The OBR attempts to again answer the 50 million dollar question.

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Now a few days removed from the NFL Draft, it’s usually tradition to assign the Browns a grade for their recent performance. Around the NFL universe, the consensus falls somewhere between a “B minus” and “apocalypse.” Turns out the Pete Prisco’s of the world both really love extra fifth-round picks and really hate John Hughes. Anyway, such an exercise is beyond pointless and purely subjective. Let’s just go with an “Incomplete” and wait a few years.

In the meantime, it’s a great opportunity to use last weekend’s draft as an opportunity to analyze the dynamics of the Browns’ front office.

Or, yet again – let’s try to answer the 50 million dollar question: what exactly does Mike Holmgren do?

First, here’s Holmgren’s infamous pseudo-explanation from last December describing his role as Team President.

"My definition of my role is hire good people and support them the best I can. That's why I don't do press conferences. That's why I don't have a radio show. I've done that for 25 years. I support my people behind the scenes. We have a very competent young coach who will be here for a long time."

-Mike Holmgren – 12/14/11

Seemingly innocuous words coming from the former Packers and Seahawks coach – at least until you remember that Browns’ owner Randy Lerner has essentially handed over his inherited franchise to Holmgren – who in turn has passed along most vital decisions to GM Tom Heckert. But then again, Holmgren was reportedly a central figure in March’s pursuit of Robert Griffin III – a move that could have cost the Browns – a franchise supposedly committed to building their roster through the draft – three first round draft choices.

Yet despite his undefined role, Holmgren does have a penchant for periodically popping up to offer a hand – so to speak.

Last weekend’s draft helped to prove that perhaps “Tinkerer in Chief” would be a more apt title for Holmgren.

On Trading Up For Trent Richardson

“My conversations with Pat and Tom were 'if you even think somebody is going to is jump us, then what are we going to do to prevent that from happening?' We had that conversation many, many times -- how far were we willing to go to do this? Tom did a masterful job of setting that thing up. I thought it was an excellent trade because we got the player who, Lord willing, stay healthy and all those things, is going to be a really fine player for us for a long time.”

-Mike Holmgren – 4/30/12

Read into this what you will, but it appears that Holmgren was the impetus behind the Browns trading three later round draft picks to secure Richardson with the third pick. Perhaps feeling a bit anxious after missing out on RG3 in March, Holmgren didn’t want to again see a top talent slip away. Regardless of the actual or implied nature of a potential Vikings’ trade partner, it’s becoming evident that Holmgren’s earlier failure helped to shape what many viewed as a panicky and unnecessary draft night move.

Either way, Holmgren’s fingerprints are found in the move – for better or worse – and probably serve as one of the only indicators that Holmgren was an active voice in the Browns’ draft room.

On the Browns’ Decision Making Process

“If I'm going to suggest something or push it's going to happen long before this weekend. A discussion as an example, I won't tell you exactly what it was about, but this is typical of what might happen. I said Tom, ‘Do you want to do this?' He said ‘I don't think I do. I think it's too much or too strong or whatever.’ Then I said ‘well, we may have to.’ Then he goes ‘well, if we have to then you have to tell me because I won't do it.’ I said ‘okay, then I might have to tell you.’ ‘Fine.’ But that's a healthy way to go about it, no one's strangling anybody or pushing anybody and we've talked about that. Pat is kind of the peace maker in the group, but we all have our moments. It's real healthy and I trust him a lot."

-Mike Holmgren – 4/28/12

Holmgren’s “typical” example could easily be found in the Browns drafting Brandon Weeden with the 22^nd pick – instead of waiting until the top of the second round. It’s easy to assume that Heckert –being more experienced in feeling out the flow of a draft – would have waited until the 37^th pick to grab Weeden. Considering that three of Heckert’s picks were lost a half hour before the draft began, such a thought makes sense.

However, finding a quarterback is paramount to the Browns’ current plan – and is something that Holmgren has admittedly shown genuine excitement in procuring over the past few years. After all, a bored former offensive coordinator and head coach with no specific job title is eager to begin toying with his next quarterback project.

Speaking of that last project….

On Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy

And how about that new, industrious reporter for ESPN Cleveland? What a go-getter.

Browns Offensive Transformation Means the End of Colt McCoy

“This move was driven from the top. Sources said owner Randy Lerner expressed frustration about the team’s quarterback situation and President Mike Holmgren made it his personal mission in this draft to decide on McCoy’s replacement.”

“When we went through the process of evaluating him,” Shurmur said, “we became very fond of him. We all did, from Randy to Mike and Tom and myself. We came away with saying this is a guy we’d like on our team. And that’s where we are right now.”

And how about Holmgren giving the team’s wayward owner a nice shout-out?

At least based on the last decade of Browns’ football and/or the reason Holmgren is in Cleveland in the first place, it’s hard to imagine Randy Lerner “directing” anything that could be characterized as a football move. However, even an owner as opaque as Lerner realizes the effects of generating positive public relations – which the Browns need almost as badly as a passable on-field product. Drafting a quarterback – the most high profile of NFL positions – helps to soothe the minds of loyal Browns fans.

As for Holmgren’s “mission”, he certainly acted once given a task by Lerner. From chasing RG3 to talking up Ryan Tannehill and finally pulling the trigger on Weeden about 15 spots prematurely, Holmgren certainly did his work in justifying his enormous salary. Along the way, the Browns nearly lost three first round draft picks and Colt McCoy’s name was alternately trashed, praised, recycled and nearly incinerated.

So to answer the question – is that what Mike Holmgren does?

My definition of my role is hire good people and support them the best I can. That's why I don't do press conferences. That's why I don't have a radio show. I've done that for 25 years. I support my people behind the scenes. We have a very competent young coach who will be here for a long time."

-Mike Holmgren – 12/14/11

 


Shurmur was a total lost MORON last season

We have a very competent young coach who will be here for a long time."

---

Alrighty Big Mike...if you say so...  

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From the PD.....best article I've read about the draft coverage on ESPN...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- About 10 minutes into watching hours and hours of NFL Draft coverage on ESPN and NFL Network, or five minutes into reading about it on various Web sites and Twitter feeds, it became apparent that the majority of national analysts were unwilling to cut the Browns much slack. The slant did not change in the post-draft coverage.

The pick of Alabama running back Trent Richardson third overall received high marks, but more than a few "experts" insisted Browns General Manager Tom Heckert got bluffed by Vikings GM Rick Spielman into giving up too much to move from No. 4. Never mind that nothing corroborated the claim: It sounded good, and involved the Browns, so it must have been true.

Beyond Richardson, the Browns might as well have selected 10 cardboard cutouts. The piling on was significant in the matter of No. 22 Brandon Weeden and reached a fever pitch for third-rounder John Hughes.

Weeden is a record-setting quarterback from Oklahoma State. He stands 6-4, has a quick release and throws fastballs all over the field, with accuracy. But he will be 29 in October and played in the spread offense, so he stands no chance to succeed at the next level. To hear the critics tell it, Weeden is:

• 75 years old and needs to be lifted from a wheelchair to join the huddle;

• Unable to throw a ball five yards;

• Making the transition from Pop Warner and won't be able to learn a single NFL play; and

• No better than an undrafted free agent.

That the Browns determined they needed an upgrade at the game's most important position did not matter. Nor did the reality that, after Weeden, there was a big dropoff in skill set and NFL readiness among his peers. That the Browns feared Weeden might not be there are No. 37 also was irrelevant. They "reached."

Just as knocks on Weeden's selection at 22 seemed to ease, Heckert opted for the relatively obscure Hughes, a defensive tackle from Cincinnati, at No. 87. Oh, the Hughesmanity! Cue the Hollywood director jokes.

In fairness to the national folks, local media and fans were down on the pick. Even the most ardent of Heckert supporters might struggle with John Hughes, let alone John Hughes at 87. His rating from numerous services was low, sometimes lower than low. Still, Heckert is paid to know infinitely more about these prospects and his team than those commenting on them, and Hughes had not even made it to rookie mini-camp.

By the end of the draft, the Browns had added: the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson (Richardson); arguably the best pure passer in college football last year (Weeden); a starting right tackle (California's Mitchell Schwartz, No. 37); one of the fastest receivers in college football (Miami's Travis Benjamin, No. 100); depth to both lines and linebacker; and upgraded special teams.

Yet they were spinning their wheels.

The reception for Schwartz was lukewarm primarily because he was not named Bobby Massie, Jonathan Martin, Cordy Glenn or Mike Adams -- the right-tackle candidates who received much of the pre-draft publicity. Except that the earliest any of the other four went was No. 41 (Glenn), so every team except the Saints had a good look and passed. The supposedly superior Massie went 112th.

Perhaps instant second-guessing or thumb's down is the price the franchise pays for perpetual losing. Given that the picks were made by the lowly Browns, they must be busts-in-waiting. If you dare remotely "defend" the Browns, you are drinking brown-and-orange Kool-Aid or you are oblivious.

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay kept pounding away on Weeden's inability to complete passes under pressure. No other quarterback struggles under pressure; just Weeden. Then McShay kept gushing about Boise State running back Doug Martin, who went 31st to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Martin was the second running back off the board. (Remember, though, the Browns were foolish to think Tampa Bay, whose first pick originally was No. 5, might want to trade up to No. 3 to get Richardson).

McShay was so excited about Martin, he stated in a post-draft show that Martin will finish his rookie year with more yards from scrimmage than "T-Rich." McShay must have had Jim Brown in his ear.

View full sizeColin E. Braley, Associated PressDoug Martin got plenty of love from draftniks after he was added to the Tampa Bay roster, but while analysts seemed to overlook Boise State's light schedule, the Browns' choice of Brandon Weeden earned criticism because of the "no-defense" Big 12.

It was interesting to monitor the love for Martin and the dissing of Weeden. Critics could not wait to say Weeden played against suspect pass defenses, ignoring that Weeden played in the same conference, the Big 12, as Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 pick Robert Griffin III. When assessing Martin, though, Boise State's comparatively inferior schedule was not held against him.

Weeden took hits for having the audacity to have Justin Blackmon as his principal target at Oklahoma State. If not for Blackmon, the storyline went, Weeden would have been average, at best. When assessing Martin, though, the fact that he played with quarterback Kellen Moore had nothing to do with his success. No running room became available as defenses were busy accounting for Moore, who finished with a mere 14,667 passing yards and 142 touchdowns in his four-year career.

While the Browns could do little right after Richardson in the eyes of the analysts, the rest of the AFC North repeatedly drafted 10-year Pro Bowlers.

The Steelers were lauded for taking Stanford guard David DeCastro at 24 -- and rightly so. DeCastro likely will be very good. But the endless praise for Pittsburgh's pick of Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams at No. 56 qualified as over the top. Suddenly, simply because he was going to Pittsburgh, Adams was going to be super-strong, a citizen of the year, and a "steal."

Miami (Fla.) outside linebacker Sean Spence was a middle-round projection according to numerous scouting services. In the run-up to the draft, there was minimal buzz surrounding Spence. But as soon as Pittsburgh took him at No. 86, he morphed into Joey Porter or James Farrior.

A strong case could be made that the Browns got the better linebacker prospect in James-Michael Johnson, a fundamentally sound player with a knack for finding the football. The Browns took him with their second pick of the fourth round, No. 120, but it barely registered a blip. At least NFL Network's Charles Davis had the guts to say he was bullish on Johnson.

The biggest example of Steeler bias showed through when Florida scatback and special-teams ace Chris Rainey was taken at No. 159. Rainey has talent, but his name only was whispered in the weeks leading to the draft. Why? Because of health and character concerns -- especially character concerns. All of the drawbacks vanished when the Steelers came calling. Rainey instantly became a multi-talented weapon who automatically will "fall in line."

The Bengals were universally applauded for taking Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (No. 17), Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler (No. 27) and Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still (No. 53) with their top three. All quality prospects, to be sure. But the fawning over Rutgers receiver Mohamed Sanu (No. 83), Clemson defensive tackle Brandon Thompson (No. 93) and Georgia tight end Orson Charles (No. 116) was puzzling.

Sanu is hit-or-miss, as with most receivers in the class. Thompson wasn't as good as a senior as he was as a junior. Charles comes with baggage and is part of a weak tight-end class, but some made him sound like the next Tony Gonzalez.

The Ravens are known for their great drafts, so of course their first overall pick, Alabama linebacker/defensive end Courtney Upshaw (No. 35), is going to be a beast. Never mind that he slid because he is a 'tweener; he is going to be mentored by Ray Lewis, which means he will be the next Ray Lewis. Suddenly, Iowa State offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele (No. 60) is a high-value pick.

Even the biggest Ravens apologists were not sold on the remainder of Baltimore's draft. But Benjamin's teammate, receiver Tommy Streeter (No. 198), is undervalued for the same reason as Benjamin: Miami's inconsistent quarterback play.

11 new orange helmets: Smelley eager to hunt in Ohio

By Steve Doerschuk CantonRep.com staff writer Posted May 01, 2012 @ 07:43 PM

It’s all about the Browns now for Brad Smelley.

At one point Tuesday, his two most recent shout-outs to his Twitter following of 17,106 were:

• “Only place I’ve heard that can rival Bama fans are those of Cleveland! Thanks for the support, y’all.”

• “Serious question, though. How’s the hunting around Ohio? I know it’s known for monster bucks. What about the duck hunting?”

 

Growing up, it was all about Bear country ... Alabama football.

 

Smelley’s blood was always at high tide. He grew up in Tuscaloosa.

 

He was to local athletics what Trent Richardson was to the 2012 the NFL Draft, a big star.

As a senior quarterback on an American Christian Academy team that reached the state semifinals, he passed for 3,022 yards and 33 touchdowns.

 

In his high school career, Smelley passed for 91 touchdowns and, playing defense, intercepted 17 passes.

 

Signing day, 2008, turned into Brad Smelley Day at the high school. His classmates packed the gym to watch him take a seat at a table and sign with the Crimson Tide.

 

Coach Stephen Hooks told the crowd, “Brad is a very humble individual who doesn't speak much on the football field. He just delivers.”

 

http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x19
42600659/11-new -orange-helmets-Smelley-eager-to-hu
nt-in-Ohio

BEREA —

Tom Hecklert has said it a million times.

“You build through the draft.”

He sure hasn’t wasted any time trying.

Through three drafts engineered by Heckert since he became general manager of the Browns less than 2 1/2 years ago, he has criss-crossed the talent pools. He actually has assembled an entire roster of players for every position on offense and defense.

He is just one offensive lineman and one linebacker short of being able to play an intra-squad game with players from his three drafts.

Here is a depth chart of his picks upon the conclusion of the 2012 draft:

OFFENSE (14 players)

Quarterback: Brandon Weeden (No. 22, 2012); Colt McCoy (No. 85, 2010)

Running back: Trent Richardson (No. 3, 2012); Montario Hardesty (No. 59, 2010)

Offensive tackle: Mitchell Schwartz (No. 37, 2012), Ryan Miller (No. 160, 2012)

Guard: Shawn Lauvao (No. 92, 2010), Jason Pinskton (No. 150, 2011)

Center: None

Wide receiver: Greg Little (No. 59, 2011), Travis Benjamin (No. 100, 2012), Carlton Mitchell (No. 177, 2010)

Tight end: Jordan Cameron (No. 102, 2011); Brad Smelley (No. 247, 2012)

Fullback: Owen Marecic (No. 124, 2011)

DEFENSE (13 players)

Tackle: Phil Taylor (No. 21, 2011), John Hughes (No. 87, 2012)

End: Jabaal Sheard (No. 37, 2011), Billy Winn (No. 205, 2012); Clifton Geathers* (No. 186, 2010)

Linebacker: James-Michael Johnson (No. 120, 2012); Emmanuel Acho (No. 204, 2012)

Cornerback: Joe Haden (No. 7, 2010), Buster Skrine (No. 137, 2011); Trevin Wade (No. 245, 2012)

Safety: T.J. Ward (No. 38, 2010); Eric Hagg (No. 248, 2011); Larry Asante* (No. 160, 2010)

*-no longer with team

Heckert’s boss, Mike Holmgren, thinks Heckert is quite the architect.

“Who knows for sure on the draft,” Holmgren said after three days of picking players was done, and Heckert was upstairs calling undrafted guys.

“You really don’t analyze the draft for three years. You guys know that from the last two drafts, we are playing a lot of players, and they are playing pretty well.

“There is no reason to think that these new kids won’t come in and do the same job. So our team, foundationally, is getting better.”

Heckert was fired up after adding a new No. 1 back, Richardson; a projected franchise quarterback, Weeden, and a fix for a chronic problem at right tackle, Schwartz.

“We feel a lot better,” he said. “I don’t know if we’ve transformed the offense, but ... going back to last year I think we made it a point to emphasize we wanted to be tough.

“We thought we did that a little bit last year and the year before on our defense. Obviously, taking Trent helps us on being a physicalteam on offense.

“Obviously the quarterback ... it remains to be seen how that all works out. I don’t know if we’ve transformed it, but I think we’ve gotten better.”
 

Tom Hecklert has said it a million times.

“You build through the draft.”

He sure hasn’t wasted any time trying.

Through three drafts engineered by Heckert since he became general manager of the Browns less than 2 1/2 years ago, he has criss-crossed the talent pools. He actually has assembled an entire roster of players for every position on offense and defense.

He is just one offensive lineman and one linebacker short of being able to play an intra-squad game with players from his three drafts.

Here is a depth chart of his picks upon the conclusion of the 2012 draft:

OFFENSE (14 players)

Quarterback: Brandon Weeden (No. 22, 2012); Colt McCoy (No. 85, 2010)

Running back: Trent Richardson (No. 3, 2012); Montario Hardesty (No. 59, 2010)

Offensive tackle: Mitchell Schwartz (No. 37, 2012), Ryan Miller (No. 160, 2012)

Guard: Shawn Lauvao (No. 92, 2010), Jason Pinskton (No. 150, 2011)

Center: None

Wide receiver: Greg Little (No. 59, 2011), Travis Benjamin (No. 100, 2012), Carlton Mitchell (No. 177, 2010)

Tight end: Jordan Cameron (No. 102, 2011); Brad Smelley (No. 247, 2012)

Fullback: Owen Marecic (No. 124, 2011)

DEFENSE (13 players)

Tackle: Phil Taylor (No. 21, 2011), John Hughes (No. 87, 2012)

End: Jabaal Sheard (No. 37, 2011), Billy Winn (No. 205, 2012); Clifton Geathers* (No. 186, 2010)

Linebacker: James-Michael Johnson (No. 120, 2012); Emmanuel Acho (No. 204, 2012)

Cornerback: Joe Haden (No. 7, 2010), Buster Skrine (No. 137, 2011); Trevin Wade (No. 245, 2012)

Safety: T.J. Ward (No. 38, 2010); Eric Hagg (No. 248, 2011); Larry Asante* (No. 160, 2010)

*-no longer with team

Heckert’s boss, Mike Holmgren, thinks Heckert is quite the architect.

“Who knows for sure on the draft,” Holmgren said after three days of picking players was done, and Heckert was upstairs calling undrafted guys.

“You really don’t analyze the draft for three years. You guys know that from the last two drafts, we are playing a lot of players, and they are playing pretty well.

“There is no reason to think that these new kids won’t come in and do the same job. So our team, foundationally, is getting better.”

Heckert was fired up after adding a new No. 1 back, Richardson; a projected franchise quarterback, Weeden, and a fix for a chronic problem at right tackle, Schwartz.

“We feel a lot better,” he said. “I don’t know if we’ve transformed the offense, but ... going back to last year I think we made it a point to emphasize we wanted to be tough.

“We thought we did that a little bit last year and the year before on our defense. Obviously, taking Trent helps us on being a physicalteam on offense.

“Obviously the quarterback ... it remains to be seen how that all works out. I don’t know if we’ve transformed it, but I think we’ve gotten better.”