While We’re Waiting… Z’s Return, LeBron and Mauer, and Holmgren on Clausen
March 24, 2010Discussing the Two Guards
March 24, 2010In what was a surprisingly candid discussion about the Cleveland Browns, head coach Eric Mangini went on record during Tuesday’s NFL owners meeting to say that his football team is not done adding pieces to the puzzle as the team heads into the 2010 season.
With the recent trades of former first-round selections Brady Quinn and Kamerion Wimbley, the Browns have amassed 12 selections for the upcoming draft. And while the team is expected to use most of them – five of which are within the first three rounds – Mangini stated that the team is not counting out a move that would land them higher selections than they currently own.
“There’s some other things that hopefully will get done in the next couple of weeks,” said Mangini. “A little bit of [the Quinn and Wimbley trades were] done in anticipation of being able to get some other things done that will involve draft picks.”
Quite a change from last season where Mangini would be mum on all internal conversations. Whether or not this is coachspeak or a smokescreen remains to be seen, but the fact remains that the coach’s level of media-directed conversation has dramatically spiked.
“[The Wimbley trade] gives us flexibility if we want to do that,” Mangini continued. “And if it happens, we can do some of those things. If not, then you get another third-round draft pick, which is really a good spot to draft, whether we want to address the secondary or someplace else.”
Not surprising, the secondary continues to be a large need for the Browns. The team has scheduled workouts for multiple upcoming draftees including Texas’ Earl Thomas and LSU’s Chad Jones. As it has been discussed here in the past, the Browns are also in the market for a quarterback with Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen, Texas’ Colt McCoy and Florida’s Tim Tebow being linked to the Browns in some shape or form.
On top of draft-related moves, Mangini claimed that the Browns continue to look at options within the restricted free agency arena as well.
“I think there’s a couple combinations [of trades pending],” Mangini said. “Some could be restricted free agents, and some could be players currently on a roster.”
The restricted free agents that have recently been linked to the Browns are a pair of 2006 draftees in Eagles linebacker Chris Gocong and Seahawks offensive lineman Rob Sims. Gocong was a player referenced by Eric Mangini when Tom Heckert was hired as both individuals had interest in him coming out of college. Sims has obvious ties to Mike Holmgren given his current team but is also a Cleveland, Ohio native that went to The Ohio State University.
The Browns have reportedly been in discussions regarding both players, but it appears that there is a gap in what the Browns are willing to pay versus what their respective teams would like in return. Both players currently have fourth-round tenders that would require draft picks in return for their services, something that the team may not be comfortable parting with. Due to this, Mangini was sure to lay out a giant caveat for the future.
“[But] it’s like anything else,” Manigni said. “Until it’s done, you can’t guarantee it.”
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Image via PhiladelphiaEagles.com
26 Comments
The Wimbley trade still smells fishy to me. We might have outsmarted ourselves. But I guess we’ll find out.
I am not sure I like all the pre-draft talking out of Berea. I just dont see any advantage to it. But, I am very happy with the strategy. You identify depth (LB), trade depth (Wimbley) for flexiblity (picks) used to shore up areas of weakness. This is what smart teams do. The Browns have so many options in front of them now – FA signings, trading up in the draft, trading picks for vets. I like where this is going.
Now comes the easy part, finding the right players…
If Sims would come in and start, I’d say a 4th round pick would be ok for me. Not sure if that’s the only mitigating factor in it though.
As far as trading up/down in the draft, have the Browns had a workout w/ Bradford yet? All this talk of trades is making me think they might make a push to move up and get him, and am curious to see how his workout was if he had one.
I havent heard of them bringing in Bradford or Clausen. Everyone knows Tebow has a visit, also McCoy is visiting like 10 days before the draft. Ive also seen Earl Thomas and Chad Jones are visiting (both S)
#SayNoToTebow
SIMZ IS A BUCKEYE, WE HAZ TO GIT HIM!!
Seriously though, Ditto to what Lyon said Im down with a 4th for him. And if we draft a QB I hope its Tebow, because I dont want to trade up to get Bradford & Im not sure about Clausen/Colt. I think you take a chance on Tebow if he’s there late 2nd or early 3rd Im ok with that.
Thanks bobby.
I’m not big on drafting Bradford b/c of what we’d have to pay him, but do see it as a realistic option for the Browns. Would love it if we could shore up the defense by picks/trades.
Remember when the issue with the Browns was “not enough info about who/what they are looking for in the draft”? Now there are complaints about “too much info about the draft plan”? Outstanding.
@Mark- I think it is funny that you, and and some other fans on here, are saying that they don’t like this “pre-draft talking out of Brea” when last year we didn’t get a peep from Mankini and everyone complained that he wasn’t saying enough. Is there a happy medium?
B-bo and DirtyAlaskan – this is the internet. This is no place for logic or conceding one’s changes in opinion.
/caps
I cant speak for anyone else but I never had a problem with the silence about pre-draft plans/player evaluations last year. I dont see where talking about specific players and plans helps the Browns. After its done – fine, thats great. But not before. Why reveal anything?
But, in the overall scheme of things I dont think it is that big of a deal. And as a fan I love the insight into their thinking. I just dont see how it helps them.
I agree with Mark/@2. I never complained about them checking their moves with the little people first or even presenting it nicely later, I just want the moves to be right.
I have two theories on Mangini’s loose lips here, both of which are probably wrong. 1) He does not quite have this “kinder/gentler with the press” thing down yet, and initially errs on the side of saying too much since, what the heck, if Boss Man can leak about Clausen … or 2) They somehow think this is the best way to advertise to the league that a decent pick is for sale and increase the bidding.
Or maybe these are all just the first smells of silly season.
I don’t really remember anybody complaining about Mangini not being forthcoming enough *before* the draft. And I personally never minded Mangini’s tight-lipped style since the results on the field should be what he’s judged on anyway. (And yes I know the results weren’t exactly stellar last year but he won me over and I’m glad Holmgren kept him.)
That said, I think we fans have a tendency to think about these NFL front offices like they’re full of ex-CIA and Mossad operatives, the way we expect them to have all these crazy schemes and subterfuge with pre-draft workouts and stuff. The way I figure it, you probably have certain groups of GMs that know each other well and like each other and share information (up to a point) and are pretty forthcoming with each other with their draft and FA plans. Remember a lot of these guys have known each other, worked together, and been friends for their whole careers, which by the time they get to be at the GM or president level, is like 20-30 years. So even if Holmgren hadn’t blabbed something to Grossi, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have already talked it over with his old pals in Seattle or Philly or whatever.
Maybe one of those 3rd round picks could get Sheldon Brown from Philly? Draft Berry, Trade for Brown, and the secondary looks halfway decent:
CB – Brown, Wright, McDonald
S – Elam, Berry
alright.. lets get this straight. Guarantee basically every NFL team knows what the browns are doing “behind the scenes.” They at least know a lot more about whats going on then what the media reports. The browns are talkign to teams about trading and what not… they know whats being talked about, we just speculate. What they say is probably not groundbreaking news for anyone inside the NFL.
Josh- I like that. Make it happen.
Okay, i’ll make the call to Holmgren.
Forget it. The Browns front office is filled with idiots, including Holmgren. They never really gave Quinn a chance to play with an offensive line that could provide even minimum protection on the right side. Bringing in Wallace and Delhomme was a cruel joke played on Browns fans. All of Delhomme’s hype can be rolled up into two words, Steve Smith. There’s no Steve Smith in Cleveland but there could be another draft pick wasted on a QB. The received zero in the trade for Quinn. He may be starting for Denver before the season is over. They don’t have an Ozzie Newsome who can come up with a Joe Flacco pick. The Browns have to be able to stop the running game. To do that you need a Ray Lewis type LB. You also need an Ed Reed type secondary guy. Guess who’s going to dominate the AFC North now? The ex-Browns. I never thought I’d be a Ravens fan after they left Cleveland, but they are as close to the old Browns that I’ve loved since #32 ran the ball as possible. From now on I’ll be watching and pulling for the Ravens. Watch what they do with Anquan Boldin and Ray Rice. Look out Cleveland. The Browns won’t win 5 games this season. Face the reality, the Browns are totally clueless as to how to build a football team. Mangini should have been gone after last season. He couldn’t win in NY and he won’t in Cleveland.
What if the Browns have no intention of trading up or even drafting a QB all together? Maybe the Browns getting all this info out there is really just a ploy to drive up demand for their picks and create more value when they trade down in the draft. Somebody may really want Tebow/Clausen/McCoy and think the Browns are going to take one of them and give us more for that pick now to move up and snag their guy. I could really see them trading down at 7. Unless the guy they feel is a “can’t miss” prospect left at 7, they may move down and acquire more picks. Maybe a 4th rounder to compensate getting Sims?
I personally like all the attention the Browns are getting and so far it has all been positive and encouraging.
@19 – Shappetti?
I like the football talk pre-draft…makes Browns fans remember that we have a team in the offseason…and that they are making a concerted effort to make things better…
Walrus ftw!
If Eric Berry falls to us at 7, no questions asked, draft him! I would then go to NE and TB and offer three third round picks for two second round picks. If Oakland is willing to trade the 8th overall for two thirds and two fifths I would consider it. We could also add an additional second round pick this year by offering a first next year. This draft is so deep. I dont see how we dont try to acquire more picks in the first two rounds.
First, Dave A, move to Baltimore! I watched the ’64 game on the B&W set with aluminum foil on the rabbit ears. I’m not happy about how things have gone since ’99 but I think Holmgren has the ability to make things happen. I thought Quinn might be our guy but we don’t know about the “intangibles”. Maybe the team didn’t believe in him. I will shave my head with a cheese grater while chewing aluminum foil before I give up on my Browns. As far as QB I think the kid out of Cincinnati (I don’t remember his name) will be available in the third round, any opinions? GO BROWNS!!
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