20 Years Later Questions Still Remain

By Tommy Dee

1994. It was the last real Super Bowl hope the city of Cleveland had. Sure we can say the 2002 team made the playoffs. Or the 2007 team was a windy day in Cincy from making noise in January. But let's be honest, the Cleveland Browns haven't been the team you grew up loving for 20 years now. Twenty long, miserable years. From Couch to Holcomb to Garcia to Dilfer to Anderson to Quinn to Weeden. Twenty.... long.... years.

The team went into 1994 season following back to back 7-9 seasons under Bill Belichick wondering what they had. After losing in week 2 to Pittsburgh the Browns, led by Vinny Testaverde, ran off 5 straight wins to get to 6-1. An injury to Testaverde that week looked like it could derail the team but the defense carried the team to a 11-5 record, a playoff appearance and a win (the franchise's last). The only real problem with the 1994 team? The same problem the Browns often have had: the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns ended the season 0-3 vs. their rivals including a 29-9 playoff loss.

But there were high hopes. Statistically the 1994 Browns were the team's best defense in franchise history. Belichick and Nick Saban had slowly put together a tough group led by Pepper Johnson, Carl Banks & Eric Turner. The offense had actually scored more points than it had since 1987, often aided by field position from the nasty defense. Vinny was making some forget about the fallout of Bernie Kosar. Eric Metcalf was as exciting of a player as the NFL had.

Things looked bright headed into 1995. Sports Illustrated even picked the team to win the AFC. After a brief break the Browns were back as one of the NFL's best.

But things don't always go as planned. Sure the team started out on the right track in 1995 going 3-1. But following a home blowout to the Houston Oilers, dropping the Browns to 4-5, Art Modell dropped the bomb that is still being felt today.

The Browns team name and colors remained but oh so much changed. The fans loyalty not being one of them.

But where would the Cleveland Browns franchise had gone had the team not left? If Modell and the city had ever agreed to either renovate the old stadium or build him a new one? If the defense continued to grow into the NFL's toughest on the cold shores of Lake Erie? If Belichick would grow into the NFL's best coach in Cleveland, not New England?

Those questions will never be answered. We know what's happened in Baltimore. And New England. And Cleveland. None of it good for Browns fans.

But is it time for change here? After 20 long years is this team finally headed in the right direction? Did they finally find their QB in the draft this year? Or did they find him right out of their own backyard? Is one of the game's best WRs going to get off on a technicality? Is this the best Browns defense since 1994?

Better yet, is this the year it all changes? Weird things have been happening in Cleveland. Maybe the best way to answer that last question is to answer it with another question...

Why not?





Discuss this and more on the Browns here: http://numberonebrownsfans.proboards.com/board/3/football-talk

Updated Final Mock Draft

Houston Texans - Javedon Clowney DE South Carolina
St. Louis Rams - Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
Jacksonville Jaquars - Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Cleveland Browns - Khalil Mack LB Buffalo
Oakland Raiders - Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
Atlanta Falcons - Greg Robinson OT Auburn
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
Minnesota Vikings - Derek Carr QB Fresno State
Buffalo Bills - Calvin Pryor FS Louisville
Detroit Lions - Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State
Tennessee Titans - Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M                          
New York Giants - Anthony Barr OLB UCLA
St. Louis Rams - Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan State
Chicago Bears - Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers - Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
Dallas Cowboys - Xavier Su'a-Filo OG UCLA
Baltimore Ravens - Odell Beckham WR LSU
New York Jets - Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
Miami Dolphins - Zach Martin OT Notre Dame
Arizona Cardinals - Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
Green Bay Packers - Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix FS Alabama
Philadelphia Eagles - Marqise Lee WR Southern California
Kansas City Chiefs - Dee Ford OLB Auburn
Cincinnati Bengals - Ra'Shede Hageman DT Minnesota
San Diego Chargers - Louis Nix DT Notre Dame

Cleveland Browns - Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida State
New Orleans Saints - Stephen Tuitt DE Notre Dame
Carolina Panthers - Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State
New England Patriots - Timmie Jernigan DT Florida State
San Francisco 49ers - Bradley Roby CB Ohio State
Denver Broncos - Kony Ealy DE Missouri
Seattle Seahawks - Cyrus Kouandjio OT Alabama



Follow me on twitter @brownsfan_dizz

Final Thoughts - Draft 2014

This offseason has been a long, ever changing one.  I have been up and down and left and right on so many different players that I can’t even keep track anymore.  Now that we are 7 days away from the draft I think I have a pretty good lock on things.  I think.  Maybe.

I am 100% all in on Johnny Football.  I think he is the best athlete at the position in this draft.  I think he is the best passer in this draft.  I think he has all the intangibles it takes to be a successful QB in the NFL.  The only thing he doesn’t have is size but what he lacks in size he makes up for with intuition and the will to win.  Johnny is going to bring a spark and tons of energy to some lucky football team on May 8^th and I hope that team is the Browns.

Having said that, I realize he might not be THE guy on the Browns radar so I move to the next best options.

  

I love Sammy Watkins, he is a special receiver but will he help the Browns improve their record?  I don’t see it.  I don’t see Sammy leading this team to the playoffs next year.  Having two #1 receivers isn’t going to change the outcome of a season by that much.  Look at what happened in Atlanta last year.  Look at Detroit, where has Calvin Johnson taken that team?  If the Browns didn’t have Josh Gordon I would be all about spending a top 5 pick on what I think is a future top 5 receiver but we have Gordon so I’m not ready to spend a top pick on a WR.

Now, you want to talk about difference makers?  Look at Clowney and Mack!  Two completely different players but two very dominate players.  With Clowney you get the athletic freak that will eat up defenses based solely on his athletic ability.  Can you imagine if he gains the drive to be the best and puts all his energy into his game and stops loafing around and relying on his athletic ability alone?  Now look at Mack, the kid is fundamentally sound.  His angles, his lean, his positioning and technique can’t be matched by anyone in this draft.  He came out of know where and is going to make a name for himself. 

The one problem I’ve had with drafting an OLB at 4 is the amount of energy focused into the position the last couple of years.  Mingo, Sheard and Kruger made me think twice about adding to the position but I’m over it.  If you can add a talent like Clowney or Mack to your defense, you do it.  You can never have too many pass rushers.

Now what if Manziel is off the board and the goal is still to get a QB at 4? 

Carr?  No thanks.  He is a system QB that dominated a weak Mountain West Conference and struggled mightily when facing a decent USC team in the bowl game.  Carr does have his perks though, calling 90% of Fresno States plays from the line put him in a class of his own in regards to being able to read defenses but in my opinion it isn’t enough to overcome what I think is a below average thrower.  

Teddy?  Not on my watch.  For starters I’ve had concerns about his accuracy for a while and I know we shouldn’t take much from pro days but Teddy really proved my case.  Maybe it has to do with his small hands or his tendencies to sink under pressure, I have no idea.  What I do know is I wouldn’t touch him until the second round so taking him at 4 is completely out of the question.

Bortles?  I still see Bortles as a project QB in terms of I think he’ll need a year or two on the bench in order to perfect his craft.  Having said that, he’s the second best option behind Manziel and the only other QB I’d touch in the first round.  He has all of the tools and the size but is he ready for the next level?

So basically at the end of the day I want Manziel.  Do I want him enough to trade up though?  No.  In a draft that is this deep with talent at the top, I’m not losing future picks.  Manziel, Clowney, Mack and Bortles are at the top of my board.  I want one of those players but there are two other players I wouldn’t mind either, Watkins and Robinson.  Both are the best at their positions in the draft and both would be great additions to the Browns locker room but I don’t think the need is as great as my top 4.  

5 Players I Want To Draft

Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M - Love him, hate him, I don't care what you think.  Johnny is going to make some team in the NFL a much better team.  He's exciting, he can make all the throws, he loves this game and he's got the brains.  Size doesn't matter to me, heart and production do.  If the Browns are interested in the next Brett Favre, they better get their hands on Johnny Manziel.

Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech - Amaro is nasty.  He's got an attitude and swagger to him and he can back it up.  Well, that is if he doesn't have to block anyone.  He was primarily used as a slot receiver in college but could make for a game changing tight end in the NFL.  With a little work and time, i think he could be a top tight end in the league.

Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State - I watched a few of his games this season and he impressed me each time but when I saw what a physical specimen this kid was at the combine I couldn't stop thinking about it. Not only is his size impressive but he is athletic too.  Will need to work on holding onto the ball but i would love to see Kelvin line up opposite of Josh Gordon. Gordon 6'3", Benjamin 6'5", Little 6'2" and Cameron 6'5"!  How could defenses match up against that?  Then throw Amaro into the picture too?  Yikes.

Storm Johnson, RB Central Florida - I don't know why but i love the way this kid runs.  He's not the fastest, not even close to being the fastest but he has good burst and can hit the hole fast.  More of a power runner with great balance, i think he could excel in Shanahans offense and battle Ben Tate for the starting job.

Chris Borland, LB Wisconsin - Yeah yeah yeah, he's small but this kid has a huge motor and a ton of drive. I would love to see him next to Dansby and become the leader of this defense down the road.  This kid is fun to watch and has a nose for the ball.

Browns Big Board

1. Johnny Manziel
2. Javedon Clowney
3. Sammy Watkins
4. Greg Robinson
5. Khalil Mack
6. Blake Bortles
7. Jake Matthews
8. Justin Gilbert
9. Anthony Barr
10. Taylor Lewan
11. Eric Ebron
12. Zack Martin
13. Kelvin Benjamin
14. Mike Evans
15. Teddy Bridgewater
16. Darqueze Dennard
17. Calvin Pryor
18. Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix
19. Brandin Cooks
20. CJ Mosely
21. Marqise Lee
22. Jason Verrett
23. Kyle Fuller
24. Dee Ford
25. Derek Carr
26. Xavier Su'a-Filo
27. Ryan Shazier
28. Kony Ealy
29. Bradley Roby
30. Jace Amaro
31. Cyrus Kouandjio
32. Aaron Donald
33. Ra'Shede Hageman
34. Odell Beckham
35. Timmie Jernigan

Final 2014 NFL Mock Draft

Houston Hexans - Javedon Clowney DE South Carolina
St. Louis Sheep - Sammy Watkins WR Clemson
Jacksonville Jagoffs - Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M

Blake Bortles - Cleveland Browns #4

Cleveland Browns - Blake Bortles QB Central Florida
Oakland Raiduhs - Khalil Mack LB Buffalo
Atlanta Dirty Birds - Greg Robinson OT Auburn
Tampa Bay Suckaneers - Mike Evans WR Texas A&M
Minnesota Viqueens - Derek Carr QB Fresno State
Buffalo Belles - Calvin Pryor FS Louisville
Detroit Kittens - Justin Gilbert CB Oklahoma State
Tennessee Titanics - Jake Matthews OT Texas A&M                             New York Midgets - Anthony Barr OLB UCLA
St. Louis Sheep - Darqueze Dennard CB Michigan State
Chicago Teddy Bears - Aaron Donald DT Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Squeelers - Taylor Lewan OT Michigan
Dallas Plowboys - Xavier Su'a-Filo OG UCLA
Baltimore Crows - Odell Beckham WR LSU
New York USAirways - Dee Ford OLB Auburn
Miami Chum - Zach Martin OT Notre Dame
Arizona Turdinals - Teddy Bridgewater QB Louisville
Green Bay Velveetas - Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix FS Alabama
Philadelphia Pigeons - Marqise Lee WR Southern California
Kansas City Cheats - Brandin Cooks WR Oregon State
Cincinnati Dickholes - Ra'Shede Hageman DT Minnesota
San Diego Sparklers - Louis Nix DT Notre Dame

Eric Ebron - Cleveland Browns #26

Cleveland Browns - Eric Ebron TE North Carolina
New Orleans Shanks - Stephen Tuitt DE Notre Dame
Carolina Pussies - Kelvin Benjamin WR Florida State
New England Pattycakes - Timmie Jernigan DT Florida State
San Francisco Whinners - Bradley Roby CB Ohio State
Denver Doinks - Kony Ealy DE Missouri
Seattle Water Chickens - Cyrus Kouandjio OT Alabama

35. Cleveland Browns - Kyle Fuller CB Virginia Tech
71. Cleveland Browns - Cyril Richardson OG Baylor
83. Cleveland Browns - Donte Moncrief WR Mississippi
106. Cleveland Browns - Shayne Skov ILB Stanford
127. Cleveland Browns - Kenny Ladler S Vanderbilt
145. Cleveland Browns - Storm Johnson RB Central Florida
180. Cleveland Browns - Devin Street WR Pittsburgh
218. Cleveland Browns - Jay Prosch FB Auburn

Byrd is the Ward, Rubin and Mosley

Can the Browns afford to keep TJ Ward and sign Jarius Byrd? As much as i and everyone else would love if that could happen, the chances are almost slim and none.  The idea of paying a Free Safety and Strong Safety a combined total of over $16 millions would be insane.  Look around the league, the highest paid Safety duo right now is in Seattle with Kam Chancellor making $4,725,000 and Earl Thomas making $4,625,000 for a combined total of $9,350,000.  The highest paid individual Safety is Eric Berry in Kansas City at $8,417,000 and i expect Byrd will receive more than that since he's already turned down that kind of money in Buffalo. At the end of the day, i expect that Ward stays in Cleveland and Byrd flies elsewhere.  I maintain that resigning Ward will greatly improve the chances of inking Joe Haden to an extension. Let's say I'm wrong though and Byrd comes to Cleveland, they are going to need a SS because i don't think Jordan Poyer is going to cut it.  Donte wHitner anyone?

If you are one of the ignorant trolls calling for the Browns to cut Rubin, please stop.  Rubin is a piece of the Browns greatest asset, their defensive line.  They have 6 very capable interior linemen that mesh well together and get the job done week in and week out because they keep each other fresh and work well together.  Why in gods name would you want to break up the most cohesive unit on the squad and add the DL position to the list of needs along with QB, RB, WR, DB, OL, and ILB?  To save a little money?  Give me a break, the Browns aren't anywhere close to the cap, let Rubin play out his contract even though he isn't playing at the level he's getting paid at. Keep this unit together.

NFL Draft 2014.  I'm sick of thinking about it, my mind is mush.  The QB's are all overrated and will go higher than they should.  Clowney maybe the top prospect in the draft but he's also one of the biggest risks.   Sammy Watkins should be a great WR at the next level but face it, WR isn't a huge need for the Browns. Mack is intriguing but i don't think OLB is a high priority.  We don't need a LT so OL isn't going to happen early.  So, what should we expect then?  CJ Mosley.  The Browns will have him rated much higher than any of us would expect because they don't have an ILB at this point and the ILB is a pretty important position on the field.  I don't count out the possibility that the Browns reach for him at 4 but the more logical plan would be to drop down a few spots and pick him up there.  It is very possibly that a team is going to want to move up when their QB, Clowney or Watkins slips to 4.  Wishful thinking but it makes sense and i can see it happening.