@nickers said:

If the Browns draft Smith. then that will be affirmation that Haslam only cares about selling tickets...because what Ive seen of him...Im not impressed one iota.

i have to disagree. i think if there is a downfall in the hierarchy of the browns that it doesn't come from the owner's box. i really didn't think that randy lerner did anything wrong except not show more enthusiasm, which he inherently didn't have cuz of the british/soccer upbringing.

i think haslam has hired these guys, banner and lombardi, and expects them to do their jobs. hopefully haslam has no input on the draft. would you want a guy who decides how many slim jims he has to buy for his memphis truck stop to start pulling strings on nfl player decisions?

haslam had the browns on cable TV a week after the ink dried on the purchase of the franchise. hopefully he will sell more tickets and blow up browns marketing, but not because of another reach of an over-rated QB in geno smith.

@daninnyc said:

I am not sure that AZ is looking long term with Carson Palmer, and the Bills are anything but set at QB in my opinion. Neither are the Jaguars, Jets, or Eagles. They filled in their rosters with stop gap options at best. The question is, who needs a QB this year, and is not content to wait it out until next year's more QB laden draft. Somebody would bite though.

What I meant is that all those teams have made moves to allow themselves to not take a QB this off-season if necessary. They might look to now trade up from the second to get Smith or maybe Barkley, but they can afford to pass on Smith if they don't think he's worth a top 10 pick.

@gftchris said:

If Smith is available at 6, surely there will be trade value. The Bills definitely need a QB. Did the Cards really pick up Palmer to be the starter? Or is he coming in for a season or a half to play and then mentor their newly drafted QB?

I would be properly devastated if we pick Smith at 6.

I am with you on this, but I doubt that Smith or whoever ends up being the first QB taken in the draft makes it past the top 3 picks. There is too much incentive for QB hungry teams to move up. If they don't, they have to worry about other teams beating them to the punch. If by some chance he does make it to six, the Browns hit the draft equivalent to a jackpot at the Horseshoe and should trade out immediately. Someone will want to pick a QB there.

@gftchris said:

I didn't realise he had gone there when I posted that, in fairness. I still think they'll take a QB but not in the first round - Kolb has a two year deal, looks like he'll be their QB for this season, and then they'll draft someone in Round 2 - maybe Nassib, seems a sensible fit - that Kolb can mentor, to take over in a year or two.

All that in mind, who are the QB needy teams in this draft now? Is there one? KC, Oakland, Buffalo, Arizona all brought a new starter in apparently. Jags, Detroit, Eagles, Browns all seem set on their current guy. First QB needy team is now probably Jets at 9. Maybe the only team - if they're happy with Sanchez, or at least resigned to him, then does Geno Smith drop to Round 2? At which point, who takes him? Still make Bills most likely to look to draft a franchise QB, along with Arizona (Carson Palmer is clearly not the answer long term).

I am not sure that AZ is looking long term with Carson Palmer, and the Bills are anything but set at QB in my opinion. Neither are the Jaguars, Jets, or Eagles. They filled in their rosters with stop gap options at best. The question is, who needs a QB this year, and is not content to wait it out until next year's more QB laden draft. Somebody would bite though.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2013/04/01/barkley-smith-scouting-reports

Negatives: Operated an offense where he received adjustments from the sidelines and was often out of sync with receivers. Average field vision and coverage recognition — forces throws and does not work through progressions. Takes unnecessary sacks and does not feel pressure well. Not an elusive scrambler. Shaky lower-body mechanics — does not stand tall in the pocket (crouches, hops, dances and elevates to his toes when he throws). Has pin legs and bad pocket posture. Operated almost exclusively from the gun. Not a student of the game. Nonchalant field presence — does not command respect from teammates and cannot inspire. Mild practice demeanor — no urgency. Not committed or focused — marginal work ethic. Interviewed poorly at the Combine and did not show an understanding of concepts on the white board. Opted not to compete at the Senior Bowl and has approached offseason training as if he has already arrived and it shows in his body with minimal muscle definition or strength. Has small hands and glaring ball security issues (32 career fumbles). Really struggled handling the snow in Pinstripe Bowl (took two safeties) and will be troubled by the elements. Needed to be coddled in college — cannot handle hard coaching.

@the-gipper said:

I believe the Bills either got or are getting Kevin Kolb. Do you think with that acquisition they would still take a QB with their first round pick?

I didn't realise he had gone there when I posted that, in fairness. I still think they'll take a QB but not in the first round - Kolb has a two year deal, looks like he'll be their QB for this season, and then they'll draft someone in Round 2 - maybe Nassib, seems a sensible fit - that Kolb can mentor, to take over in a year or two.

All that in mind, who are the QB needy teams in this draft now? Is there one? KC, Oakland, Buffalo, Arizona all brought a new starter in apparently. Jags, Detroit, Eagles, Browns all seem set on their current guy. First QB needy team is now probably Jets at 9. Maybe the only team - if they're happy with Sanchez, or at least resigned to him, then does Geno Smith drop to Round 2? At which point, who takes him? Still make Bills most likely to look to draft a franchise QB, along with Arizona (Carson Palmer is clearly not the answer long term).

@gftchris said:

If Smith is available at 6, surely there will be trade value. The Bills definitely need a QB. Did the Cards really pick up Palmer to be the starter? Or is he coming in for a season or a half to play and then mentor their newly drafted QB?

I would be properly devastated if we pick Smith at 6.

I believe the Bills either got or are getting Kevin Kolb. Do you think with that acquisition they would still take a QB with their first round pick?

Bills paid Kolb, they're not in the Smith sweepstakes. Besides, their GM said they're trying to get more skill players on offense -- my guess is Buffalo will grab Patterson at 8 and not trade up.

I would be properly devastated if we pick Smith at 6.