What Has the Combine Done for the Browns?

Julio Jones may have been one of the biggest winners from this year's Combine. If the Browns are unluck enough to miss out on A.J. Green, then Julio Jones might be the best thing to happen to the Browns in a while. His 4.39 40-yard dash and 11'3" broad jump (best in the Combine this year) are eye-popping when you consider that he is 6'3" tall and weighs 220 lbs. Wow. His numbers certainly qualify for "physical freak" status, and the fact that he did all of this with a broken bone in his foot is just icing on the cake. His draft stock right now is probably as high as it has ever been and the Browns could certainly do worse. His strength and speed mean that he should be able to get yards after the catch and he is not afraid to go across the middle of the field. This is important for a budding West Coast offense.

Marcell Dareus is another player that has helped out his own cause. In a deep defensive draft he has been able to seperate himself from most of the rest, and he could go anywhere in the top 5. His impressive size (6'3", 319 lbs.) and his athleticism (sub 5.0-second 40) have helped him, while the other top tackle prospect, Nick Fairley from Auburn, came in much smaller than anticipated and hurt his own stock. Dareus has also shown versatility in stopping the run as well as rushing the passer, which means he could be a good fit anywhere, especially next to Ahtyba Rubin in the Browns' new 4-3 defense.

J.J. Watt has not been generally seen as a high first rounder, but he was solid in nearly every drill and, at 6'5" tall and 290 lbs., has great size for a strongside defensive end in a 4-3. He has a great motor and is well-rounded as a player. If he somehow falls to the second round I believe he would be an absolute steal, but I doubt he does. If the Browns trade down in the first round he would fill a big need for a team that lacks quality 4-3 defensive linemen.

From what I can gather, Patrick Peterson helped his stock but not a lot. He was already seen as the consensus best defensive back in this draft, and he maintained that billing. He's big, fast, strong, and has excellent coverage abilities. Because he didn't blow the doors off of the Combine, he could potentially slip to the Browns at #6, but I see less of a need for him now that the Browns have given Eric Wright a second-round tender. Peterson would undoubtedly be an upgrade, but the Browns have much bigger holes to fill.

Since the Combine, Mel Kiper has updated his illustrious Big Board. After the top 5 his Big Board is Insider-only, but there was some movement in the top 5 that might reflect who might be available for the Browns at pick number 6. Patrick Peterson claims the top spot, while Nick Fairley fell to the second spot. Da'Quan Bowers, Marcell Dareus, and Von Miller round out the rest of the top 5. Some notable absences are any receivers or quarterbacks. A.J. Green may still be available, and top QB prospects like Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert might be used as leverage for the Browns to trade down and acquire more picks.

As always, we'll keep monitoring the Browns, the draft, and the looming lockout. A one week extension to the CBA has reportedly been agreed upon by all parties, so we will see what happens. Stay tuned.

Browns Notes and Randomness

Photo courtesy of cleveland.com.




Recently-released Browns defensive tackle Shaun Rogers has been busy this week. He has already visited Washington and Kansas City, and he hopes to eventually be signed by Houston. In his radio interview, he spoke glowingly of departed defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. Like many fans and players, myself included, Rogers liked Ryan's excitement and energy level that he brought to the defense.

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay now believes the Browns will select Marcel Dareus, DT from Alabama. McShay believes that, when healthy, Dareus is a more complete player than projected number one overall draft pick Nick Fairley. It's not exactly relevant to his success on the field, but it would be interesting to see Dareus reunited with Colt McCoy, whose season he ended in the BCS Championship Game. Dareus is a capable pass rusher and has the versatility to play in many schemes. He could conceivably fill the (large) hole vacated by Shaun Rogers.

While head coach Pat Shurmur is in his first head coaching gig, the Browns have two other coaches with head coaching experience. Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron and senior defensive assistant Ray Rhodes. Both have also been awarded Coach of the Year honors in previous seasons. This combination of new blood and experience should bode well for the Browns in the coming years.

GM Tom Heckert took some veiled potshots at departed coach Eric Mangini. In order to give credit where it is due, I didn't take much note of this article until I read this piece at Waiting for Next Year by Craig Lyndall. I agree with the vast majority of Craig's take on the subject, and I'm getting sick of hearing potshots going back and forth from current Browns personnel and former Browns personnel. It seems like it never ends.

The last I heard, there has been no significant changes with the CBA negotiotiations. I'm starting to get a little discouraged due to the complete lack of movement, but I'm still optimistic that there will be football in 2011. Time will tell. As always, stay tuned for more news and analysis.

First Look at the Panthers' Draft

The Carolina Panthers will make the first selection in April's draft, and while a lot can happen between now and then to change the stocks of certain players, there appear to be four major candidates at the moment:  Clemson DE Da'Quan Bowers, Auburn DT Nick Fairley, LSU CB Patrick Peterson, and WR A.J. Green.

Green might be the most ready-to-play of the four, but in this day and age it's hard to justify drafting a receiver with the top pick, especially when your quarterback position is not settled.  Besides, as long as Steve Smith sticks around, the Panthers should have a pretty good group of receivers.  David Gettis and Brandon LaFell improved dramatically throughout the season as rookies last year, despite awful play from the passers.  Green could still be an option if the Panthers want to trade the pick, or if they get an inkling that Smith will be gone. 

Fairley, at the moment, is the most logical choice.  The man has been labeled as a dirty player, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially for a team that needs to re-develop its edge.  He is adept at overpowering blockers and getting into the backfield to cause trouble.  Fairley isn't as good as last year's second pick, Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, however.  This really is a weak draft right at the top - at the moment, no one really stands out.

Bowers reminds people of Julius Peppers - for better and worse.  He is a freak of nature athletically but has a tendency to take plays off, just like Peppers.  I think I'll pass; besides, defensive end is not a position of need on this team, especially if we can retain Charles Johnson (11.5 sacks last year).

If the Panthers do not choose Fairley, LSU's Peterson is the best option.  Yes, it would be unusual and a bit risky to take a corner with the number one spot, but if you think this guy can be as good as Nnamdi Asumogha, Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey, or Charles Woodson, then you take him with the first or second pick in a draft like this.  Peterson is fast, physical, and intelligent and can be the kind of shut-down corner that really elevates a defense.  With Richard Marshall most likely to leave, cornerback is a big area of need for the Panthers.

While quarterback remains the biggest need, it looks as if the Panthers won't fill it in the first round without trading the pick.

Follow me on Twitter: @JasonBlackwood.

Panthers in the Pro Bowl

The NFL's all-star game, the Pro Bowl, will take place this weekend in Honolulu, Hawaii.  The Carolina Panthers will have more Pro Bowlers (three) than they did wins (two).

Chicago's Lance Briggs has withdrawn, giving linebacker Jon Beason his spot, and a third consecutive trip to the game.  Beason is a middle linebacker by trade but spent a lot of time playing outside this season because Thomas Davis was hurt. 

Beason joins left tackle Jordan Gross, considered one of the league's best, and center Ryan Kalil.  The Panthers' offensive line looked spotty early in the year but that was partly due to interchanging lineups that injuries had forced on the team.  Their play, and with it the running game, improved greatly later in the year; third-string back Mike Goodson reeled off three consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts at one point.

"Thanks for all the congrats about the pro bowl," Beason wrote via Twitter.  "I appreciate you all. Things always work themselves out when u keep the faith."

In other news, GM Marty Hurney has made it clear that fixing the quarterback position is the Panthers' top priority this offseason.  He did not specify whether that meant drafting another passer or bringing in a veteran to compete with Clausen.  Hurney wouldn't rule out the Panthers drafting a quarterback with their first pick - keep in mind, trading down is a possibility.  The team has also begun looking into the background of Auburn DT Nick Fairley, according to Darin Gantt and Joseph Person, the two main reporters for the team.