Cleveland Browns Offseason Talk

• BR1986FB

  Browns Hire An Assassin
  
  
  By Fred Greetham
  OBR Browns Reporter
  Posted Apr 24, 2010
  
  The Browns bring in yet more talent in the defensive backfield - another banger alongside second-round pick T. J. Ward. Fred Greetham brings you reaction from the newest Brown.
  
  BEREA—There’s a new “Assassin” coming to the Browns.
  
  Not since the Browns drafted Eddie Johnson in the seventh-round of the 1981 draft have the Browns had a player with the nickname. Johnson played for over a decade with the Browns and was one of the most productive inside linebackers the Browns have had.
  
  They hope Larry Asante lives up to his self proclaimed nickname according to NFLDraftScout.com.
  
  The 6-0, 212 pound strong safety from Nebraska was first team All-Big 12 and he started 36 of 39 career games. He finished his career with 224 tackles, including three interceptions. He had 79 tackles, including 42 solo tackles.
  
  Asante is known as more of a run defender than a pass defender. He agreed with the assessment. He was clocked at 4.66 and 4.68 in the 40 at the NFL Combine.
  
  “I feel I need to improve upon my cover skills,” Asante said. “But, I feel I can learn from the coaches in Cleveland and improve in that area.”
  
  Asante says he tries to emulate Brian Dawkins in his style of play.
  
  “I bring toughness, being physical and being a leader,” Asante said. “I have good leadership and toughness skills.”
  
  Asante said he can play both safety positions.
  
  “We schemed everything we played and I came out most of the time in centerfield,” Asante said. “I’m comfortable in doing whatever they want me to do.”
  
  The Browns drafted T.J. Ward, another safety in the second-round. Overall, the Browns have drafted three defensive backs with their first six picks of the 2010 draft.
  
  “T.J. is a great player,” Asante said. “I think we are similar in a lot of ways. I can’t wait to get in there and compete with him.”
  
  The Browns used one of the picks they received from the Jets to select Asante with their first pick on Saturday.
  
  http://cle.scout.com/2/965271.html
• BR1986FB

  With the addition of these DB's, hopefully they pan out so we can upgrade the aging D-Line early on next year.
• spartan

  i hope we can find some good udfa
• BR1986FB

  spartan wrote: i hope we can find some good udfa

  Was shocked to see Ciron Black is still available.
• buckeyes_woowee

  BR1986FB wrote:

  spartan wrote: i hope we can find some good udfa

  Was shocked to see Ciron Black is still available.

  I'm shocked Selvish Capers and Dorin Dickerson are available
• spartan

  BR1986FB wrote:

  spartan wrote: i hope we can find some good udfa

  Was shocked to see Ciron Black is still available.

  i think he can be a good right tackle
• BR1986FB

  spartan wrote:

  BR1986FB wrote:

  spartan wrote: i hope we can find some good udfa

  Was shocked to see Ciron Black is still available.

  i think he can be a good right tackle

  Zactly....I saw him going 3rd/4th round in some mocks. Groom him to replace Pashos.
• osu99

  There's a kid out of Elon University I'd like to see them sign at WR as a uda. His name is Terrell Hudgins and he owns a lot of receiving records. The kid catches everything thrown his way.
• buckeyes_woowee

  Texans got a steal. Was hoping Dickerson would go undrafted so the Browns would of had a shot at him
• devil1197

  McCoy will not play at all in 2010.
• Shook_12

  royal_k wrote:

  Caponeblows12 wrote: great pick in mitchell. wonder if he could be our future number 1? with momass as a solid number 2 then robo in the slot. i like it! we had a solid young core on offense.
  
  colt mccoy, joe thomas, alex mack, mitchell, momass, robo, hardesty. i like it!

  love the user name...welcome

  thanks royal_k.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  Welcome...but I'd bet Capone blows more than 12
• Shook_12

  hes gonna be blowing 12 as in colt mccoy when he sticks it to the steelers
• Speedofsand

  

  Browns draft recap & analysis on nfl.com
  
  nm, link broke
• BR1986FB

  Holmgren: "Very Productive Draft"
  
  By Fred Greetham
  OBR Browns Reporter
  Posted Apr 24, 2010
  
  Fans may have been displeased early, but the Browns are very happy with their haul in the annual player draft. Fred Greetham brings the recap from the Browns three men in charge...
  
  April 24, 2010
  
  Holmgren: ‘Very Productive Draft’
  
  OBR Browns Reporter
  
  BEREA—It was thought the Browns needed to hit on several of their draft choices quickly, as they need help immediately. Of the eight selections they made over three days, it appears they might have added as many as four starters in this draft.
  
  Overall, the Browns used their eight draft picks to evenly selected four offensive and four defensive players.
  
  On the defensive side, the lean was definitely in the secondary as their first three defensive choices were in that area. In addition, to the three defensive backs, they selected a defensive end.
  
  Offensively, the Browns snagged a running back, quarterback, offensive lineman and wide receiver. The name player was quarterback Colt McCoy, but he was the fourth player the team selected.
  
  “We’re excited for the franchise,” Mike Holmgren said. “We finished a very productive draft for ourselves. It was a very healthy first start for us.
  
  “We had a plan coming into the day that we would try and deal with certain positions and certain players,” Holmgren said. “Other than the quarterback, which was a little bit of a surprise, it felt pretty much the way we wanted it to. In Colt’s case, I really didn’t think that he would be available to us. I really felt that he would go before we had a chance to pick him. But when it didn’t happen, it was something I really wanted to do and Eric (Mangini) and Tom (Heckert) went along with me and there you have it.”
  
  “You can’t fix everything in one year,” Holmgren said. “I think we all understand what it is going to take to get there.”
  
  Holmgren said his first draft in Green Bay, he was given a ‘D’.
  
  “I remember three years later, we were in the Super Bowl and we had five guys starting from that draft.”
  
  Mangini was excited to have three defensive backs coming in to fortify the secondary.
  
  “I’m excited for the guys who are coming in,” Mangini said. “Now, we have to see how best to work them in.”
  
  Joe Haden, T.J. Ward and Larry Asante are expected to upgrade the defense immensely.
  
  “I think there are similarities between Ward and Asante,” Mangini said. “What’s going to be the most important is how they adjust to our system. There are some slight differences in their style.”
  
  Both safeties are described as ‘tough’ players.
  
  “I enjoy guys that are described as ‘tough’,” Mangini said. “Asante is a guy who can knock your helmet off. That’s nice to have back there to put a bit of doubt in a receiver’s mind.”
  
  That was also the label put on Ward, who is supposed to have better cover skills.
  
  “Asante is a big, physical guy,” Heckert said. “We think he is a good player who has played at big time college level.”
  
  To round out their picks on the defensive side, they selected Clifton Geathers with their last pick in the sixth-round.
  
  “He’s a monster at 6-8,” Heckert said. “Usually, a guy like him isn’t as athletic. He’s a lot like his uncle Jumpy Geathers.”
  
  The Browns addressed the offensive side of the ball with running back Montario Hardesty, quarterback Colt McCoy, offensive line Shawn Lauvao and wide receiver Carlton Mitchell.
  
  Holmgren said he expects McCoy to be able to sit back and learn this year from Jake Delhomme, Seneca Wallace and Brett Ratliff.
  
  Holmgren admitted that getting a ‘banger’ at running back was a priority and Montario Hardesty is the type of back he sees with the Browns.
  
  And so does his coach.
  
  “I really like him,” Mangini said. “I think he’s tough, he’s physical, and he’s got a nice burst. He tends to punish defenders at the end of runs. I think that he does a nice job cutting and making guys miss. He’s got good balance.
  
  “I was excited when we got him,” he said. “I like big backs, I like little fast backs too. I like them all that can gain yards. I think that with him, Peyton (Hillis) and Jerome (Harrison), we have added some options there that we can use in a lot of different ways. He carried a heavy load last year and did a really nice job. In talking to Eric Berry when he was here, he couldn’t really say enough good things about him. I just asked him about players you would like to play with again in pro football and he talked a lot about him. For his professionalism, his approach, all of those things that are like music to your ears when you’re sitting on the other side of the desk.”
  
  Although Holmgren is excited to add McCoy, he feels he can be brought along over time.
  
  “Things could change, but I don’t expect (McCoy) to play this year,” Holmgren said. “We have three quarterbacks already here that we feel pretty good about.
  
  “My expectation for him would be to sit and learn this year,” he said. “I acknowledge this will create a buzz, but that’s not why we did it.”
  
  The Browns are in need of help at wide receiver, having very little depth and NFL experience at the position. The draft was described as being weak in the receiver department, but the Browns took a speedy receiver in the sixth-round in Mitchell.
  
  “He’s a little on the raw side but we’re excited to bring him in and work with him,” Heckert said.
  
  The Browns also added depth and a potential starting offensive lineman in Shawn Lauvao in the third-round. He is expected to compete for a starting spot at right guard.
  
  “He’s a big lineman who I think will start out on the inside,” Holmgren said.
  
  A couple concerns were brought up about Ward and Hardesty with some injury history.
  
  “I’ve seen guys that have come in relatively clean and they get banged up and guys that have had some injuries that have fought through them and have come back as strong, if not stronger,” Mangini said. “They are both tough guys and they have had some things in the past. We do really extensive research between the combine medical checks and our own medical checks, if they have visited, to make sure that we feel good about where they are medically and in both cases, we did.”
  
  Holmgren agreed.
  
  “I think in the preparation, it’s a big part of the discussion,” he said. “Our medical people, we have to trust them and they have to really let us know honestly how they feel about these guys because it’s a big investment. Once we get the green light, which happens before the draft, then we go.”
  
  http://cle.scout.com/2/965311.html
• BR1986FB

  Big Lineman Brings Big Potential
  
  
  By Fred Greetham
  OBR Browns Reporter
  Posted Apr 24, 2010
  
  The Browns acquired considerable size and huge upside in South Carolina's Clifton Geathers. Will Clifton continue his family's success in the NFL?
  
  BEREA—The Browns selected their fourth defensive player—and first non-defensive back-- to conclude their 2010 draft.
  
  Clifton Geathers, defensive end from South Carolina joins the Browns with a huge upside. He is listed at 6-8 and 299 pounds with 37.75 inch long arms. He came out of college early and according to some experts, if he stayed in school he could’ve been a first-round pick next year.
  
  “He’s a monster at 6-8,” Tom Heckert said. “Usually, a guy like him isn’t as athletic. He’s a lot like his uncle Jumpy Geathers.”
  
  Geathers played in 12 games in 2009 with 41 tackles, including 3.5 sacks. He forced two fumbles and had one fumble recovery.
  
  “If you put that together with a solid next year with the measurable he has, he could have leap-frogged to be a first-round pick next year,” NFLDraftScout.Com said.
  
  Geathers has the lineage as he is the son of former Bill’s third-round pick, Robert, Sr. His older brother, Robert, Jr. is a starting defensive end for the Bengals. His uncle, Jumpy, also played in the NFL.
  
  The Browns selected him with their second, sixth-round pick (186th overall). He was rated by NFLDraftScout.com as the 132nd best player available. The pick was acquired from the Panthers.
  
  Barring trades, Geathers will be the final selection for the Browns as they are not scheduled to pick in the seventh-round.
  
  http://cle.scout.com/2/965308.html
• BR1986FB

  Browns Reel in Big Wide Receiver
  
  By Fred Greetham
  OBR Browns Reporter
  Posted Apr 24, 2010
  
  The Browns needed a wide receiver and are undoubtedly happy with high-upside Carlton Mitchell. Here's the latest from our Man in Berea...
  
  BEREA—The Browns wanted to get a wide receiver, but said this draft was not particularly deep in that area.
  
  They took South Florida receiver Carlton Mitchell with their first sixth-round pick (177th overall).
  
  In years when as many as six to seven wide receivers have been drafted in the first-round, in 2010, only Dez Bryant was a first round pick and he didn’t go until the Cowboys selected him 24th.
  
  Mitchell (6-3, 215), caught 105 passes for 1648 yards including nine touchdowns, in his collegiate career.
  
  He was described by NFLDraftScout.com, who had him ranked as the 75th best prospect in this year’s draft as being “a tall and wiry deep threat tough running with the ball, but doesn’t always catch it.”
  
  “I had a few balls that went to my chest,” Mitchell said. “But, I’ve worked on that since January and feel that I’ve improved in that area quite a bit.”
  
  Mitchell comes from an athletic background. His father, Carl, played professional basketball in Europe, while his mother , Angela, is a well-known cut person in the corner of professional boxer Antonio Carver.
  
  “I almost was born in Spain, but my mom came back to the states when I was born,” he said. “I thought about following my father, but wanted to play football.”
  
  Mitchell raised some eyebrows declaring for the draft, despite not having big numbers in college.
  
  “I played in a run first offense,” he said. “To tell the truth, I was just playing my role and it was a timing scheme offense. At the end of the day, I just did what the coaches wanted me to do and to help the team win games. “
  
  One of the Browns’ most glaring needs is at wide receiver, where Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie were drafted in the second-round in 2009. Josh Cribbs and Mike Furrey are the other veteran receivers.
  
  There’s a good opportunity for Mitchell with the Browns.
  
  “That’s what I was told,” Mitchell said. “I feel really blessed to come into that situation. I have no regrets about (leaving school early). The main thing was my love and passion for the sport.
  
  Mike Holmgren said the Browns wanted to bring in a fast receiver and Mitchell feels he fits the bill.
  
  “I feel that I’m ready for the next level,” Mitchell said. “The Lord has blessed me with great speed and feel I can stretch the field.”
  
  http://cle.scout.com/2/965279.html
• BR1986FB

  Cleveland Browns cite toughness as top attribute of their eight selections in NFL Draft 2010
  By Tony Grossi, The Plain Dealer
  April 24, 2010, 6:51PM
  NFL Draft: Browns Holmgren and Mangini wrap up the draft
  
  BEREA, Ohio -- Last year, the buzzword of the Browns' draft was "smart." The emphasis made by coach Eric Mangini was on academic achievers. No. 1 pick Alex Mack claimed the Draddy Trophy -- the academic Heisman -- and other draftees earned national or conference academic honors.
  
  This year, "tough" is in. Tom Heckert, who took over the draft as the new general manager, used the word to describe almost every one of the eight players the Browns chose over three days.
  
  "I enjoy whenever we can describe a player that way," Mangini said Saturday. "It's much better than the alternative, soft. Toughness is a great thing to have."
  
  The Browns concluded their draft Saturday by picking:
  
  • Safety Larry Asante of Nebraska;
  
  • Wide receiver Carlton Mitchell of South Florida; and
  
  • Defensive end Clifton Geathers of South Carolina.
  
  In all, the Browns took four players on each side of the ball -- three in the defensive backfield. They may have added up to four legitimate contenders for starting jobs. The only player they openly state will not play is quarterback Colt McCoy.
  
  "I think we've all been at this long enough to realize you can't fix everything in one year," President Mike Holmgren said. "We've talked about it a lot, the three of us. I'm very excited about this year's draft. I think we were able to take a good step forward. But now they have to come in and play."
  
  Here's a closer look at the Browns' eight draft picks:
  
  • 1. Cornerback Joe Haden, first round, seventh overall of the draft.
  
  An old adage says a defense is only as good as its third cornerback. In this pass-happy era, maybe that should be changed to only good as its fourth corner. In Haden, Sheldon Brown and Eric Wright, Mangini now has three.
  
  The Browns' 40 sacks last year were better than eight playoff teams, but you'd never know it because the secondary was so bad, giving up jump balls and missing tackles for long gains. Haden was best corner of the draft, a consensus top-10 pick. The best thing about him is the one-time quarterback recruit has played cornerback only three years.
  
  Quote to note: "I feel that's one thing that's a big plus in my game. The ceiling is still so high for me as a corner. I just have so much more I can learn and so much more that I want to learn."
  
  • 2. Safety T.J. Ward, second round, 38th overall.
  
  The Browns haven't had an enforcer in the secondary since Eric Turner in the 1990s. Remember the hit Brian Russell put on Chad Johnson in a 2006 game, knocking him speechless, if not toothless? Those jarring hits are supposed to be commonplace for this compactly built safety, who is not only an explosive hitter but also a reliable tackler.
  
  Yes, his injuries are a concern. Maybe that's why the Browns added another safety in the similar mode in the fifth round.
  
  Quote to note: "When I get to the ballcarrier, I just give it all I have. My dad played safety, as well, and said he modeled his game after [former OSU and Oakland Raider star] Jack Tatum. The way he played with a take-no-prisoners mentality, hit everything moving, that's the way I like to go about my business on the field."
  
  • 3. Running back Montario Hardesty, second round, 59th overall.
  
  A physical, 225-pound runner with the speed and versatility of a feature back and not just a big-back complement. Injuries limited him to only six starts in 36 games his senior year. Healthy his last year, he had a breakout season in the pro-style offense under coach Lane Kiffin.
  
  Scouting reports glow of his "rare agility for a back his size" and laud him as "the consummate teammate."
  
  Quote to note: "Some people say I'm a bruiser, but I'm not a bruiser at all. I made a lot of people miss this year. I made big plays against big time defenses like Alabama, Auburn, Georgia. I just feel like I'm an all-around back and I can do everything on the football field. A guy that can run inside, outside, always fall forward and put a lot of heart and passion on the field, and you can see my heart and passion come out with my play on the field."
  
  • 4. Quarterback Colt McCoy, third round, 85th overall.
  
  Like Drew Brees, another undersized passer of note, he just reeks of toughness, competitiveness and heart, and exudes his will to win on teammates. It helps him immensely to come in later in the draft so that unrealistic expectations don't force-feed his development.
  
  A legitimate question is his arm strength. Otherwise, he would have gone higher.
  
  Quote to note: "I just really like [Cleveland]. I was only there for a day, but I know it's a good, hard-working, blue-collar town and that's exactly who I am. I grew up in the country. I work hard and nothing has ever been easy for me. I've earned everything I have ever achieved and I'm going to do the same thing when I get to Cleveland, and have the support of all the fans there."
  
  • 5. Guard Shaun Lauvao, third round, 92nd overall.
  
  A thick Hawaiian who is a tough, physical drive-blocker at guard with experience starting in the Pac-10 at right tackle and left tackle. His pro future is at guard. He might be the latest wide body to make a run at Eric Steinbach's job. He's close to earning his Master's degree from Arizona State in education curriculum and instruction.
  
  Quote of note: "The biggest thing I bring is my work ethic. Football is something that is important to me and I'm real passionate about. I don't want to disappoint, I want to help the team any way possible, come in and compete, give effort and show them that I belong."
  
  • 6. Safety Larry Asante, fifth round, 160th overall.
  
  An inch taller than Ward, he is another big hitter. While Ward aspired to be the next Tatum, Asante stole Tatum's nickname and called himself "the Assassin" at Nebraska. He is a run-support specialist, a converted junior college linebacker, and is not the guy you want roaming the deep field in pass coverage.
  
  Quote of note: "I feel I need to improve upon my cover skills and I have great coaches in Cleveland that can help be build upon my weaknesses and perfect my strengths."
  
  • 7. Receiver Carlton Mitchell, sixth round, 177th overall.
  
  Heckert described him as "big and fast ... a little on the raw side." He probably would have benefited by staying for his final year of eligibility at South Florida, but didn't think he would grow further in the program's run-first offense. He's not the immediate answer to the team's receiver shortcomings.
  
  Quote of note: "The Lord's blessed me with some pretty decent speed, so I feel as if I can stretch the field a little bit."
  
  • 8. Defensive lineman Clifton Geathers, sixth round, 186th overall.
  
  Referring to his size, Heckert called him "a monster" who's a really good athlete. His enormous 37-inch arms caused some teams to work him out as an offensive tackle. But his father, Robert Sr., his uncle, James "Jumpy," and his brother, Robert Jr., currently with the Bengals, all played as defensive linemen, and he intends to continue the tradition.
  
  "I'm 6-8. Right now I weigh about 302. I've got 37 1/2-inch arms, did a 36-inch vertical, have a 7-foot, 2-inch wingspan and I'm just able to move. I'm a freaky guy. I think with a little coaching and a little polishing, I'll be the best player probably in the league."
  
  http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/04/cleveland_browns_cite_toughnes.html
• devil1197

  Some quick notes on Hardesty:
  
  NFLDraftScout.com:
  
  Hardesty 67th overall prospect, 5th overall RB, projected 2-3 round.
  
  Cleveland selected him 59th, he was the 5th RB taken in the draft, and it was in the 2nd round.
• BR1986FB

  Between Hardesty, Harrison, Hillis, Vickers & James Davis I think we are REAL solid at RB/FB. Bye bye Chris Jennings.....
• devil1197

  Also, on sportsnation Cleveland is currently leading the poll for who had the best draft. Just saw that on the on the ESPN draft page.
• wes_mantooth

  

  Weird....I thought Seattle had the best by a landslide.....Browns was good though.
• BR1986FB

  devil1197 wrote: Also, on sportsnation Cleveland is currently leading the poll for who had the best draft. Just saw that on the on the ESPN draft page.

  I wouldn't read too much into this. The Browns might have the largest fan base in the NFL.
• Al Capone

  BR1986FB wrote:

  devil1197 wrote: Also, on sportsnation Cleveland is currently leading the poll for who had the best draft. Just saw that on the on the ESPN draft page.

  I wouldn't read too much into this. The Browns might have the largest fan base in the NFL.

  WTF are you drinking tonight BR? That has to be the joke line of the night. I cant tell you how many diehard brown fans that I know that switched to the black and gold the last 5 years.
  The Steelers have the largest fan base by far, and has been proven over and over again. Nobody likes a loser BR.
• BR1986FB

  Like throwing bloody chum into a shark infested ocean. Too freakin' easy....