This is from Patriots guy...
5. Cleveland Browns 4-11 Robert Griffin III Quarterback Baylor Junior Redshirt The Cleveland Browns look like a lock to get a franchise signal caller unless the Colts take Luck with the Jaguars robbing Cleveland by taking Baylor’s Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III one year after selecting Blaine Gabbert. The only ways Cleveland cannot get a quarterback is with a Colts win over the Jaguars and a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns will remain a cellar dweller if the Steelers lose to Cleveland on Sunday.
Cleveland has the AFC North’s best offensive line with left tackle Joe Thomas, left guard Jason Pinkston, center Alex Mack, and right guard Shaun Lauvao. The Browns offensive line is also anchored by the NFL’s best blindside at left tackle in Joe Thomas.
I said in 2009 at a lunch table at North Allegheny that the Jets had a left tackle in Ferguson and that Sanchez would have more early success than Stafford because he would have the better supporting cast to start his career. I had a feeling Stafford was the better long term quarterback. That’s been showcased in 2011 with the Lions making the playoffs and Sanchez struggling with the loss of right tackle Damien Woody and wide receiver Braylon Edwards. Sanchez began his career with more to work with which made him look like the better quarterback early in his career with 2 straight AFC Title appearances. Stafford had no one, but Calvin Johnson as a rookie. Stafford was out for the whole year in 2010. 2011 has been Stafford’s breakout year with the improved supporting cast and getting a 2nd year to master the Lions playbook off the field due to an injury after showing major signs of progress in 2010 Lions training camp.
Stafford injured his shoulder against the Browns his rookie year. He rallied Detroit to a win by throwing a game winning touchdown on the final play. When rookie quarterbacks have that moment everyone begins to believe in that quarterback and you know you have your future starter.
Cleveland has good blockers they just need playmakers on offense at quarterback, wide receiver, and running back. Getting a quarterback makes an irrelevant team like the Cleveland Browns relevant.
With Matt Barkley set to return and Landry Jones both expected to return their is only one sure fire quarterback after Andrew Luck. That’s Baylor’s Robert Griffin III. Cleveland has 2 first round picks. The Cleveland Browns will either trade up for Andrew Luck or take Robert Griffin III with this selection.
Cleveland could climb up to 2nd in the AFC North if they get the right quarterback. Dalton may have a sophomore slump for all we know plus Flacco will be in a contract year in 2012. Baltimore could lose some players on the left side of the offensive line like left tackle Bryant McKinnie and left guard Ben Grubbs along with potentially losing Ray Lewis or Ed Reed due to retirement on defense.
Some fans doubt the Browns because they have never really struck gold with a quarterback. I think Luck has hall of fame potential and Griffin has pro bowl potential. I thought the 2011 NFL Draft would feature 3 quarterbacks with ability to become great, but not pro bowl starters like Joe Flacco or Jay Cutler. I thought Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, and Cam Newton had this ability. I thought Gabbert would bust. Newton has proved himself as a rookie and has a chance to be a pro bowl quarterback if he continues to improve. Newton has surpassed my expectations of being a David Garrard quarterback at best. In other words I was wrong about Newton.
If neither Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III can make the Browns relevant I’m not sure anyone at quarterback in the entire universe can because their the Browns. Quarterbacks like Tim Couch, Derek Anderson, ad Brady Quinn tried to revive the Cleveland Browns and they all failed. It looks like Colt McCoy may be in for a similar fate.
There is always a team picking in the top 5 that gets their team to the postseason the following year. The Colts may have a quarterback controversy with Manning and Luck plus their will be some defensive needs at cornerback to address. The Rams, Vikings, and Jaguars will all have tons of draft needs. These teams may have too many needs to address to contend right away.
You need a quarterback, left tackle, pass rusher sack artist who gives left tackles problems, a shutdown corner, and a blue chip wide receiver to contend in this league. Cleveland has Joe Thomas as the NFL’s top left tackle along with a good supporting cast for the interior offensive line. Cleveland also has cornerback Joe Haden who is emerging as a breakout cornerback in the mold of a Darrell Revis anchoring one of the leagues top ranked pass defenses.
Cleveland has 3 of the top 40 draft picks. If they get a quarterback, a pass rusher with their 2nd first round pick from Atlanta, and a wide receiver at the top of round 2 hitting the jackpot on all 3 picks then I think they can realistically finish ahead of Cincinnati and Baltimore in 2012 potentially getting a wild card spot.
Regardless of whether the Browns get Luck by giving up a King’s Ransom of draft picks or Griffin I think they could contend for a wild card spot in 2012 with Luck or Griffin as their quarterback. Luck is a quarterback who can help you get double digit wins on a yearly basis. Griffin can perform well too if Cleveland drafts other blue chip players with other draft picks at key positions like pass rusher and wide receiver.
Cleveland doesn’t have the players at the key positions to surpass Pittsburgh in the AFC North yet. Even if you get the right quarterback long term with Luck or Griffin your still looking at 2nd place best case scenario. Even if they get those key players in 2012 it may be a transition year for the rookies. Cleveland could have those players to contend long term if they hit the jackpot on draft day in 2012 at the key positions.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco will be in a contract year, Andy Dalton could have a sophomore slump, plus Pittsburgh’s defense will be aging another year in 2012. If the Browns want to become a major player in the AFC North and potentially the AFC long term then they have to draft the right players in 2012. This is Cleveland’s golden chance to become a relevant team for a long time if you draft the right players so you cannot screw this up if your Mike Holmgren or Tom Heckert the Browns GM.
http://www.rantsports.com/mock-draft/2011/12/28/2012-nfl-mock-draft-4-rounds/
he hasn't really done anything since he's been in Cleveland....look how McCoy turned out :laugh:
Commander of Awesome;1030430 wrote:Doug Williams doesn't count?
like_that;1030415 wrote:No, because a black QB has already won a SB.
People are worrying about the Jags maybe not being sold on Gabbert..what about the Vikings not being sold on Ponder? He was a reach to begin with. I havent watched them much, but looking at the stat sheets and their record..he is looking pretty bad.
br good read. i agree with the article, its either luck or RGII (assuming he comes out) you get one of those a free agent wide out teamed up with greg little and hopefully resign hillis then lemichael james in the third and we've got something cooking here. heckert can not fuck this up
It was just one drive, but very impressive. Hopefully RG3 comes out and hopefully the Browns grab him.
"Cleveland has the AFC North’s best offensive line"