Combine Readings

Sadly, the NFL Combine is over. Now we get to spend the next couple of months dissecting everything that went on and endlessly discussing how it impacts Player X's draft stock. We'll probably all be wrong, but it's fun. Here's some links to Combine reports that should be pretty interesting:

Behind the Steel Curtain, a Steelers blog, put out this review of the Combine. Credit goes to Chris Pokorny of Dawgsbynature.com for pointing me to it.

This mock draft from writer Jon Dove at Mockingthedraft.com shows how the Combine may have impacted the draft order. You can compare it to his earlier mock draft to see who the winners and losers were.

ESPN has of course covered the Combine in detail. If you missed Todd McShay, one of ESPN's draft experts, on Sports Center, his big winners of the Combine are Julio Jones (put up impressive numbers despite a broken bone in his foot), JJ Watt (finished top 5 in every drill), Marcel Dareus (impressive showing), and the whole defensive liine group in general.

Waiting For Next Year has excellent coverage of Cleveland sports, and they've been covering the Combine as well. Take a few minutes to comb through their stuff because there's plenty of good information there.

As always, stay tuned. There's more to come.

Browns Mock Draft Roundup

The Super Bowl is over and I'm just about sick of hearing about the Packers' glorious vanquishing of the hated Steelers, as pleasant as it may be. So let's switch gears a little bit. We all know that organizations that draft well are generally successful, as the Packers and Steelers have just demonstrated and many writers have covered in detail. With that in mind, let's take a look at a few predictions for the coming draft.

Mocking the Draft is one of my favorite sites for draft info. Member Jon Dove has the Browns selecting Robert Quinn, DE from North Carolina, at #6 overall. Unfortunately, Dove sees the Bengals snagging A.J. Green a couple spots ahead of the Browns. He also has DT Marcel Dareus from Alabama sliding until the eleventh pick. If the first five picks pan out as he projects, I think Dareus will definitely be an option along with Quinn.

Matt Maiocco, of CSNBayArea.com, has coveted receiver A.J. Green sliding to the Browns. Also notable is his prediction of Auburn QB Cam Newton going to the Panthers at #1 overall. He doesn't go in-depth, but I think it's readily apparent that A.J. Green in Cleveland would be great for Browns fans. It also seems likely that Maiocco is not high on Panthers QB Jimmy Claussen, a second-rounder from last year's draft.

A player to keep on eye on in Round 2 is Pitt receiver Jonathon Baldwin. His size, sure hands, and ability to run after the catch could fit well in the Browns' new West Coast offense, especially if Holmgren and company do not take Green or Julio Jones in the first round. Baldwin does not appear to have world class athleticism and does not have a great ability to gain separation from defenders, but he is capable of making tough catches and easy catches alike despite good coverage.

Here is a look at two guys that are not often discussed for the Browns' pick at #6. Dawgs By Nature member realmccoy believes that Von Miller, LB from Texas A&M, and Prince Amukamura, CB from Nebraska, are likely candidates to be selected by the Browns. Von Miller, a great pass-rushing linebacker, would improve the meager pass rush of the Browns, but he may fit better in a 3-4 scheme. I don't believe the secondary is a big concern with our two rookies playing so well, but Sheldon Brown is not getting any younger. The thought of Haden and Amukamura roughing up and shutting down opposing wideouts reminds me of what it must have been like to see Hanford Dixon and Frank Minnifield barking at the Dawg Pound. There are certainly bigger needs for the Browns, but there is something to be said for taking the best player available and strengthening a strength. For what it's worth, ESPN.com lists Miller and Amukamura as the 5th- and 8th-best prospects in this draft.

By my count there are only 78 days left until the draft begins, so until then it's all just speculation. But it sure is fun. Be sure to check back for more Browns news, notes, predictions, and who-knows-what-else.