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By Aaron Ziraks
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I'm glad we decided to do a mail bag because we got a lot of good questions and comments rolling in. This should be one of the most interesting drafts in recent memory and many of the e-mails on that topic.

Lets get to the first e-mail:

If the Browns are truly sitting on trades involving Quinn or Edwards for draft picks, what is the benefit to waiting instead of pulling the trigger right now? If they aren't sold on these guys as core players- which seems to be the case- doesn't it make sense to get our picks in place and start firming up what direction we want to go on draft day.

John - Columbus, OH

Yes and no. I think at this point the Browns are entertaining anything because Savage and company left the cupboards pretty bare in terms of draft picks. In order to get something of value (draft picks) we have to give up something of value (Quinn and Edwards). My guess is that they have deals in place, but also want to wait until the last possible second to pull the trigger because they want to make sure that they will get the person they want in the draft with the pick they get in return for shipping Edwards and/or Quinn. I expect Edwards to be shipped to the Giants for a first and a third or first and a player by the end of this weekend. I think if we do trade Quinn it will be a draft day deal and we will subsequently take Mark Sanchez with our fifth pick. Direction in the NFL draft is always fluid, but especially in the Browns case because they have so many needs. We all just have to hope that Mankok doesn't get overwhelmed and fold under the pressure

If you guys haven't seen yet, this is what LeCharles Bentley is up to these days. Look how cut up he is.

Andy - Wadsworth, OH

Good find, Andy. I didn't know that was what he was getting into, but I wish him the best of luck. Here is a link to the LeCharles Bentley Offensive Line Training Facility. On a side note we contacted Bentley's "people" about getting a quick interview with him, so hopefully we will have that up soon.

Will (NoLogoNeeded.com staff writer) Brandon Rastok have a complete nervous breakdown and run through the streets naked when the Texans inevitably take Rey Maualuga at No. 15 after the Browns waste their pick on WR Michael Crabtree?

Zach - Cleveland, OH

That, my friend, is a fantastic question. The odds are pretty good that will happen. As stated before on our site, Brandon is getting a Peter Warrick feel from Crabtree, not to mention Brandon is the leader of the Rey Maualuga Man Crush Club. I will say one thing about this in his defense, Brandon is rarely wrong on players. I have been good friends with Brandon for about 15 years and when he loves a guy, like he does Maualuga, he is usually spot on. I think we all know the best scenario is to trade back and get Maualuga at 12 or higher. However, if that doesn't happen I think he is exactly the type of player the Browns can build a defense around with Shaun Rogers.

You have to pick a week one starter for the Browns right now, who is it and why?

Mark - Akron, OH

Brady Quinn, because I cannot in good faith say that Derek Anderson should ever start for the Browns again. I am still holding out hope that we are trying to drive up Anderson's value and possibly move him instead of Quinn, but unfortunately I think that ship has sailed.

Are there any late round gems in the draft that I should keep my eye on for the Browns to pick up?

Greg - Napoleon, OH

The one guy that I have my eye on if we pass on Maualuga, is Jasper Brinkley. Brinkley was stud MLB at South Carolina but blew out his knee in 2007. He played well in 2008 but his stock dropped a ton because of the bad wheel. He is a huge guy that can blow up plays in the backfield, think Levon Kirkland. He should slide to the fourth round and would be a great compliment to D'Qwell Jackson sideline to sideline speed. Another guy that we all like is Shonn Greene from Iowa. He is a rags to riches type guy that pounds the ball and would fit perfect as a replacement for Lewis. There are concerns about his off field issues (failed out of school) but some guys just aren't cut out for college. He will probably slide to the third or fourth round as well, but keep an eye on him. We think Greene will be a solid NFL back.

Why is there no talk on your site about Brian Orakpo? The guy played in the Big 12 and was a stud, he would be a perfect replacement for Willie McGinest.

Jason - Houston, TX

We have talked about him a little, but the reason we are not high on him is because he is Vernon Gholston 2.0. Orakpo is that workout warrior that always emerges in the draft and teams are in awe of him physically, but he just isn't a great football player. If you watch the Texas-Ohio State Fiesta Bowl he gets man handled by Alex Boone, who is average at best. He also is not a perfect for the 3-4 defense because he has never been in pass coverage and the transition is going to take a lot of getting used to. He will work much better for a team that runs a 4-3 where he can simply concentrate on rushing the quarterback.

April 17, 2009 at 10:56 AM

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I am preparing for a complete nervous breakdown and am hitting the gym so I look good streaking through the quad and down through the gymnasium. But while I do that, please read what GM Kokinis stated about Maualuga: "Southern Cal linebacker Ray Maualuga's forte "is smashing up into the guard," but "I don't see any reason why he couldn't play four downs, to be honest with you." Stopping the run and playing 4 downs. Where have you heard that before?

April 17, 2009 at 12:53 PM by Brandon

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