Cleveland wants to trade down

[Mr. Laz]

Third pick for sale…

New Cleveland G.M. Phil Savage left no doubt at the Browns’ pre-draft news conference yesterday that the team would very much like to move down from the 3rd spot in next weekend’s draft. Savage indicated that over the next couple of days he will be actively calling other teams around the league looking for a trading partner. In fact, according to Savage, the Browns will be willing to move fairly ‘deep’ into the opening round if the right offer came along.

Savage also indicated that the Browns might also be interested in moving their #2, the 34th overall, to a team looking to move up to grab a first-round quality player who slipped out of the opening round. And while they didn’t quite come out and say it publicly, the Browns are downplaying the likelihood that they would take a QB with the #3 pick overall if they weren’t able to swing a deal to move down. Savage also downplayed the fact that the Browns cancelled a pre-draft visit from Michigan WR Braylon Edwards, likely the top-rated player to be available were the team to stay at #3 citing a ‘scheduling conflict.’ According to Savage, the Browns already know all they need to about Edwards.

The Browns, though, will be meeting with Wisconsin DE Erasmus James this week, along with Arkansas QB-turned-WR Matt Jones and Akron QB Charlie Frye. The Browns, who also helped run Frye’s on-campus workout late last month, have shown a lot of interest in Frye who could very well still be on the board when they make their second round selection. Meanwhile, Savage appeared to downplay the likelihood that the Browns would select a QB like Alex Smith of Utah if they stayed at the 3rd pick. Savage hedged, saying that ‘for every Peyton Manning, there’s a Ryan Leaf.’ Savage also noted that new head coach Romeo Crennell was part of an organization which won three of the last four Super Bowls with a 6th round pick at the helm.

[buddha]

Gee, if only we knew of a team that had multiple picks to deal with this year? :thumb:

Just for fun, who would you pick if you had the third pick, assuming KC moved up this year?

Is that too high for D. Johnson?

[BigChiefFan]

I thought Alex Smith would have been a good pick for them. He's only 20 years old and could be their QB for a LONG time. I think they think they can still get him and pick up some additional picks as well.

[Dunit35]

I'd take Johnson with any pick.. personally he reminds of Derrick Thomas.. I think hed make a huge impact on this D..He and Bell would be the perfect combo for years following this year.. and get surtain...I can see it now....1990's defense all over again..

[tyton75]

If the Chiefs had the #1 pick overall.. it should be Derrick Johnson... and I really would like to see them make some sort of move up the board to get him... give up this years first and next years 3rd and 4th or something... get him if you can!

[Bowser]

Moving into the top 5 on draft day comes with a steep price, especially if we moved up from 15.

If we move up, I hope it's no higher than Washington's slot at #9.

[Mile High Mania]

I think each of those picking 1-5 would like to trade down for a bounty of picks...

Not worth the price in this draft.

[Ebolapox]

no f*ckin' way I'd pick any defensive player OTHER than antrel rolle with a top five pick... now, 6-10, sure, I'd pick d. johnson... but any 'backer not named lavar arrington in the last couple of years is a waste of top five pick

-EB-...I'm sure there's an exception to that rule, but I can't think of it

[Tribal Warfare]

no f*ckin' way I'd pick any defensive player OTHER than antrel rolle with a top five pick... now, 6-10, sure, I'd pick d. johnson... but any 'backer not named lavar arrington in the last couple of years is a waste of top five pick

-EB-...I'm sure there's an exception to that rule, but I can't think of it

f*ck rolle he can be their at the #15 spot. in the #9-#11 range KC should trade up and get DJ

[nascher]

no way Rolle or DJ will be their #15

[KChiefs1]

3rd pick is worthless this year unless you want Edwards. The best spot to be in would 6-10 for this draft.

[Ninjaman]

Why does everyone need LB Johnson so much ?

The experts say he is not physical ?

Then why is he a top 10 pick ?

[milkman]

Why does everyone need LB Johnson so much ?

The experts say he is not physical ?

Then why is he a top 10 pick ?

That's a very good question.

They do say he's a sure tackler, but I want LBs that knock your teeth out.

[Tribal Warfare]

That's a very good question.

They do say he's a sure tackler, but I want LBs that knock your teeth out.


he knocks teeth out too that's why I compared him to a hybrid of Jack Ham and Jack Lambert. the total package

[milkman]

he knocks teeth out too that's why I compared him to a hybrid of Jack Ham and Jack Lambert. the total package

Then why do so many scouting reports say that he's not a prototypical physical LB?

[Tribal Warfare]

Then why do so many scouting reports say that he's not a prototypical physical LB?

I haven't seen them, and with my two eyes watching college ball. I call your BS.

[milkman]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2005/johnson_derrick_lb

Johnson is more of a drag-down tackler than one who will collide on impact. He is very effective rerouting the tight ends in the short area and shows excellent avoidance skills when penetrating the backfield off the edge. Johnson has good hip snap and change-of-direction agility to pursue the action on the outside. He closes with a sudden burst and is very effective to wrap and drag down the ball carrier. He gets a good jump on the ball, easily recognizing formations and blocking schemes.

[Tribal Warfare]

Johnson is a natural leader with exceptional quickness and is regarded as one of the finest pass defenders to ever play linebacker in the collegiate ranks. He has good size, but needs to dedicate more hours to the weight room; he lacks strength on his lanky frame. This is Johnson's major weakness; he does not show enough power to shed blocks and gets washed out on plays when working in-line. He also needs to use his hands better; he leaves himself too exposed, resulting in the blockers getting into his chest to lock on and sustain. Johnson did add bulk before the 2004 season, but the added weight did not affect his exceptional quickness. He is best when making plays on the move, but can get a little bit out of control, resulting in over-running plays. Still, he is a natural playmaker who can make plays anywhere on the field. Johnson has excellent instincts in pass coverage, coming out of his backpedal quickly to stay on the hip of the receiver. He gets excellent depth in his pass drops and sees the play develop quickly. Johnson has excellent hands for the interception and shows an explosive burst to elude. He has a very strong work ethic and a motor that never quits. Johnson excels at making proper reads and has that sudden burst to get to the play almost instantly. Johnson's ability to take proper angles to the ball cuts down on the route he must take to disrupt the play. Johnson is more of a drag-down tackler than one who will collide on impact. He is very effective rerouting the tight ends in the short area and shows excellent avoidance skills when penetrating the backfield off the edge. Johnson has good hip snap and change-of-direction agility to pursue the action on the outside. He closes with a sudden burst and is very effective to wrap and drag down the ball carrier. He gets a good jump on the ball, easily recognizing formations and blocking schemes. Despite his lack of ideal strength, Johnson is a good outside run defender who plays with leverage and speed to cut off the ball carrier. His lateral pursuit is evident; he consistently avoids trash and the cut block to make the tackle in space. His zone drops are excellent; he shows more than enough flexibility to gain position. While he will play the receiver mostly, Johnson also does well at reacting to the ball in flight. He has the foot speed to stay with most backs and receivers in long-passing situations and is very effective using his hands to reroute and control tight ends in the short area. He shows a strong desire to get the sack and very good explosion shooting the gaps. Whether working in-line or outside the box, he shows above-average ability to break down and wrap, and a superb burst of speed coming off the edge as a pass rusher. Johnson will struggle with plays run directly at him; he lacks the lower-body power to face up, stack and control the bigger blockers. He loses leverage at the point of attack vs. the offensive guards working in-line, but has good rip, swim and club moves to get an edge on the shoulder of the offensive tackles coming from the outside. Once he gets heavily involved in a good weight-training program, he will be a steady playmaker at the next level. With his instincts, pass-defense skills and quickness, he will be perfectly suited to roam the field as a weak-side outside linebacker. His ability to drop back and settle into the zone soon will see him rival Miami's Zach Thomas for the right to be called the best pass defender among linebackers at the NFL level.




the total analysis with out the drivel. You want my links?

[milkman]

But the drivel is what I was asking about.

I said I want LBs that knock teeth out, and according to the drivel I posted, he doesn't.

And according to the total analysis you posted, he lacks power to shed blockers.

These things, at least to me, raise some question.

[milkman]

You want my links?

Sure.

I will admit, that one line I put in bold is the one that stuck out to me, and in my fuzzy memory, it seemed like more had said the same thing.

But in going back and looking at the scouting reports that I read, most only alluded to his lack of physicality leading to his inability to shed blockers.

In short, I was mistaken about the reports, and am willing to take your word on his physical style of play.

[PhogPhanTim]

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/pages/videoclips/2004_05/111104_johnson.html

Enjoy.

[Ebolapox]

f*ck rolle he can be their at the #15 spot. in the #9-#11 range KC should trade up and get DJ

there's talk that the niners are talking to four players they're thinking of taking no. 1 overall... one of them is antrel rolle... supposedly, he's been skyrocketing up the board lately... I wouldn't be surprised at all if he goes top five, but I doubt it... he'll prolly go 6-10, and with good reason... guy's a stud

-EB-

[tomahawk kid]

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/pages/videoclips/2004_05/111104_johnson.html

Enjoy.

Sweet Jesus.

[Bowser]

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/pages/videoclips/2004_05/111104_johnson.html

Enjoy.

Good Lord! He absolutely destroyed Mark Clayton.......

Yeah, we can go ahead and trade up......

[chiefz]

Why does everyone need LB Johnson so much ?

The experts say he is not physical ?

Then why is he a top 10 pick ?

Because he is a flat out playmaker.

[ChiefsCountry]

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/pages/videoclips/2004_05/111104_johnson.html

Enjoy.

Did you see him run down Brad Smith? Wow.

[whoman69]

The difference in this draft is that many teams at the top of the draft have bigger offensive concerns than defensive. I don't believe a CB has ever been taken with the #1 pick and they never will because they do not contribute enough in a game. A good linebacker, even if they do not make a tackle, they will close a hole. If this were any other year, Johnson could be the #1 pick overall. Nowadays, teams see that even if they have a good defense, they need to keep up with the other team offensively. We already have that offense. We need the defense that can shut the other team down at times.

[milkman]

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/pages/videoclips/2004_05/111104_johnson.html

Enjoy.

Ok, Ok, I'm a freakin' idiot.:redface:

I just watched that highlight video, and he's freakin' awesome.:wayne:

I'm ready to climb on the bandwagon, if you'll forgive my ignorance and let me. :hail:

[Tribal Warfare]

Ok, Ok, I'm a freakin' idiot.:redface:

I just watched that highlight video, and he's freakin' awesome.:wayne:

I'm ready to climb on the bandwagon, if you'll forgive my ignorance and let me. :hail:


you are absolved :D