Duane Thornton

There are no changes in the top 12.  I still see Haloti Ngata turning in that ugly green Duck's uniform for a Brown's jersey.  That is the benefit of being one of a few teams who play the 3-4 defense.  Other drafts have Ngata going to Buffalo, but their system calls for someone like Broderick Bunkley's build.  There is no way we let the big 340 pound lineman slide to Baltimore.  If we don't get Ngata, look for the Savage to select Gabe Watson from Michigan in the second round.  Watson is 6'3 1/2" and a whopping 339 pounds.  The knock on Watson is that he takes plays off.  That could be a matter of conditioning and maturity.  Either way, guys of this size and skill are rare and the Browns will look to pick up one of the two.  Additionally, if we don't get Ngata (because Buffalo makes him their selection) we will take Bunkley.  There are plenty of rumors suggesting the Browns will take Kamerion Wimbley (LB) but the pick will be Bunkley because of his size (300 lbs).

Well boys and girls, we are three days away.  Three days until we fill a need.  For the first time in a long time the Browns are not drafting for a savior.  We are drafting for a good contributing player this year.  Now if that doesn't get you excited - you are not a true Browns fan. 

So here is my Round 1 Projections - Tomorrow's updates will have what notes on what the teams are thinking with their selection.   - I'd love to know what you think.

The consensus on the Browns' early off-season efforts is that the team has done a terrific job.  In fact, according to most experts, no team in Cleveland sports history has ever had a greater season, let alone weekend, than Phil Savage and Co.  With a strokes of young owner Randy Learner's pen, the Browns have begun to erase years of ineptitude and losing. 

It is hard to find fault with the signings of LeCharles Bently, Willie McGinnest, Joe Jurevicius, Kevin Shaffer.  Not only has the team brought in established veteran leadership in McGinnest and Jurevicius, but LeBently and Shaffer are both 26 years old and figure to be mainstays on the offense line for years to come.  Combine that talent with a young and perhaps promising quarterback in Charlie Frye and the rehabbing pass catchers in Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards and one would have to believe that there is at least hope of being competitive in the rough and rugged AFC North.

What is interesting about the Browns rebuilding efforts is how well it balances free agency and the draft.  Unlike the capless Washington Redskins, management has not sacrificed the draft.  In fact with the trades the team has made and are rumored to be making, April 29-30 in New York City may be just as exciting for Browns fans.  This past weekend's trade of starting free safety Chris Crocker to the team's favorite southern dance partner, the Atlanta Falcons, is the latest example.  Crocker, who played well and started all 16 games for Browns and will more than likely start for the Falcons, was traded for a 3rd round draft pick.

While it has been well documented that the Browns will pursue front line defensive help in the draft, don't be surprised to see the team corral a number of athletic "tweeners" in the later rounds.  This year's draft is filled with players like Parys Haralson of Tennessee (6'1", 253, 4.84) and Ohio State's Mike Kudla (6'2", 265, 4.71) who have played 4 years of college ball as defensive ends, but lack the size to do the same on the NFL level.  Look for the Browns to bring in 3-4 such players in the draft and in the post-draft free agent period.  Not only do these types of players project well into head coach Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defense,   but just as importantly, they can fly down the field and make tackles on special teams. 

The Browns seem to be headed in the right direction.  They are bringing in players who understand the complex and somewhat unhealthy relationship the fans have with their team.  They are focused on toughness and size as opposed to the priority of speed that the previous regime employed.  They seem to get what it takes to win in Cleveland, both on the field and with the fans.  An identity is being established.  For Browns fans that is perhaps more important than winning this season. 

According to the NFL, the Browns came back in 1999, but according to Browns fans, they are just now beginning to arrive.