1: Phil Dawson didn't want to remain in Cleveland, and he is getting to the age where even kickers fall off the age-cliff. I wanted to see him stick around, but understand that football is a business--with a budget. Josh Cribbs is also aging and slowing, and failed his physical.
Some of you people, once you get attached to somebody--maybe it's a chemical thing, like falling in love or something. You can't think anymore. If you were in charge, no promising, young, affordable player would ever get a chance.
Doctor Evil (Ozzie) let Ed Reed go. Well, he learned from his retention of the venerable Saint Ray Lewis long, long past his prime. Ray's godlike superpowers didn't transcend the ravages of age, the coaches didn't dare not start him. He hurt his team.
Don't start with the hero-worship, either. Watch the films.
Reed is a Hall-of Famer who can still play. Check out those words: He can still play...just not as well.
Ozzie knows what Ravens fans and even some of the guys on NFL Radio can't face up to: He's lost half his defense and more. Players say "It happens every year". They lie to themselves. You don't lose around 33% of your starters every year, people!
The Ravens are in cap hell and Ozzie knows he has to take a step back, get young players on the field so they can develop, and that his team probably can't even contend until after Reed is done.
The Browns know that they're about a year behind the Bengals (and now ahead of the Ravens and Stoolers by the way--read it and weep). They have a shot at the Division this season, but they have questions at quarterback and in the secondary. In reality, Cribbs is fading--that's the truth--and they want to get their young guys in there.
Ben Watson gets concussions. Cameron is in his third season. Phil wanted too much, and you just have to wonder how long any human can last--probably through '13, but beyond that? Can you guarantee money a year out with that risk?
2: You can erroneously assume that Paul Kruger can't stop the run, but please, for the love of Pete, quit saying he's not big enough to hold up against it! I can't believe this stuff!
3: Gil Brandt says that he's never seen a draft like this before. He says that there's no difference, quality-wise, between the 11th player and the 50th player. He also says that all of those players are "very good", including many day one starters.
For logical, objective people, that presents a conundrum. If Milliner is there at 6, most fans would automaticly just take him. He fills a position of real need, and instantly gives the Browns possibly the best CB tandem in the NFL.
All other thoughts shut down. Emotion takes over. Take Milliner no matter what.
Even if somebody offers a middle first and a middle second and change for the pick? YES, you scream, pounding your fist on the table, drooling a little.
Now wait. There are three other cornerbacks in this draft who are almost as good as Milliner. If he's a 9.7, all of them are 9.something. For our purposes here, you have no doubt decided that EJ Manuel sucks, but you will change your mind if Milliner doesn't fall to 6.
This is what Brandt said, basicly. If the top ten are 9.5's, you have 8.8-plusses all the way down to fifty in most position groups. So you couldn't somehow live with Trufant and a stud guard, top free safety, or maybe Manuel instead of Milliner alone? You wouldn't take two top-flight starters over the one guy?
Are you out of your damn mind? Are you the same people who are calling guard, slot corner, and wide reciever "needs"? How can you hallucinate all these "needs" and then want one new starter instead of two (or maybe one and a project quarterback if it's Manuel)?
That's Cleveland for you! Milliner is God, Trufant sucks. Have you got a Josh Cribbs shrine in your john, with candles and stuff too?
Of course, if they can't get a second-rounder (at least), sure! Take Milliner and I'll celebrate with you because this guy really is "all that" and would put this defense near the top instantly.
It's just that Trufant and another player of similar quality instead, that's better!
But the trade-down is unlikely, since most GM's think like me, and will just take their second-best cornerback and be happy.
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