 touchdown passes and 27 interceptions and completed 62.6 percent. Didn’t really win anything with the Irish.  

Davis, Bulaga and Okung are intriguing, yet somewhat flawed prospects.  However, with the Browns sitting at Number Seven, Okung will likely be off the board by the time Heckert makes his first pick – which may be a good thing, considering his Big 12 pass blocking pedigree.  And depending on the combine process and run-up to the draft, there also could be a push for Rutgers’ Davis, who nonetheless could prove to be the missing piece along the right side of the Browns’ line. 

As for Bulaga, just how long does the moratorium of Robert Gallery Buyer Remorse last?   

Of the three, Davis could be the safest pick.  But then again, are we drafting “safe?” 

Let’s assume that both Suh and McCoy are off the board within the first few picks.  Since it’s doubtful the Browns would trade up to get either player – although don’t look now, but the Browns’ defensive line rotation just got another year older – the choice could likely come down to Haden and McClain, which of course I’ve discussed in some detail. 

Perhaps the wildcard here is Eric Berry, who according to some draft prospectors is a prime safety talent, while to others, he is nothing more than a physical corner.  In the Browns’ case, if such ambiguity is present in a top-ten player, then the front office needs to take a hard look at just what they could have in Berry. 

As for the quarterbacks listed – please.  Not since the Joey Harrington draft class of 2002 have we found more flawed NFL QB prospects.  Regardless of the current mess at QB, if the Browns literally waste a first-round pick, I will…. 

…realize that what follows was mere foreshadowing… 

Lombardi on Browns QB’s

1. New Browns president Mike Holmgren did not give Brady Quinn an endorsement, which was predictable. He also said on the radio last week that his intentions are to rebuild the Browns through the draft. Holmgren will find a quarterback who fits his system best, and don’t rule out the Browns picking one at the top of the draft. Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen? We know Charlie Weis loves Clausen and has been taking calls from NFL teams about him. Weis is a fully behind Clausen the player and the person.

2. Speaking of Bradford, he’ll undergo all the mental and physical testing at the combine but will not throw until his workout at Oklahoma on March 25. Bradford will be cleared to throw at that point and will have a controlled workout. Monitoring who goes in for a private workout will make the first round interesting.

Has all the positive momentum of the past few months been leading to this question:  “Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen?”  Really?  How about “Graham Harrell vs. Brady Quinn?”  Is there that much difference?  Besides about 40 million dollars worth of guaranteed money? 

And if you truly had any doubts regarding the risks involved, just consider that the brittle Bradford is still weeks away from throwing, while Clausen is nursing a lingering toe injury. 

Oh, also – both QB’s are incredibly overrated and not worthy of a first-round pick.  Have I mentioned that before? 

Hey – Look! More QB News… 

Holmgren on QB’s

“As a coach, if I design a pass play and teach it the way I want to be done and he doesn’t throw it who I want him to throw it to, that’s a problem. I don’t care if Jerry Rice is in the game. If the other guy is supposed to get the ball based on coverage, you don’t throw to Jerry. That’s what separates the quarterbacks, I think.” 
 
So what about Quinn? 
 
This, of course, is all leading up to the question of what do the Browns do about their quarterback position? Holmgren says he has not fully assessed Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson. Nor will he have the answer before free agency and trading open on March 5. 
 
“Deciding what we should do is huge. It’s very important,” Holmgren said. “Once we decide, we’re all in. That’s the only way it has a chance of working. 
 
“I want to talk about Derek and Brady, because we’re evaluating both of them. Derek has thrown too many interceptions over his career, but he’s clearly a pretty good passer. 
 
“When I watch Brady, he hasn’t played very much. He’s been here three years, but he’s started (12) games. That isn’t very much. I’ve always felt if you can keep a quarterback in the same system for two years with the same coach and he plays, at the beginning of Year 3, with two full seasons of screwing up and making mistakes, you absolutely know one way or the other. There hasn’t been enough time here. 
 
Holmgren recalled trading for Hasselbeck as coach of the Seahawks in 2001. The Packers took Hasselbeck with a sixth-round draft choice in 1998, Holmgren’s last year in Green Bay. Hasselbeck sat behind Favre for three years. And with Favre, “sat” is exactly what Hasselbeck did. He was on the practice squad all of 1998 and threw a grand total of 29 passes over the next two seasons. 
 
Hasselbeck’s history could be one reason Holmgren isn’t ready to give up on Quinn. 
 

And here’s where my head begins to spin.   

First, I understand that we’re in the politically correct phase of the offseason, both in terms of player relations and retaining a trading edge.  Or, in other words, no one on the Browns’ end is going to come out and rail against Quinn’s complete lack of accuracy or Anderson’s…well, you know what. 

And while I realize all of this, statements like the following just baffle me: Derek has thrown too many interceptions over his career, but he’s clearly a pretty good passer. 

Oh, right. 

As for Quinn, is Holmgren planting the seeds for a continuance of a so far unremarkable era in Cleveland?  Or, in other words – do we have to wait another year for Quinn to show something?  Couldn’t we just go get Matt Hasselbeck instead? 

However, the most critical concern I have regarding this entire situation is the complete sense of ambiguity that could trickle its way into April’s draft.  While the current Browns would be better served by upgrading their defense or offensive line, the QB issue is one that just won’t go away in Cleveland…at least until another huge investment is made. 

So, until that day – at least we can alter the discussion a bit.  How about this? 

Rams Draft Day Rumors

In addition to finding a franchise quarterback, the Rams are interested in trading out of the top spot in this year’s draft, moving down a few spots and acquiring additional draft picks and players. I’ve been told that the Rams and Buccaneers have had exploratory discussions on a deal, which would involve the team’s first round selections (No. 1 and 3), possibly one of the Buccaneers second round picks (they have two picks in the second round: No. 35 and 42) or their third round pick (No. 67). Again, these discussions have been exploratory, as the Rams continue to investigate all of their options, but the deal involving the Rams and Bucs first round picks and Tampa Bay’s third round pick, not one of their second-round picks, is where it gets interesting.

A source close to the situation in St. Louis told me that if a deal with the Eagles can’t be consummated prior to the draft, they may take the Bucs third round pick over one of their second round picks, because they’re “very high” on third-year quarterback Josh Johnson, who they would insist being in a potential trade with Tampa Bay. Rams officials compare Johnson favorably to Vick athletically, but they feel that he has a greater upside as a passer.

Put yourself in the shoes of a Ram fan…assuming there are still any left after the “Greatest Show on Turf” days.  The Rams, much like the Browns, are in desperate need of a quarterback, among other things.  Yet, considering how unappealing the 2010 QB draft class is, the biggest gamble a team like St. Louis could take would be to draft Bradford or Clausen with the first overall pick…or even in the top 5 or 10 picks of the draft.

However, you can move down two spots, still get a premier lineman and add a relatively inexpensive QB who may just have as much upside as one of the “marquee” names who will cost another team some 30 million dollars more.

Considering all this – would you make this trade?  I realize Johnson is far from a franchise QB at this point in his career, but he is obviously the safer choice, at least considering the more expensive alternatives.

What about if you’re Mike Holmgren?  Assuming that Josh Johnson is available – which he is – would you take a flier on him?  What would it cost you?

Other than a chance to draft Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen – not much of anything.