Draft Diary: Mitchell's dream realized

[BernietheKid]

Sunday, May 2, 2010
Draft Diary: Mitchell's dream realized
Carlton Mitchell works out at minicamp for the Cleveland Browns. (AP photo / Amy Sancetta)

Carlton Mitchell watched as 19 wide receivers were selected before him in last weekend's NFL draft.
At his mom's house in Tampa, Mitchell kept rotating between different locations, trying to be patient and remind himself that finding a team that was the right fit was more important than where he was selected.
An hour in front of the TV. A half-hour in his room, trying to take a nap. A few minutes on the balcony.
"Watching that clock come down and players getting picked, it does something to your mind," he said.
And then the call came around 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon, during the sixth round.
"I was sitting on the couch, thinking that the first team that calls me is going to be making the best decision of their life," Mitchell said. "I was kind of mad at other teams for passing me up and just wanted to use that as motivation. As soon as that thought went through my head, Cleveland called."
As Mitchell answered, friends and relatives let loose. After watching the draft for more than 10 hours, their time had come.
"My mom was very excited. She was screaming," Mitchell said with a laugh. "I don’t know who she started calling. She started calling somebody. It was a very exciting moment."
With the Browns, Mitchell gets a shot to have an immediate impact for a team with a giant need at wide receiver. Cleveland's leading wideout last year was rookie Mohammed Massaquoi, who had 34 catches for 624 yards and three touchdowns. The second-leading wide receiver was Chansi Stuckey, who had just 19 catches for 198 yards.
Mitchell said he isn't too familiar with Ohio, but in the age of social networking, it didn't take long for the fans to introduce themselves to him. During the draft process, he always joked with his agent and friends about starting a Twitter account once he got selected. It didn't take long for members of the Dawg Pound to start following and welcome him to Cleveland.
"The fans have already been amazing," he said. "They welcomed me with open arms. As soon as I set up my Twitter account, a whole bunch of Cleveland people started congratulating me and showing me support."
Minicamp is already under way, and so begins the next chapter in Mitchell's career. From Florida to Ohio. The Big East to the AFC North. The South Florida Bulls to the Cleveland Browns.
"This is a very exciting time," he said. "All I wanted was an opportunity, and now I'm ready to take it and run with it. My dream's coming true."

[Shep]

From what I'm hearing, the Browns want to get some camp time with Mo, Robo, Cribbs, Stuckey, and Mitchell before deciding to add a veteran. They all seem like nice fits for the WCO, but that doesn't mean any of them are really good wide receivers.

Makes sense. Give'em a look. Maybe Mo improves, Robo flourishes, and Mitchell is a steal.

[DeadWombat]

Originally Posted by Shep

Makes sense. Give'em a look. Maybe Mo improves, Robo flourishes, and Mitchell is a steal.

We can only hope.

[Sez.EJ]

He came to a great place if he wants playing time..it's not like he has a lot of experience in front of him..Work hard son..work hard..

[YtownBacker]

Originally Posted by Shep

From what I'm hearing, the Browns want to get some camp time with Mo, Robo, Cribbs, Stuckey, and Mitchell before deciding to add a veteran. They all seem like nice fits for the WCO, but that doesn't mean any of them are really good wide receivers.

Makes sense. Give'em a look. Maybe Mo improves, Robo flourishes, and Mitchell is a steal.

Kevin Curtis has taken a physical but I don't know hwere they are on that or Coles. That said, I seriously expect our WRs to show vast improvement over last year.

Not having a veteran leader or a set QB leader took what is a very hard transition from college to the NFl as a WR and made it almost impossible. I don't see panic or as much doom and gloom with our WRs as some.

One year under their belts, the second training camp and people got to know that last year was about who was going to be QB (rotating reps and daily speculation on who's winning) and not what was best for the WRs.

[Koa]

I can't stress how much I love this quote from Mitchell...

"I was sitting on the couch, thinking that the first team that calls me is going to be making the best decision of their life," Mitchell said "I was kind of mad at other teams for passing me up and just wanted to use that as motivation. As soon as that thought went through my head, Cleveland called."

[ramrod]

Originally Posted by Koa

I can't stress how much I love this quote from Mitchell...

"I was sitting on the couch, thinking that the first team that calls me is going to be making the best decision of their life," Mitchell said "I was kind of mad at other teams for passing me up and just wanted to use that as motivation. As soon as that thought went through my head, Cleveland called."

Great quote but lets be honest here. This kid is not going to change our lifes here. I actually liked the pick when we drafted him but then read more into it. The first thing I saw is that he doesnt catch the ball well with his hands. Then I read some more stuff but it doesnt even matter. The kid doesnt have good hands.... We will probably get as much out of this guy as we did Travis Wilson or Paul Hubbard. When can we get a real WR?

[ramrod]

Oh and in that picture it looks like his legs would snap if he got up to walk. Bird legs.

[YtownBacker]

The great part of the whole thing is he's saying all the right things while he's riding a stationary bike at rookie camp. As Ram said, I remember Travis Wilson saying all the right things too.

Time will tell

[ramrod]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

The great part of the whole thing is he's saying all the right things while he's riding a stationary bike at rookie camp.

LMAO...... Now thats funny...

Im rooting for him but its a long shot.

[Inspecta]

It's a 6th round pick. We hope for the best, a steal. But realistically, it's not gonna happen...