BrownsAnswerGuy Mock Draft 2011

This time of year we are all Mel Kiper or Todd McShay.  Making it even tougher this year, free agency is on hold.  Teams need to fill weak spots through free agency and then the draft.  With free agency on hold, teams will be working opposite this year. A lot of years we know a couple days before the draft who will go number 1.  This often helps put things in perspective for the first few picks.  This year with the labor unrest, no negotiations can take place before the draft. With that said, here is my look at the 2011 NFL draft.

1. Carolina Marcell Dareous is the most sure thing in this draft.  This guys is a beast and Carolina will regret it if they do not take him.  Cam Newton could be the pick, but I say Dareous.
2. Denver Patrick Peterson is solid and will also impact on special teams.  Champ Bailey getting up there in age.  They will take Dareous if Carolina is stupid enough to pass on him.
3. Buffalo Cam Newton is a good fit here.  No need to start right away and the Bills have some decent players on the offensive side of the ball.Could go with Von Miller.
4. Cincinnati Blaine Gabbert will be the pick if the Bengals stay in this spot.  Mike Brown is the second biggest cheapskate in pro sports after Larry Dolan and will try to trade out of this spot.  If there is no trade, expect a long hold out.  Trading partners could be Dallas, Washington, San Francisco or Minnesota.
5. Arizona Von Miller the pick unless Newton or Gabbert drop in their lap.
6. Cleveland A.J. Green will be the pick for our Browns.  As much as we need DL help, such an impact player cannot be passed on.  If we truly want Colt to succeed, we must give him weapons on his side of the ball.
7. San Francisco Robert Quinn has the most upside of anybody in this draft.  I really think he will be a dominant pass rusher in the NFL.
8. Tennessee Nick Fairley fills the void that has been there since Albert Haynesworth left via free agency.
9. Dallas Tyson Smith fills a big gap on the Dallas offensive line.  They must protect the QB to content in the NFC.
10. Washington Julio Jones should be a solid NFL receiver.  He does not have the best hands in the world, and potentially could be another Braylon Edwards.  I would like to see the Browns trade to this spot and get extra picks.
11. Houston Prince Amukamara will be the first of many defensive players taken in this draft by Houston.
12. Minnesota Da'Quan Bowers will either be a steal or an injury concern.  The Vikings get a potential Pro Bowl pass rusher here.
13. Detroit Anthony Castonzo because Matthew Stafford needs to make it through a year without injuries.
14. St. Louis Cameron Jordan is not the guy they want, but a solid pick.  The offensive guys are either gone, or a reach here.  They could be primed to trade up or down here.
15. Miami Mark Ingram will help an aging backfield, and give Tony Saprano the workhorse he needs.
16. Jacksonville Derek Sherrod could be the next Tony Boselli for the Jaguars.  Solid left tackle for years.
17. New England Mike Pouncey gives the Patriots a big physical player in the middle of their offensive line.
18. San Diego Aldon Smith could give them the pass rush they need.
19. New York Giants Corey Liuget gives them a solid DT to go with their already outstanding ends.
20. Tampa Bay Ryan Kerrigan will be a solid NFL player.  He can rush the passer and play the run equally well.
21. Kansas City Gabe Carimi fills a void the offensive line.
22. Indianapolis Nate Solder becomes very good friends with Peyton Manning.  Not the player they wanted, and probably not the best on the board, but fills a big need.
23. Philadelphia Adrian Clayborn drops into their lap.  They wanted an OT, but settle for upgrading the defense.
24. New Orleans Jabaal Sheard is a solid player, and the vest on the board at this point
25. Seattle Colin Kaepernick is their man.  Potentially the best QB in the draft goes to Seattle.
26. Baltimore Brooks Reed begins the replacement of the aging LB corps.  This guy could be the Clay Matthews III of this draft.
27. Atlanta J.J. Watt fills a need a DE.  He sure looked good against the Buckeyes last year.
28. New England Jimmy Smith is too good for Billy Boy to pass on.  He makes their DL better.  Attitude never a problem in NE.
29. Chicago Phil Taylor gives them the run stopper they need on the DL
30. New York Jets Marvin Austin has as much upside as anyone in the draft.  I do not like him.
31. Pittsburgh Danny Watkins give them another tough guy in the middle of the offensive line.
32. Green Bay Cameron Heyward is only here because of his arm injury.  The Packers get a steal.

In the second round I look for the Browns to go with defense.  Depending on who drops to them it could be Ras-I-Dowlig, Akeem Ayers or Muhammad Wilkerson.  At some point the Browns will address the OL and potentially a developmental QB such as Pat Devlin from Delaware.  Some of my sleeper picks to keep your eye on are Greg Romeus DE, Britt Mitchell OT, Jurrell Casey DT, Bruce Carter OLB, Jerrard Tarrant S and Aaron Williams CB.

That my thoughts, send me yours.  I can be followed on twitter at @BrownsAnswerGuy.

This Could Be A Fun Summer

Surprising everyone except the Cleveland Indians public relations people, the Tribe is looking good.  Having grown up with  Indians heroes named Steve Dunning, Charley Spikes, Jack Brohammer and Cory Snyder I have seen more bad than good Cleveland baseball.  I find it difficult to be optimistic about the Indians these days, I reserve all my optimism for the Browns.  Well, so far this year I am very happy to announce that I AM WRONG!  The Indians are off to a great start and deserve our support.  Last year, sadly, I attended opening day and not another game all year.  This year I made opening day, and cannot wait to get back.  I was with a group that had season tickets in the 90's, and it sure is fun to be at Progressive field with 43,000 others. 

You often hear statistics are for losers, but in this case they are proving true.  During the second half of the 2010 season the Indians starters were 4th in the league with a 3.86 ERA.  The bullpen was second in the league with a 2.95 ERA.  These numbers are alive and well in 2011.  Manny and his staff has done a very good job in developing these young pitchers, and effectively using a solid bullpen.  Can anyone honestly say they saw this coming with Masterson and Tomlin.  The guys are pitching great.  It will be hard to keep their current pace, but they will definitely not fall flat on their face.  The bullpen was a little more predictable.  The Indians did a great job of developing Chris Perez as a closer.  The set up guys Perez, Sipp and Pestano have been unhittable.  The bullpen is probably the most solid part of the team.  I look for Durbin and Smith to ultimately be contributors in the bullpen. 

The hitting has been timely and at times come from some unlikely contributors.  The biggest surprise is Travis Haffner.  Is Pronk back?  Can he stay healthy?  Only time will answer these questions.  The same two questions go for Grady Sizemore as well.  If the answer to those questions is yes, then come the next big question.  Will the Indians trade Travis or Grady to save money.  If these two stay healthy, the offense will be strong enough to carry the team.  These two along with Cabrera, Santana, Choo and the emerging Michael Brantley bring credibility to the line-up.  Matt Laporta will have little pressure on him and may also be able to start to find his game. 


The Indians are doing their part, it is our turn as fans to do our part.  Go Tribe!

A Week Unlike Any Other

Well, a sure sign of Spring being here (close at least) is that it is Master's week.  Even if you are not a big fan of the golf, the Masters is a great TV event.  The course has become much tougher over the last ten years.  The weather also plays a big part in the scoring.  Last year the course was wet, helping the greens to hold the ball better.  This year the forecast is for sun and 80's, so look out.  One of the best comments bu a commentator was Gary McCord saying that the greens were so slick, they were using bikini wax instead of mowers.  This got Gary banned from broadcasting any events at the Master's for life.  They do take their course serious in Augusta.  This is not a PGA sponsored event.

I am rooting for Tiger to get his game together and make it an interesting weekend.  He has been struggling with the putter, which will kill you at Augusta.  Based on his performance in Houston last week, Phil is going to be a force to reckon with.  There always seems to be a veteran that pulls out three good rounds and starts to fade on Sunday, last year it was Boom Boom, Freddy Couples.  I am going with Davis Love III to be that guy this week. From the odds makers point of view, Tiger 6/1, Phil 8/1 and Wesstwood/Kaymer 14/1 are the favorites.  Hard to believe with all his struggles on and off the course, Tiger is the favorite. 

The Masters has a lot of traditions and hold their merchandising to a minimum.  You can only buy Masters clothing and memorabilia at the tournament.  The items are not available on line or in any store.  Be sure to download your Master's phone app and check everything out on line at http://www.augusta.com/

Let me know who you like to win.