Cleveland's Draft Raises More Questions
The Browns enjoyed a nice draft. (They even have the grade to prove it.) But they left the weekend with many key questions still dangling.
1. Instead of a quarterback competition between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, we now have a three-man race that includes Brett Ratliff. The former Jet seems most likely to be a backup, but he's a Mangini favorite. It reminds me of when Mike Martz added J.T. O'Sullivan to San Francisco last year as the underdog in a three-man derby.
Quinn looks unlikely to be dealt now, but you can't know for sure now because of the logjam at the position. Cleveland apparently tried to see what they could get for Quinn and weren't happy with what they found.
2. Remember when we heard at various points the Browns had first-round picks on the table for Braylon Edwards and Quinn? The media apparently got played there: Mangini apparently wasn't just spreading Michael Crabtree information.
1. Instead of a quarterback competition between Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, we now have a three-man race that includes Brett Ratliff. The former Jet seems most likely to be a backup, but he's a Mangini favorite. It reminds me of when Mike Martz added J.T. O'Sullivan to San Francisco last year as the underdog in a three-man derby.
Quinn looks unlikely to be dealt now, but you can't know for sure now because of the logjam at the position. Cleveland apparently tried to see what they could get for Quinn and weren't happy with what they found.
2. Remember when we heard at various points the Browns had first-round picks on the table for Braylon Edwards and Quinn? The media apparently got played there: Mangini apparently wasn't just spreading Michael Crabtree information.
3. Edwards remains on the team, but is it for good?
A late summer trade, ala Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans, could still happen. The Giants, however, were the most likely trade partner and drafted two big receivers. Adding two rookie wideouts (Brian Robiskie, Mohammad Massaquoi) gives Cleveland more flexibility, but they were necessary picks at a woefully thin position.
If Edwards was dealt, Cleveland would have the most inexperienced receiver group in football. Then it might not matter who wins the quarterback job.
4. Jamal Lewis is a great team leader, but Cleveland can't be content with Lewis, Jerome Harrison, and late sixth-round pick James Davis as the only NFL-quality backs on the team. Harrison is a third-down threat, so there will be a ton of pressure on Davis if Lewis gets hurt. Look for someone else to be added.
In the end, Mangini and company did a nice job building for the future. The present, however, may look fugly for a while.
A late summer trade, ala Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans, could still happen. The Giants, however, were the most likely trade partner and drafted two big receivers. Adding two rookie wideouts (Brian Robiskie, Mohammad Massaquoi) gives Cleveland more flexibility, but they were necessary picks at a woefully thin position.
If Edwards was dealt, Cleveland would have the most inexperienced receiver group in football. Then it might not matter who wins the quarterback job.
4. Jamal Lewis is a great team leader, but Cleveland can't be content with Lewis, Jerome Harrison, and late sixth-round pick James Davis as the only NFL-quality backs on the team. Harrison is a third-down threat, so there will be a ton of pressure on Davis if Lewis gets hurt. Look for someone else to be added.
In the end, Mangini and company did a nice job building for the future. The present, however, may look fugly for a while.
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Gregg,
Will James Davis, who was drafted in the 6th round, have any impact on Cleveland's backfield situation?