The draft finally did come afterall. It seemed like we all waited forever for it to arrive. It was exciting, it was fun. I found myself on two phones at once--the cell and the land line discussing our picks.
Now day one is over and I just want to pass along a few quick thoughts. You may recall my recent blog titled Wimbley Vs. Carpenter. I find it so ironic that we took Wimbley, passed on Ngata and Bunkley; and Carpenter goes at 18 to Dallas in a trade up scenario.
Wimbley and Carpenter both received big-time kudos from all the various TV draft experts. It remains to be seen who will become the better pro. Again, Carpenter played the LB position in college; the Browns project Wimbley to be the weak side LB. Frankly, with Ngata (who was ripped by Mark Schlereth on ESPN) and Bunkley available, I would have preferred either lineman to a linebacker at that point. As I read in an article this morning, the Browns need to be concerned about stopping the run first, before they need to worry about getting to the passer. How many times last year did the Browns get teams in passing situations by holding down the running game? I will answer that. Not often. Ted Washington, please stay healthy and be productive.
Jackson is a player at ILB. I like the pick, but we need to keep blockers off of him and that takes solid space eaters. Didn't Ray Lewis say something about that this week? I was begging for a DL in the third round. None would come. We took Travis Wilson, a wideout. I like him too, and I had the Browns possibly taking him in round 4. I would not have taken him in round 3. Frankly, I just as soon see the Browns give Frisman Jackson and Brandon Rideau a shot at wide receiver until # 17 gets back.
We need to address the lines--both sides--on day 2. We did not address taking a top interior offensive lineman to groom for the future--something Savage said he wanted to do. In fact we got a bit weaker there by trading Faine.
Everyone says you can't evaluate a draft until a few years down the road. I certainly will not offer any final opinions or cutting criticisms--- at least until day 2 is over!
But PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, as James Brown (the soul singer would shriek), Phil, PLEASE figure out a way to draft Max Jean-Gilles or Jonathan Scott on the OL, and at least one of the following on the DL, Barry Cofield, Jesse Mahelona or Babatunde Oshinowo.
AND NO MORE SMALLISH DBs!!!
If you must draft a safety, draft Darnell Bing. Go Browns! My vision is blurry now, I wonder why.