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NFL draft first-round winners and losers
ESPN ^ | Apr 27 10:21 | DJ Gallows

Posted on 04/27/2012 9:42:35 AM PDT by BenLurkin

Losers

3. Cleveland Browns – Trent Richardson likely will be a fine NFL running back. But it was decided a few years ago now that picking running backs high doesn’t make sense. Maybe Mike Holmgren was out of the NFL the year that memo was sent out. But, again, Richardson probably will have a good, long career. Let’s move on to Cleveland’s second first-round pick and examine this list:

Ages of some quarterbacks at the end of the 2012 season

30 – Ben Roethlisberger

29 – Brandon Weeden, Derek Anderson

28 – Brady Quinn

27 – Joe Flacco, JaMarcus Russell

26 – Colt McCoy

25 – Andy Dalton

So by the time the Browns meet the Steelers in Week 12, their rookie quarterback will be one year younger than Pittsburgh’s nine-year veteran with two Super Bowl rings. (By the way, congratulations to the Steelers on apparently having a young quarterback again!) Weeden will also be the same age or older than every failed Browns starter since 2007, and at least two years older than every other starter in the AFC North. Oh, and he’s two years older than JaMarcus Russell, too.

“But he really tore it up at Oklahoma State last year!”

Colt McCoy recently had some great seasons in the same conference, no? It seems the Browns simply got too caught up in the Jamie Moyer hysteria and decided they needed an inspirational oldster of their own.

Oh, Browns. A Losers category wouldn’t be complete without you. Thanks for always doing your part to make our jobs easier.

(Excerpt) Read more at espn.go.com ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS:
Hey DJ...FFFtt you!
1 posted on 04/27/2012 9:42:41 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

Russell has been out of football for nearly two seasons. He will never be any good. No need to even mention that failure.


2 posted on 04/27/2012 9:56:29 AM PDT by RetiredArmy (He has Risen!!! If you do not know Him, this is the perfect week to seek Him out!!!)
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To: BenLurkin

I thought last night was a disaster for the Browns. I had Richardson, Blackmon, and Claiborne rated about equally so there was no need to trade up to get Richardson. Don’t get me started on drafting a nearly 29 year old quarterback when 2 excellent offensive linemen were still on the board.


3 posted on 04/27/2012 10:09:38 AM PDT by conservativebuckeye
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To: conservativebuckeye
Richardson is suppposed to be a good running back, but those coke bottle glasses scared me almost as much as him mentioning an injury that he thought would end his career while he was still in college.

Guess the Browns don't plan on throwing to him.

4 posted on 04/27/2012 10:40:48 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: BenLurkin

It seems to me that most experts like the Richardson pick, but that’s not why I’m posting. The issue in Cleveland is that Holmgren is in the front office. IF you recall, Seattle only started winning when he was busted down to just coach.


5 posted on 04/27/2012 10:42:36 AM PDT by Dahoser (Separation of church and state? No, we need separation of media and state.)
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To: BenLurkin

I think this guy is full of crap. Of course anything can happen with rookies but I think Richardson has the opportunity to be better than Adrian Peterson. I also think Weedon will be a good QB. I’ve got no dog in this fight - I’m a 40+ year Eagles fan who roots for the Ravens as well - root for fellow UD alum Joe Flacco. I think it’s good for the league to see the Brownies get a half decent team, their long suffering fans deserve it. And I think these moves help a lot.


6 posted on 04/27/2012 10:56:02 AM PDT by Scoutdad
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To: BenLurkin

I think the Cowboys gave up too much for Claiborne, with all of the other holes they need to fill, especially on the OL.


7 posted on 04/27/2012 10:57:25 AM PDT by dfwgator (Don't wake up in a roadside ditch. Get rid of Romney.)
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To: BenLurkin
I think there's one big question with Richardson. Can he stay healthy. Most RBs who are busts are busts due to injuries. Even great RBs sometimes don't last long. Terrell Davis comes to mind.

I'm glad the Lions drafted a tackle. Oline and Dline are the two most important positions on the field.

8 posted on 04/27/2012 11:04:15 AM PDT by Darren McCarty (The Republican Party is bigger than the presidency.)
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To: Darren McCarty

Lions have been doing some great drafting over the past few years.


9 posted on 04/27/2012 11:06:45 AM PDT by dfwgator (Don't wake up in a roadside ditch. Get rid of Romney.)
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To: dfwgator

It’s actually been better since the buffoon got fired. Mayhew has been a pleasant surprise.


10 posted on 04/27/2012 11:43:18 AM PDT by Darren McCarty (The Republican Party is bigger than the presidency.)
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To: dfwgator
I thought so also, but have decided that the Cowboys should trade all their picks and stockpile for next years’ draft. One draft pick that sticks is worth multiple ones that wash out.

As long and Jerry and sons are the top talent evaluators then it doesn't matter who they draft.

11 posted on 04/27/2012 2:09:52 PM PDT by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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To: texas booster

They’ve definitely beefed up the secondary with Claiborne and Carr. The question is, will that help their pass rush get more “coverage sacks”. Eli has been eating them alive the last few seasons.


12 posted on 04/27/2012 2:12:11 PM PDT by dfwgator (Don't wake up in a roadside ditch. Get rid of Romney.)
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To: BenLurkin

I really despise being a Cleveland fan. They never fail to royally suck in every sport.

Kyrie Irving is the one bright spot but he’ll be gone the instant his rookie contract is up.

Sigh...


13 posted on 04/27/2012 2:43:42 PM PDT by Black_Shark ( Who)
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To: Scoutdad
I think this guy is full of crap. Of course anything can happen with rookies but I think Richardson has the opportunity to be better than Adrian Peterson. I also think Weedon will be a good QB.

Maybe Richardson will be good. But he's right about not drafting RBs high: (a) they have a short window of productivity before they are too injured to be good; and (b) you can get quality running backs lower in the draft.

As far as the QB goes, why? Why? The Browns have needs at, like, every position. Why use a first round pick on a quarterback when you have a guy that has shown he can at least be decent? Mightn't it be important to pick up some offensive linemen, or maybe a legit receiver for McCoy?

Teams like New England, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis draft well. This is why they win. Teams like the Browns draft badly. This is why they lose.

14 posted on 04/27/2012 3:04:14 PM PDT by Publius Valerius
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To: Black_Shark

Cleveland, city of light city of magic
Cleveland, city of light you’re calling me
Cleveland, even now I can remember
‘cause the Cuyahouga River was smokin’ through my dreams


15 posted on 04/27/2012 6:15:59 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: Publius Valerius

I was thinking taking a quarterback was riskier than taking a running back (Heath Shuler, Ryan Leaf, Andre Ware, et al.)


16 posted on 04/27/2012 6:17:53 PM PDT by scrabblehack
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To: BenLurkin

I seem to remember my father, who grew up in parma, talking about a river that caught on fire in Cleveland. Must have been the Cuyahouga!


17 posted on 04/27/2012 6:25:05 PM PDT by Black_Shark ( Who)
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To: Publius Valerius

Great running backs, and I think this guy has an excellent chance to be this, are worth it. The Browns have stunk for so long that they’ve created a losing culture. They need to turn it around quickly. They already have a very good defense. It’s the offense that’s stagnant. I think there are 3 QB’s that I think are capable of starting now - Weedon is one of those. I think ultimately he has a good chance of being better than both McCoy, who I like mainly as a backup, and Tanahill, who has serious upside potential but also serious bust potential.

I know that the Browns receiving corps is terrible but I just don’t think Colt is anything but a starter on a mediocre-to-poor team. Weedon, I think, has a chance to be an Andy Dalton-like QB: strong-armed, efficient with size. Only time will tell. As for Richardson I think he has a chance to be better than Peterson- and thats scary good.


18 posted on 04/27/2012 7:24:36 PM PDT by Scoutdad
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To: Black_Shark; BenLurkin
I seem to remember my father, who grew up in Parma, talking about a river that caught on fire in Cleveland. Must have been the Cuyahouga!

Cuyahoga River Fire: June 22, 1969

19 posted on 04/28/2012 8:02:36 PM PDT by ShorelineMike (Constituo, ergo sum.)
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To: Black_Shark

"Parma!?!"
20 posted on 04/29/2012 9:40:38 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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