3 Way Mock Draft

Now that the NFL Combine is over, it is time to let my mock draft obsessions show.  I change my mind daily on which direction I think the Browns should go with the 4th pick.  QB? Sammy? or Clowney?

So I decided to do 3 different drafts, so I could see the full spectrum of possibilities and end results.

You decide which one you would prefer.

4 DE JADEVEON CLOWNEY SOUTH CAROLINA

26 CB JUSTIN GILBERT OKLAHOMA STATE

35 WR KELVIN BENJAMIN FLORIDA STATE

71 ILB CHRIS BORLAND WISCONSIN

83 QB ZACH METTENBERGER LSU

102 RB CARLOS HYDE OHIO STATE

123 DE GEORGE UKO USC

133 G WESLEY JOHNSON VANDERBILT

164 CB CHRIS DAVIS AUBURN

195 FB J.C. COPELAND LSU

  4 QB JOHNNY MANZIEL TEXAS A&M

26 S HA’SEAN CLINTON-DIX ALABAMA

35 WR KELVIN BENJAMIN FLORIDA STATE

71 ILB CHRIS BORLAND WISCONSIN

83 G CYRIL RICHARDSON BAYLOR

102 DT ANTHONY JOHNSON LSU

123 CB KEITH MCGILL UTAH

133 QB A.J. MCCARRON ALABAMA

164 RB STORM JOHNSON UCF

195 FB J.C. COPELAND LSU


  4 WR SAMMY WATKINS CLEMSON

26 DE KONY EALY MISSOURI

35 TE JACE AMARO TEXAS TECH

71 CB E.J. GAINES MISSOURI

83 ILB SHAYNE SKOV STANFORD

102 RB LACHE SEASTRUNK BAYLOR

123 S DION BAILEY USC

133 QB A.J. MCCARRON ALABAMA

164 CB CHRIS DAVIS AUBURN

195 FB J.C. COPELAND LSU


Discuss it w/Ben on Twitter: @brownsfan_dizz

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2014 Mid-Combine NFL Mock Draft

By Tommy Dee

Why the hell not...

1. Texans - Blake Bortles, QB UCF - Surprise! They need a franchise QB & take the biggest available.
2. Rams - Greg Robinson, OT Auburn
3. Jaguars - Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville - Exactly what this poor franchise needs.
4. Browns - Jadeveon Clowney, DE South Carolina - Need a QB & could use a playmaking WR. But they go BPA. A worthy gamble.

5. Raiders - Sammy Watkins, WR Clemson
6. Falcons - Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M
7. Buccaneers - Anthony Barr, OLB UCLA

8. Vikings - Johnny Manziel, QB Texas A&M - A slide? Maybe. Maybe it was all hype. Perfect fit here.
9. Bills - Khalil Mack, OLB Buffalo
10.Lions - Justin Gilbert, CB Oklahoma St
11.Titans - CJ Mosley, OLB Alabama
12.Giants - Taylor Lewan, OT Michigan
13.Rams - Mike Evans, WR Texas A&M
14.Bears - Timmy Jernigan, DT Florida St.
15.Steelers - Darqueze Denard, CB Michigan St.
16.Cowboys - Ha Ha Clinton Dix, CB Alabama
17.Ravens - Marquis Lee, WR USC
18.Jets - Eric Ebron, TE North Carolina
19.Dolphins - Zack Martin OT Notre Dame
20.Cardinals - Marcus Moses, OT Virginia
21.Packers - Calvin Pryor, FS Louisville
22.Eagles - Bradley Roby, CB Ohio State
23.Chiefs - Brandin Cooks, WR Oregon State
24.Bengals - Kony Ealy, DE Missouri
25.Chargers - Jason Verrett, CB TCU

26.Browns - Kelvin Benjamin, WR Florida State - They need another playmaker? Well they get it here.
27.Saints - Stephon Tuitt, DE Nore Dame
28.Panthers - Odell Beckham, WR LSU
29.Patriots - Jace Amaro, TE Texas Tech
30.49ers - Louis Nix, DT Notre Dame
31.Broncos - Ra'shede Hageman, DT Minnesota
32.Seahawks - David Yankey, OG Stanford

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Other Browns picks:

35. A.J. McCarron, QB Alabama - This should send some to the 480 Bridge. Until he wins.

71. Gabe Jackson, OG Mississippi State
83. Chris Borland, LB Wisconsin - Say he is too small. Then watch him play. You'll see.

102. Lache Seastrunk, RB Baylor
123. Pierre Desir, CB Lindenwood
133. Caraun Reid, DT Princeton
164. Tyler Larson, C Utah
195. Ron Powell, OLB Florida

Discuss it w/ Tommy Dee on Twitter: @Tommy__Dee

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Joe Banner, meet the Door

Back on January 13^th I mentioned that Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi needed to be shown the door and that Ray Farmer should be promoted in order to right this sinking ship. 

Well, almost exactly a month later Jimmy Haslam has decided he’s seen enough.  Apparently Joe Banner and Jimmy Haslam weren't seeing eye to eye during the coaching search so Jimmy did some digging and came to the conclusion that Joe's personality and poor attitude were keeping coaches away. 

Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi are out, Alec Scheiner and Ray Farmer are in.  Alec will continue his role as President and maintain the business side of the operation and Ray will take over as GM and take control of the draft and the 53 man roster.  Farmer, Scheiner and Pettine will all report directly to Jimmy.  Newly hired assistant GM Bill Kuharich, former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel will report to Ray Farmer. 

This is great news for Cleveland fans for a number of reasons but mostly because we now have a “football” guy in charge of football things (the 53 man roster) and a "business" guy in charge of business things.  No more colluding and micromanaging from a Napoleon wanna be.

Farmer may be young and a first time GM but one thing I can guarantee you is that he isn’t and won’t be looked at in the same way that Joe Banner was.  Ray is well respected in this league and will help to resurrect the image of this organization.

So, what is in store for the near future, specifically the draft and free agency? 

First of all I think the odds of TJ Ward and Alex Mack both being resigned (or tagged) just increased greatly. The top priority on Farmers list of things to do should be to get Joe Haden and TJ Ward locked up for the long term, which I think will happen before the combine starts.  The second thing on his list should be to figure out the QB situation and in case you are wondering what type of QB Farmer likes, Mariotta was his top QB until he decided to return to Oregon.  

So we’ve got a rookie Head Coach and a rookie GM now in Cleveland but I’ve got to believe this team is in much better shape now than it has been in quite some time and I feel good about our future.  The cancer also known as Joe Banner is gone.  No more scaring away talent, no more blame game and no more power hungry BS.  The future looks good and the only thing left to do is to win. 

Phase 2: QB

Phase 1 of the important offseason decisions is complete.  The head coach and coordinators have been hired, now it’s time to move onto the next most important decision, QB.  What does the future hold concerning the QB position in Cleveland?  Do the Browns ride the Hoyer train, draft a guy, or pluck someone from another team’s roster? 

So what are the options?

1.  Draft – There are 3 guys in the upcoming draft that I expect to be franchise QB’s in the NFL for years to come.  Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles.  All three bring completely different things to the table.

• Johnny.   My #1 has all the tools and athletic ability you look for in a QB.  He’s smart, he has the arm strength and accuracy, he can make things happen and his mechanics are manageable but he doesn’t have the size which I’m able to look past although there are many that cannot.
• Teddy.   I like the guy.  He makes solid decisions and he has the size and mechanics that you want in an NFL QB.   I worry about his accuracy on the intermediate routes and his arm strength though.  It also appears that his hand size could be an issue but at the end of the day Teddy should be a good one.
• Bortles.  He is a wild card at 4 for me and I’m not sure I could pull the trigger on him.  I like him, I like everything about his game but I think he’ll need to sit for a couple years before he’ll be ready to be thrown in the driver’s seat. The question is if the Browns have that kind of time?

2.  KING HOYER.  Could it be time to jump on the Hoyer train and ride that bad boy across the country? Hoyer and Kirk Cousins play a similar game so it could be possible that Kyle Shanahan told the Browns FO that Hoyer is the guy for the job and he can make it work.  Even though Kirk Cousins never really made it work in Washington except for when he played against the Browns.

This isn’t the ideal situation but it’s not out of the question either.  The Browns could bring a guy in from the draft to challenge for the starting job, someone like AJ McCarron or Jimmy Garoppolo after the 2^nd round.

There are also some low tier free agents that will be available like Matt Cassell, Chad Henne, and Mike Vick that could all come in and back up the King.

3.  Trade/free agent – With Shanahan coming here and Kirk Cousins wanting out of Washington, I don’t think it’s that farfetched of an idea for him to land in Cleveland.  Is it an ideal situation?  Not if you ask me but I guess it could be worse.  Brandon Weeden could still be here.

The problem I see here is you have another stupid QB competition with two unproven QB’s that appear to be the same player, it could cause problems.   I think if the Browns are going to trade for someone or sign a free agent they should expand their mind a little bit and think outside of the box.  Go after Matt Schaub or Ryan Mallet.  Schaub has been a top 10 QB in this league for 6 out of his 7 years in the league as a starter, I don’t think his career is quite over yet and there is a chance that Houston lets him go.

As far as Mallet goes, I’m sick of hearing his name and talking about him but the option is there so we can just leave it at that.

At the end of the day the most important thing that needs to happen is Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell need to be released from the team and unless someone throws a great offer at us for Hoyer, he deserves to stick around.  It’s time to move on to phase 2 and get this QB situation right at all costs and the best way to do that would be to draft Johnny Football or Teddy Bridgewater at 4, back him up with Brian Hoyer and draft a kid in or after the fifth round. 

Senior Bowl Thoughts

By Tommy Dee


Just some random thoughts on players after watching the game..........

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB Eastern Illinois - I love the way this kid squares his shoulders and makes quick decisions. I don't expect him to go top 20 but he belongs in the top 35. Has a legit shot to be a franchise QB.

Zack Martin, LT Notre Dame - Good technique LT that has the ability to hold down the LT spot for a team. Won't be elite and might not belong as top 15 pick but is not that far behind the other 2 LT's in this draft.

Chris Borland, LB Wisconsin - I don't care what mocks say, this kid is going to be special in the NFL. He's a ball hunter & has everything you want in a LB. Has the instincts & the awareness. Don't wait to pick him.

Jordan Matthews, WR Vanderbilt - Didn't really do much in the game but did show on one play exactly why he is a top round talent. Knows how to run routes & get separation. Doesn't blow you away but should be a good pro WR.

Dee Ford, DE/LB Auburn - Improved stock greatly in the last month. So quick. Looks like he knows exactly how to get to the QB. Where does he get picked? Seemed like a 3rd a month ago now he has to be rising. Bruce Irvin part 2? Smart player. Knows when to rush, when to drop.

Caraun Reid, DT Princeton - Might have helped himself more than anyone Saturday. Showed a lot at the interior position. Good moves and quickness from the defensive tackle position which is always a need.

Derek Carr, QB Fresno - Just not impressed at all with this kid. Everything seems to be short. He loves the screen. When I've seen him see pressure? Yikes. He did nothing in this game to change those thoughts. Should be 3rd but will likely go sooner.

Tajh Boyd, QB Clemson - Did nothing to make the skeptics feel better. Had balls batted down making the height a concern. Was not accurate or consistent. He has arm strength & rushing ability. Might be a backup NFL QB.

Logan Thomas, QB Virginia Tech - He has all the skills you want but he for whatever reason still looks raw & easily confused. Worried he is just not that smart.

Keith McGill, CB Utah - If you like big CBs like the Seahawks have then this is a kid to watch out for at 6'3". Very athletic for that size, might be a riser from the mid rounds towards more of the 2nd.

Jimmie Ward, S Northern Illinois - Safety has become a more valuable position as time has gone on & obviously you need to bring one of two qualities - be able to tackle & hit like a LB or cover like a CB. Ward is the latter.

Stephen Morris, QB Miami - This QB should be so much better than he is. He has all the size and ability you want but regressed over the years.

David Fales, QB San Jose St. - Seems like a good decision maker but his arm strength is concerning. Good size will help him. Likely a backup QB at best.

James White, RB Wisconsin - The only RB that stood out to me as my favorite RBs were not in this game. Seems like a solid back with good vision.

NFL Playoff Preview

January 10th and the Browns aren't around. So let's talk about the teams that actually are alive.

Odds:

Saints

@

Seahawks - 7.5


Colts

@

Patriots -7


49ers -1

@

Panthers


Chargers

@

Broncos -9


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So what do we expect?

The Saints got blown out by the Seahawks earlier in the same venue. Will it happen again? Doubtful. The Saints D is playing better and Russell Wilson is playing worse. Keep in mind Percy Harvin is expected to play, that could be huge. But more than anything? Look at the weather. Windy as hell and rainy. Ask anyone who that favors along with the noise and it favors the Seahawks. Close though.

Bet: Saints to cover, but Seahawks to win the game.


The Colts are kinda reminding us of a certain Joe Flacco led team last year. Amazing that they are still here at this point after being down 28 last week. Then everything went their way. Will it end the same way as it did for Baltimore? It might not be time to go that far but why can't Andrew Luck go into New England and win? Belicheck might take away Hilton but watch out for Luck's legs.

Bet: Colts to cover, and Colts to win the game.


The Panthers beat the 49ers earlier this year in a classic defensive battle. Now fresh off a bye, rested and ready to host the 49ers for the right to go to the NFC title game this should go Carolina's way. Right? Or have the 49ers found their stride more so than any other team in the last few weeks and have Michael Crabtree to show the Panthers why the 49ers weren't at their best last time?

Bet: 49ers to cover, and 49ers to win the game.

The Chargers are the last team the Broncos want to see. This week. Last week. The week before. Why? They know exactly how to beat them. As a division foe they got the formula down: run the ball, pass the ball, do whatever to take control of time of possession, and make Denver beat you win the run. They have every piece to make this formula work. It will be close but Manning denies the upset.

Bet: Chargers to cover, but Broncos to win the the game.


Expect 4 great games. If you want to moneyline? Go Seahawks, Colts, 49ers, & Broncos as I predict seeing the Colts @ Broncos and the 49ers @ Seahawks in 2 games that have a lot of subplots leading to the Super Bowl in New York.

Enjoy folks, as its almost done.

Cleveland Fans and Media Suck

I want to talk about Cleveland fans and media for a second, about their expectations, their feeling of entitlement, and their over reactions.   

I know I’m not going to make any friends with this but let’s face it, only about 10 people will read it anyways and none of them even like me. 

Sports talk radio and social media outlets have become almost unbearable lately. 

I will start by saying that I, just like 100% of Cleveland fans am tired of the losing.  I want a winner just as much as the next guy but what role do I play in making that happen?  None really, all that I can do as a fan is support my team and show up on game day to back the product on the field. 

For starters, the allegations going around about the Browns “tanking” it this season are absolutely absurd.  No Player, Coach, GM, President, or Owner would lose an entire season on purpose or set themselves up to do so.  The fact that this type of garbage comes out of people’s mouths shows their true ignorance.  Chud is starting the best players on his roster, Banner didn’t purposely draft garbage, and the players aren’t taking plays off. 

You’ve got guys in the media like Kiley and Booms running their mouths about stuff they have no idea about.  Think about it, they liked Colt McCoy for Christ sake.   The Owner, the Coach, the President, and the GM don’t need to explain SHIT to you.  Do your job and let them do theirs, I don’t care if you don’t agree with what they are doing or even if you like it.  Let’s face it, Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi have forgotten more about football than guy’s like this will ever know.  You suck at your job, but I’m not going to tell you how to do it because I’m not a radio guy, my face is too pretty for radio.  If i don't like it, I just don’t listen and I’d advise you to do the same.  If you don’t like the product, don’t watch the games.  It’s not like you know what you’re watching anyways.  Oh, and please do yourselves a favor, the next time you get Joe Banner on your show, don’t ask him about hotdogs.   It’s a sad day when MKC makes you look like fools. 

The fans have got to stop over reacting on Mondays.  Already, we need to fire Norv, Lombardi and Banner after only 2 games. This is why we are losers, it is shit like this. 

It makes me laugh to see all the people calling for Greg Little to get cut because he rolled a stop sign.  Yes, I know his license is suspended but you want to kick him off the team because he’s stupid?  Right.  The funny thing is, I see the same people saying they can’t wait for Josh Gordon to come back next week, you know, the guy that is suspended for violating the substance abuse policy.  

Greg Little has had problems catching the ball, Weeden can’t throw it, Oneil Cousins is garbage, and Trent Richardson can’t find the hole.  But building your team with scrub free agents 2 or 3 weeks into the season isn’t going to make you a playoff caliber team.  At some point ignorant fans need to realize this.  Players like T.O., Beanie Wells and Chad Johnson aren’t on teams for a reason. 

And, I’ve had it with the “I’m done with this team” crap, it’s old.  Move on, you don't know better than Chud about when players should be on or off the field. Just because Trent Richardson is your favorite player doesn't mean he is a 3 down back and Josh Cooper isn't better than Devon Bess so forget about that too.

It seems like Cleveland fans and Cleveland media just want to whine.  If Joe Banner comes on the radio, he talks too much.  If Joe Banner isn’t available for a month, he doesn’t back his product.  If Brandon Weeden starts, he shouldn’t be given the job.  If Brandon Weeden sits, he’s the best QB on the team.  If Jimmy Haslam gets pissed off when his team loses, he’s a crazy Owner.  If Jimmy Haslam smiles when his team is losing, he doesn’t care about his team. 

I could go on forever but…..

At the end of the day you’ve still got the second lowest ticket and concession prices in the league so quit your complaining and go root for your team or buy a trailer and start rooting for the Steelers like your mom did 10 years ago.  Get your shit together Cleveland people.  It’s bad enough that our teams suck, don’t add on to the embarrassment by being dumb, whiny bitches.  

You are either fans or you're not. 



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