Seemed for a moment that the Browns let one of the top QB prospects slip through their fingers, but the Browns' GM Phil Savage had a few tricks up his sleeve.
The history and tradition of the NFL can not be discussed without the Cleveland Browns also entering the conversation. Since their inception in 1946 the Browns have had a proud, yet trying tenure. From the Jim Brown era to their domination of the AFC in the 1980s to the plummet in the 1990s. The world nearly stopped rotating on it's axis when they watched their team pack up and head to Baltimore after the 1995 season. The Browns franchise made it's return in 1999 and has been around for 60 years.
As the new season approaches the Browns' fans finally have something to cheer about. There was a lot of speculation as to which direction the Browns should travel in the 2007 draft. This year's draft class boasted a lot of talent, a lot of talent that the Browns need to the return to the glory days that fans remember from their heralded past.
As the future of the franchise hangs in the balance NFL Commissioner Roger Godell walks calmly to the podium on draft day to announce the Browns' selection in the first round. "With the third overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft the Cleveland Browns select offensive tackle Joe Thomas from the University of Wisconsin." Joe Thomas? Sure he's the highest rated tackle in the draft, but Brady Quinn is still on the board. Evidently the Browns' General Manager thought that the offensive line was more important than the quarterback it protects; taking Joe Thomas was a "no brainer" in that regard. But wait, the Browns weren't done.
Once Brady Quinn dropped past the Miami Dolphins who had the 9th pick he was in a seemingly endless free fall. The Browns seized the opportunity and traded their first pick next year and a second round pick this year with Dallas for their round 1 pick this year, which was the 22nd pick. Once the trade announcement was made you could see the relief in the Browns' fan's eyes. Quinn was a favorite of a lot of Cleveland fans since he's from the state of Ohio and had a very successful campaign at Notre Dame. Quinn didn't hide his desire to play for the Browns either, the whole scenario just made sense.
Once again Roger Godell made his trek to the podium at center stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and made the announcement to the delight of tens of thousands of Browns' fans around the nation.
So now what? The Browns have now added a franchise tackle to protect their new franchise quarterback's blindside, and added Eric Steinbach at left guard to form one of the best left sides of any offensive line in the league, but where do they go from here? Cleveland didn't wow anyone with their offense or defense last year, however they're really only missing a few key pieces on both sides of the ball. The defense is beginning to grow into their identity as the veteran Willie McGinest teams with the young stand out Kamerion Wimbley to strike fear into the hearts of opposing ball carriers. After Thomas and Quinn the Browns spent the next 4 picks on defense snatching two defensive ends and two corner backs before wrapping up the day by taking a return specialist to join Joshua Cribbs on the special teams unit.
The offense now has the weapons to make a serious push for supremacy in the AFC North. The offensive line was arguably one of the team's biggest problem areas and draft Thomas certainly adds instant credibility to that unit. Brady Quinn will have to fight for a starting job on a roster that now holds 4 QB's, all of which are young and hungry. Charlie Frye is the incumbent starter from 2006, but threw only 10 touchdowns and 17 interceptions with a rating of just 72.2. While Frye's numbers were less than impressive last year they have now added Jamal Lewis from Baltimore at running back and still have Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow Jr., and Joe Jurevicius in the receiving corps. With the added fire power on both sides of the ball it's possible that the Browns could start to make a push for legitimacy as contenders in the National Football League once again. Brady Quinn and Joe Thomas will both have their work cut out for them, but no one said carrying a franchise and one of football's most faithful cities would be easy. It's far too early to tell why type of impact these rookies will have, but so far it appears as though the Cleveland Browns are heading in the right direction.
