My Super Insider Chiefs Friend Says...

[Shep]

The Chiefs will draft Eric Berry at #5. He's a lifelong season ticket holder and as obsessed as we are, claims to have a couple "ins," etc., and his call is that the Chiefs will NOT pass on Berry because they like the OT depth enough to go there high in round 2.

Which increases the chances that the Browns '10 draft will be known for Joe "Fo-Six" Haden!

Blech.

[Riffer X]

I feel safer with Berry than Haden, it's the play making difference.

However, the questions about Haden's speed have subsided enough for me to go back to a thought process of him just being a good player. I think he's worth it. Spiller is out after signing Hillis, who BTW Shep, is a really good player. We are going to like him.

Bryant has nobbed his way out of the first half of round one IMO, while the scary thought of Clausen still rings in my head. Hell, give me Brandon Graham then.

[Dan in Florida]

I would trade down (if possible), if Berry is gone.

I saw a scary mock draft (top 10) yesterday on NFL Network, Browns took Quinn, I mean Clausen.

[jason j]

Originally Posted by Shep

The Chiefs will draft Eric Berry at #5. He's a lifelong season ticket holder and as obsessed as we are, claims to have a couple "ins," etc., and his call is that the Chiefs will NOT pass on Berry because they like the OT depth enough to go there high in round 2.

Which increases the chances that the Browns '10 draft will be known for Joe "Fo-Six" Haden!

Blech.

I think you're right. I think the draft intelligentsia has assumed that Kansas City is a lock to go OT at 5. I'm not seeing it either. Okung could be off the board - I think Washington at 4. And the rest of the tackle group is not in that class. Berry makes a lot of sense.

That said, I think Haden has to be the top consideration at #7. One could argue that no player in this draft is further separated from his next closest positional peer than Haden. Meaning, of course, it's a much bigger step down to CB #2 than it is to QB #2, or DE #2.

I think there are 2 things working in favor of that pick. 1.) The Browns need a corner, and 2.) The Browns need to get better fast.

In this day and age, you get better fast by getting better players on the field. The upside of drafting a top cornerback is he can go from college to top 10 at his position in relatively short order. Only running backs transition more seamlessly to the pros. It makes no sense for the Browns to burn a #1 pick on a QB, when he's not going to play in 2010. Not when you're coming off consecutive 4 and 5 win seasons. The Browns have to get a 1st round pick that makes them better on September 12th. A quarterback doesn't do that. A wide receiver probably doesn't do that. Even the elite-est of defensive end prospects isn't likely to have that kind of impact.

Now there's always the question, is Joe Haden the next Darrelle Revis, or is he Tye Hill?

Well, even as highly regarded as Hill was, he didn't have tape like Haden's... not even close. And that tape coupled with his re-run of the 40 should put him comfortably back in Top 10 consideration.

If I'm Cleveland, and I get to 7, and Haden's still there. I'm running to the podium. As a matter of fact, I'd be tempted to write two cards before the draft even starts, one with Haden and one with Berry, and if neither of them are available at 7, I'm trading out. I might reconsider if Bradford or Suh are there at 7. But they won't, and I would probably still go Berry, Haden or trade.

-jj

[DawgFan]

JJ, thanks for your synopsis.

It got me thinking as to why some are adverse to taking Haden...and it comes down to they may not take into consideration the synergies on an NFL defense.

Last year the Browns got torched regularly in the passing game. And while it was definitely mostly our 2nd CB that caused it....HOW he caused it may not have been obvious.

His lack of overall coverage skills meant:
1. DE/OLB's did not have time to put on a rush....which meant fewer sacks.
2. The D was forced into more all out blitzing to GET to the QB...which left crossing patterns and quick hit passes wide open.
3. The emphasis on getting to the QB created rushing lanes as DL was out of position
4. The S's were forced into deep coverage which negated run support
5. and finally, if we left him alone, we got burned deep

You add all that up, and then replace the 'weak link' with a STRENGTH....and now you get:
1. DE/OLB's get to the QB and get sacks (drive killers)
2. Less blitzing necessary which allows LB's to cover the short/crossing routes
3. DL/LB's can stay at home and close down rushing lanes
4. S's can come up in the box for run support and disruption of crossing routes
5. No deep passes

In other words, replacing a corner does more than just taking away a few long passes, IT IMPROVES THE ENTIRE DEFENSIVE SCHEME!!!

[Dan in Florida]

JJ & Dawg, you both make me feel better with your arguements for Haden (if Berry is gone).

[NW Ohio Brownie]

Jason,

Good stuff.

That's the model these days: Draft your top-ten/first round QB when you are just a few pieces away from being a contender. Baltimore has done it. The Jets just did it. We're not even close to that yet.

You make a tremendous point as well about the CB position transitioning seamlessly to the pro game. You play MM in college and then you go to the pros and are asked to do the same. The receivers are faster and run more complex routes, but your job stays the same -- cover people.

Do we have holes on offense? Absolutely, but the only players at #7 that can help us get better right away in '10 are Haden and Berry.

The second day is where it will really get interesting and I love how the NFL has separated the first and second rounds into two days. You want to talk speculation? I can't wait to see this board the Thursday night and Friday morning between the end of Round 1 and the start of Round Two.

[Vegasdogg]

Originally Posted by Shep

Which increases the chances that the Browns '10 draft will be known for Joe "Fo-Six" Haden!

Blech.

Somewhere on the board you complained we are going to have a boring offense in 2010 and that we're going to suck. I believe you lamented that we will have once again the worst passing attack in the league, which of course we all know you could be wrong about. You don't like Jake, but he is head and shoulders above DA and Quinn, so we'll shall see.

But back to my point about your belief we will have a weak offense. Drafting a WR or QB in 2010 does not mean our offense will be stronger than last year, it will mean a weaker offense because those 2 postions take the longest to learn.

Also, the best cure for a sputtering and stalled offense is to get them the ball back. Make up for their mistakes by playing strong defense. If a strong defense can keep the game tight, or even protect a lead long enough for the offense to grow in the early part of the schedule, the offense can improve with more possessions.

I agree 100% that you cannot wait forever to take the QB. But you don't have to take one this season if you don't like what is available. As MH said if your guy is there you take him no matter what.

If. Your. Guy. Is. There.

But we need to get stronger on one side of the ball, at the very least. With the free agent signings at TE, QB and RT, I can see us loading up 3 of the early 5 picks on D. We need to dominate one side of the ball right now to assist the weaker side while it gets better. It is much easier to improve a defense than an offense missing it's flame throwing QB of the future.

So with great ST's, if we can get a defense ranked in the top 10-15, we can compete while the offense improves. And that is why I like Haden or Berry @ 7.

[Vegasdogg]

Originally Posted by NW Ohio Brownie

The second day is where it will really get interesting and I love how the NFL has separated the first and second rounds into two days. You want to talk speculation? I can't wait to see this board the Thursday night and Friday morning between the end of Round 1 and the start of Round Two.

I think splitting the days up is a good thing - as a fan. Teams are going to be able to catch their breath and re-focus.

Or, they're going to overthink and make stupid mistakes.

I like it.

[Sez.EJ]

Shep if this guy is the SUPER INSIDER you say he is..Then he's a traiter.... if he's giving this kind of info... DON"T BELIEVE IT.. if he is a true Chiefs fan/insider..then he is playing poker like everyone else and would not betray his team the month before the draft. .

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Vegasdogg

Somewhere on the board you complained we are going to have a boring offense in 2010 and that we're going to suck. I believe you lamented that we will have once again the worst passing attack in the league, which of course we all know you could be wrong about. You don't like Jake, but he is head and shoulders above DA and Quinn, so we'll shall see.

But back to my point about your belief we will have a weak offense. Drafting a WR or QB in 2010 does not mean our offense will be stronger than last year, it will mean a weaker offense because those 2 postions take the longest to learn.

Also, the best cure for a sputtering and stalled offense is to get them the ball back. Make up for their mistakes by playing strong defense. If a strong defense can keep the game tight, or even protect a lead long enough for the offense to grow in the early part of the schedule, the offense can improve with more possessions.

I agree 100% that you cannot wait forever to take the QB. But you don't have to take one this season if you don't like what is available. As MH said if your guy is there you take him no matter what.

If. Your. Guy. Is. There.

But we need to get stronger on one side of the ball, at the very least. With the free agent signings at TE, QB and RT, I can see us loading up 3 of the early 5 picks on D. We need to dominate one side of the ball right now to assist the weaker side while it gets better. It is much easier to improve a defense than an offense missing it's flame throwing QB of the future.

So with great ST's, if we can get a defense ranked in the top 10-15, we can compete while the offense improves. And that is why I like Haden or Berry @ 7.

One other senerio that I am hearing from friends at OBR is that Cleveland has been talking a lot to Buffalo and the thinking is that Buffalo, depending on a private workout, would like a shot a Clausen and are afraid someone will trade up ahead of them and take him. If Clausen is their at #7 you could very well see Buffalo try to move up.

Likewise, the Browns seem to have fallen for Earl Thomas and don't have him much below Berry at this time. I think Thomas is as much in play as Haden.

[DawgFan]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

One other senerio that I am hearing from friends at OBR is that Cleveland has been talking a lot to Buffalo and the thinking is that Buffalo, depending on a private workout, would like a shot a Clausen and are afraid someone will trade up ahead of them and take him. If Clausen is their at #7 you could very well see Buffalo try to move up.

Likewise, the Browns seem to have fallen for Earl Thomas and don't have him much below Berry at this time. I think Thomas is as much in play as Haden.

Yeah, Buffalo and Jax are both teams that are rumored to be in the hunt for a QB..and with Washington recently bringing in Grossman...and Seattle grabbing Whitehurst...there is a lot of people thinking #7 is where the second QB will be taken...either by the Browns or one of those two via trade.