Since returning to the league in 1999, the Browns have been able to draft the first player taken at each of the following positions: quarterback, defensive end, defensive tackle, running back, center, tight end, wide receiver, safety, “tweener” DE/OLB, and long snapper. Also, last month they signed the first guard taken in 2003.
Finally, we can add offensive tackle to the list. The long-lost successor to the legacy of Groza, Schafrath, and Dieken has been anointed.
To be honest, I was hoping for a trade out of the pricey third pick. Watching Brady Quinn still sitting in place over an hour later, I can understand why this wasn’t to be.
But I am more than glad to welcome Joe Thomas to Cleveland, even if I’m not convinced he’ll be a premiere left tackle along the lines of Ogden, Boselli, Pace, and Jones. He has a great chance of starting early on at a key position, offering help to both the running and passing game.
Mostly, I’m relieved that Phil Savage passed on trading up for JaMarcus Russell or settling for Brady Quinn. While this draft is far from over, getting either of those QBs would have basically closed the door prematurely on Charlie Frye’s long-term future as a Brown.
“I think we feel good about Charlie. I think when you look at arm strength, is it enough? Yes. Enough accuracy? Yes. Mobility, yes. Toughness, yes. Mental ability, yes. Work ethic, yes. Get along with teammates, yes. Support from the organization, yes. So when you factor all those things in, there’s really not a reason to think that he’s not going to be successful.”—Phil Savage, September 8, 2006
Frye’s major deficiencies (the areas Savage omitted in the above checklist) include locking onto receivers, holding onto the ball too long, and turning the ball over by extending broken plays too long. These are all areas that can be expected to improve with more experience, maturity, and coaching.
“We’ve got all the resources here to win. We’ve just got to plant the seeds, water them, and let them grow. The problem with the Browns since ’99 is every time seeds get planted, there’s no chance for them to grow and they just get washed away, and you’re starting over again.”—Savage, October 27, 2006
A much-upgraded offensive line is the best fertilizer for a young QB. The Browns have finally done that, and this draft still offers plenty of possibilities at guard. And as I’ve said before, having two QBs come of age while still playing under very affordable rookie contracts offers a significant competitive advantage in this age of the salary cap.
“I did talk to Charlie the other day and said, ‘Hey, whether we get Trent Green or draft a guy, it really shouldn’t impact you. You know what you have to do.’ “I don’t think Charlie Frye or Derek is going to go down without a fight, whether we get somebody or not.”
–Savage, April 2007
Well, Round 1 goes to the incumbents. I’m sure Charlie‘s smile is pretty wide right now.
