Earlier I said that the Browns have no shot at Marcus Mariota, but thanks to this article by Jared Mueller and his lackluster Bowl Game performance, I take that back.
Already, the experts (including the ones I respect and use as sources) are picking the guy apart. If I hadn't known that Ray Farmer was eyeballing him last season, what's being said about him today would make me think that the Browns wouldn't even want him!
Most evaluators are ranking Winston ahead of him due to the closer-to-NFL offense he ran, and despite the fact that he's a punk.
The consensus is, in fact, that Mariota will need time to develop. In fact, based on what these guys are saying...what the hell is the difference between this guy and Brett Hundley? They're pointing at all the same warts! You could transpose the scouting reports!
For now, I'll throw up my hands and admit that I don't know nuttin. Yet. However, Mariota could be in range after all, if Ray still wants him.
Although he might have changed his mind and might let Hundley come to him. Just a wild guess.
I've seen a lot of mocks naming offensive and defensive linemen as the Browns first round picks. That's okay with me I guess, although I think it's foolish to just write off Phil Taylor and persist in pretending this is strictly a 3-4 defense requiring depth at nose tackle.
Danny Shelton is impressive, though, and if you're going best available, it might be him. This guy was a man among boys, however, and the experts tell me that he's not going to humiliate pro linemen the way he humiliated college guys. But they all agree that he can stop the run, and has surprising range for his size.
Andrus Peat is a great tackle with upside, as he can add more weight to his already massive frame. He has left tackle athleticism, but is ready to step in on the right side, and fits a zone scheme. The Browns' do have to plan for who comes after Joe Thomas, too.
I don't hate Mitchell Schwartze or John Greco as much as many fans, as their declines in efficiency also coincided with the loss of Alex Mack. I'm not sure I understand why, but there it is.
However, Peat (or Scherff) would be a clear upgrade, and they could let Schwartze and Greco duke it out for right guard. This one move would take care of the depth issue on the line.
No, it's apparent that there's no replacing Alex Mack, but Greco could be servicable, and they could still draft a true center as low as the fourth round.
Some people are saying that Ray Farmer has it etched in stone that he won't draft any wide recievers ever in the top two rounds. That's baloney, but with the depth at that position and the needs of the team he probably won't use a first rounder on one here.
If the Browns lose Jordan Cameron (or even if they don't) Maxx Williams is a reciever who could be had in the second round.
I do believe that there's a good chance that the Browns will wind up with either Hundley or Mariota. The permabashers will strafe him because niether is said to be NFL-ready. I hope he doesn't care.
He can't count on Johnny Partyboy. Nor even Hoyer, if he retains him.
Of the veteran free agent quarterbacks, I'm in the minority on Sanchez. No, I don't think he's a franchise guy. But I do think he could be better than my man Brian Hoyer (sorry).
Remember, Sanchez took the Jets to the AFC chamionship game as a rookie. He declined after that, but never truly sucked.
He was knocked for a lack of work ethic himself--but at least didn't party his brains out around the clock. He did pretty well this past season in a much different offense.
The Browns need veteran insurance for the party boy, and of all the veterans available, Sanchez might be the best.
What about that rookie season of his? Well, that was the ground-and-pound offense. He wasn't asked to carry the team. This is what the Browns are trying to do, and they succeeded at it until Mack went down.
Mack will be back, and I suspect the offensive line will be further upgraded this offseason to enhance that. If Sanchez could do that as a rookie, couldn't he do it as a seasoned veteran here? Huh? Why not? No really--tell me.
Plus, he's much older now. Maybe he's grown a work ethic. Maybe he'll be more now. Maybe HE is the right guy to put up against junior.
As for Mariota or Hundley, here's a couple names for you: RGIII. Cam Newton. The new coordinator will have to try to make something work with Manziel, and they fit.
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