Random impressions and stray riffs from the first draft of the re-re-reborn Browns:
I breathed a big sigh of relief when Miami finally chose running back Ronnie Brown with the second pick. What if they (or a trading partner) had picked Braylon Edwards? Who would the Browns have chosen next? The acquisition of Reuben Droughns and the retention of Lee Suggs and (thus far) William Green make RB the Browns’ deepest position behind tight end. Honestly, none of the defensive players seemed worthy of that high of a selection. Can you imagine the irony if the first post-Butch pick had been Miami’s Antrel Rolle? And I think my stomach would’ve felt empty had we picked the 187-pound Pacman Jones to challenge the last ’99 draftee, Daylon McCutcheon, to start at cornerback. You can say we might have taken even less for trading down, but who would possibly have been interested in trading up that high? For whom? I don’t know what Phil would’ve done, and I’m glad it’s just an interesting hypothetical.
I’m glad to note that the Browns accomplished nearly all of the “instant objectives” I laid out last time. The biggest unmet need: they didn’t draft a left tackle of the future. (Jon Dunn, the mammoth developmental prospect for the right side, doesn’t count.) The only backup to Ross Verba on the roster who is regarded primarily as a left tackle is Kirk Chambers, and I haven’t seen any news of him signing a contract after settling for a one-year deal as a rookie.
Savage said there were no takers or offers for William Green during the draft. “We didn’t actively pursue any because we feel like William is doing some positive things here,” he said. That’s encouraging, because he’s mighty affordable and plenty talented.
Six of the eight draftees are from the South. The two Midwesterners — Edwards and QB Charlie Frye — play positions that are most affected by Cleveland’s winter winds.
Adios and good luck in Tampa to Luke McCown, the 4th-rounder a year ago (and a Southerner) who was thrown to the wolves with last season already out of control. The drafting of Frye gave the Browns four QBs, and McCown had at least some trade value — the late sixth-rounder they used on nose tackle Andrew Hoffman. So the Browns did redeem something from playing the rookie last year. And here I though the Browns might be interested in Tampa Bay’s Chris Simms. Turns out the QB trade action went in the other direction.
Looks like a nice competition will ensue for the backup quarterback role between two Ohioans, both former MAC stars, both of whom wore number 5. Savage sounded disinclined to bring in a game-tested backup QB in free agency, noting the moxie of Frye and the improvement of Josh Harris. You need to head into training camp with at least four QBs, so apparently undrafted rookie Lang Campbell will be brought in. He’s from William and Mary, the same school where Browns QB coach Rip Scherer once played the position. Not the Campbell that many Browns fans were expecting, but it’s great that local guy Frye fell to them in the third round.
The official site has updated its roster, including the uniform numbers for recently signed players. Edwards, too young to remember Brian Sipe, has chosen Chris Gardocki’s 17. (It was odd enough seeing Frisman Jackson wearing 19.) Punter Kyle Richardson is no longer listed as 5; he’ll wear Kelly Holcomb’s old 10. That frees up 5, presumably for Frye, but I’d think Harris could make a claim on it based on seniority, right? Of course, they might both be wise to avoid 5, lest Browns fans be reminded of what happened in that uniform last season.
Stray draft-related historical non-sequiter: In 1975, the Browns used their 16th-round pick on USC wide receiver John (J.K.) McKay. A year later, they left him exposed to the expansion draft, where he was taken by Tampa Bay and its coach John McKay, J.K.’s father, who had also coached him in college.
Speaking of fathers and sons, the Browns’ last two first-round picks are both the sons of former NFL players. It might not be a bad idea for the Browns to sign another one: Tennesee tackle Michael Munoz, who went undrafted, despite this wildly optimistic Cincy Post prediction.
