Wouldn't mind moving back as far as it takes to get a second round pick. I am hoping we could trade down and still get a good edge guy like B'jorn Warner and pick up Matt Elam (safety from florida).

I've concluded from my interactions with friends, co-workers, and people from all walks of life that the typical steelers fan from Ohio is usually a Michigan fan also. Most of these Steeler/Michigan fans have never even been to Pittsburgh or Ann Arbor, let alone to a game. The root of their allegiance seems to be hatred for all things Ohio. Usually these are self hating and angry people. We have two professional football teams in the state and consistently one of the top programs in the country for college football. I've questioned several of these Ohio native Pittsburg/Michigan fans about this and they usually have some dumb response such as "I just hate the Browns or Ohio State sucks." Anyone else who has observed this trend feel free to chime in.

although we've had some players step up at linebacker late in the season such as Roth and Maiava, there are a couple guys who need to be upgraded such as Alex Hall and Arnold Harrison.

Can't find a draft prediction on him though. Should be around in the 2nd maybe third round.

Micah Johnson/Kentucky

6'2” 256 lbs.

Strengths: Size, Straight Line Speed, Burst, Instincts, Pass Coverage, Strength, Highlight Reel, Intensity

Weaknesses: Football IQ, Change of Direction, Tackling, Over Aggressive

The Kentucky senior finished 2008 with 93 tackles, 13.5 TFL and 3 sacks last year on his way to an All-SEC 1st Team pick by coaches and an Honourable Mention from the media, despite missing two games with an ankle injury. His three years at Kentucky are a showcase of Johnson’s numerous strengths. In his freshman year, 2006, Johnson ran for a TD against Clemson in Kentucky’s Motor City Bowl victory.

Johnson is incredibly gifted, capable of running with backs and outmuscling tightends. Johnson has good overall speed but he has elite burst and quickness and delivers a nasty blow. He has prototypical size at 6’2, 256 lbs and fills holes like a cement truck. Johnson possesses excellent strength, both upper and lower, popping blockers with a physical punch and creates space to explode towards the ballcarrier. He's strong enough to drag down even the biggest runners and will bring down a runner using only his arms.

Kentucky might be home to the best LB in college football. The potential is there for him to be great. I see similarities to Ray Lewis in Johnson: the burst, the intensity, game-changing abilities and an intimidation factor that should carry over to the pros.

Johnson needs to stay healthy, have a big year and lead Kentucky to its fourth straight Bowl win.

He is every bit as talented as Spikes and Penn State’s Sean Lee. Johnson is just as big and just as fast as Spikes and hits just as hard.

-NFL DRAFT DOG.com

Go back to my original post. That's what I've been saying all along, "late round pickup". And it's kind of a stretch to say Big Gay been almost beat Iowa in '03. They lost 21-3.

I wish I could see him at safety instead of Furrey. Could you imagine his ball skills since he is a qb, receiver, and returner? Not to mention when he covers kicks and punts he makes every tackle.

@alo said:

vs. Iowa

• 12/32, 198 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT

vs. Ohio State

• 12/28, 194 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

Like I said, it's Clark's apparent inability to step up in big games that dampens his draft stock.

nfldraftscout has him rated as the 17th best senior quarterback in this year's class.

Big Gay Ben threw 4 int's vs Iowa while in college. Did he show up in big games?

Don't put too much stock in what the sports analysts put out there!

2003 Tony Romo ranked #13 (behind guys like Kyle Boller, Rex Grossman, Dave Ragone, and Ken Dorsey, Chris Simms, Kliff Kinsbury, etc)

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/playe...amp;startspot=0

I'm not saying Clark will be the face of the franchise. What I am saying is that he has the athleticism to do things many backups cannot do. And to be able to get him in the late rounds would be a steal.

DONOVAN McNABB picked 2ND OVERALL in 1999.

After redshirting in 1994, his first year at Syracuse, McNabb went on to start every game during his college career, compiling a 35–14 record.

As a senior, he led Syracuse to a berth in the Orange Bowl against Florida as he completed 157 of 251 passes (62.5%) for 2,134 yards; he also pushed the eventual champions, the 1998 Tennessee Volunteers, to the limit in a very close game. His 22 touchdown passes tied the school's single season record, set by former Eagle Don McPherson in 1987. McNabb also rushed 135 times for 438 yards and 8 touchdowns. He ranked sixth in the nation with a 158.9 passing efficiency rating and 22nd in total offense, with 233.8 yards per game.

CLARK'S numbers are better AND against better competition. Looks like McNabb lost the big game too. (Orange Bowl)

@clevelandfanforlife said:

juice is too inconsistent and clark hasn't proven himself. these are two guys that could barely get it done in the big ten; how will they ever get it done at the next level?

I agree Juice won't be a traditional QB in the NFL, but he has qualities that our offense could use: athleticism, speed, big play ability, and heart. Just look at our best player, Josh Cribbs. Former college QB at Kent State. Juice has the same skill set that Cribbs did in college. Hoping it can carry over in a similar fashion. I'd really hate to see him go to a conference foe like the Steelers and become the next Hines Ward, Randel El, Dennis Dixon (all college Qb's). If we can get him in the 4th round, why not.

Really confused about comments on Clark! In 2008, Penn State led the Big Ten in total and scoring offense, were second in rushing and third in passing offense (243.1 ypg). Selected first-team all-conference by the coaches and media, Clark was the runner-up in voting for the Silver Football, presented by the Chicago Tribune to the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player. He also was among the semifinalists for the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien awards. Clark excelled from the season's outset in directing the Spread HD attack, completing 192-of-321 attempts for 2,592 yards, the third-highest passing yardage season in Penn State history. He threw 19 touchdown passes and only six interceptions in his 321 attempts for a superlative 1.86 interception percentage that ranked as the fourth-lowest in school season annals. Thanks primarily to Clark, Penn State was tied for fourth in the nation in fewest interceptions thrown (six). Two of his picks came in the final 3:00 against Southern California in the 2009 Rose Bowl as he tried to get the Lions back within one score. Clark was second in the Big Ten in pass efficiency and 25th nationally with a 143.4 rating.

In his two years as Penn State's starting quarterback, Clark has won 21 and lost four. The coaches and media selected him first-team All-Big Ten both seasons. Now he's a finalist along with Wisconsin running back John Clay and Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham for the Tribune's Silver Football, awarded annually to the Big Ten's best player.

Hasn't proven himself? Why because he lost in the Rosebowl last year to an awsome USC team. He still led his team to a Big Ten Co- Championship year.

With everyone talking about who we will take in the first round, I want to hear about day two hopes, predictions, concerns, etc.

I doubt we will go after a qb with our top picks. Quinn is probably the guy for the future. With this in mind, it wouldn't hurt to pick up some depth at qb on the second day with dynamic qb's who could play multiple positions. I'm thinking about players with tremendous upside without having to spend top $$$$.

DARRYLL CLARK -PENN STATE (built like a linebacker, big arm, mobile, leader)

JUICE WILLIAMS - ILLINOIS (could play WildDawg qb or wr, very similar to Cribbs as college qb.)

On the defensive side, I like SS Coleman from Ohio State...not sure if he'll be there in the fourth round though.

Week 3 and we are already looking forward to the draft. It's pathetic but true based on the number of posts in this thread. As long as the Lerner's keep unproven nfl head coaches such i.e. Chris Palmer, Butch Davis, Romeo, and now Mangini....We WILL LOSE. From the beginning I was vocal in wanting Brian Asshole as the Browns coach because not only do his teams have great defenses, he has won the big game (Super Bowl), is familiar with the AFC north, and is familiar with Jamal Lewis and Derrick Anderson.

Curry is a beast. I would love to get him at 5. If he is gone, I like Jenkins or Orakpo.

if S. Jones leave to free agency, I'd say go after Roy Williams from Dallas.

Good pick in Smith. I forgot about him. If he runs sub 4.4 at the combine he will be gone in the first round, for sure.

Freeman has good speed but seems soft at the point of contact. From what I've seen, he seems to not make big hits, only drag down tackles.

Most mock's have the browns taking Curry from Wake Forest or Everette Brown from FSU with the number 5 in the first round. Although many fans have a fixation with Malcolm Jenkins and Clay Mathews Jr. (can't blame them, we see a lot of them on tv!) Personally I would like Orakpo from Texas. But this thread is about the important second round pick. I feel if we get a corner in the first round, we should pursue de/olb Michael Johnson from Georgia Tech in the second round. But if we pick an olb in round 1 we should go after CB Macho Harris from Virginia Tech with our second pick. Both Johnson and Harris play with a mean streak and seem to always come up with big plays. What do my fellow Browns fans think?

Link

Here's the link where Cribbs comments about playing playing defensive back this season.

Yeah, It's gonna be really fun to watch Cribbs on the defensive side of the ball this year. Mangini already mentioned he plans to utilize his talents and let him play defensive back. Mangini sees what all Browns fans have seen the last few years, a dynamic all around football player not being utilized. With Holley coming back and Cribbs adding depth to the db's, maybe we don't need to draft a corner in the first round.