Thoughts before camp

The Cleveland Browns are a different team than they were last year.  

Along with some veterans are some new faces.  While the starting quarterback position remains an "open competition," according to head coach Eric Mangini, several problem positions have been addressed by the new staff.  

Center Alex Mack, from Cal, was not the draft pick some fans were looking for, but he is versatile in that he can rotate to the guard spot as well.  The two receivers being picked in the second round signifies an effort by the new regime to rectify the issues at the skill position of wide receiver.  

With 5th year man Braylon Edwards entering his final year of his rookie contract, the Team had to bring in some guys in order to evaluate their ability to adapt to the new offense and assess their NFL abilities.  

I think the running back has a chance to make an impact, especially because of the lack of NFL experience on the depth chart.  

Overall, the Browns had a decent draft, despite my draft day convictions.  Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter reported in the May 4, 2009 issue: "Each of his (Eric Mangini) top four picks received all-academic honors either nationally or within their conferences, and sixth-round cornerback Don Carey of Norfolk State could have gone to Yale if he'd so chosen."

I'd say that is a draft that built for years down the road.  The Browns played for knowledge and experience over skill; a luxury given to those with four year contracts.  

P.S.

Pay attention to the potential signing of Graham Harrell, NCAA record breaking quarterback from Texas Tech.  (If you feel bad about losing Michael Crabtree in the draft, it ain't bad to have the guy that tossed him the skin for two or three years, depending on how you evaluate eligibility standards in the NCAA.)

Kellen Winslow says the Giants "great fit" for Braylon Edwards

According to Kellen Winslow, Braylon Edwards would love to play for the New York Giants. On a SIRIUS radio show, Winlsow said that Edwards would love to play in the Big Apple.

“For some reason I don’t (think he’ll play for the Browns in 2009),” Winslow said. “I know Braylon would love to go to New York. The Giants would fit him to the ‘T’ and he would have so much fun up there. I know he loves Cleveland but New York would be a great fit for him.”

If he gets what he wants, I'm sure he'll play great. I think we need to keep Edwards due to the lack of talent at wide receiver. Maybe the Browns can make a sign and trade deal next season. Without Steve Smith from the Giants, this deal does not happen.

Oops, we dropped Braylon.

For a couple of draft picks, why not trade Braylon Edwards?

After Winslow Trade, Firesale in Cleveland?

The recent trade of tight end Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers doesn't feel like the end of roster moves for the Browns. John Clayton reported on ESPN that the Browns were shopping many different players. One tends to think this might mean Braylon Edwards or Derek Anderson.
Braylon is in the last year in his contract and will most likely be looking for a long term deal to get done during the season. That means that he will have to put up numbers. That also means he will have to catch the ball. Maybe a contract incentive is what The Big Drop needs.
DA is gone before the season starts. Anybody who thinks any different is not thinking long term. He is starting quarterback in the NFL. The Browns need him to enhance his trade value. A strong showing in training camp or an injury to another team's guy could trigger a desperate, hopefully leading to a lucrative, trade for DA. I'm sure doesn't want to wait that long. Don't be suprised to see him in Tampa, folks.
Getting rid of K2 probably gets Cleveland the most amount of draft picks they could have gotten for him. Waiting too long can be a bad thing. But, they also get rid of his contract. This gives the Browns a little more room to sign either draft picks or free agents. Phil Savage did a pretty good job of draining the extra cash pool.
Without Winslow, Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson lose a phenomenal tight end. He was willing to go over the middle to catch the ball. He had the best hands on the offense last year, behind Josh Cribbs.
I also think he tanks on plays occassionally.
The point is, I won't know how to react until the Browns show why this was a good decision.

What is the meaning of life? Or more importantly, who is going to play quarterback for the Cleveland Browns next season?

How many Pro Bowl quarterbacks are on the Cleveland Browns' roster?
One.
How many first round draft pick quarterbacks are on the Cleveland Browns' roster?
One.

The trouble is, they're not the same guy.

Derek Anderson (the former) and Brady Quinn (the latter) both got the chance to start for the greatest franchise in the history of professional football this past season. The general perception is that Anderson is on his way out the door and Quinn is the man of the future. This perception is not unfounded, seeing as Anderson was replaced as the starter in week 10. Quinn subsequently started three games and then was sidelined for the rest of the season with a finger injury. Anderson replaced him for a short while before sustaining a season ending concussion.

And for all you Ken Dorsey fans, don't worry. There has never been a quarterback with a higher clipboard rating. He is a Brown for life.

So who will carry the torch for new head coach Eric Mangini? This is where the fun begins.

Derek Anderson can flat out toss the bladder. Let's have a look at a typical pass play on offense for the Browns this season. Shotgun formation with Jamal Lewis in the backfield next to Anderson. Edwards wide left, Josh Cribbs wide right. Kellen Winslow slot left, Syndric Steptoe slot right. Hank Fraley snaps the ball, good snap. Anderson controls, looks right, nobody open, looks left, linebacker, defensive end and defensive tackle in his face. A flick of the wrist and DA sends the ball 65 yards down the field to Braylon Edwards in stride, who then drops the ball on the six yard line.

In summary, the offensive line could not block an eighth-grader for large portions of the season, wide receivers were not up to par and, although not mentioned above, the O-line also had trouble getting holes for Jamal Lewis. "The Truck" was still able to plow his way to over a 1,000 yards, with some help from the playcalling during the Steeler game.

Brady Quinn ran into similar problems. He did not have much time to throw the ball and Edwards continued to drop passes. It seemed that Kellen Winslow was the only guy willing to make a catch for either quarterback. It is harder to assess Quinn because he didn't play much. There is no doubt excitement about the possibility of him leading the Browns to the playoffs and more, but I think we need to calm ourselves down a little bit. He throws a better short game than DA, but nobody besides Winslow wants to catch the ball over the middle.

Derek Anderson is by far the better choice for the Browns right now. Word on the street is that Mangini favors the short game. That's fine, let DA get into it in the offseason. He would be well suited to get with a system where he is comfortable and knows that he will have time to work through his check downs. His ability to throw the deep ball keeps safeties honest on the blitz, allowing Jamal to power his way to the second level and demoralize anyone in his way.

I say you give the Pro Bowler a chance with the new system and see what happens. It can't be any worse than last season. Brady will get his chance, but let Derek Anderson get our Team to the next level offensively.