Browns steal Carlton Mitchell

Previously profiled here on The Brown Log, the Browns grab Carlton Mitchell in round 6. Grabbing Mitchell in the 6th round is a steal of historic proportions, The Brown Log said it first, so mark our words, this guy is going to be a major contributor to our success.



Here is a scouting report on Mitchell

STRENGTHS

Mitchell has an elite combination of size and speed for the next level. Has big, strong hands. His height and long-range speed make him a legitimate deep threat. Has a ton of upside potential. Is a ferocious blocker. Will really compete for the football in traffic and isn't afraid to take a big hit.

WEAKNESSES

Mitchell is still a very raw prospect whose draft status could have improved with another year of seasoning. At this time, he's a poor route runner on short to intermediate routes. He also likes to body catch and must do a better job of attacking the football away from his frame.

The anti-Spielman: Montario Hardesty

The Browns grabbed Montario Hardesty with their second pick in round 2 of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Montario Hardesty rose in the scouting evaluations thanks to a series of off the chart results in the speed, agility and strength testing at the scouting combine. I remember when Ohio State great Chris Spielman dropped into the second round of the NFL Draft because his combine numbers were less impressive than others. How many times do NFL personnel evaluators forget to ask the question, "can this guy play football"? Worst of all, the Browns paid an extraordinarily high price for Montario, giving up three picks — 71, 134 and 146 — for the 59th overall pick.

If the NFL game were a track meet in which a team gain points for running a fast 40 yard dash, jumping rope, and running without knocking down cones, I would be celebrating the selection of Hardesty. Unfortunately, football is a match of 11 offensive players vs 11 defenders. Have a look at the below youtube "highlights" from Montario's senior year at Tennessee. At the college level this guy got by thanks to his size and strength advantages but there is not a single example in which he stands above the rest of the talent on the field. If anything he looks out of his league.

Hardesty has the size, speed and agility to become an All-Pro but have a look at the highlights, unfortunately, he's not much of a football player. He's only 22 so he can always learn and improve, but do not hold out much hope that Hardesty will actually become a decent player instead of a member of the Willis Adams club, ie...yet another example of how scouting combines only go so far in determining whether or not a player will be a success in the NFL.

2010 NFL Draft Round 2 - TJ Ward

TJ Ward ended up being our free safety consolation prize in the second round, since Eric Berry did not drop to us in round 1. Ward doesn't have Berry's football skills but he is a very hard hitter, albeit Ward is also injury prone. Looks like a nice player in any case. Let's hope he can stay healthy.

2010 NFL Draft: Round 2?

I personally hope and pray the Browns don't pick Jimmy Clausen as is speculated in this mock draft of round 2 in this link.

A much better choice might be Colt McCoy or Vladimir Ducasse.

UPDATE: The Browns grab Colt McCoy in with their first pick in round 3. I can only say "fantastic" first that such a great player dropped in our hands in round 3, and second that we actually grabbed him. Colt fits very nicely into the West Coast offense. I like his leadership, athletic skills and short passing game accuracy. The scouts say he lacks a cannon for an arm but so did Joe Montana and Brian Sipe. If this guy can dominate in the short passing game, it will give him the margin he needs to be enough of a threat long.

Here is what one scout actually has to say about Colt:

STRENGTHS
McCoy is a natural leader with high character. Played with a lot of intelligence in Texas’ system which he mastered. Was extremely productive. Possesses a quick release. Displays great accuracy in the short passing game and puts the ball in a position to set up his receivers for run after the catch. Has the foot-speed to avoid the rush and buy extra time.
WEAKNESSES
McCoy lacks a cannon for an arm. Can fit the ball into spots on intermediate routes at times but will struggle with the deep ball. Release point is a little low. Needs to improve his accuracy on long passes down the field and toward the sideline.

2010 NFL Draft: Joe Haden

Eric Berry didn't drop into our hands, so the Browns took Florida CB Joe Haden. I have to admit my surprise as Haden's stock appeared to drop with his slow 40 yard dash time at the combine. I'm the first to state that football is a lot more than a 40 yard dash, so only time will tell if we have a guy who will help the Browns get to the Super Bowl.

2010 NFL Draft: Today is round 1

The NFL draft starts today. Looks like the Browns won't move up to get Sam Bradford Let's hope that Eric Berry lasts til number 7, as he will be an instant contributor in 2010.

Brown's 2010 schedule released

Vintage Browns: vs. Packers 1969

Memories: Rocky Belk

When we were in college back in the 80s, we formed a football team in the Ohio State Intramural flag football league. The Schwansies as we were called, nearly won it all that year. We made it to the semi finals where we played some sissy frat boy group that certainly did unspeakable things like practicing... The only practicing the Schwansies did involved 12 ounze curls, probably before, not after the game. In the end, we lost that semi-final game by less than a touchdown. We were from the Cleveland area so I guess that helped us all move on, but I still have a tough time thinking about that loss.

This squad was led by the brilliant Bill Jingo at QB and his brother, the hard driving (another way to say extremely bad tempered) David Jingo. Other members of this squad included our center and main pass-rusher Craig Vretas, and the infamous Mike Abel. As I recall, occasionally the derelict Nathan Davenport would show up to play, beyond that I can't remember who else took the field of play but I am sure that I've named nearly all of the guys that won the games for us.

So why do I mention Rocky Belk?? Well... I too was on that squad and I caught 3 passes all season long, all for very long touchdowns. When I found this video, I now recall, that Mike and Dave used to call me Rocky Belk. Why? Because Belk caught 5 passes in his entire NFL career, 2 of them for long scores.

watch this video to witness one of Rocky Belk's career touchdowns......

2010 NFL Draft: Interview with Holmgren and Heckert

Here is an excellent interview with Holmgren and Heckert by Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Some inside view into their draft strategies and opinions on certain key players. I think it's clear from reading between the lines that Jimmy Clausen is not in the Browns future.

Here is an excerpt of one Holmgren answer that I found particularly insightful regarding how Holmgren analyzes a young quarterback:

Mike Holmgren (On what he looks for in a quarterback)- “Over the years I have kind of tried to break it down. First of all, their ability to pass the ball, just the physical ability of passing the ball. If they can’t do that more often than not I don’t even get to step two. Then if they can do that, I want to see their football intelligence, some of the intangibles. Is he coachable? Just a feeling for the young man. Is he bright eyed? Does he exhibit some leadership qualities and things like that. The third thing is getting back more into the physical part of it, his movement ability. I’m not talking about running, necessarily, but his movement in the pocket. The ability maybe to get a first down if you have to, those types of things. If I go much beyond that then all of a sudden, this is me, I found that you are accumulating a lot of information, a lot of facts and figures that kind of muddies the waters just a little bit. That’s the first step and the next step is I like to see them in person, up close. You see film, you see how he plays and you see all that kind of stuff. I like to get up close and watch him deliver the ball and watch him do those things. My way is kind of simple over the years with how I have looked at it.”

He took it out

Yet another ruthless woman comes out of the woodwork to heap accusations against Super Bowl hero Ben Roethlisberger.
Shall we believe Ben's handlers and accept that there is a massive conspiracy of ruthless women out to destroy him?

Browns history: The Ice Cube

2010 NFL Draft: More Sam Bradford rumors...

click on this link to get the latest affirmation that the Browns are trying to get the top pick in the draft...

When I watch film of Bradford, I see Joe Namath's arm and Bernie Kosar's accuracy. Just look at his stats, 88 TD passes and 16 interceptions in little more than 2 years. It's just remarkable. Durability....? Cross your fingers on this one if we make this trade but sometimes in life you just gotta take your shot and hope for the best. The upside on Bradford is 3 super bowl rings, I say "go for it"...!