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Browns preseason schedule released

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

The NFL released its preseason schedule today. Specific dates did not accompany the schedule, but a ball park date and opponent was announced.

This does not have the same fanfare as the release of the regular season schedule in mid-April. The three-hour show on ESPN and the rush to find what away games would be feasible to travel to are a spring tradition I know I look forward to. (Note: Browns will play at New Orleans this year. I'm itching to get a date on that one.)

Unfortunately for 30 other NFL teams and their fans, they cannot revel in the joy that is the release of the NFL Preseason schedule. That excitement is reserved for only Browns fans and Lions fans who now have an idea when the Great Lakes Classic will take place. It's only five months away!

2010 Cleveland Browns preseason schedule
(Dates not available)

Aug. 12-16
Cleveland Browns at Green Bay

Aug. 19-23
St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns

Aug. 26-29
Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions (a.k.a. The venerable "Great Lakes Classic" contest)

Sept. 2-3
Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns

Is NOT drafting a quarterback an option?

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

On Monday, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford established himself as the top-rated quarterback in April's draft. Bradford's pro day impressed coaches, scouts and front office types in attendance. Browns president Mike Holmgren was there and his beliefs were reaffirmed — Bradford is the real deal.

Holmgren also has said he wants to draft a quarterback. But is that quarterback in this draft?

Bradford won't be available when the Browns pick at No. 7. Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen also will probably be gone by the Browns' turn. In the later rounds, quarterbacks with names like McCoy, Tebow, LeFevour and Skelton, to name a few, come into play.

What if the Browns decide to wait? Do they necessarily have to draft a quarterback this season?

Pick No. 30: Minnesota Vikings

By Nam Huynh
Minnesota Sports Zone

The Minnesota Vikings have virtually every starter returning next season, of course,  assuming quarterback Brett Favre comes back.  Although the 40-year-old quarterback has yet to announce anything, the gut feeling among everyone is that he will absolutely return.  Favre’s teamates would even support him skipping training camp if it meant he would come back.

The Vikings would love to address the “quarterback of the future” in this draft, but taking a quarterback prospect not named Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen would be considered a long stretch.  Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy are in the Vikings’ draft board, but they may be targeted later in the draft.  In fact, trading out of the first round is not out of the question.

Since quarterback is not likely addressed at #30, the Vikings have two other areas of strong need; cornerback and defensive tackle. 

Defensive tackle Pat Williams is turning 38 next season, and the Vikings need to consider picking a player to succeed him.  The Vikings would love to take defensive tackle Dan Williams at #30, but he is an intriguing pick for many teams earlier in the draft.  Defensive tackle Terrence Cody will also get a strong consideration as well, but they would rather get him in the second or third round.

Both of the Vikings’ starting cornerbacks from 2009 are recovering from serious injuries.  Cedric Griffin suffered a torn ACL in the NFC Championship game, and Antoine Winfield missed half of the season and never got to 100% after fracturing his foot.  Winfield is also turning 33 next season.

QB Conundrum: Sam Bradford

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

On Monday, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford had his pro day. Bradford is believed to be the No. 1 quarterback in this year's draft and, according to reports, he didn't disappoint.

Bradford's workout lasted about 25 minutes and he threw 63 passes.

"In my estimation, he didn't have one that was uncatchable," wrote Gil Brandt, NFL.com writer and former personnel scout for the Dallas Cowboys. "It really was a treat to watch, and I think everyone here was in awe of Bradford’s performance. In fact, he put on the best quarterback workout by a draft prospect that I’ve seen since I watched a private workout Troy Aikman put on for us with the Cowboys in California."

Strong words.

Brandt wasn't the only one who offered rave reviews.

Terry Shea is a disciple of Bill Walsh and has coached quarterbacks for years in the NFL and college.

"'Nobody has been able to match Sam's accuracy," Shea said. "Sam's arm strength is really good. Matthew Stafford can really let the ball out of his hand quickly with great velocity. But Sam versus Matthew, Sam can really drive the ball like he did today."

He added:

''For this kind of drill you would expect at least one ball to hit the ground," Shea said. "He had one ball hit the ground and it wasn't his fault. Last year Matthew Stafford had at least three or four incompletions. Josh Freeman had much more than we had today. Hitting the ground one time is special."

New Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was impressed that Bradford, who showed no signs of problems from a shoulder injury that cost him most of his 2009 season.

"He lived up to it. He did what he needed to do today. It's a big day for Sam, too, after all of the time off," said Carroll, to The Associated Press. "He came through in the kind of manner you would expect a big-timer to come through."

Among the NFL executives in attendance was Browns President Mike Holmgren. With Bradford moving to the top of the draft class, the St. Louis Rams are in position to listen to all suitors. Are the Browns one?

We know Cleveland wants a quarterback and for the past few weeks we've been offering some scouting reports on the quarterback draft class.

Tim Tebow, Florida
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tony Pike, Cincinnati
Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
Mike Kafka, Northwestern
John Skelton, Fordham

With Bradford setting the scouting world on fire, it is the Oklahoma's quarterback turn. Below we offer five reasons to draft Bradford and five reasons the Browns should have reservations.

McNabb's suitors may be many

By Aaron Ziraks
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter - Z_NoLogoNeeded

As with almost everything ProFootballTalk.com's Mike Florio writes, you have to take it with a grain of salt. His latest article in The Sporting News sheds some speculation in regards to where Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb may be traded. The Cleveland Browns are one of the teams mentioned.

I can see where Florio is going with this. There is the Tom Heckert link and the Browns need a legitimate quarterback. Wouldn't it be just a little ironic if McNabb ended up in Cleveland after the Browns passed on him in the 1999 draft for Tim Couch?

I can also see why it seems like a really good idea to some people. McNabb would give the Browns a legitimate starter for the first time since Bernie Kosar. McNabb certainly has a few more good years remaining. He would give the Browns a good, stable base to build around for a couple of years while they develop a quarterback to take the reigns. It also shows Holmgren is thinking about winning now, which would be nice for a change.

So, I don't know why I am not excited about the possibility to get a top-tier quarterback. Maybe I have waited so long for a winner, I figure what is waiting a couple more years doing it "the right way" going to hurt?

Trading for McNabb seems like a get rich quick scheme and that doesn't sit well with me. It is almost like buying your way out of a problem instead of doing it through hard work. It just seems a little off.

I also question whether McNabb would come here and be motivated. I don't see the Browns winning the Super Bowl in the next couple of years even with McNabb playing at a high level. The Browns need a leader and someone that is hungry. I'm not saying Jake Delhomme is the guy who will lead us to the promise land, but I like him more than McNabb as a cheap stop gap. By having Delhomme, instead of McNabb, is it going to cost us a couple wins a year? Probably. Will it be the difference between making the playoffs and AFC Championship games? I doubt it.

Regardless, these next couple of weeks before the draft are going to be very interesting.

As far as McNabb, do you think he is a good fit, even if it costs us a couple of much needed picks?   

Pick No. 29: New York Jets

By Erik Massany
Jets Twit

With the number one defense in 2009, you would think the immediate need would be for the Jets to focus on getting Mark Sanchez weapons on offense, specifically at the wide receiver position. 

With Notre Dame's WR, Golden Tate off the boards in this draft, the next need is making the D-line young.  The Jets had issues with pressuring the quarterback last year, and Ellis and Thomas are getting up in age.   

Interpreting Mike Holmgren's M.O. (so far)

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

First, Mike Holmgren addressed the Brady Quinn issue.

"[Quinn has] only played 12 games. That's not enough time."

Quinn was traded to Denver on March 15.

Next up, Holmgren addressed Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

"I wish I liked him more. "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," Holmgren said. "But it would be hard for me [to take him]."

Clausen will visit Berea sometime before the NFL Draft April 22-24 in New York.

In the months immediately following the Super Bowl, misdirection is prevalent among NFL owners, general managers and coaches. They say one thing while they mean another.

Has Holmgren become just like the other GMs and coaches?

Pick No. 28: San Diego Chargers

By Robert Zapeda
BoltHype.com

There is no question that San Diego's biggest focus heading in to the draft will be to address their offensive backfield and defensive line. While it certainly would make sense for the Chargers to draft a running back in round one, close followers of the team know that General Manager AJ Smith is a guy who takes great pride in finding exceptionally talent running backs in the mid rounds.

Michael Turner and Darren Sproles were fourth and fifth round picks respectively, and while the Chargers won't wait until day three to draft a running back, they very well may wait until day two to pick their running back(s) of the future.

Pick No. 27: Dallas Cowboys

By Aaron Novinger
Blogging the Boys

The Cowboys do not have a dire need at any starting position and can justify drafting the best player available here at pick #27. Though they could use an infusion of youth along the offensive line and would consider Anthony Davis and Maurkice Pouncey here, the raw playmaking skills of Pierre-Paul would just be too tough for Wade Phillips and Jerry Jones to pass up.

Pick No. 26: Arizona Cardinals

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

No doubt northeast Ohio will be interested on what is happening in the Phoenix area this fall. On March 18, former Browns quarterback Derek Anderson signed a two-year, $7.25 million contract. Matt Leinart is the expected starter, but he is unproven. We all know too well Anderson is the most popular guy in town when he's the backup.

Arizona's offseason headlines included the retirement of Kurt Warner, the Anderson signing, the Ravens trade for Anquan Bolden and linebacker Karlos Dansby signing with Miami in free agency.

So, what will the Cardinals do in April's draft? Eli Wahlstrom of Phoenix.Fanster.com was kind enough to represent Arizona. His pick after the jump.

Pick No. 25: Balitmore Ravens

By Joe Barnes
The Ebony Bird

The Ravens have done something they rarely do this offseason; fill their needs through free agency and the trade market.  Trading for Anquan Boldin gave the team a #1 receiving threat for the first time in the franchise's short history, adding to the already bolstered receiving corps following the signing of Donte Stallworth. 

After two defensive linemen left the team as free agents (Justin Bannan, Dwan Edwards), the Ravens went ahead and signed a replacement within days (Cory Redding).

With spots filled, the team can again, as it seems they can do every year, draft for talent and depth. No first-round prospect still on the board defines that better for the Ravens than...

QB Conundrum: Scouting John Skelton

By Brandon Rastok
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer

As Mike Holmgren and the rest of the Browns front office turnover every rock in their search for a developmental rookie quarterback of the future, they will, at some point, surely scout one very big small-school prospect.

John Skelton is an intriguing prospect from Fordham.  Some may write him off because he doesn’t have the typical Division 1 big-school pedigree.  However, might I remind you of former small-school prospects Steve McNair and Joe Flacco?

Skelton doesn’t have amazing stats:
           

Year	GP	COMP	ATT	YDS	COMP %	TD	INT
2006	9	74	167	960	44.3%	6	8
2007	12	216	383	2,650	56.4%	22	11
2008	11	228	372	2,605	61.3%	15	7
2009	11	284	441	3,708	64.4%	26	10

However, his junior and senior seasons he had decent completion percentages.  He also threw for 3,700 yards as a senior.

Below are five reasons to draft Skelton and five reasons to have reservations.

Haden works out for Browns

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

On Monday, Florida cornerback Joe Haden held a private workout in Maryland for the Browns' secondary coach Jerome Henderson, as per Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post.

The past few months have been up and down for Haden. The top-ranked cornerback in the 2010 NFL Draft disappointed with a 4.57 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in February. Haden improved his time at the Florida Pro Day about a month later running between 4.39 and 4.41, according to different reports.

Haden's private workout for Henderson — and subsequently the Browns — will be followed by a visit to team headquarters in Berea.

Wilson spoke with Haden's agent, Malik Shareef, in a phone interview following Haden's workout for the Browns.

"I was very happy with the workout," Shareef said. "I liked it a lot. I liked the way he and the coach responded. I thought he performed well. The combine 40 wasn't what they were expecting, but he got it back at his Pro Day and his movement is exceptional."

Haden, a popular pick to come to Cleveland in numerous mock drafts, remains an option for the Browns at No. 7, as does Eric Berry. It is believed Haden has a better chance to be available when it is the Browns turn, but lately the thinking is Berry and Haden will both be an option.

Meanwhile, Henderson was the Jets defensive backs coach in 2008 and worked closely with Darrelle Revis. Revis earned a Pro Bowl berth that season, as he led the Jets with five interceptions.

Pairing Henderson with the talented rookie Haden could be a marriage made in heaven for the Browns struggling secondary.

QB Conundrum: Scouting Mike Kafka

By Aaron Ziraks

NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer

Twitter: Z_NoLogoNeeded

If you haven't been paying very close attention to the quarterback draft class you may not even know the name Mike Kafka. To be honest, he didn't do much at Northwestern University to warrant being talked about in terms of being an NFL signal caller.

Here is a look at his numbers for his four-year college career:

YEAR	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
2006	55	96	494	57.3	5.15	39	1	5	6	93.54
2007	2	3	11	66.7	3.67	7	0	0	0	97.47
2008	32	46	330	69.6	7.17	36	2	3	7	131.13
2009	319	492	3430	64.8	6.97	66	16	12	27	129.26

As you can see, the stats are a bit erratic until his senior season. In 2006, Kafka was named the starter. However, this proved to be a bit too much, too fast and Kafka encountered numerous issues from turnover problems to a nagging hamstring problem that landed him on the bench in the middle of the season. Kafka ultimately lost the starting position and was holding a clipboard almost his entire sophomore season. In 2008, the starter was injured and Kafka was inserted into the starting role. However, it was short lived after suffering a concussion. Finally, during his senior year, Kafka enjoyed an injury-free season in which he put together a respectable season.

So would he fit in with the Browns?

Below are five reasons why he could be the guy and five reasons why the Browns should have reservations.

McManamon's one-on-one with Holmgren

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

Pat McManamon's new role with NFL Fanhouse landed the former Akron Beacon-Journal sports writer a one-on-one with Browns president Mike Holmgren.

McManamon's entire Q&A with Holmgren is here. It is an excellent read. Why? McManamon sums it up.

"Holmgren is a rarity in the NFL," McManamon wrote. "Ask a question and he'll answer. If he can't, he'll simply admit it."

Despite Holmgren's forwardness, fellow No Logo Needed staff writer Brandon Rastok still had some questions. His comments come from an e-mail sent to me yesterday.

FH: What about the trade of Kamerion Wimbley?

MH: Why we did that will clear up.

Rastok reaction: Is (Wimbley) hurt?  Are we drafting a stud OLB?  Do they really think a trade for Chris Gocong is really going to happen and he will make a big difference?  Is Fujita taking his position?  When will it become clear?  I don't know why no further questions were asked about this.

Gocong (6-foot-2, 264 pounds) has been with the Eagles for four seasons. He has played in 45 games, recorded 115 tackles and four sacks The Orange and Brown Report (subscription required) has learned the Eagles linebacker will likely be traded before the NFL Draft. Gocong would fit into the Browns 3-4 scheme and it would take a fourth-round pick to obtain him.

Moving on through the one-on-one interview:

FH: Did you ever debate keeping Delhomme and Quinn on the roster together?

MH: No. My thing was if I could go out and sign a veteran quarterback who I thought could help us be better immediately, then I was going to do it. In which case Brady was going to be the odd man out. If that couldn't happen, I was prepared to keep Brady. The thing is that your head coach and your starting quarterback ... they have to like each other. That has to work. Otherwise it doesn't matter what I do. So what I'm trying to do is give Eric every chance to be successful with the people he deems [he needs]. So we did it.

Rastok reaction: So Quinn and Mangini had some issues…

Using context clues, you could see problems between Quinn and Mangini. The preseason long competition between Anderson and Quinn followed by the benching of Quinn at halftime of the Ravens game followed by inserting Quinn back into the starting lineup later in the season. No doubt that would cause some friction.

I open the comments up for discussion as we await something else to happen in Berea. What do you think the Browns will do at outside linebacker? Do you believe Quinn and Mangini had some issues?

Pick No. 24: Philadelphia Eagles

By Derek
Iggles Blog

Attempting to predict the Eagles’ first draft pick this year is an even more inane undertaking than usual.  Between the giant “For Sale” signs hanging around two of our quarterbacks’ necks and the less than ideal alignment between what this team needs and what this portion of the first round offers, I’d wager there’s maybe a 20 percent chance the Eagles actually make their first pick in this position a month from now.

With that said, everything I wrote in last year’s NLN mock draft applies this year too.  The starting cornerbacks are still aging quickly.  There’s no stud further down the depth chart behind them.  And the incumbent nickel cornerback, Joselio Hanson, didn’t look all that great last year after returning from that unfortunate (and presumably completed unwarranted …) suspension.

QB Conundrum: Scouting Dan LeFevour

By Aaron Ziraks
NoLogoNeeded.com Staff Writer
Twitter: Z_NoLogoNeeded

Drafting a quarterback is never an exact science, but there are certain things a team has to hold in high regard. Based on the Browns releasing Derek Anderson and trading Brady Quinn, the Browns are looking for a quarterback that can run a West Coast Offense with razor-sharp efficiency. In addition, the Browns want someone with a big enough arm that defenses have to respect.

Dan LeFevour was a four-year starter at Central Michigan and currently holds Mid-American Conference records for career completions, attempts, passing yards, passing touchdowns, total touchdowns and total offensive yards. He is the only player in NCAA history with more than 12,000 passing yards and 2,500 rushing yards and he is currently second all-time in total offensive yards. LeFevour also holds the FBS record for total touchdowns with 150.

He is projected as a mid-round pick and looks to have the make up of a guy who can be successful at the next level. Below are five reasons the Browns should draft LeFevour and five reasons the Browns should have reservations.

Mocking the 2010 NFL Draft: Tennessee's Eric Berry to Browns at No. 7 trending

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

Earlier this month, when No Logo Needed's 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs arrived at No. 7, we were grateful Tennessee safety Eric Berry was still available.

At the time, the idea that Berry would fall to No. 7 seemed highly unlikely. Yet, as you peruse the various mock drafts on the Internet, Berry being associated with the Browns at No. 7 is not an uncommon sight.

Scout.com offers its "Mock Draft Muncher," which compiles 39 mock drafts. Florida cornerback Joe Haden leads the way with 15, but Eric Berry (12) is tending upward in recent weeks.

Chris Steuber, Scout.com's NFL draft analyst, ranks Berry as the second overall prospect in the 2010 NFL Draft only behind Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

Meanwhile, the initial favorite, Haden, overcame his disappointing 40-yard time (4.6 seconds) at the NFL Combine to post a 4.4 time at his pro day last week. The debate will continue, but according to Holmgren, the likelihood of drafting a quarterback in the first round is very unlikely. As a result, the defensive players will continue to be analyzed.

Below are what some of the mock drafts that have Berry coming to the Browns have to say about the Volunteers safety.

Pro Football Talk
"The Browns have used free agency and trades to execute an offensive makeover, but remain weak in the secondary.  Play-making ability like Berry's would be hard to pass up at No. 7."

Draft Countdown
"The Browns offense was absolutely abysmal in 2009 so the logical assumption would be that they’ll opt for a skill position player with their top pick. However, even though that sounds good on the face it looks as though Cleveland is actually thinking defense in round one. There is a good chance that Tennessee’s Eric Berry will be gone by this point but if he is still available the Browns would be wise to bring him into the fold. An Ed Reed-clone and amazing athlete with 4.4 speed, Berry is a dynamic playmaker who has a knack for making quarterbacks pay dearly for their mistakes. A terrific all-around player, Berry excels in coverage but he's also extremely aggressive and isn’t afraid to mix it up and be physical. Just ask Tim Tebow! The addition of Berry would obviously represent a huge upgrade for the Browns secondary talent-wise but he’d also serve as a team leader and give the franchise a bona fide blue-chip talent to build around."

NFL.com's Pat Kirwan
"When Joe Haden ran slow at the combine, it made this decision an easy one. Berry can play all four secondary spots and some teams have him graded as a top-five pick. A 4.4 in the 40 with a 43-inch vertical and close to 11 feet in the broad jump tells you the kind of athlete Berry is."

Walter Football
"I really can't envision a scenario where Eric Berry falls beyond this pick. Most consider Berry to be the top prospect in the 2010 NFL Draft behind Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy. However, Berry is a safety, a position of low value, which is why he could fall to No. 7 despite the fact that he's being billed as the next Ed Reed. Cleveland's secondary is an abomination, and numerous upgrades must be made. Berry is exactly the type of leader that the Browns' defensive backfield needs."

QB Conundrum: Scouting Tony Pike

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

Browns President Mike Holmgren said what we were all thinking.

At the NFL Meetings in Orlando, Fla. this weekend, Holmgren said the Browns will draft a quarterback, but probably not until the later rounds. Holmgren did not rule out trading up for Sam Bradford nor did he rule out trading back into the second round. He did state he was not big on Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Sorry, Brandon.

Last week, No Logo Needed anticipated this would be the Browns' course of action and began scouting the quarterbacks who might be available later in the draft. Here is a list of those quarterbacks with links to our first two scouting reports on the two potential second-round options in Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow.

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

Today, we will take a look at Cincinnati's Tony Pike. Some like his size and accuracy, others say he's the next Derek Anderson. What are your thoughts? Below we have five reasons to draft Pike and five reasons to have reservations about the Bearcats' signal caller.

Pick No. 23: Green Bay Packers

By Jclombardi
Lombardi.ave blog
 
As the Packers lead blogger for lombardi.ave including guest postings at other Packers blogs, I reviewed our 2010 draft needs and the probable choices in each round. Now, we begin with the first round of the 2010 Draft Day.  Most 2010 mock drafts have the Packers picking an OT, OLB, CB, or RB in the first round. The draft is loaded with quality tackles, but the Packers have signed veterans tackles LT Clifton and RT Tauscher into the coming seasons. Second, when the Packers pick at 23, Rutgers OT Davis will not be available. Who is kidding whom? Third, while it makes sense that the Packers will address the quality tackle opportunity in the first three rounds of the draft, I suspect they will wait into the 2nd or 3rd round to pick one from the still available solid choices.
 
For the first round, the Packers will have a defensive focus. HC McCarthy and DC Capers see that the offseason evaluations point to the need for improvement by the current players, increasing pressure on the quarterback, and improving scheme adjustments as offseason plans for the Packers to achieve that defensive goal. If the Pack can solve their pass defense woes requiring more consistent pressure on the quarterback from both sides with another effective OLB pass rusher to complement OLB Matthews and a major upgrade to add need depth in the secondary with a blue-ribbon cornerback to go with CB Williams, they can advance deep into the 2010 NFL season playoffs.
 
Thus, our immediate defensive needs in the draft are another pass-rushing outside linebacker and quality depth in the secondary. Excluding the choices gone, the Pack will pick from several premier pass rushers in the draft including TCU’s DE/OLB Hughes, Michigan’s DE Graham, Clemson’s OLB Sapp, or South Florida’s DE Pierre-Paul.

Pick No. 22: New England Patriots

By Blauhg: A New England Patriots Blog

The Patriots need an edge pass rusher and need to get one in this draft. But pass rushing talent runs deep in this class and the Pats have three picks in the second round so more on this later.

The Patriots have been desperately trying to find a 3rd WR for a few years now to go along with Randy and Wes, and they have struck out each time. Randy is getting old and is in the last year of his contract.

Next year they will not show him straight cash homey and let him go. Wes Welker is not just hurt he's injured and out for the beginning of the season. The Pats need a receiver who can stretch the field and get first downs next season then step into Randy's slot in the future.

QB Conundrum: Scouting Tim Tebow

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

On Thursday, No Logo Needed began its 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.

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.

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.

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.