Browns Set to Host Several Prospects, Including Brian Orakpo and Jason Smith

by Chris Pokorny on Apr 8, 2009 11:01 PM EDT in General News

The Browns will be hosting the following players next week, according to the Plain Dealer:

RB Knowshon Moreno - Not interested in a RB in round one.
WR Jeremy Maclin - If we were going to take a WR, it would've been Crabtree, right?
OT Jason Smith - This could be the sleeper one. I don't really want a right tackle, but there's no doubt that we'd be pretty much set at the tackle positions for a long time.
LB Brian Orakpo - I picked him in the SB Nation mock draft, and I still stand by the pick. However, I'm still not "in love" with him either.
LB Rey Maualuga - Maybe if we trade down.
DB Malcolm Jenkins - The Browns will actually visit him at OSU, and he could end up being a surprise pick to address the hole at safety (hopefully not at No. 5 though).

Other News:

Head on over to the OBR Blogs and check out Mr. McBride's rant on Branson Wright of the Plain Dealer. Wright, a Plain Dealer writer, recently credited our Kansas City Cheifs affiliate, Arrowhead Pride, as the source of an Edwards-to-KC rumor. In reality though, it was not a rumor -- it was just fans speculating for the sake of speculating.
Tomorrow at 6 PM, Dawgs By Nature's Round 2 pick will be up on Mocking the Draft. I took all of your comments into consideration for the pick, but then...something happen. The Jay Cutler deal forced a partial re-draft of Round 1, and because of that, a few more players ended up becoming available. I may have selected one of those players despite them not being suggested in our DBN thread, and I hope none of you will scrutinize me for it ;)

After the pick is posted, I'll open up discussion for who we should select with our other second-round pick.

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Comments

The Branson Wright stuff is comedic gold. I loved the Chiefs fans’ take on it

by Roger Dorn on Apr 8, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah

Coming here from Arrowhead Pride. We were happy to be linked but it was more offseason “Should the Chiefs do this…” stuff than any type of actual news or rumor. And it was clearly stated that way.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 9, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

It was funny. Even funnier is that he linked to Bleacher Report today as a legitimate source.

by gahnki on Apr 9, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I think I know who you have selected, and I think I like the pick.

My wish list for the second pick is:
1. Connor Barwin-a “huge upside” pass rusher. Fast for a DE/OLB. Passionate, needs work on his tackling.
2. Pettigrew-best TE in the draft, and he is a lot more well rounded than Winslow was and than I believe Rucker is. We don’t really need a TE, but he would be hard to pass up at #50.
3. Ayers-Smaller and quicker than our current DEs, I think he could become a Darnell Docket-type.
4. Rashad Jennings-He’s my pick to be Matt Forte, the sequel. Great feet for a big guy (6’1", 235), love his vision, and while his body lean is inconsistent, when he is leading with his shoulders the man has some power. He’s kinda strong too.
5. Fili Moala-Really fast for such a big guy, uses his hands really well. Not as powerful as you would like for a 300lbs+ guy, but he’s got bigtime talent. Was selected #1 overall in a mock draft last year around this time, for what it’s worth.

by rufio on Apr 9, 2009 3:06 AM EDT reply actions

1. Crabtree
2a. English or Barwin
2b. Jennings or Brown

What do you think about this scenario, Rufio?

by qix on Apr 9, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

english is too slow IMO

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 9, 2009 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

3 big needs for us, what would seem like 3 good players to fill them. I would really like to have had a 40 time, 3-cone, and the shuttles for Crab, just to validate what one sees on film, but he certainly looks to be a playmaker. Plus, he could be the only one of the top-tier of talent left at #5.

I think Barwin can become a monster, but I think a lot of his development will depend on coaching and veteran players. I like English too, but think a lot of people are overrating him right now.

Jennings is my dude.

by rufio on Apr 9, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I would rather take a RB in the 4th or 6th

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 9, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I think 50th overall is low enough to take a RB if we like him enough. I don’t think the VORP is enough to take one in the 1st, particularly at #5, but that deep in the 2nd I think a RB could be worth it, particularly because they seem to have easier acclimation to the NFL vs. other positions.

I can understand the sentiment, though, and there are plenty of examples of 4th+ round guys who have become very good in the league.

by rufio on Apr 9, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I just think that ringer, brown or coffee could be as good as jennings and we could use 50 to take a d-lineman or safety, or whoevers the best thats still left.

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 9, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I really don’t think Ringer has the physical tools to be the kind of feature back that Brown or Jennings could be. If Ghanki is right and Coffee can put on a bunch of weight, he might be able to become that guy, too. Ringer might be a better back right now, depending on who you talk to.

But Ringer just has a small frame. Maybe he will become a 225+ lb back, but I am not betting on it at this point. We already have someone around his size in Harrison, why take someone slower at that same size?

I am also not sure if any of those guys make it out of the 2nd round, let alone in to the 4th. If we really think we need a back in this draft, and there is a 3rd round run on them and our 4th rounder comes around with no one left, then what?

by rufio on Apr 9, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Then we take Gartrell Johnson or Ian Johnson in the 6th

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 9, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Doubt Gartrell lasts that long, but I love him as a runner. Ian Johnson…meh. I would rather have any of the other guys you mentioned.

We could try to use Cribbs on offense more, let Harrison play more, and hope Jamal Lewis can regain some of his 07 form and wait it out a year too.

by rufio on Apr 10, 2009 2:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldnt be surprised if gartrell lasts that long. hes a projected 7th rounder i think

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 10, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow really? I would take him in the 4th, no problem.

by rufio on Apr 10, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Most draft sites have him ranked 15-17th on their list of RBs. I think he would be a great sleeper pick in the 6th and would be a great compliment to harrison.

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 11, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

How about either of these:
1.Crab
2a.Barwin or sintim
2b. Marks or Chung

or
1. Orakpo
2a. Britt or whatever wideout is left
3. Marks or chung

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 9, 2009 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

1 is sooo much better to me.

by Bernie19Kosar on Apr 9, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

thats wat i thought too but i wouldnt complain about 2

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 9, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I just don’t think we can possibly mess the 2nd round picks up this year. There will just have to be 2 players available at those 2 slots who look talented to me and who we can get on the field.

After a few years in the NFL, one of our picks might look like a bust, but I think on the 25th I’ll be happy with our 2nd rounders no matter what.

by rufio on Apr 9, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

1. Connor Barwin gets my “beast” award over all the DE/OLBs. This isnt saying hes the best, hes just the biggest beast for what thats worth.
2. Yea i would have a hard time passig up on Pettigrew at 50
4. Im not a big fan of Jennings, i think andre brown is better

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 9, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

i realize the quality of the source(s), but profootball talk says that grossi says that the browns are man-crushing mark sanchez.. unless we’ve got a bead on trading one of the other clowns for something meaningful, my response would be (head hitting desk)

apropos of nothing draft-ish, but from pft, also:
this is awesome.

by DontCallMeJoey on Apr 9, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

I honestly wonder if there is a single person in America who knows less about the Browns’ plans than Tony Grossi. I’m not exaggerating.

www.lowbrowsophisticate.com

by kwoog on Apr 9, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Tony Grossi > Branson Wright

Counts for something, right? ;)

Dawgs By Nature - Covering the Cleveland Browns on SB Nation.

by Chris Pokorny on Apr 9, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Ha. I’m just so sick of him assigning meaning to their secrecy. They don’t like talking to you, the media. They feel the only potential result of talking to you is a competitive disadvantage. They don’t care about what the fans think on March 18th, because they know if they build a winner the fans will be there in droves. I can understand that and I don’t even like this new regime.

This is from the original article:

If McDaniels wants Quinn, he knows he can get him. The fact he doesn’t appear to want him does not bode well for the Browns.

Neither of those two sentences are true, and the are patently impossible for Grossi to know. For him to cite them as “fact” is irresponsible and horrible journalism… In fact, I think this passage is actually very Branson Wright-ian.

www.lowbrowsophisticate.com

by kwoog on Apr 9, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I have never been as down on the PD as I have over the past 2 months. The quality of Browns reporting has been astonishingly bad.

by Roger Dorn on Apr 9, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes. I only read Windhorst and Pluto.

by Buckeye Brad on Apr 9, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I still read most of them b/c they actually have some access to the decision makers (Kokinis, Shapiro/Hoynes), so I read with the intention of getting nuggets from the organization. But man are they awful and also ignorant about the sport they’ve been around for decades.

www.lowbrowsophisticate.com

by kwoog on Apr 9, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

the PD’s sports dept is embarassing. not only is the grossi excerpt above typical of the quality of reporting, the quality of writing is even worse.

by DontCallMeJoey on Apr 9, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

They certainly seem to be having a difficult time in what seems to be a very difficult time for newspapers.

I never expect solid Browns reporting around this time of year. We might get a little from the draft, but there really is a drought of information right about now (which is why speculation and blogs are so awesome). I would love to see more articles on the Cavs, who had better win out and lock up home court.

by rufio on Apr 9, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Even if the moron didn't make it up...

Even if they had a plan to trade Quinn and/or Anderson, why would you get a guy that has the big arm but no experience vs. getting Cutler with a big arm and some experience? Very odd with all the other quality players in the draft and so many holes to fill. I second your response and would quickly find a wall to bang my head against if that was our pick without a whole hell of a lot of trading for a boatload of picks.

Like you said, the “quality” of the sources. I haven’t ever seen a guy say “I’m just guessing” in his writing…doesn’t he get paid to find out?!

by blockersave93 on Apr 9, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Apparently, Curry is visiting the Browns too.

Glad he is at least on our radar, not getting my hopes up that he drops to us.

by rufio on Apr 9, 2009 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

I think it’s very conceivable that he does. If there’s a run on linemen before us, it opens up a lot of things.

by gahnki on Apr 9, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions

The Browns seem to be sending out smoke screens that they are interested in Sanchez as well. This could entice a team to trade up and select Sanchez. I think Mangini is trying to create a lot of confusion with the hope that Curry falls due to some draft maneuvering

by Roger Dorn on Apr 9, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

How would the scenarios break down where he could last to us?

Detroit-Stafford
St. Louis-J. Smith
KC-Monroe
Seattle-Crabtree/Sanchez?

You would think it would have to be a combination of the 2 QBs, the 2 LTs, Crabtree, and Raji, wouldn’t it? Or something crazy.

by rufio on Apr 10, 2009 2:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Do you think Raji will still go this high, after the drug test stuff came out?

You’re right — we need the Lions to take Stafford then the next two to take LT’s. And I’ve heard talk that Seattle is looking at a QB to replace Hasselback in a couple years, so if they really like Sanchez then maybe they’ll take him. And I could see them taking Crabtree even though they signed Houshamazilli.

Could any defensive player could be picked before Curry? What if a team really liked Raji or Orakpo?

by Buckeye Brad on Apr 10, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

By the way, in Kiper’s new mock draft (I think it’s Insider only) he has the Browns taking Crabtree and compares him to Larry Fitzgerald. I would be really happy with that pick — as I’ve been saying all along, this offense needs playmakers (and a coordinator who will use players effectively).

by Buckeye Brad on Apr 10, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I should add that Kiper has the Browns taking Clay Matthews and LeSean McCoy in the second round. I would be really, really, really, really happy with all three of those picks. That would be an awesome first day in my opinion.

We’d get a playmaking WR, a talented RB to supplement Lewis (and possibly take over the position next year), and a good LB to help our defense. Obviously we have more holes to fill on the defensive side, but we can address those in later rounds (hopefully with a pick we get from trading DA) or we’ll have to wait until next year. That’s why Mangini brought those guys from the Jets to play until we get more of his type of defensive players.

by Buckeye Brad on Apr 10, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Those 3 players would be a pretty good coup in my opinion.

by rufio on Apr 10, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I still really don’t think this regime will take Crabtree at pick 5 unless we trade Braylon

by Roger Dorn on Apr 10, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I still don’t know why you think this regime is against having more than one good WR. Last time I checked, at least two of them play on offense at the same time (and often more than that).

I think Crabtree will provide the most value at 5 (provided Curry is gone) — and its a position of need for the Browns — so I don’t see why they wouldn’t take him. I just don’t like any of the top defenders outside of Curry.

by Buckeye Brad on Apr 10, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Manigni has never shown that he values receivers very much. I agree with Dorn. It would be a surprise if they drafted Crabtree.

by gahnki on Apr 10, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s a gut feeling way more than my own personal feelings on the WR position. I am fearing some sort of epic freak out if the Browns pass on Crabtree

by Roger Dorn on Apr 10, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed. crab would provide value, i believe, but the “feel” i get from this regime is not one that would allow for their very first pick to be a WR

by DontCallMeJoey on Apr 10, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions

If we pass on crab i hope we get a good receiver in the second round.

by BradyQuinnisBeast on Apr 10, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

One thing to keep in mind is that KC’s new offense needs playmakers. If they like Crabtree enough, he could easily be drafted there. You may see something like:

Det: Jason Smith
ST. Louis: Eugene Monroe
KC: Crabtree
Seattle: Sanchez/Stafford/Raji/Curry

by gahnki on Apr 10, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

So far I have heard that no one who has been rumored to have tested positive has actually been confirmed to have tested positive: it is all just rumors.

Something like that might cause a team to freak and cause him to fall considerably, even if it is unfair to him, sure. I just mentioned him because he is someone in that top tier of talent who could potentially be drafted in the top 5.

Andre Smith could be a dark horse to sneak in the top-5 too. I really think that if Curry drops to us, someone has to have faith that Monroe is a top-shelf LT talent or that A. Smith is sane/smart enough to play hard for 10-15 years.

by rufio on Apr 10, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Something like this. I think Seattle fans want a QB drafted

by Roger Dorn on Apr 10, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the dream situation is having Stafford/Sanchez/Curry on board when we pick. Hopefully, Denver sees this as an opportunity to get their new QB and is willing to trade up with us. If not, we still have Curry on board to take.

by gahnki on Apr 10, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions