More Browns' Draft Stuff

First, some corrections:

1: D'Qwell Jackson does have trouble getting off blocks sometimes in the 3-4, and the solution is indeed to have a "thumper" next to him.  The ILB's in a 3-4 do have different roles, and one ILB can be protected.  The easiest way is to bias the nose tackle's set to his side of the center, but there are others.

James Micheal Johnson does have better reach and size, and might be able to fill that role.  If not, a healthy Chris Cocong DEFINITELY can.

2: If Joe Flacco or anybody else opt to avoid playing for the Browns, it will NOT be  because the team lacks talent.  This inferiority complex is largely a local phenomenon.  Browns fans are superstitious, so they think coaches and front office people turn stupid when they get here.

The former GMs, coaches, and players in the national media all pretty much agree that the Browns are up-and-coming and don't have a lot of holes to fill.

Please quit saying that.  Itemize the holes.  QB, maybe.  Guard--not exactly a "hole", see?  Just a postion that could use an upgrade.  D-line?  Please get back on your meds.  ILB?  Put down the shovel, JMJ and Gocong aren't dead yet.  OLB?  OK there's one.  Starting corner?  That makes two.  Safety?  You got it that's three.  Three holes.  I'll even give you tight end, since Cameron is just one guy and could get hurt again.

Four.  That's not a lot.  It's not realistic to look at the Pro Bowl and call every player who isn't there a "hole".

I have emailed Joe and Mike and advised them to take Barkevious Mingo at #6, mostly because of his cool name.

Actually, I had thought that the other guys were explosive quick-twitch guys, but when Mike Mayock says they're not, I listen.

There are good and bad things in his scouting reports, and the bad things are why the Detroit Lions, a 4-3 team, won't draft him.  The good things are why the 3-4 Browns might.

In this defense, Mingo would only put his hand on the ground on passing downs.  As a linebacker, he can insure some distance between himself and potential blockers before the snap.  He can see the whole backfield.

He does have a high metabolism, and every ounce of weight he gains will be muscle.  I'm told he'll have a hard time getting bigger because he's hardwired to be lean, but as he ages this will become easier.

He was 240 at the combine; he had gained some weight in a short time.

But another thing to remember is that he is pretty raw, and hasn't yet learned hand-fighting techniques, which are really literally martial arts.  No really-I mean like "wax on, wax off" to get a big monster's hands off you and get by him; to get lower for leverage, to rip and swim, etc.

This guy is already ranked right there with much more experienced players, and he hasn't even approached his potential yet.  He is the only one of them who has both the hips and speed to run with almost every tight end, many running backs, and even some wide recievers.

Disclaimer:  He has the physical tools to cover these guys, but it's not guaranteed that he will.

His primary role as a rookie here would be to attack and disrupt.  Horton would minimize his weaknesses (getting off blocks) as much as possible until he gets stronger and learns the dirty tricks.

Ideally, Paul Kruger can be signed, (along with Keenan Lewis, the massively underrated Steelers cornerback), so he could play opposite Mingo.  Kruger is a very big, very strong dude.

Third round sliders:

EJ Manuel is getting too much attention, and might not fall that far.  He's 5-0 in Bowl games and kicked butt in the Senior Bowl.  This is a guy who thrives on pressure, and this can't be taught.  He needs some polishing, but he'd be a good investment.

Jim Miller loves him even more than he did before, and I've learned to trust his opinions on other quarterbacks (even more than Mayocks'.  PS Mayock likes him too-just not as much).

This is a good crop of guards, and an athletic one could well be available if the Browns haven't acquired a free agent like the guy in Buffalo.

The Michigan quarterback turned wide reciever Denard...Robinson? might fall that far.  He's like Josh Cribbs, except smaller and faster.  He's being checked out at running back, cornerback, returner, and reciever.

Pat Kirwin says he could be a nickel cornerback immediately, and after a year or so a real outside corner.  He has decent height, to go with everything else, for that position.

I don't trust Ozzie.  What's coming out of Baltimore in re Flacco is insane.  If he gets the unrestricted tag, Banner could use some of his spare cap-space to structure an offer that Ozzie could never match; as in over 25 million against the cap in year one (less in subsequent years, of course).

Flacco could nix this, and take less money to remain there, and it's possible that he's already made Ozzie some promises.

The restricted tag, in lieu of a deal, is more likely.  That's two first round picks, and the team signing him could never make that deal without long-term contract in hand.

For all the people declaring that Ebeneezer Banner would never do that, he'd have to seriously consider it, because Joe Flacco is the ONE GUY who could take THIS TEAM deep into the playoffs in year one.

This is more likely.  Ozzie is in cap hell and knows that with or without Big Joe, his team will take a step back this season.  Regardless of what PR he puts out, he knows it, and getting two first-round picks might be his smartest move.

Unfortunately,  I think a deal will be made.  It's just nice to dream.