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This writing marks my first-year anniversary of my blogging career. I don’t remember the exact date, but I know it has been a year, because my first blog topic was about the drafting of this guy…
Remember the energy that the drafting of ‘Johnny Football’ brought that nigh? And remember how the football gods quickly brought Browns’ fans back to Earth with the news of Josh Gordon being suspended for a failed drug test the VERY NEXT DAY?
Well in the 12 months since, Johnny sold a ton of jerseys, partied a ton of nights, stood a ton on NFL sidelines, played 7 humiliating quarters of pro football, and then rehabbed for two months in hoping of cleaning up his life and salvaging his once-electric career hopes.
Well this year’s Browns’ draft lacked the thrills of acquiring Manziel or Trent Richardson, as well as the 1st round draft day trades of recent years. But the Browns earned a pat on the back from their momma for resisting the urge to gorge themselves on the sugary temptations of a Marcus Mariotta QB trade. Instead they were sure to ‘eat their vegatables’ this draft day and take care of their offensive and defensive lines. Far from sexy, but sure to solidify the shaky front-line foundation that has haunted this franchise for years.
With their #12 pick, they acquired a much needed run-stuffer in the form of this massive defensive tackle…
Gotta respect a guy that not only dresses to honor his Samoan heritage, but also coordinates his attire with his mom!
I was especially impressed with Danny Shelton in post-draft interviews. He seems like a classy, hard-working man that can be a great leader. Kinda reminded me of another Samoan who recently hung up his football spikes…
Mr. Palamalu, the biggest compliment I can give you is that I hated seeing you and flowing hair on the opposite side of the field. You owned the Browns. But you are truly a Hall of Famer on and off the field. Glad to see you go!
The Browns then spent their #19 pick on offensive lineman Cameron Erving. With center Alex Mack and tackle Mitchell Schwartz possibly leaving after this year, this was a boring, but smart decision. For their 2nd round pick, they chose a pass-rushing defensive end. Smart moves by the Browns’s brain trust to bring more muscle to the ever-physical AFC North.
Now about that quarterback position. Like it or not, Brian Hoyer and his 10-6 record as a Browns’ starting QB are off to Houston. No use looking in the rear-view mirror over that. But the main dish set before us now is soon-to-be 36-year-old Josh McCown and his underwhelming 1-10 record from last year. That sparkling resume got him $6.25 million in guaranteed money from Cleveland. WOW. He must have wrote an amazing cover letter or scented his resume paper for the Browns to employ him at that cost
So I would understand the Browns’ decision to go with this new version of an old Jake Delhomme if they felt he was keeping the QB seat warm as their quarterback of the future was getting broken in. But surely the Browns’ decision makers are not counting on Manziel to take over the reins. I say this not because of his partying and subsequent stint in rehab. That’s about 10% of my doubt. 90% of it is Johnny’s physical tools (very small frame, average arm) and his playing mind set. I believe he is simply wired to run around the pocket ad-libbing plays while waiting for a receiver to break open down field. That works in college football, and it worked in the NFL days of Fran Tarkenton, Roger Staubach, and even Doug Flutie to an extent. But in today’s super fast NFL, defensive linemen are much tougher to outrun, and defensive backs leave little room for floating footballs to find their destination. I think Johnny will have a hard time changing his playing instincts, and his lack of size makes it even harder to transition from a scrambling ad-lib play-maker to a pocket passer who extends plays with his feet as needed. I give him maybe a 10% chance of becoming a solid NFL QB.
That being said, I think they are wasting this seaon with McCown. He obviously has no future, and Manziel is likely not being counted on to be the future. I would love to see them pick up a middle of the road NFL QB with 2-5 years under his belt and some good physical tools to take a chance on. The one that is on the top of my wish list was McCown’s Tampa teammate last year…
Mike Glennon is not gonna bump Tom Brady off the cover of Sport Illustrated, or GQ magazine for that matter. Actually, he kinda looks like this former Browns’ heart throb signal caller…
Ooops, wrong guy (Brady Quinn is on the top of my wife’s ‘hottie athlete’ list). Maybe more like this striking figure…
Captain America!!!
Unlike Brandon Weeden, Glennon is young (he is only 25). Unlike Manziel, he is big (6’6″, 232 pounds). And in two years with the lowly Buccaneers, he has thrown for 4,025 yards, 29 TDs, and 15 interceptions. With Tampa drafting Jamais Winston #1, Glennon is now an after-thought, why get him for a 4th or 5th round draft pick? Instead of wasting a year on Old Man McCown, let he and Manziel battle it out. Best case, you come away with a young QB to build around for the future. Worst case, you waste a year, just like you would have with McCown, and hopefully stink just enough to win the ‘Fail for Cardale’ 2016 NFL draft sweepstakes.
Brownies, you did a good job of eating your Draft day veggies. Now how about tossing that month old left over McCown turkey casserole and try a bite of some Glennon meatloaf. You just might like it!
And don’t forget our biggest off-season acquisition…
NEW UNIFORMS!!!!!!!!!!!!
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