Post by gk on Apr 27, 2009 10:15:13 GMT -6
Let's hear 'em. Be honest people....
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As I said, I sort of have to just close my eyes and hope that things will turn out right. That said, the more I think about it, the more I think the Browns had a fantastic draft.
The key is probably the three players they acquired from the Jets in the trade down. The thing about the draft is, we don't realize just how many first and second round picks never amount to anything. You're basically lucky if you can walk away with maybe three starters your entire draft.
By sliding out of the 5 spot, they did that with essentially one pick. Abram Elam, Kenyon Coleman, and their actual pick, Alex Mack, will all probably be serviceable starters in 2009. None will win the MVP to be sure, but chances are neither will any of the players drafted in the first round. In fact, many of them will not even be starters in three years.
As for the rest of the draft, I have no freaking idea. None of us do. Brian Robiskie is supposed to be good at catching the football. That's always a good skill for an NFL wide receiver to have. And while it seems strange to draft two WR in the second round (Massaquoi being the other), it might help push at least one of them to starting-caliber quality.
So I have no idea about the players, but the philosophy seems sound.
If you squint hard enough, I think you can see the makings of a good team: solid offensive and defensive line. Deep at running back. Above average secondary (big thank you to Phil Savage for Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald).
There are just huge question marks at the offensive skill positions. Big questions like: who the hell will be playing at said offensive skill positions?
Who's the QB? Will Braylon be around? And if so, is he going to sulk the entire year because he's still in Cleveland (where, according to him, fans just don't like him because he went to Michigan. Seriously, that's what he claims. What a twerp.)? Will Robiskie or Massaquoi emerge as a decent #2 WR as a rookie? And, Jamal Lewis? Still???
I really could see anything happening with this team: they could go 0-16 or win the division. If Quinn does turn out to be as good as he is sexy, and Braylon doesn't lead the league in drops, there's no reason a well-coached 2009 Browns squad can't make the playoffs.
Then again, if Quinn isn't that great as it turns out, and Braylon sulks, and Shuan Smith punches his own teamates again, I could see this team coming apart real fast.
For that reason, the first three or four weeks are especially critical:
vs. Vikings
@ Denver
@ Baltimore
vs. Cincinnati
Given the QB situation of all those teams, the Browns should have a puncher's chance in all four. I think after those four games we'll be able to project exactly what the Browns are going to be for the rest of the season.
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As I said, I sort of have to just close my eyes and hope that things will turn out right. That said, the more I think about it, the more I think the Browns had a fantastic draft.
The key is probably the three players they acquired from the Jets in the trade down. The thing about the draft is, we don't realize just how many first and second round picks never amount to anything. You're basically lucky if you can walk away with maybe three starters your entire draft.
By sliding out of the 5 spot, they did that with essentially one pick. Abram Elam, Kenyon Coleman, and their actual pick, Alex Mack, will all probably be serviceable starters in 2009. None will win the MVP to be sure, but chances are neither will any of the players drafted in the first round. In fact, many of them will not even be starters in three years.
As for the rest of the draft, I have no freaking idea. None of us do. Brian Robiskie is supposed to be good at catching the football. That's always a good skill for an NFL wide receiver to have. And while it seems strange to draft two WR in the second round (Massaquoi being the other), it might help push at least one of them to starting-caliber quality.
So I have no idea about the players, but the philosophy seems sound.
If you squint hard enough, I think you can see the makings of a good team: solid offensive and defensive line. Deep at running back. Above average secondary (big thank you to Phil Savage for Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald).
There are just huge question marks at the offensive skill positions. Big questions like: who the hell will be playing at said offensive skill positions?
Who's the QB? Will Braylon be around? And if so, is he going to sulk the entire year because he's still in Cleveland (where, according to him, fans just don't like him because he went to Michigan. Seriously, that's what he claims. What a twerp.)? Will Robiskie or Massaquoi emerge as a decent #2 WR as a rookie? And, Jamal Lewis? Still???I really could see anything happening with this team: they could go 0-16 or win the division. If Quinn does turn out to be as good as he is sexy, and Braylon doesn't lead the league in drops, there's no reason a well-coached 2009 Browns squad can't make the playoffs.
Then again, if Quinn isn't that great as it turns out, and Braylon sulks, and Shuan Smith punches his own teamates again, I could see this team coming apart real fast.
For that reason, the first three or four weeks are especially critical:
vs. Vikings
@ Denver
@ Baltimore
vs. Cincinnati
Given the QB situation of all those teams, the Browns should have a puncher's chance in all four. I think after those four games we'll be able to project exactly what the Browns are going to be for the rest of the season.
