Since the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL for the 1999 season, the draft has held a high significance for both the team as well as for the fans in Cleveland and Browns fans far and wide.
Since that '99 season, the Browns have looked to the draft to find both key starters and reserves. That trend started with the expansion Browns' first pick in that year's draft, QB Tim Couch of Kentucky. The circumstances that caused players like Couch, as well as other highly paid draftees like Courtney Brown (1st round, 2000) and Gerard Warren (1st Round, 2001) to fail to pan out as projected in Cleveland set the team back immeasurably.
However, this season's draft has been quite different than past drafts. For starters, 2008 marked the first season in 18 years that the Browns did not have a first-round pick. 2008 was also the first NFL draft that the Browns didn't even have a pick on the draft's first day.
It is a telling sign of how much improved the Browns have become that despite such a dearth of draft picks in 2008, the team is expected to win this year and contend for a playoff berth, coming off a suprise 10-6 season a year ago.
Much credit has to go to the team's management for its ability to better assess talent in recent years than it did in the early days of the "New" Browns. Recent top draft picks such as WR Braylon Edwards (1st Round, 2005) and TE Kellen Winslow (1st Round, 2004) have more than caught on with the team, becoming elite talents in the league at their respective positions. Credit management as well for finding not just one but two possible franchise quarterbacks in Derek Anderson (Claimed off waivers from Baltimore, 9/21/05) and Brady Quinn (1st Round, 2007).
Now it just remains to be seen whether the Browns can carry their 2007 momentum into '08.
Your Browns are looking good and seemed poised to challenge the Steelers in the AFC North. The Ravens have a new coach and appear to be in rebuilding mode while the lowly Bengals, while having the horses, appear to be mismanaged big time...
I wondered out loud if the Browns should consider trading Quinn for draft picks prior to the 2008 draft, and I think there are several teams that would be interested but it is obviously one year too soon. If Anderson backs up last year with another exceptional season in 2008, then I think you can count on the Browns trading Brady and if it works out that way, you could see two number one picks next year. With their free agency moves, it appears the high scoring Browns have really helped out their defense...
Barring injuries, the Browns should win their division and be testing the playoff waters!
The Browns did a great job in getting already proven players instead of taking a chance on high priced draft picks that might not work out. Savage is the MAN!
The only thing that concerns me now is Kellen Winslow. I don't like the fact that he is holding out to renegotiate his contract, while he still has 3 years left in his current one. He truly has only had one really good year and he is having knee issues (he just had his fourth knee surgery).
I also believe the Browns did a good job this offseason. I don't think the team is quite "Superbowl" caliber just yet though. Although they have done well in shoring up the D-Line, the Linebacking corp has much to be desired. In a 3-4 alignment, the LB's are the meat of your defense. Currently there is little to no depth at any Linebacking position, and there are some major question marks regarding the starters. We have no great or even good edge pass rusher, and if last year is any indication, the middle of the field will still be soft pass defense wise.
I like the new Browns. I'm always a fan of the underdog teams and the Browns are getting to be exciting to watch. Last year on week 1 I told my friends to watch the Browns v. Steelers game. They lost big time on the week 1, but then I said watch week 2 against the Bengals and that's when everything start coming around. I bleed Purple but I #### Brown as well. My dream would be a Super Bowl of Vikings v. Browns. If that day comes I'll be there.
The past draft picks were for the most part not bad choices. You really never know what your buying until the 'product' hits the field. Courtney Brown was a real disappointment only because he couldn't stay healthy. That might be attributed to the Brown's training staff, though. Gerard Warren was a no good lazy bum from the start. And poor Tim Couch...well...he got thrown to the wolves.
I really don't think Couch was NFL caliber in the first place but the guy never got the chance to mature and never had an o-line in front of him that could block my grandmother on a bad day.
I feel very confident with Savage and the current line up. Willie McGinest was an absolute bust as a free agent and so was Ted Washington. But, Washington was a stop-gap player who was past-it when acquired.
My biggest concern is the secondary. I think we are loaded at the receiver slots and if Winslow holds out then it's only hurting him. Funny how these kids have one good season and immediately want to renegotiate their contracts. Technically, the guy is lucky the Browns let him keep one thin dime after his little motorcycle escapade.
I believe this well be a very good year for Cleveland. I hate to be optimistic and won't pop-off like in the past. But, this might be a very very good year for our Browns.
I just think its really funny how the Browns have gotten heaps of praise from trading away their draft picks for players that teams are willing to part with. Isn't this not the same approach the Redskins have been ridiculed for the past few years?? Guess it's OK since we're talking about the Brownies here and not the hated 'Skins. What's messed up is that about half of the trades the Skins made in the past were for higher draft picks (for Campbell, Cooley, McIntosh, etc.) so it's not like they continue to neglect the draft! Anyway, I don't hate the Browns just the negative press about my Skins.
