2012 Mock Draft

2012 Mock Draft

Well, it is that time again, and the Browns are once again at the top of the draft board.  With the Atlanta trade last year, the Browns have two first round picks, adding to the excitement.  The Browns have thirteen total picks in the upcoming seven round NFL draft.  My first choice would be for the Browns to trade down and get Michael Floyd from Notre Dame along with getting at least an extra second round pick.  With that said, here we go with this year’s mock draft.  I am always interested in your feedback.  I can be reached on twitter @daveborcas 

1.      Indianapolis:  Andrew Luck  I guarantee this one even if Jim Irsay denies it in one of his late night drunken tweets.

2.      Washington:  Robert Griffin III  Another lock if you can get anyone to bet with you.  The Browns were just short of trading up to get this special player.

3.      Minnesota: Matt Kalil  Ready to play LT.  Other options are a trade down or Morris Claiborne.

4.      Cleveland: Trent Richardson  Instantly upgrades the running game and the offense.  Other options are a trade down, Morris Claiborne, Justin Blackmon or Matt Kalil if Minnesota trades with someone wanting to get in front of Cleveland for Richardson.  Bottom line is any player will help the Browns.

5.      Tampa Bay: Morris Claiborne  Shutdown corner that makes your pass rush better.  Other options are Trent Richardson and Justin Blackmon.

6.      St. Louis: Justin Blackmon  Some question his height, but Sam Bradford gets help.  Other options are Fletcher Cox or Melvin Ingram.

7.      Jacksonville: Melvin Ingram  Explosive pass rusher who’s stock is rising.  Other options are Quinton Coples, Riley Reiff or Michael Floyd.

8.      Miami Dolphins:  Ryan Tannehill  A QB that most experts agree is 1-2 years away from being NFL ready.  I really think Miami will pass on Tannehill here, but what do I know.  Other Options are Riley Reiff, Michael Floyd or Jonathan Martin.

9.      Carolina:  Fletcher Cox  Can play the run or rush the passer, stock really rising.  Other options are Dontari Poe or Quinton Coples.

10.  Buffalo:  Riley Reiff  Bills need a pass protector for what looks to be a potent offense.  Other options are Jonathan Martin, Michael Floyd or Quinton Coples.

11.  Kansas City Luke Kuechly Solid linebacker and tackling machine who comes up with big plays.  Other options are Jonathan Martin, Dontari Poe or David DeCastro.

12.  Seattle  Whitney Mercilus  A pass rusher to help a defense that is already solid against the run.  Other options are Nick Perry, Quinton Coples or David Decastro.

13.  Arizona  Michael Floyd  Its now or never for Kevin Kolb with all the weapons on this offense.  Other options are Jonathan Martin, David DeCastro or Whitney Mercilus.

14.  Dallas Mark Barron  Upgrades the run and pass defense for the Cowboys.  Other options are David DeCastro, Cordy Glenn or Dre Kirpatrick.

15.  Philadelphia  Dontari Poe  Shores up a shoddy run defense.  Other options are Michael Brockers or Fletcher Cox.

16.  New York Jets  Courtney Upshaw  Line him up at LB or DE and let him go.  Other options are Cordy Glenn, David DeCastro or Andre Branch.

17.  Cincinnati  David DeCastro  Bengals offense will be very good in 2012.  Other option sinclude Stephon Gilmore, Kendall Wright or Courtney Upshaw.    

18.  San Diego  Jonathan Martin  Time to fill some holes on the OL.  Other options are Andre Branch and Chandler Jones.

19.  Chicago Bears  Michael Brockers  The Bears are going to pressure the QB in 2012.  Other options are Devin Still, Ander Branch or Stephon Gilmore. 

20.  Tennessee  Stephon Gilmore  Big shoes to fill for the Titans.  Other options are Dre Kirpatrick or Courtney Upshaw.

21.  Cincinnati  Dre Kirpatrick  Bengals will be happy with this physical corner.  Other options are Dontari Poe, Mark Barron or Michael Brockers.

22.  Cleveland  Cordy Glenn  If he plays T or G he will be a big boost to the OL.  Other options are Ryan Tannehill, Mike Adams or Jonathan Martin. 

23.  Detroit Mark Barron  This will upgrade the run and pass defense.  Other options are Mike Adams, Dre Kirpatrick or Cordy Glenn.

24.  Pittsburgh  Dont’a Hightower  Tough inside LB to replace Farrior.  Whoever they pick lets hope it is a flop!  Other options are Mike Adams or Nick Perry.

25.  Denver  Stephen Hill  Have to get Manning some weapons.  Other options are Coby Fleener, Kendall Wright or Jerrel Worthy.

26.  Houston   Coby Fleener  Surprise pick that could make their offense unstoppable with him in the slot.  Other options are Stephen Hill, Kendall Wright or Reuban Randle.

27.  New England  Jerrel Worthy  Upgrades the front seven.  Other options are Harrison Smith, Kendal Wright or Devin Still. 

28.  Green Bay  Nick Perry  Helps cut down on the double teams of Clay Matthews.  Other options are Jerrel Worthy, Mike Adams or Peter Konz.

29.  Baltimore  Peter Konz  Solid pick that makes Ray Rice and Joe Flacco happy.  Other options are Dont’a Hightower, Harrison Smith or Jerrel Worthy.

30.  San Francisco  Kendall Wright  Last year they upgraded the D.  Other options are Stephen Hill, Coby Fleener, Reuben Randle.

31.  New England  Harrison Smith   Bill will fix the defense this year.  Other options are Kendall Reyes, Shea McClellin or Janoris Jenkins.

32.  New York Giants  Janoris Jenkins  Big time talent this late in draft.  Other options are Mike Adams, Coby Fleener or Bobbie Massie.

Who to Draft?

With just over a week to go, there is no clear cut player for the Browns to draft.  Everyone has an opinion, but only Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckerts count.  I do not expect the Browns to be idle on draft day.  In my opinion moving down would be in their best interest.  Personally I would like to draft Michael Floyd with the first pick.  In the next few days I will have a complete analysis.

How Do Your Browns Look So Far?

After two preseason games we are starting to get a feel for what to expect from our 2011 Cleveland Browns.  The team, under the direction of Pat Schurmur appears to be a lot looser than when Eric Mangini was the head coach.  One issue for the team will be depth at some of the positions.  This has been evident in the two preseason games so far. 

Quarterback:  Colt McCoy has demonstrated a strong grasp of the offensive philosophy.   When Colt was drafted the talk was he would be most successful in a West Coast Offense, and this is proving true.    He is going through his reads and finding the open receiver.  A successful WCO quarterback should complete 65% of their passes.   Seneca Wallace is a solid back up and Jarrett Brown fills the role as the developmental QB.  There is a chance that is a young QB is cut that Heckert and Holmgren like, Brown could be replaced.

Running Backs:   This unit could be strong if they stay healthy.  Peyton Hillis is a beast and will be the feature back.  He has a slight hamstring pull which has limited his practice time the last week.   Brandon Jackson will be a solid back up and is a good receiver out of the backfield.  He did suffer a toe injury against the Lions.  The wild card will be Montario Hardesty.  He was a high pick last year and was injured.  If healthy he is a fast physical back that will team well with Hillis and Jackson.  Owen Marecic is a rookie fullback that has blocked OK, but dropped a couple of passes.  The jury is out on Marecic.

Tight End:  Tight end is probably the most solid position on the team.  If he can stay healthy, Evan Moore has the best hands on the team.  He is a mismatch against DB’s.  The catch he made against the Lions is one of the best you will see all year.  His big knock is the ability to stay healthy, which also showed against the Lions.  Ben Watson is solid as a receiver and probably the best blocking tight end on the team.  Jordan Cameron is a rookie that shows pass catching ability.  He will probably beat out Alex Smith for the third tight end. 

Wide Receivers:  This group has potential, but until they show they can get the job done in the regular season it remains that, potential.  Brian Robiskie has not shown the ability to get open on a consistent basis.  The Browns are trying to line him up outside, where I see him as more of a slot receiver.    Greg Little looks like he may be a find.  He is making plays in the pre season.  He is fast and physical.  Little could be the guys we need outside.  Josh Cribbs has been doing well when working out of the slot.  He is a guy who also has a hard time getting open consistently when put on the outside.  Mohamed Massaquoi has been hurt all of training camp.  During the off season he worked out with some of the elite NFL receivers, such as Larry Fitzgerald.  The hope is that he becomes that outside speed guy to make some big plays.  The back ups will come from the group of Jordan Norwood, Carlton Mitchell, Demetrius Williams or Jonathan Haggerty .  Of the group, Norwood looks to be the most consistent.  Mitchell has been hampered by a broken finger.  I think the Browns could add a veteran receiver when roster cuts are made.

Offensive Line:  Another strong group on the team, anchored by Pro Bowler, Joe Thomas.  Center Alex Mack is also in the top 5 or 6 at his position in the NFL.  Eric Steinbach the LG remains solid at his spot, but is suffering from some back issues.  At 31 years old his body has a lot of wear and tear.  The right side of the line will be Sean Lauvao at guard and Tony Pashos at tackle.  If these guys stay healthy they could open some holes in the running game.  Both guys are big and physical.  Pashos has shown an inability to stay healthy in the NFL.  Billy Yates surprise retirement causes a bit of concern.  He was to be the main back up at center and possibly guard.     The back will be, Brandon Braxton, Steve Vallos, John Greco  and Jason Pinkston. 

The defense is a little harder to grade right now.  One thing for sure is that the defense lacks depth.   Hopefully the players will get healthy this week and be able to go against the Eagles.  Missing significant time so far has been Chris Gocong, Scott Fujita, T.J. Ward, Usama Young.  Typically the third preseason game is your dress rehearsal and gives you a good read on what the team will do.  WE will evaluate the defense after the Eagles game. 

Make sure to follow me on twitter at @BrownsAnswerGuy  and GOOOOOOOOOOO Browns

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Finally, an agreement will be reached and we will start the football season on time!  Without free agency and off season camps, the summer has been pretty boring.  The NFL will now have to make up for the lost four months and cram that into six weeks.  Free agency is expected to start on Saturday and will be wild.  On top of the current NFL free agents, undrafted free agents and draft picks must be signed and be ready to play a game the second week of August.  It is going to be fast and furious.

I believe that this year will offer an opportunity to young players like never before.  With no off season team sponsored training,  many veteran player will report out of shape.  This will offer a great opportunity for the young guys to make an impact on rosters.  It will truly be interesting to see if injuries rise this season. 

The Browns say they will not be major players in free agency.  They will most likely look to young players with potential to develop with the rest of the young core of players.  The positions I see needing the most attention are cornerback (I believe Eric Wright will not resign with Browns), safety, right tackle pass rusher and middle linebacker.  Some of the guys I would like to see wearing the brown and orange next year are:

Cornerbacks: Josh Wilson, Ravens   Brandon Carr, Chiefs   There is also a rumor that San Francisco will cut Nate Clements.  The Shaker Heights native would look great on the Browns roster.

Safety:  Quintin Mikell, Eagles  Tom Zbikowski, Ravens  Dashon Goldson, 49ers

Right Tackle: Tyson Clabo, Falcons   Willie Colon, Steelers   This will be a tough spot to fill.  Hope that Tony Pashos can stay healthy and we can develop a young player.

Pass Rusher:  Charles Johnson, Panthers   Vernon Gholston, Jets  Travis Laboy, 49ers  Wallace Gilberry, Chiefs

Middle Linebacker:  Stephen Tulloch, Titans   Stewart Bradley, Eagles

If you are an NFL fan, these next three to four weeks are going to give you your fix.  The Browns first game will be at home Saturday August 13^th against the Super Bowl Champions Green Bay Packers. 

If you have not tried Froyo Twist, the new frozen yogurt shop in Mentor, make sure you get there.    They offer 8 flavors and 40 toppings to take care of your sweet tooth.  Check  them out at http://myfroyotwist.com/

This is my thoughts, what are yours?  I can be reached on twitter at @BrownsAnswerGuy

Its Over, Now Let It Go!

Now that player #6 has given us the OK to get back to our miserable lives, we can relish in a small victory by his loss.  What looked to be a sure championship for the Heat two weeks ago turned into a bit of redemption for all Cavs fans.  On top of losing the series, player #6 also lost some of his shine as the King of basketball.  With some very poor fourth quarters in the series, the basketball world also began to question if he is really the chosen one.  During the final three games of the series, the Heat played some of their best basketball with player #6 on the bench.   The odds are that some day player #6 will win a championship, but the master plan has taken a detour.  The boast of eight championships will have to wait at least one more year to get started. 

What is next for the Cavs fan?  It is now time to get over what happened and move on.  Dwelling on the past does no one any good.  The Cavs potentially have a bright future, starting with the draft on Thursday June 23^rd.  It might even be time for me to call him Lebron again.  With a lock out looming in basketball, a season is no sure thing next year.  If the season does happen, we need to focus our energies on supporting our team to build a championship.  The Mavericks proved you do not need three Superstars to win a championship.  Byron Scott has a track record of improving teams in their second year.  The big challenge will be the influx of young players next year.

  So join me in officially LETTING IT GO!   

Just a prediction (or maybe a hope):  The NFL strike will be over by the 4^th of July.  The courts are beginning to put pressure on both sides to reach an agreement.  Billions of dollars are at stake if there is not a settlement soon.    Cooler heads will prevail. 

That’s my thoughts on the subject, what is your?  I can be reached on Twitter at @BrownsAnswerGuy

In Tress We Trust?

Who thought it would end this way?  We all believed that the man who that brought us a National Championship and ruled over Michigan would someday leave as the most loved Buckeye coach since Woody Hayes.  We never thought that what Jim Tressel would have in common with Woody is being fired amid a scandal.  Jim Tressel is a good man who told a lie that developed a life of its own, and ultimately did him in.  There is no excuse for what Jim did, and the inevitable finally happened.  The media, your best friend when things are going well become like sharks when they sense a little blood.  I believe Jim truly loves The Ohio State University, and a day will not go by that he will not regret his actions.  Life now goes on for the school, players and coaches.  We will not know until at least August what the NCAA is thinking.  In August the NCAA should reveal the findings of their investigation and hand down any penalties they see fit. 

Taking over the Buckeyes will be Luke Fickell, a four year starter and 1997 graduate of Ohio State.  Luke understands what it means to be a Buckeye.  He is a guy who has seen some rough years, but also some very good years.  The issue with Luke being the long term answer is that he is connected with Tressel.  What did Fickell know about what was going on as OSU?  Was he blind to all the perceived corruption?  Did he not hear the rumors?  A lot of questions need answered, and the media has not yet put Fickell through the vetting process.  If he can come out next year rally the team to a Big Ten title, and beat Michigan, he has a chance to win the job fulltime.  We will deal with potential candidates at a later date. 

What about the players?  They need to grow up and be held accountable.  A rule is a rule, even if you disagree with it.  There is a lot of competition for these star players, and the pay is basically the same at all Universities.  The pay is free tuition, room and board.  Something has to set one program from another, and the boosters play a big role in that.  Anyone would be foolish to think that these athletes are not coddled and treated well because of their talents.  There are a lot of people at the schools and in the private sector making a lot of money off these athletes.  It is natural for the athlete to try and use their fame to help them through college life.  Does anybody remember player #6 driving a Hummer in high school?  No easy or answers for this problem.

In the end Jim Tressel was going for that special player in Terrelle Pryor.  He was that special recruit to bring The Ohio State University another National Championship.  The cost to Tressel was his soul, pride, reputation and ultimately the job he loved so much. 

That’s my opinion, what is yours?  I can be reached on twitter at @BrownsAnswerGuy

The Weeks Sports Review

The Week in Review

Some people say it is rigged, but I say who cares, the Cavs have the top choice in the 2011 NBA draft.  In what many of the expert’s call a week year the consensus seems to be that PG Kyrie Irving is the top choice.   Irving from Duke only played in 11 games during his freshman season due to a toe injury.  Many people compare him to Chris Paul.  We can only hope so.  The NBA is a lot harder for the average person to predict because of the European players.  Most people have never seen most of these players play in person.  They also play against lesser competition when you do happen to see some Euro highlights.  With that said, it is so important to have a good scouting system that can evaluate the European talent.  The Cavs also ended up with pick number 4, which will most likely be a European.  Most of the talk at #4 has the Cavs taking the C from Turkey, Enes  Kanter.  The little we have seen him play was in a NIKE all start game where he scored at will on Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger.  Kanter was to play at Kentucky this year, but was ruled ineligible.

The Indians remain among the best teams in baseball despite losing 2 games to the Red Sox this week.  The offense has suffered with Sizemore and Hafner out of the line up.  Grady should come back to the line up today.  We have finally seen some good crowds at Progressive field.  The leader of the team has been  Asdrubal Cabrera.  Getting Cabrera in 2006 was one of those trades that got no attention.  Seattle needing a bat traded the youngster for Eduardo Perez.  I do not think anyone predicted this type of career for Cabrera.  Asdrubal cannot be a free agent until after the 2014 season. 

Today, Ray Small came out in an Ohio State newspaper and said he sold school rings for money and got special deals on a car because he was a Buckeye football player.  Ray Small is only making himself look selfish and snitch.  If he did these things and the school did not know about them it just reflects on him once again that he is a person who cannot follow rules.  Ohio State’s Mike Brewster and Buffalo Bills Donte Whitner are among the people who have called him out.  Whitner has gone so far as to say he no longer part if the “Ville” family.  The “Ville” family refers to Glenville football players.  Small was also called out by LeCharles Bentley on his radio show tonight.  Bentley inferred that Small is a coward who is hiding in his basement.  Good luck Ray, you are on your own!

This Monday is Memorial Day.  Take the time to honor the real heroes in America, the fallen veterans who make our way of life possible.  Many athletes used to take time out of their careers to serve in the armed forces.  Bob Feller was one of those players to take time out of his career to serve in the Navy.  Bob was 23 and had won 107 games when he enlisted 2 days after Pearl Harbor in 1941.  After serving almost 4 years, Bob resumed his career and ended up with 266 wins for the Indians.  Take some time out of your day on Monday to honor our fallen heroes.