The 2012 Draft Showed Us One Thing; Seats are Getting Warm in Berea

     Billed as potentially the most important draft in franchise history, the Browns put a wrap on this year's draft this past Saturday evening by selecting Alabama tight end Brad Smelley in the 7th round.  With 13 picks at their disposal, and a philosophy that lends itself to building a team through the draft, the Browns looked poised to grab some players who could make a difference on both sides of the ball as soon as this season.  While fans had some early excitement when the team drafted Alabama running back Trent Richardson with the 3rd overall pick, there were some puzzling moves and selections over the next two days that fueled online chats and twitter feeds with one simple question- were the Browns brass and their fans watching the same games last year?

     While the Browns focused on offense early, using their first three picks on players to help the seemingly hapless offense (RB, QB, RT), they quickly turned to defense in the later rounds.  While the early picks are expected to be immediate contributors, it was clear that the other selections were more about adding depth to the roster.  There were some trends; just about every player selected had been a multiple year starter for their college, and had displayed the ability to play multiple positions, all while maintaining high character.  No one truly knows how many players the Browns were able to draft (with the exception of Holmgren, Heckert, and Shurmur) that they had actually targeted, but it seemed like everyone in Berea was satisfied with how things transpired over the 3 days of drafting.

     The moment the season ended this past January, you could see that things were unsettling over in Berea.  A press conference was held within a week, and most of the talk was about the quarterback position.  For the next 4 months, everyone speculated as to what the Browns were going to do with their picks.  It appeared the defining moment for this regime was about to arrive, and they were going to have the chance to finally get things moving in the right direction.  While the Browns preached patience to their fans, I believe they've started to buckle a bit under the pressure.  With a grueling schedule this upcoming season, one that includes 10 teams with winning records, another 4-12 season (or worse) could spell the end.  That's when things got a little shaky.

     Everyone within the Browns organization were in agreement- a new quarterback had to be brought in. This was one of the stranger situations because, depending on who you talk to or what you read, multiple things were said regarding this.  In January, it was all about having an open competition to determine the starter for next year.  The idea of Seneca Wallace under center didn't excite the fan base any more than having McCoy back for another year.  Maybe the Browns would sign a free agent to come in and compete with these guys.  Matt Flynn's name was out there, as was Jason Campbell's.  It seemed the Browns would be a lock to swing a trade with the St. Louis Rams to move up to the #2 pick in the upcoming draft.  The prize- Baylor's Robert Griffin III.  The Rams already had a franchise quarterback, and it seemed like a good fit.  Well, the Washington Redskins jumped right in and gave away foreseeable future (in draft picks anyways), and snatched the #2 pick right from the Browns fingers, all while the Browns were trying to drive down the price of St. Louis' pick by downplaying their interest in Griffin.  Matt Flynn signed with Seattle, and the Browns were left with no quarterback of the future.  They gave McCoy a lukewarm endorsement, one that never really felt very genuine.  As for McCoy, where was he?  He certainly wasn't talking to the media.  How did he feel about all of this?  Had the Browns talked to him?  To make things worse, Wallace was adamant that he would not serve as a mentor to any quarterback the Browns brought in.  He was here to play...and start.

     Free Agency came and went without as much as a whimper.  Players were signing all over the place with new teams.  The Browns again seemed slow to get out of the gates on this one.  Were they targeting anyone?  Did they have FA visits scheduled with players?  How much money did they plan on spending?  The picture wasn't coming into focus very clearly here.  There were a few minor signings, but nothing of major impact.  Now the fear was setting in that all the eggs were going into one basket- the draft.

     Rumors swirled around the Browns regarding what exactly they would do with their pick.  Labeled as a "swing pick", many experts believed that the draft would turn what the Browns would do at #4.  The first 3 picks were considered locks, with little drama involved.  Everyone was talking about the Browns.  What should they do?  Trade back and acquire more picks?  Trade up and draft an elite player?  Stay put?  No one really knew for sure what was coming.  As the different reports surfaced, the Browns were careful to comment on none.  They weren't talking.

     With all the things that transpired leading up to the draft, one thing was clear- there was pressure to turn things around...now.  The media was relentless.  Missing out on RG3, not doing much in free agency, and now having to hit on these draft picks; the pressure was immense.  Reports had the Browns targeting Trent Richardson.  He seemed safe to fall right into the Browns lap at #4, but Minnesota was entertaining trade offers (as it was reported) from at least 6 other teams.  Now the Browns weren't in control of their own destiny.  How would they explain to their starving fan base that they had lost out on their guy Richardson?  They wouldn't have to, as it turns out.

     It was at that moment, about a half an hour before Indianapolis would be on the clock with the #1 pick that the Browns buckled under the pressure a little bit.  They traded up 1 spot to #3 by sacrificing three draft choices (4/5/7 rounders).  They would ensure that they would get their man in Trent Richardson.  No one was going to steal their guy this time.  They would flinch again, as their man (I believe), Kendall Wright was taken a mere 2 picks in front of them.  Another player gone that was desperately needed.  Unable to risk losing out yet again, the Browns reached out and pulled Brandon Weedon as their quarterback of the future.  Maybe they could have selected Weedon with their 37th pick.  They had lost, in my opinion, any flexibility to do that when they traded three picks to move up one spot and take Richardson.  The unpredictability of the draft had tilted things a bit for the Browns.  They had gotten two of their guys on the "wish list", but they had to sacrifice extra picks, and perhaps reach a bit to select their quarterback of the future.  They still haven't addressed arguably the biggest need for the team, which is the wide receiver position.  And what to do with McCoy now?  Keep him?  Trade him?  Have an "open competition"?  Who knows what Randy Lerner will do if the Browns spit out another 4-12 season.  Heads will be rolling, no doubt.  Those seats in Berea aren't too hot right now, but they are getting a tad bit warm.

TR