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There was speculation that the Cleveland Browns would clean house in their scouting department following the conclusion of the NFL Draft, and it looks like that process has officially commenced. According to reports, the Browns said goodbye to Pat Roberts, who held the position of senior national scout:
Source confirms #Browns parted ways with Pat Roberts, their former senior national scout. Had that role last 3 yrs, been w/ team since '05.
— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) April 29, 2013
According to Roberts' biography on the team's official site, these are the positions Roberts held during his reign with the organization:
- 2005-2008: National Scout
- 2009: Director of College Scouting
- 2010-2013: Senior National Scout
ESPN's Tony Grossi provided more substance to the rumor that Roberts won't be the only one leaving:
A source told Hooley that Roberts was told by the club not to attend the draft last weekend. Another source told ESPN Cleveland that "a handful of personnel people" also were told not to attend the draft. They are expected to be let go, also. ESPN Cleveland has not confirmed their names.
This could be another reason why the Browns were one of the few teams to shift a couple of draft picks from 2013 to 2014: although the scouts probably did their jobs, they didn't start evaluations under the direction of the new regime. Next year, the new scouts can focus more on players that fit the schemes of Rob Chudzinski and Ray Horton.