Browns Draft Preview
By CRS Staff
On my way to an out-of-town business trip, I recently picked up a copy of
the Sporting News' 2005 Pro Football Draft Guide, a must-read for any fan that believes he can do a better job of
selecting players for his favorite team than said team's actual GM (although in my case I think I actually could
select players better than Butch Davis, so for Browns fans that hasn't been much of a stretch the past few years).
In case you're not familar with the format, the SNPFDG essentially ranks the top 330 or so players by position, expected
draft order, and by such attributes as 'Run/Pass Recognition' (my wife can tell the difference between a run and a pass,
does that make her an NFL prospect?). The magazine also provides a brief summary of each player, complete with an 'NFL
comparison' feature that lists a current NFL player that prospect most closely resembles on the field (or in the case of the
6th or 7th round prospects, a player they can only hope to be compared with later, as chances are the closest they will get
to Lambeau or Soldier Field is NFL Europe).
While trying to learn what may be in the Browns future, some random thoughts....
Maurice Clarett is projected as the 17th RB to be taken, which would put him late into the 5th Round. However,
what's truly funny is his 'NFL Comparison' is listed to be the Browns' William Green. Do you think they're talking about
running styles, or likelihood to end up as the next guy to get arrested at a Plaxico Burress post-game party?
Browns 5-year draft record is listed at a generous (in my view) C+ grade. Eight of thirteen Browns 2000 picks
are apparently now out of the NFL. This would be the same draft that produced the likes of Shaun Alexander, Jamal Lewis,
LaVar Arrington & many others in the first round. And this is not even the draft that produced Tim Couch with the #1 overall
pick. Ouch.
SNPFDG predicts the Browns will select Texas OLB Derrick Johnson, described as a 'sideline-to-sideline speedster'
with the #3 overall pick. At least no one has yet described him as a 'bull in a china shop', a la Mike Junkin.
The Browns predicted Round 2 pick is QB Charlie Frye of Akron, although recent rumors have Frye possibly not lasting
that long. In case you're not familiar, he's another fundamentally-sound-if-not-spectacular MAC quarterback who
stayed in school all four years, and who will desperately owe Big Ben, Pennington & Leftwich some serious props if
he moves up into the first round. Would you like some Fryes to go with that Roethlisberger?
Understatement of the Year - "Luke McCown - Has some skills but was nowhere near ready to start. Back to developmental
mode." Back to developmental mode? If the Browns land Frye and Harris doesn't completely suck in training camp,
McCown's future development will encompass mowing lawns in rural Louisiana.
I find it hilarious that they publish 40-yard dash times for kickers and punters. Do you think the guy holding
the watch even manages to keep a straight face when they measure that at the combine? Maybe a better stat for them would
be things like "# of times he soiled pants before making a tackle", or "# of injuries sustained while over-celebrating a meaningless
FG" (if they kept this stat, none of the Gramatica brothers would have even been signed to the pros).
All Name-Team
While I can't be sure that any of these guys will become future proud owners of an orange helmet, I can tell you I enjoyed
their names. Without further delay, I present to you the Sporting News Pro Football Draft Guide All-Name Team:
Richie Incognito, C, Nebraska - As the 257th projected pick in the draft, Richie needn't worry about being recognized
in public...
Dustin Colquitt, P, Tennessee - Best punter name since Indy's Hunter the Punter Smith, and Seattle's Rich 'Booten' Tuten.
4th and long? Time to quitt.
Jamaica Rector, WR, SW Missouri State - If the name wasn't enough, directionally extreme NW Missouri State sounds like
a school name somebody made up.
Cory Lekkerkerker, OT, Cal-Davis - More E's, K's & R's than all of your school's fraternity letters combined.
And while we're on the subject, why is it that every NFL team seems to have at least one o-lineman with a name so long
they have to use a smaller font for his jersey? The Browns don't have anyone like that....maybe that's their problem?
Lofa Tatupu, ILB, USC - Name seems more befitting of a figure skater than a guy SNPFDG described as 'physical at
the point of attack'. I wonder if future opposing RB's will have that same thought right before he crushes them to the
ground.
Craphonso Thorpe, WR, Florida - No joke needed. Winner of the 'What Were His Parents Thinking' Award.
