Happy with Day 1

The suspense was certainly there yesterday, more so than you'd expect from the team with the No. 5 pick. Why? Because the Browns didn't actually end up selecting a players until much later in the round, instead opting to trade down three times and accumulate extra, later-round picks.

So, why am I happy with Day 1 of the NFL Draft? Let's be honest, there wasn't really anyone in the draft that was a "super stud" worthy of a top 5 pick. But, there is plenty of solid talent to be taken later in the draft. So, by not settling for someone at No. 5 (and paying them a lot), accumulating extra picks was a smart plan -- especially given all the needs this team has.

With the first pick, the Browns finally selected Alex Mack, the center from Cal. I like this pick. I really do. I know some Browns fans are upset about this, but I'm not one of them. Think about it, an offensive lineman is just about the safest first round pick you can have. And, the Browns really needed help on the line. With Mack and Thomas, the Browns now have two solid, young offensive linemen to build around.

Yes, I am happy with this pick. And, I'm happy with the second round picks as well: wide receivers Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, and linebacker David Veikune.

I know we have a lot of needs on defense to address and many Browns fans are upset we passed up USC linebacker Rey Maualuga. But, let's be honest here ... the Browns also needed wide receivers and linemen.

The fact of the matter is, the Browns were 4-12 last year ... the had needs everywhere. So, the debate will rage over what was the biggest need: offense or defense?

In my opinion, the Browns did a pretty good job of addressing some needs yesterday and I think that'll continue today. I gotta say, for the first time since Mangini-Kokinis took over, I'm feeling pretty good about the Browns.

Go Browns!

Anticipation Builds Frustration

I know I haven't posted much lately, and I have a good reason for that: There has been NO REAL NEWS pertaining to the Browns.

Sure, there's been plenty of RUMORS. And, that's all there's been. Rumors, and that's it. Kokinis held a press conference last week where all he did was dodge questions and reveal nothing. So, even after a press conference, the only news about the Browns was that they held a press conference.

I refuse to get caught up in the rumors. I can't take it. No matter how good their "source" is, no one but Mangini knows what the plan of action is for the Browns ... and, maybe Kokinis (if Mangini fills him in on the plan). That said, I still have no news to talk about when it comes to the Browns.

The NFL Draft is this weekend though, so I expect to have some real news to talk about. Until then, I'm not getting caught up in all the trade rumors and speculation. Nobody knows nothing.

I do love the NFL Draft though (at least, I used to). Doesn't the NFL and ESPN do a great job of building up a day of nothing into a spectator sport? I admit, I get caught up in it too. Why is that? Probably because this is the perfect time to feed our football-starved appetites.

This time of year, I usually talk in-depth with a good friend of mine who is a huge "draftnik." I think my friend Bryan is the Mel Kiper Jr. of Northeast Ohio, with two big differences: Bryan doesn't have Kiper's cool haircut, and Bryan is right a lot more than Kiper.

As Bryan and I were speaking, I asked him if he wanted to write up his draft analysis for the Blawg Pound. He said he would, and later today I will post Bryan's draft analysis (and general thoughts on the poor direction of the Browns). Trust me, it's good.