Holmgren says Cleveland Browns will definitely draft a QB

[TheClevelandSound]

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/...and_browns.html

 

ORLANDO, Fla. -- With 12 picks in the April 22-24 NFL draft -- their most since 2000 -- the Browns can go in a number of directions in the first year of the Mike Holmgren-Tom Heckert era.

 

There is no mystery about one thing. They will draft a quarterback. The president of the team is not shy about saying so.

 

"It's just something we have to do," Holmgren said as he embarked on his first NFL owners meetings as president of the Browns. "Why wait? I'm 61. I don't want to wait for anyone. We're going to have to do this."

 

But he knows the Browns aren't going anywhere, aren't turning the corner, until they find a young franchise quarterback.

 

"I think Jake will make us better right away. But we have to find the next guy. That's what we have to do," he said.

 

Holmgren likes Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, but believes St. Louis will make him the No. 1 pick of the draft. Although he said he would consider trading up for Bradford, he knows it's not realistic.

 

As for the second-ranked quarterback in the draft, Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame, Holmgren was characteristically honest.

 

"I wish I liked him more," he said. "You know how you have a type of player that you like? It's not scientific. People like him a lot. He'll go high. But it would be hard for me [to take him]."

 

Holmgren does like Tim Tebow of Florida, despite reservations about his throwing mechanics, and has invited him to a future private visit. He intends to do that with "four or five" quarterbacks before the draft.

 

"But, here's the dilemma," he said. "There are areas of the football team that we really have to help -- the secondary, offensive line -- to get the team better. This year it would be pretty hard to use the second [round] pick to get a quarterback. It would be pretty hard for me.

 

"Next year might be easier. We've got [three picks in the third round and four in the fifth round] going for us. But I'd have to have another second-round pick [to take a quarterback in the second round]."

 

So more than likely, Holmgren will scour the passers in the next rung after Bradford and Clausen and choose one anytime after the Browns' first two picks. A trade-up into the mid- to low-second round is possible.

 

Considering his reputation as a quarterback guru, it might surprise some to know that in 17 seasons as a head coach in Green Bay and Seattle, Holmgren never drafted a quarterback in the first or second round.

 

In Green Bay, Holmgren had the benefit of coaching the sport's all-time QB iron man, Brett Favre. In seven years, Favre never missed a game and took the Packers to two Super Bowls and a regular-season record of 84-42. But Holmgren was always on the lookout for young quarterbacks. He and General Manager Ron Wolf drafted a quarterback six times in Holmgren's seven seasons.

 

"We were [always] drafting later," Holmgren said. "Usually if it's a franchise quarterback, you're going to have to make that decision in the first 10 picks, probably, to get the guy you really covet. Once you're not drafting up in there, unless you're willing to trade to get up in there, you have to kind of look at it differently.

 

"What we did was say, 'OK, we're going to draft later. Let's do our homework and if we see a guy we like and we think we can develop, take him.' And it worked pretty well."

 

Three of the six quarterbacks Wolf and Holmgren drafted went on to be long-time starters with other teams -- Ty Detmer (ninth round), Mark Brunell (fifth) and Matt Hasselbeck (sixth).

 

When Holmgren left Green Bay to be Seattle's coach and general manager, he later traded for Hasselbeck.

 

Holmgren's record choosing quarterbacks in Seattle was not as good. He drafted one in four of his first five seasons in Seattle. None became a starter and the only one still playing is Wallace, now with the Browns.

 

He is a former coach who believes taking a flier on a quarterback in the sixth round is more prudent than drafting a player destined for a career on special teams.

 

"Why not?" Holmgren said. "I haven't talked to Heckert about it specifically. But I think it's a good idea. Certainly this year. We've got 12 picks. Goodness gracious, if we don't pop early, why not? So let's do our research.

 

"If we don't get the guy we decide we really want, now we go to Plan B and try to get the next guy we try to develop. If you believe that [a player has potential], we take him. If he doesn't get there, we do the same thing next year. The same thing in two years. But we keep doing it."

 

Unless something unexpected happens, the Browns probably won't find their franchise quarterback in this draft. But it won't be from lack of trying.

[Canton Mike]

I just have a funny feeling that the Browns will end up with another 2nd rounder this year (I think DQ will sign elsewhere) & we may just take a QB early...We'll see, but this will be a fun draft.

Mike

[mopaji]

LOVE IT!!!!!!

[ClevelandFanForLife]

Best news of the off season. I love that we are getting a playmaker on defense (probably) and will pick up (hopefully) Dan LeFevour. It's great to finally see someone in charge who knows what they're doing.

[rich4eagle]

Good takes. Holmgren and Heckert will take a QB and either with a one or two pick. Whatever they have said so far about who they like is heresay and maybe deflection. If they trade up it will be Bradford. Otherwise, my guess is they have a guy in mind for round one and or two depending on whom that guy is.

[halfsane]

We actually seem to be doing logical things .. I like mike!

[playerjdd]

Unlike last years FO there is no secrets. Mike has been pretty straight up since getting here why would he throw up smoke screens now?? I am definately on the same page as Holmgrem. I really like Bradford but it would cost us wayyyy tooo much to get him and as for Clausen he is overratted a bit. There really is only one clear cut cant miss QB in this draft Bradford, if we dont get him its not worth drafting Clausen since he is no better than what we could get in the 3rd round.

[hoorta]

Good takes. Holmgren and Heckert will take a QB and either with a one or two pick. Whatever they have said so far about who they like is heresay and maybe deflection. If they trade up it will be Bradford. Otherwise, my guess is they have a guy in mind for round one and or two depending on whom that guy is.

 

 

Obviously Rich you haven't been paying attention to Holmgren 's style. He's not taking Bradford unless he freefalls to #7, and he's not taking the next overhyped ND wonder PERIOD.

 

Say hello to Berry or Hayden.

[mopaji]

Good takes. Holmgren and Heckert will take a QB and either with a one or two pick. Whatever they have said so far about who they like is heresay and maybe deflection. If they trade up it will be Bradford. Otherwise, my guess is they have a guy in mind for round one and or two depending on whom that guy is.

 

 

"But, here's the dilemma," he said. "There are areas of the football team that we really have to help -- the secondary, offensive line -- to get the team better. This year it would be pretty hard to use the second [round] pick to get a quarterback. It would be pretty hard for me.

 

"Next year might be easier. We've got [three picks in the third round and four in the fifth round] going for us. But I'd have to have another second-round pick [to take a quarterback in the second round]."

 

 

Rich, he said we're not taking one in the first two rounds unless he can get another 2nd rounder, NEXT YEAR.

 

However, there still may be trade offers for a few of our tendered guys but I can't see that yielding more than a 3rd for any one of them. Don't get excited about a high pick on a QB. And in my opinion, there isn't a 2nd round QB out there. It's Bradford, or a 4th round project.

[mopaji]

Obviously Rich you haven't been paying attention to Holmgren 's style. He's not taking Bradford unless he freefalls to #7, and he's not taking the next overhyped ND wonder PERIOD.

 

Say hello to Berry or Hayden.

 

 

I would LOVE Berry here. However, I suspect he will fall to us and trade offers will come in. In that case, I'd trade down a few spots and just grab Earl Thomas or Haden outside of the top 10. We could also pick up another 2nd rounder in the process. But if my draft day wish doesn't come true and we grab Berry, I'll be a Berry, Berry happy Browns fan. anyways!

 

 

This part has nothing to do with your post but I'll add it....

 

It sounds like he doesn't like Clausen either. Holmgren and the boys are too damn smart to fall for that crap. I wish I liked him more too Mikey, I wish I did. If Seattle doesn't take him, he's gonna fall off the board.

[calfoxwc]

Jimmy Clausen isn't the guy. He doesn't have the personality - doesn't fit.

 

Lefevour doesn't have the NFL arm, but I think he's awesome in a game.

 

I like Zac Robinson ? in the fourth/fifth ... and I like Pike in the third.

 

 

[playerjdd]

I believe with the draft format there will be alot more trades this year. I could see us after day 1 seeing a guy we really like and trading up for another 2nd rounder. This years draft format is great for trades!!!!

[mopaji]

I believe with the draft format there will be alot more trades this year. I could see us after day 1 seeing a guy we really like and trading up for another 2nd rounder. This years draft format is great for trades!!!!

 

 

I agree. With as many picks as we have, we could package the Jets 3rd and a 5th of our own and move up 20 spots in the 3rd right there! I am really excited to see this year's draft. I expect the Browns to be all over the ticker tape on ESPN. In fact, we have a few disposable picks that can be packaged with players (we're not done moving em' kids) or other picks that could move us up in almost every round after the 1st!

[ATENEARS]

Obviously Rich you haven't been paying attention to Holmgren 's style. He's not taking Bradford unless he freefalls to #7, and he's not taking the next overhyped ND wonder PERIOD.

 

Say hello to Berry or Hayden.

 

I was hoping Bradford had a subpar showing at his latest workout, and I thought that might be the only way we would land him. It ain't gonna happen, we are drafting defense.

[ballpeen]

I was hoping Bradford had a subpar showing at his latest workout, and I thought that might be the only way we would land him. It ain't gonna happen, we are drafting defense.

 

 

I agree. All one needs to do is look at the way we worked free agency....we brought in a back, a Olineman, 2 QBs, a TE....all we are missing is a wide receiver.

 

Drafted defensive rookies can usually pay earlier dividends then can their offensive counterparts simply because it is more reactionary...just tackle the guy

 

Of the 12 picks...assuming we keep them all, I could see only 2-3 being spent on offensive players....maybe a wideout...possibly a QB, and most assuredly a offensive lineman....or two if we pass on some scrub 5th round qb. To me, if you don't spend a 1st or 2nd rounder on a qb, you aren't serious about upgrading the position, you are simply hoping you get lucky.