NFL Draft: In Search of Identity

As I promised earlier today, below is a lengthy (but worthwhile) analysis from my friend Bryan — the Mel Kiper Jr. of Northeast Ohio.

I've known Bryan for quite a few years and can tell you that he really knows his stuff when it comes to Cleveland sports, college football and the NFL Draft. Enjoy:

The Browns' 2009 Draft: In Search of an Identity
By Bryan

The NFL Draft is this weekend and nobody really knows what the Browns are going to do. Will they trade dropaholic wide receiver Braylon Edwards for a low first round pick and a player? Will they trade Derek Anderson for a second rounder? Will they trade Brady Quinn? Who will they take with the No. 5 pick? Will they trade down?

With so many questions and so much uncertainty, you can be assured of one thing: The Browns, more than likely, will make the wrong decision.

I’m generally an optimist, but since the Lerner Family (the same family that helped orchestrate the Browns exodus from Cleveland) has been “leading” the Browns, I’ve seen nothing to indicate that there’s anything to be optimistic about.

From Day 1, the new Browns have made horrible decision after horrible decision. From drafting Tim Couch with the first overall pick to naming Dwight Clark at general manager to handing the GM reins to an arrogant and insecure scout (Savage) to impulsively hiring a coach (Mangini) that no other team was pursuing before a GM (Kokinis).

The new Browns have only been consistent and dependable in one area: dysfunction.

This dysfunction is directly related to a lack of strong central leadership throughout the organization. And that falls squarely on the shoulders of Randy Lerner. I know people who work for, and have worked for, the new Browns and they all talk about an organization in disarray. An “every man for himself” culture permeates Berea and Cleveland Browns Stadium — a direct result of weak or absent central leadership.

Obviously, this kind of dysfunction will wreak havoc on any organization. But for the Browns, it’s been especially damaging because it has prevented the team from building any kind of identity or brand. Essentially, the Browns’ identity since 1999 has been dysfunction (there’s that word again).

Since the Browns have returned, there’s been no clear vision or plan for what type of team they want to be. Those choosing the personnel have assembled a veritable bouillabaisse of talent. There is no system in place in which to plug players.

Some day — and mark my words, it will be after Lerner sells the team in 2012 after this latest experiment fails — this team will have to craft an identity. I really hope I’m wrong about the new regime, but I just don’t have a lot of confidence in a coach that brings in a bunch of backups from the Jets and a GM who was recently called “absolutely clueless” by another league GM.

Don’t get me wrong, I liked the Winslow trade and I think they’ve done a decent job of creating a smokescreen on the QB front to see if someone would bite on their “interest” in USC QB Mark Sanchez.

That being said, I think the Browns’ identity should draw from its rich history and consist of the following:

1. A strong power running game built around a power back and smart, agile offensive lineman (pulling guards and trapping schemes). Remember Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Mike Pruitt and Kevin Mack? Remember lineman with names like Gregg, Hickerson, Wooten, Shafrath?
2. A short to medium, pseudo-West Coast offense passing scheme led by a smart, mobile and accurate QB with the ability to roll out and make smart reads (and not throw into triple coverage). Remember Otto Graham? Bill Nelson? Bernie Kosar (OK not so mobile but a great football mind when sober)?
3. Precise wideouts with sure hands and the courage to go over the middle and the toughness to dish out Hines Ward-like blocks. Remember Paul Warfield? Gary Collins? Dante Lavelli? Webster Slaughter? Reggie Langhorne?
4. A dependable tight end that can serve as the QB’s safety valve on pass plays. Ozzie Newsome? Milt Morin?
5. A smart and aggressive defense led by strong, disciplined D-Lineman; physical LBs that can not only tackle but drop runners in their tracks; athletic, physical CBs that can cover but also support the run; and a safety tandem featuring a ball-hawking field general and a nasty intimidator.
6. An innovative, disciplined, tough coach who is also a teacher and a leader.

I know this is a tall order and almost a wish list. But any true vision has to have lofty goals and expectations. Plus, I think this brand of the Cleveland Browns shares some common characteristics with the city, its fan base and the team’s storied history.

Powerful, tough, disciplined and relentless. Those are qualities the City of Cleveland and its residents can identify with and appreciate.

And this brings us to the NFL Draft this weekend.

I harbor reservations that the current Mangini-Kokinis regime is focused on an identity or brand that is anything other than to do whatever Coach Mangini says. But, I actually believe the Browns have some of the building blocks in place to create what I think is the optimal Browns identity.

I believe we have the QB to manage the game and lead the team in Quinn. I believe we have two of the offensive lineman needed in Steinbach and Thomas. We have one receiver that fits the tough, do-whatever-it-takes attitude we need in Cribbs. We have the some of the defensive line parts in Rogers, Fuller and Robaire Smith. We have one sure tackling linebacker in Jackson and we have one physical, athletic corner in Wright.

Unfortunately, the Browns are pathetically weak at wide receiver, center, right guard and tackle, linebacker and safety.

Let’s examine this year’s draft as it pertains to the Browns.

First, it appears as though Braylon Edwards is on the block and more than likely will be traded to the Giants for their first and third round picks (No. 29 and No. 91). — at least I hope that’s what they can get. If the Browns’ brain trust doesn’t get at least a first round pick in this deal, or Mathias Kiwinuka (Giants DE/LB) and a second or third rounder, then we are in worse shape than we thought.

For the sake of argument, let’s just say we get the No. 29 and No. 91 for Braylon Butterfingers. At No. 5, there are only three players the Browns should focus on: Aarron Curry, Michael Crabtree and Eugene Monroe.

Here are just a few draft scenarios I’d like to see the Browns pursue:

Draft Scenario No.

• Pick No. 5: Aarron Curry, LB, Wake Forest. Keep in mind that you are drafting Curry to play ILB, not rush the passer. Is #5 too early to take an ILB? Sometimes. But in a draft that is weak at the top, you take the best player, especially when he fills a dire need.
• Pick No. 29: Alex Mack, C, California. I watched a game early last year in which my eyes were drawn to the Center of all people. It’s tough to watch a Cal game and not notice Mack. He is tenacious, tough and incredibly agile for someone his size. I watched him help support a guard and then hustle downfield to take out a LB. Plus, the Steelers have their eye on him as well.
• Pick No. 36: Hakeem Nicks, WR, N. Carolina. At 6-1, 212, Nicks has 4.5 speed, sure hands, the ability to run after the catch and the courage to catch balls in traffic. I’d actually argue that the Browns should take Nicks at #29 (just to make sure they get him).
• Pick No. 50: Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose St. At 6-6, 290, Gilbert still has room to add bulk. Very quick and athletic, I think he can project to a legit DE in the Browns’ 3-4.
• Pick No. 91: Shonn Greene, RB, Iowa. After the Bowl season, the 5-11, 227 RB was a high second rounder by many draftniks. But after the combine his stock fell due to concerns about his only starting one year and his speed. I can only go by what I saw when Iowa played this year and what I saw was pretty impressive.
• Pick No. 104: Herman Johnson, G, LSU. At 6-7, 350, Johnson should have dominated at guard but didn’t always put forth the effort. Sometimes plays with a mean streak. At this point, he’s worth taking a chance on. Remember, there were similar concerns about behemoth Marcus McNeil just a few years ago.
• Pick No. 177: Stephen Hodge, S, TCU. If you saw the TCU Bowl Game, you saw #29 make just about every tackle in the game. Without question, he is one of the best tackling safeties since Bob Sanders. He drives threw his victims and actually wraps them up (something I don’t recall a Browns safety doing since Eric Turner. At 6-0, 234, Hodge is the intimidator the Browns need. Highlights from his Bowl game are here.

Draft Scenario No. 2

• Pick No. 5: Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech. A dynamic, big-time playmaker at WR, my only concern is that there was talk Crabtree showed up at the Combine with an entourage and that fame may be going to his head.
• Pick No. 29: Clint Sintim, OLB, Virg. A classic OLB, Sintim is tough, a powerful tackler, an excellent pass rusher and blitzer, and has strong leadership qualities. Rather than drying to draft a tweener that played DE in college, the Browns may want to consider someone that already knows how to play the position.
• Pick No. 36: Duke Robinson, G, Okla. Tough, powerful and physical, Robinson is the top guard available in this year’s draft.
• Pick No. 50: Louis Delmas, S, W. Mich. Tough and physical with great instincts, Delmas is the #1 safety on the board. My only concern is whether his 5-11, 202-pound frame can withstand the rigors of the NFL.
• Pick No. 91: Fili Moala, DT, USC. It’s doubtful he falls this far but I can still dream, right? I really believe Moala is the kind of guy that can come in immediately, provide depth and contribute right away.
• Pick No. 104: James Davis, RB, Clemson. Not very flashy but he gets the job done. Averaged over 5 ypc two of three past years and 10-plus touchdowns.
• Pick No. 177: Stephen Hodge, S, TCU. Why not go after two safeties in one draft? Delmas is your field general and Hodge is your intimidator.

Ideally, if Curry or Crabtree aren’t there, it may give the Browns the opportunity to trade down and accumulate picks, which would be great considering that this draft isn’t especially top heavy in talent.

High Profile Player Observations:

• Rey Maualaga: The dream pick of every Cleveland fan who only watched his highlight reel on YouTube. The guy can hit and take on blocks. However, he runs himself out of plays and misses more than he hits. If you think he is a high-profile LB that falls due to lack of speed or some other physical shortcoming but will be a great NFL LB/team leader like Ray Lewis or Chris Spielman, think again. Rey can lay the lumber but he is incredibly immature. That being said, I actually think he will be a good NFL LB. I really do. I just wouldn’t touch him at #5 and I wouldn’t expect him to be a leader. He is a player that could flourish in an aggressive attacking D in which he is surrounded by vets who keep him in line. If the Browns trade down, I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing him in Brown and Orange.
• Chris Wells: Soft and injury prone. He can blast thru open holes but I never saw the tough running style nor the lateral movement I prefer in a RB.
• Knowshon Moreno: Great moves and vision. Will be the best RB in this draft despite concerns about his top end speed. They had similar concerns about Emmit Smith and a host of others as well.
• Darrius Heyward-Bey: Another track guy transitioning to WR. Great. BTW, he apparently only ran streak, post and go routes in college. He won’t be able to get away with that in the NFL.
• BJ Raji: Enormous run stuffer with serious character questions. Would enable Shawn Rodgers to move to end but provides no push or pass rush threat from the middle.
• Brian Orakpo: Classic “looks like Tarzan plays like Jane.” The dude is a physical specimen but it just doesn’t translate onto the field. Plus, he appears to be very stiff in the hips. He should have dominated Alex Boone in Texas’ Bowl game against Ohio State and he simply didn’t. Nuff said.
• Vontae Davis: Look at his brother Vernon in San Fran. Same great physical skills, same piss poor attitude.
• Malcolm Jenkins: A football player. Period. Forget his 40 time. He will succeed at corner or safety.
• Everette Brown: I can only go by what I saw on film and this guy can flat out rush the passer.
• Aaron Maybin: Super athletic but I question his head.
• Alex Boone: I can’t believe he was ever considered a first rounder. For all the ink he got, he’s really not that good. I’ve heard people say he plays with a mean streak but I don’t see it. Sure, maybe against lesser competition, but that just makes him a bully. In the big games, he shrinks. Just not a football player.
• Travis Brinkley: A lot of people like this 270-pound project to play ILB. However, the tape doesn’t lie. He’s got nice straight ahead speed but his lateral movement is awful. Still, if he is there in late rounds and you don’t have a ILB, he might be worth a shot.
• Clay Matthews: Another player to rocket up the draft charts after the Combine despite not even STARTING at USC. A first or second rounder? You have got to be kidding me.
• Brian Cushing: Pretty good LB at USC. Makes plays all over the field. However, he came to USC as a 180-pounder with “bitch tits” and now is pushing 250. Sorry but there are some serious concerns there.
• Josh Freeman: Another QB with great physical tools but limited QB experience and an inability to read defenses who will go in the first round. Think Vince Young/Jamarcus Russell minus all the experience. Personally, I wouldn’t touch this with a 10-foot pole in rounds 1 or 2.
• Juaquin Iglesias: The Oklahoma WR just catches the ball all over the field. A steal in round 3.
• Ramses Barden: A physical specimen of a WR from Cal Poly, Barden was the WR du jour in January – until the Senior Bowl. He can’t really separate from defenders and it was glaringly obvious.

Names to Remember in the Draft:

• Gartrell Johnson, RB, Colorado St.: Rushed for 285 yards in his bowl game and is an incredibly physical for 219 pounds. Projected as a 7th Rounder or FA. If he doesn’t get drafted, the Browns should be all over him.
• Mark Parson, CB, Ohio U: Small but great cover man. Would be nice fit as nickel back.

But, who am I and why do I have all the answers? Well, I don’t think I have all the answers. I’m just a fan drifting more and more toward apathy. I’m an amateur draftnik who bases most of his predictions and draft ideas on what I see while watching college football in the fall.

I’m not a big believer in guys who rocket up draft boards after the NFL Combine in February — the reason for this is that football players are clearly visible on film. What they do on the track or in the weight room doesn’t matter if it doesn’t show up on game day.

In 1991, I was the first Cleveland draftnik to publicly write (in the Geauga Times Leader) that Eric Turner should be the Browns top choice. The following year I stated that second rounder Carl Pickens would be one of the best WRs in the NFL.

In recent years, I didn’t want Tim Couch (would have jumped all over the Mike Ditka “take my entire draft for the reefer-headed dreadlocked runner”). I wanted Levar Arrington over Courtney Brown. I wanted Sean Taylor or Ben Roethlisberger over Kellen Winslow Jr. I wanted Shawne Merriman over Braylon Edwards. I also wanted the Browns to take a shot on a safety from Iowa named Bob Sanders. I didn’t like the Wimbley pick at all.

Now this isn’t to say I’m always right. I remember singing the praises of Dan McGwire. I actually liked the Gerard Warren pick over Tomlinson. I loved Alex Smith out of Utah (though I think this kid was placed in a bad position and can still thrive if placed in the right situation. He’d be a good backup to Quinn if DA is traded, as he should be).