It’s not a bad line of thought. Far more important to me, though, is acquiring a superstar. If that comes in the form of a WR, so be it. If it comes in the form of Aaron Curry, I’d prefer that. We need an elite talent at this spot, and I (using my super armchair scout goggles) see only two: Curry and Crabtree.

I’ve always heard people say that, how you can’t have a good passing game in the snow and cold, but I’ve also heard ex-players say the opposite. They say it’s easier to pass in the snow because DB’s lose their footing easily. It doesn’t hurt recievers as much because they know which way they’re moving, but defenders must react to what the offensive player does so the bad footing hurts them more. Didn’t the Browns have a game two years ago in the snow where they racked up a ton of passing yards?

Also, I don’t think drafting Crabtree would be “loading up on wide recievers.” Right now I would say the Browns only have one good WR (with Stallworth unreliable and Joe J’s status unkown), so adding Crabtree would only make two. I don’t think two good recievers is too many (in fact, I’d say that’s not enough). With the trade of Winslow, the Browns certainly need recieving help, especially since we’ll be breaking in a young QB.

I really, really like the idea of drating Crabtree. He’s exactly the kind of player this team needs. He’s a guy who makes plays, and the Browns don’t have many of those.

New England plays outdoors in New England. Their WRs are ok. I know they didn’t give up a whole lot to get them, but if you take Brady and those WRs away, the Patriots aren’t half as scary.

Loading up on WRs versus other positions may not be the way to win in the NFL, but it isn’t because of weather.

WRs are almost always a roll of the dice, especially when they are picked that high. The system might help him get open and inflate his numbers, but it doesn’t help him make catches away from his body, display great body control, and run pretty solid routes for a college kid. While I wouldn’t be thoroughly surprised if Crabtree is never a star, I would be surprised if he ended up being terrible (either way, we need a lot of help out of this pick—much more than just an average player). I am a lot more frightened of QBs out of Texas Techesque schemes than WRs from them.

Regardless of the system, spending 1st rounders on WRs is frightening. If I am rolling the dice, I think Crabtree becomes a legit #1 WR in the league. Luckily, I am not rolling the dice.

I know, it’s very tempting, but I’ve tried to distance myself from that train of thought since it inevitably leads to second guessing, over-analysis, and disappointment in lack of action.

True, I was assuming Curry would be gone. If he is there we should take him. Crabtree we should think about.

I think there is a dropoff in talent outside of the OT from Baylor, Curry, Raji, Stafford, Crabtree and maybe Sanchez. I don’t think we should use the pick on another LT or another QB so If Curry, Crabtree and Raji are gone a small trade down (netting us another pick) would be worth it in my mind. There are plenty of talented guys at positions we need who will probably be there later in the 1st round, but outside of those top 5 or 6 players I don’t think they have done a whole lot to emerge from the pack.

Can draft day just get here already?

Exactly. Crabtree may not be as fast as some of the guys out there, but he’s proven that he knows how to run good routes and catch the ball. That’s why I think so highly of him. He may not blow by defenders, but he’s proven that he can get open. And he’s made plenty of great catches when he’s not open. He was the best reciever in college football as a freshman — what else do you need to know?