(Photo by Don Delco)
By The NoLogoNeeded.com Staff
INDIANAPOLIS -- Today the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers are working out and we will be providing updates on this link all day long. As an added bonus for us Browns backers, Browns President or Czar if you will, Mike Holmgren will be addressing the media at the NFL Combine today at 3:30pm EST. We will be the first to put some of his comments up when they happen. (9:35am)
10:00 a.m. -- Lovie Smith is about to take the podium. Maybe he will talk about giving away his entire draft this year for a cry baby quarterback? Maybe he thought he had in the first 150 players? Maybe he is just vacationing in Ind?. We'll find out.
Lovie Smith was pretty quick and didn't say anything too special. He mentioned that Mike Martz was very excited about the prospect of using Devin Hester. He also spoke about feeling like this year is a must-win year for his job. However, he did say that every year is a must-win and he has not gotten an ultimatum from ownership.
10:15 a.m. -- St. Louis Rams general manager Bill Devaney spoke for about 20 minutes. The first thing he started out saying was that he hoped they would not be picking first next year. Most of the questions after that were about where they would go with the first pick. Obviously, he didn't give anything definitive, but he has narrowed it down to Suh, Gerald McCoy, Clausen, and Bradford. He said the phone line would be open for a trade if he could gather more picks. When asked about Eric Berry he did not seem as excited about him as the other four he mentioned. In regards to trades he said Steven Jackson is not on the table and will not be traded and also said he has not spoken to anyone at the Eagles about any of the quarterbacks on their roster.
From a Browns perspective, I think it is interesting to see that the first pick will probably be between four guys, and if they do take Bradford, Suh being on the board may cause someone to move up. Don't put it past the Browns to move up in this draft if they fall in love with Suh or Berry.
10:45 a.m. -- Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson was asked what he looks for in an outside linebacker in a 3-4. That is a position the Browns desperately need.
"There are ideal heights and lengths in terms of body make ups you look for. In terms of what makes best 3-4 outside linebacker, James Harrison in Pittsburgh, does not fit those height and length requirements, but he was the defensive player of the year two years ago. In scouting business, more projecting to pass rushers in those 3-4 outside linebackers and it's difficult thing to do. Guys who have never stood up before, just because he can run fast and do drills, it doesn't mean he can stand on his feet and play the game. It does work out sometimes. We try to stick with guys proven they can play the game."
11:15 a.m. -- Washington Redskins Head Coach and GM Mike Shannahan spoke for about 15 minutes and I could immediatley see why he is a successful leader in the NFL. He has a certain presence about him, much the same way Holmgren handles himself. He didn't speak about anything pressing, but did say he expected Campbell to be in the mix at quarterback. Most of the questions were regarding his staff and how he went about choosing it. He said he took two to three weeks to evaluate each guy and had multiple interviews with each before he came to a decision. He also lightheartedly joked about watching every game on Sundays and relaxing. He said he finally realized why football was so popular.
11:20 a.m. -- Cincinnati Head Coach Marvin Lewis was just about the most clueless person. He spoke about Rey Maualuga being sorry for his indiscretions. He also said that Andre Smith is recovering from foot surgery right now and needs to get back in shape. Other than that, he said he has not watched film on anyone. It is amazing the Bengals win any games.
11:30 a.m. -- Not surprisingly, Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress was asked about quarterback Brett Favre. He is not holding the gunslinger to a timeline. ESPN's Chris Mortensen asked if last season's timeline will be similar this year, meaning Favre has no need to come to minicamps or OTAs.
"Every year is a little different and our team understands that," Childress said. "It would be nice to know soon, but you have to deal with uncertainty and ambiguity in this job and the players understand that."ff
Adrian Peterson's fumbilits was also addressed. No, he is not carrying a football around the Vikings complex, but his issue is being addressed.
"Walter Payton had one fumble for every 22 carries," Childress said. "Adrian has one every 44 carries. I'd hate to take his heart and spirit away. As coaches and Adrian will look at what we can do to rectify it."
11:53 a.m. -- Here’s how the “Big Four” quarterbacks measured up:
Sam Bradford: 6-foot-4 1/4, 236 pounds, 34 3/8-inch arm length, 9 1/2-inch hand span
Jimmy Clausen: 6-foot-2 5/8, 222 pounds, 30 3/4-inch arm length, 9-inch hand span
Colt McCoy: 6-foot-1 1/8, 216 pounds, 31-inch arm length, 9 3/8-inch hand span
Tim Tebow: 6-foot-2 3/4, 236 pounds, 31 3/4-inch arm length, 10 1/8-inch hand span
12 p.m. -- Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum touched on a few things that were Browns related. In a question about Braylon Edwards' drops, Tannenbaum thinks more training in the offseason will bring more consistency during the season.
Naturally, someone asked what makes this season so different?
"Have you been to Florham Park (New Jersey)," Tannenbaum said. "I've been to Berea and I've been to Florham Park and Florham Park is beautiful in March."
Laughter ensued because, well, nobody in Tannenbaum's audience was from Berea. I don't know much about Florham Park, but I do know Berea is a lovely city.
Anyway, Tannenbaum is pleased with the development of Mark Sanchez. As you all know, Sanchez came to New York thanks to a trade with the Browns.
"Mark's been in our office all week evaluating the 'drought' he had in the middle of the season," he said. "The trade was great for both sides. Cleveland got extra picks and we were fortunate enough to get Mark."
12:30 p.m. -- Giants head coach Tom Coughlin took the podium and said as close to nothing as possible. He professionally told the media that he was not going to answer anything directly. Thanks, Tom!
12:45 p.m. -- Texans GM Rick Smith talked about the need for a running back, although he did not provide specifics on what round they would be looking to do that. He addressed last year's second-round pick Connor Barwin and said he thought Barwin would be exponentially better in his second year. He also stated that it was a difficult decision to not resign Dunta Robinson, but the cupboard is not bare for Houston at cornerback in2010. I did, however, get the sense that they will be looking into drafting a corner early.
1:30 p.m. -- CBS and NFL Network's Charlie Casserly was dishing out all kinds of information and here are some snippets.
- He says this is the best first-round since 1983. It's because all the juniors that decided to come out early. The juniors who came out early are probably getting their money while they can because chances are, the new CBA will lower the rookie pay scale next year.
- He said teams knew what they were doing and saw this great draft coming from afar loaded up on picks. Maybe Mangini isn't as stupid as some people think?
- Dez Bryant is not an Andre Johnson clone. Casserly thinks he will have trouble grasping an NFL playbook
- He said you cannot change Tim Tebow's release.
- I asked him about what teams thought about Eric Berry: "(Berry) is the best player in the draft." Teams think he is so good he could even play cornerback if necessary.
2:00 p.m. -- Tim Hiller, quarterback from Western Michigan andnNortheast Ohio native said he is a competitor and is looking forward to showing what he has against everyone. He has worked with Bernie Kosar and said it would be special if the Browns drafted him.
2:30 p.m. -- Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour said his biggest challenge is learning to play under center and adjusting to the different cadences. He is going to do all the workouts, but he is not going to throw to receivers until his pro day. He confirmed that he interviewed with the Browns, but nothing official was discussed. His official height was 6-foot, 3 2/12 inches and 230 pounds. He was asked a bunch of questions about not being considered as a top-tier quarterback and you could see he was biting his tongue. This guy struck me as the real deal and I am excited to see his workout.
2:40 p.m. -- Dez Bryant, considered the top wide receiver in this draft, took to the podium and was peppered with questions regarding his suspension. Last November, Bryant was suspended from Oklahoma State for lying to the NCAA about his relationship with Dieon Sanders. According to the NCAA, Bryant "actively and deliberately concealed, omitted or provided inaccurate or false information."
So, what was his reaction to the suspension three months later?
"I apologized for it and I'm back on track. It was harsh. I took it as a man and I look forward to putting these pads back on and doing what I do best."
3:00 p.m.-- Tim Tebow took the stage to the annoucement of "some guy named Tebow at podium C." At least we are keeping things professional here at the Combine. Maybe we should have asked him how he felt about his ex-girlfriend getting ousted from American Idol. Basically, Tebow said everything right and this will certainly be his most memorable part of the combine. He isn't working out, but if he did it would be a disaster.
3:30 p.m. -- Browns President Mike Holmgren spoke for about 30 minutes and was somewhat forthcoming. He listed his three defining characteristics of a quarterback are accuracy, movement in the pocket and attitude. He said both Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson both on the Browns on the roster after March is highly unlikely.
According to Holmgren, he and Mangini have been working great together. Holmgren's biggest challenge will be holding back and he knows that is something he need to work on.
When it came to the upcoming free agency and draft, Holmgren discussed four areas the Browns need work on are depth at offensive line, solve the quarterback question, depth at running back and speed at wide receiver.
When it came to Julius Peppers, Holmgren said it would be unlikely the Browns would be interested in the defender because of his price tag.
As for the Josh Cribbs situation, Holmgren said both sides are talking and it is moving forward. He thinks it will get done, but he doesn't know how soon. Jerome Harrison, a restricted free agent, will be tendered with enough money to make it difficult for another team to swoop in.The impression was the Browns don't think Harrison can play the entire season with a 30 carries a game avearge.
Finally, Holmgren wore his Super Bowl ring on his right ring finger. The large, gold and diamond encrusted ring was a bit of a distraction under the bright TV lights.
Editor's note: That's it from the NFL Combine today. Be sure to check back throughout the day tomorrow for more breaking news, observations, quotes and results.
