Cleveland Browns Update

I recently received a request to update my blog and give my thoughts on the Browns draft and training camp. With training camp just getting under way, it is hard to make any conclusions on progress and decisions that have been made. The biggest piece of news that everyone is waiting on is whether Brady or Derek will be the starting QB to start the season. If Derek Anderson is named the starter, my best guess is that he will get about 4-5 games to prove himself. If the Browns start 1-4 or worse, Brady Quinn will most definately have the starting job from that point forward. If Quinn is named the starter, I believe he will hold the starting position for the entire season (barring any injury). Anderson might get a start in game 6 or 7 if the same circumstance arises (1-4 start). In my opinion, it doesn't really matter to me. I would just like to see us win a few more games this year.

As for the draft, now I will rant!! If any of you have read my Cleveland Browns update since before the draft, you would have seen my suggestions. I think the Browns did a superb job in finiding a suitor to take their #5 pick. They made the right decision to trade back and get some additional picks. The #5 spot was not going to help them fill their needs. From that point forward, I believe the Browns did well below average in the draft. We continued to trade back to pick #21 and stretched on picking a Center, Alex Mack, at that spot. Then, with pick #36 we stretched again and picked Brian Robiskie. I am an Ohio State fan, but no one in their right mind would say that Robiskie was worthy of being picked ahead of Rey Mauluga. Then, with pick #50 we turn around and pick another WR. I believe there were much better options. First, I would have obviously picked Mauluga with pick #36. Then, when Everette Brown was still available at #43, just 7 picks ahead of the Browns, I would have swapped our #50 and a couple of additional picks ot move up and get him (Everette Brown, DE, Florida St.). In the first round, I would have been much happier if we would have addressed a more severe need. Although not phenomonal, I believe that our offensive line was one of our stronger points last season. Defense, Running Back, and wide receiver should have been our main focus. Thus, either Jeremy Maclin or "Beanie Wells" in the first round and Mauluga and Brown in the second round would have made the Cleveland Browns draft winners! Instead, we made 3 consecutive picks in which the guys we picked would not have gone for another 10 picks after us. Not a great draft for the Browns!