Even before Paul
Tagliabue steps up to the mike, I'm already a big fan of what the Browns and GM
Phil Savage have accomplished.
The April 18 press
conference by Savage and Bill Rees, the director of player personnel, was truly
a masterstroke, for several reasons. First, it established that the team's draft
planners can be open and upfront with the media and public without harming their
competitive position. By sitting there for well over an hour to expound on their
scouting and address every question, they projected optimism, not paranoia. They
left us with plenty of insight, well beyond what they were required to do, yet
nobody can rightfully accuse them of tipping their hand too
much.
Secondly, it
displayed an actual willingness, indeed, an eagerness, to bring fans and the
independent media into the process of anticipating, debating, speculating about
what the Browns might do. That's savvy marketing. Fans interested in the Browns' draft
strategy have been ushered into the happy medium between "who the heck knows?"
and "well, duh!" By explaining the team's objectives and process in gearing up
for the draft, Savage and company have continued building understanding, which
leads to trust, which leads to emotional investment, which, of course, is the
Browns' most important intangible asset.
Thirdly is the substance of what was said. We
have a more realistic framework in which to process the myriad variables that
will play themselves out on Saturday and Sunday. Among other things, the
expectations for obtaining A.J. Hawk have been tempered. The possibility of
trading up or down from #12 has been constrained to a few slots either way. Any
thoughts of drafting a QB with the first pick have essentially been
squelched.
By opening the door
into their thinking in a forthcoming yet prudent way, the Browns' braintrust
has proven itself both brainy and trustworthy. That makes this weekend all the
more interesting exciting for Browns fans.