QB Conundrum: Scouting Tim Tebow

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @DonNoLogoNeeded

On Thursday, No Logo Needed began is examination of the possible quarterbacks the Browns may draft next month. We started with Colt McCoy.

In our original list, Tim Tebow was not among the quarterbacks. Well, in light of recent events, we had to add him.

The Sporting News was the first to report Tebow has a visit scheduled to Berea. A day earlier, Browns president Mike Holmgren and coach Eric Mangini were in Gainesville, Fla. to watch the University of Florida's pro day.

Tebow was the main attraction. Would his poor mechanics improve after a few months of working with specialists? The initial reviews were positive.

"From the Senior Bowl to now, the improvement is ridiculous," NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock told the Sporting News. "I was blown away."

Meanwhile, cornerback Joe Haden improved his 40-yard dash time. At the NFL Combine, Haden was around 4.6 and on Wednesday it was 4.45 according to reports. Perhaps the Browns brass were in Florida for more than to worship at the feet of Tebow?

Holmgren was not overbearing in his praise of Tebow and rightfully so. Teams are simply not going to spill the beans on their draft plans.

That being said, below are five reasons the Browns should draft Tebow followed by five reasons why they should have reservations.

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Pick No. 21: Cincinnati Bengals

By The Stripe
BengalStripes.com

The moment is here. It is time to select the Bengals first-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.

As the Bengals’ representative in the 2010 NFL Bloggers Mock Draft it my duty to select my player of choice on the Bengals behalf.

There are plenty of big names still out there including everyone’s mock draft favorite Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham.

The average Bengals fan wouldn’t think twice and scoop up Gresham. He is the best tight end on the board and the Bengals certainly need help at that position. However, in my mind, there are many more-impressive athletes still on the board.

For example, a player that could slip on draft day and did in this mock draft is Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant. Can the Bengals afford to pass on a player with as much upside as Bryant in favor of Gresham?

There are others to also consider, such as Florida offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncy, UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price, Penn State DT Jared Odrick, Boise State CB Kyle Wilson, and Notre Dame WR Golden Tate.

In the real draft, the Bengals could be hoping for either Tennessee DT Dan Williams, Texas S Earl Thomas or USC S Taylor Mays to fall into their laps. In this mock draft, each of above prospects are already off the board.

With all the talent in this year’s draft, no matter who is left at No. 21 it is going to be a tough selection.

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Pick No. 20: Houston Texans

By Chris
Houston Die Hards owner/editor

Despite the franchise's first winning record in history, the Texans seem to have just as many needs in the draft as ever.  So far, the Texans have only made one move in free agency, landing OG Wade Smith from the Kansas City Chiefs - but he's not guaranteed to start.  With that in mind, the most immediate/most obvious needs are: DT, CB, RB, G/C, and FS.

The way this mock draft is shaking out, the pick isn't too difficult. Earl Thomas, CJ Spiller, Dan Williams (damn you, Steelers!), and Mike Iupati are all off the board, but none of that matters.  With Dunta Robinson getting RIDICULOUSLY overpaid by Atlanta, the Texans need a corner - and they need one that can start right away.

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Bills need lesson in Marketing 101

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @Don_NoLogoNeeded.com

The Buffalo Bills are reaching out to season ticket holders in an effort to entice fans to renew their season tickets. Their idea was simple: The Bills are "awaiting the return" from the season ticket holder money for their 2010 tickets.

As for the visual the Bills used, not good. A picture tells 1,000 words:

You'll see the season ticket holder's name atop the scoreboard. Nice personalized touch, one would think. Unfortunately, the action shot is not of the Bills doing something positive or is it even of the Bills returning a kick (based off the "awaiting your return" theme).

Instead, the Bills are punting out of their own end zone. And see the team the Bills are playing? That's right, it's the Browns. In that game, the Browns won 6-3 as Cleveland's starting quarterback that day, Derek Anderson, was 2-for-17 passing for 23 yards.

Nothing like getting Bills fans excited for the 2010 season than by showing the team punting out of their own end zone during one of the ugliest games in NFL history.

Editor's note: Thanks to Deadspin for bringing this epic fail to light.

QB Conundrum: Scouting Colt McCoy

By Aaron Ziraks
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @Z_NoLogoNeeded

The Browns are currently preparing to enter the "strategy phase" of their offseason. At No Logo Needed, we have to first figure out exactly what that means. My best guess is strategy (or stra-TEE-gery as we like to say) has a lot to do with the 12 picks the Browns have for the April draft and where those picks will be spent.

Until more definitive information is released on which players the Browns brass are bringing in to Berea for face-to-face interviews, NLN has decided to preview the following quarterbacks.

•Colt McCoy, Texas
•Tony Pike, Cincinnati
•Jarrett Brown, West Virginia
•Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
•John Skelton, Fordham
•Mike Kafka, Northwestern
•Tim Hiller, Western Michigan

We are going to start with McCoy. He has been linked to Cleveland a couple of times in the past few weeks. Once the smoke clears, the Browns may have their quarterback of the future with McCoy. He should be available in the second round.

Below are five reason the Browns should draft McCoy followed by five reasons why they should have some reservations.

Reasons To Draft McCoy
1. Accuracy - In 1,645 attempts, McCoy completed 70.3 percent of his passes at Texas. He also was 1-for-1 in his career as a beach-side quarterback.

2. Leadership - At the NFL Combine McCoy answered a question about leadership. He had one of the best responses I heard that weekend.

"When I got in the huddle as a freshman I was calling plays to five guys that just started on National Championship team who just played with Vince Young," McCoy said. "I gained their respect through playing at a high level and there is no reason I couldn't do that again."

Not to mention, McCoy was a four-year starter at one of the best football programs in the country.

3. Chip on his Shoulder - After suffering an injury in the first series of the National Championship game, McCoy cited everything happens for a reason. That experience has made him more determined than ever to win a title at the next level.

4. High Praise - This week, long time NFL executive and NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt said:

"To me, Colt is Drew Brees on the field and Drew Brees off the field. But he's about two and a half inches taller and he's faster"

He also mentioned something specific regarding the Browns:

“The guy who retired from coaching and heads the Cleveland Browns now asked me who I’d take… I told him if you draft Colt McCoy and run the West Coast Offense, you’re going to forget about Joe Montana”.

Strong words from a respected NFL guru.

5. Not Top Ten Money - This is also a concern. Drafting No. 7 is not exactly a privileged anymore because of that financial burden. In addition, the Browns will have to move up to draft either Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen. However, McCoy will be there in the second round. The Browns will be able to position themselves to target McCoy thanks to their high number of picks.

Reasons For Reservations
1. Size - McCoy is not as tall as the average NFL quarterback. At the NFL Combine, McCoy measured in at 6-feet, 1 1/4-inches.

2. Gimmick Offense - McCoy didn't play much under center at Texas and that could be a concern for some clubs. It's especially a concern to a team that will employ a lot of play action, which requires quick decisions from under center.

3. Interceptions - He didn't throw a lot of interceptions, but he did throw enough to give pause. Two seasons with double-digit interception totals might be cause for a bit of concern.

4. Nerve Injury - McCoy has been cleared and the injury in the National Championship game was said to not cause any structural damage, but for a guy that has never had a major injury there might be concerns about how he handles it mentally.

5. Can He Be a Cold Weather Guy? - McCoy is a Texas guy with Texas blood. That blood is thin. The weather will affect him if he allows it. If he is the guy Cleveland picks, the brass have to be convinced he is capable of playing in Cleveland Browns Stadium in December.

New Browns player leads NFL in ability to take written tests. Hey, it's something.

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @DonNoLogoNeeded

It is funny the information you can come across on your travels throughout the Internet. In the coming days, No Logo Needed will be examining the quarterbacks in this year's draft class. Most agree, as does No Logo Needed, that the Browns will draft a quarterback.

At Monday's press conference, Browns president Mike Holmgren was asked specifically if they would think about trading up to select Oklahoma's Sam Bradford.

"Anything is possible," Holmgren said.

So, we decided to begin our look at the quarterbacks with Bradford. As I began my research, I came across Bradford's Wonderlic score. He scored a 36, which was one of the highest scores from this year's NFL Combine. A perfect score is 50. After that I got slightly derailed once I came across the following piece of info. Maybe it is only interesting to me, but I'm going to share it anyway.

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Pick No. 19: Atlanta Falcons

By Dave Falconer
The Falcoholic

Sometimes, you know the guy you're going to pick 18 spots in advance. This is one of those times.

Whether it's my readers calling lustily for the team to draft him, the fact that the Falcons themselves are holding a private workout for him, or the fact that I simply think he's one of the most complete players in the NFL Draft, I'm taking one particularly talented linebacker.

Before I announce the pick—as if I didn't just give it away—I will say that there's a compelling reason for doing so. The Falcons will line up the ancient Mike Peterson at outside linebacker, and he's quickly becoming a liability against both the pass and the run. He's at best a stopgap solution outside, and the Falcons have long been a team that relies on its linebackers to do great things. Adding a complement to rising star Curtis Lofton who can also rush the passer could take the defense to new and exciting places.

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Pick No. 18: Pittsburgh Steelers

By Donald Starver
Steelers Today

Steeler Nation is going to hate me for this pick.  And I understand their concerns.
 
Last year, the Steelers defensive backfield was atrocious.  Sure, Troy Polamalu was hurt.  But that doesn't excuse the horrendous play that ensued.  The Steelers' cornerbacks did not record their first interception until the final game of the season.  Moreover,opposing cornerbacks seemed to average 500 yards per game against our secondary.
 
But despite all of that, the Steelers did draft 2 cornerbacks last season.  I can't see drafting another one this season.  At least not in the 1st round.  Joe Haden looks quite appealing.  He was almost a unanimous pick among my readers.  But Nose tackle is the most difficult position to find in the draft, and the best one just fell into our laps. 

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Pick No. 17: San Francisco 49ers (from Panthers)

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @DonNoLogoNeeded

For the second time in the first round, the San Francisco 49ers are on the clock.

With the 13th pick, the 49ers representative, Drew Kerr of Niners Nation, selected Clemson running back C.J. Spiller. A duo of Frank Gore and Spiller is a scary thought for the other three teams in the NFC West.

Now that the offense has been addressed, Kerr is setting his sights on the defensive side.

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Browns preparing to enter strategy phase

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @DonNoLogoNeeded

Browns president Mike Holmgren and head coach Eric Mangini met with the media Monday afternoon to answer questions regarding the furry of moves the team made in recent days.

Holmgren made it clear he does not promise starting positions to free agents. New quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace appear to be headed for the dreaded, "quarterback controversy." Well, in theory. Yesterday, Holmgren made it clear he does not think Delhomme is a "stopgap" and there won't be a competition late into August. A starter will be decided early.

Whether its Delhomme or Wallace (probably Delhomme), Holmgren wanted a "guy who's going to grab everybody by the throat and say follow me through that door." Holmgren looks at Delhomme as that type of leader he wanted in the Browns' locker room.

Despite the acquisition of Delhomme and Wallace, most agree, including us at No Logo Needed, that the Browns will draft a quarterback. Holmgren was asked about the possibility of moving up to take Sam Bradford. "Anything is possible," Holmgren said.

Traditionally, Holmgren selects his quarterbacks later in the draft instead of using a first-round pick. Currently, the Browns are examining all options, just like the 31 other teams.

"We're not there yet (in the strategy phase)," he said. "We have to analyze our needs, how we make the team better right away. We have some areas we need to address that are as crucial now, immediately, as the quarterback thing. This probably is the only year we'll have all these draft picks, so we have to be wise in how we do that."

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Pick No. 16: Tennessee Titans

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @DonNoLogoNeeded

Whether or not you were a Tennessee Titans fan in 2009, the team's season was intriguing. The Titans opened 0-6 before finishing 8-8, which was a complete opposite to the Broncos' season.

Tennessee was also a must-watch thanks to its running back, Chris Johnson, and his quest to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. Johnson didn't break it, but he finished with 2,006 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. In addition, the emergence of Vince Young at quarterback has the Titans with a young and emerging offense.

So, according to Jimmy Morris of Music City Miracles who is making the Titans selection, the team is looking toward defense.

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Pick No. 15: New York Giants

By Andy Furman
UltimateNYG.com

I am sending a message after 26 years without a #1 LBer that the Giants defense is going to rebuild with a LBer.

Names that were closely considered included Taylor Mays and Sean Weatherspoon.  With Weatherspoon, we cannot trade down.  Irish noted the tradedown and take Weatherspoon.  That is a very real and very choice.  But at 15 you cannot take Weatherspoon.  Taylor Mays is intriguing because he can potentially play a LBer role.

Listen to the group of contributors of UltimateNYG, who all spoke independently...

Wonder: "If you want LBer at this spot, the choices are Daryl Washington for a solid pro, or Sergio Kindle for the possible Homerun.  Washington is a little too much of a reach at 15.  Kindle fits the spot.  There have been different reports on Kindle's weight.  250? 236?  He looks lean on film.  He has a body that can fill out, get some weight, some muscle with a strength and conditioning coach.  Together with his speed, he has the potential to be very special.  So what it boils down to at 15 is Washington for something safe and Kindle for something with explosive upside."

Pete: "It's Sergio Kindle." (see link for discussion from Feb 23, 2010)

Motown: "I personally don't think they will pick at 15.  They will move up or down as the value doesn't appear to be there, especially for their needs.  If I had to pick based on value and locked in at 15 it would be Brandon Graham, OLB Michigan.  He has the most athletic upside and versatility that Reese appears to covet.  The kid has the speed to drop in coverage, rush off the edge and big enough (268 lbs.) to hold up against the run."

Glenn: "It is going to be Taylor Mays.  After the season was over, Giants need good tackers and speed.  Mays fits this bill. I think the Giants may use him at linebacker. He will be involved in covering opposing teams TE and backs.  Remember your post this year about TE killing us?!!  Down here in NO, they keep showing Shockey scoring a TD. Who was guarding him?  Clark.  Who was guarding Brent Celek when he caught a TD against the G-men in their playoff game?  Clark.  Enough of Clark. We need a guy like Mays."

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Delhomme, Quinn moves only part of plan

By Aaron Ziraks
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: @Z_NoLogoNeeded
 
To those in the national media, the Browns move to sign Jake Delhomme didn’t seem right. I am severely confused. The last time I checked those same media members were calling the Browns quarterback situation a train wreck. Now the train wreck is no more and those same media types are saying it was an awful move.
 
After Mike Holmgren, Tom Heckert and Eric Mangini spoke at the NFL Combine, the Browns brass came off as not being sold on Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson. Since most believed the choice was Quinn or Anderson, they never stopped to think, “Hey, maybe the choice had been made and Quinn AND Anderson would be shown the door.”
 
When you break it down, how is Delhomme going to hurt the team anymore than Anderson or Quinn? He's not.

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Quinn, Wimbley head west

By Don Delco
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff

We've been speculating at No Logo Needed that Browns President Mike Holmgren hasn't been sold on quarterback Brady Quinn. Turns out we were right.

Quinn was traded to the Denver Broncos on Sunday for fullback Peyton Hillis, a sixth-round pick in 2011 and a conditional draft choice in 2012.

"I appreciate everything Brady did for us last year and in his three seasons with the Cleveland Browns," said Browns coach Eric Mangini in a statement released by the team. "He is professional in the way he goes about doing his job and worked extremely hard at every aspect of his game. I wish him the best of success in Denver."

The Browns weren't done. Scout.com broke the news that Kamerion Wimbley was traded to the Oakland Raiders and ESPN's Chris Mortensen said the Browns received a third-round draft pick in return. Cleveland now has three picks that round.

Regarding the Quinn trade. Denver gave up nothing to get Quinn, although Hillis is the type of player Mangini loves. Hillis can do a lot of things. He can catch a pass out of the backfield. He can spell Jerome Harrison at running back or Lawrence Vickers at fullback. He can play special teams. He's a military guy and a hard worker. According to the Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, he is a fan favorite in Denver.

As for the Wimbley trade, we might be seeing the beginning of the Jason Trusnik era.

The Browns may be far from done. Daniel Jeremiah, a former Ravens and Browns scout who now writes for MoveTheSticks.com, Tweeted:

@MoveTheSticks I would imagine Lawrence Vickers will be the next Brown to get traded. One of the best lead FBs in the league. Not a perfect west coast FB

So it has been a busy weekend for the Browns. We'll have reaction on what's going on regarding Delhomme, Quinn, Wimbley and anyone else who will be shown the door in the coming days.

For now, what are your thoughts on the deals and the upheaval in Berea? Feel free to leave a comment, we'd love to hear from you and get some discussions going.

Pick No. 14: Seattle Seahawks (from Broncos)

By Johnny Peel
Dave Krieg's Strike Beard

I admit it: I had something already written up about C.J. Spiller, only to see our divisional rivals from the Bay Area snag him first. Oh well, I can still fall back on my pleasant memories of this:

Spiller looks like a special talent, but the Seahawks actually have a more pressing need at left tackle, where it looks like the career of future Hall-of-Famer Walter Jones is all but officially over. Jones blew open holes for Shaun Alexander and Ricky Watters, and kept Matt Hasselbeck upright and throwing during the most glittering golden age in franchise history. Undoubtedly the best player to ever wear Seahawks blue, he also was the NFL's best offensive lineman of the '00s.
 
It will be impossible to find a player who will replicate Big Walt's performance, but there is still a desperate need for a talented pass blocker who will be able to keep new QB Sam Bradford from getting absolutely David Carr'd over the first couple years of his career.

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