Power Rankings: Make Way For Intangibles

As the Cavs continue their throat slitting tour through the Eastern Conference and the Indians continue to "fade into Bolivian," it seems like an appropriate time to reshuffle the Power Rankings a bit. My first inclination, and one that has been supported by a few members of the CMRC faithful, is to automatically ban all Indians from this list for trying to ruin summer in Cleveland.

As much as I would've liked to act on this impulse out of spite and pettiness, in all fairness, I couldn't do it. Is Sizemore off to a pathetic start hitting .227? Yes. But the power rankings are supposed to be a reflection of the comprehensive feelings that fans have on a daily basis about the players in this city. Cleveland fans might be upset with Grady right now because he strikes out every time he comes to bat, but they still love him, they still haven't forgotten how good he can be, and he's still the second most famous athlete in Cleveland. Similarly, Victor Martinez may be on the verge of irrelevance (at least until we hear his name start popping up in trade rumors), but he's still beloved in this town and he's still hitting at an absurd .374 clip. The fact that he was moved down in the power rankings is more a reflection of the fact that fans will begin to forget about him with the Indians being so terrible, because unlike Sizemore (and rather inexplicably since Victor has twice the personality that Grady has), he doesn't have the star power to keep himself in the Cleveland conscience with the team out of it.

In addition, I had to move Varejao up right now. He's beloved, he's playing insanely good basketball, and this team is starting to build a lasting legacy for itself in this town. The same is true for Delonte who, after months of not being the same guy he was at the beginning of the season, finally appears to be back at full strength. He's playing inspired defense, picking up the scoring load when needed, and endearing himself to the Cavalier faithful. He deserves a spot in these rankings.

Falling off the list is Shaun Rogers, not because of anything he did, but because with Browns fans resigned to the fact that the Browns are going to be bad again this year, nobody is going to give a damn about the veteran players. All of the focus will be on Quinn and our sexy high-octane young rookies like Brian Robiskie and Alex Mack (shaking head).

Just missing this list: Dave Dellucci, Rafael Perez, Lorenzen Wright

That's it for now. GO CELTICS! (and if you don't get why I'm saying that, you don't know the NBA)

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Biff's Draft Reactions

You all know that my default position regarding the Browns and the new regime is one of complete skepticism. I'm not sure I really understand what they've been trying to do and I don't necessarily appreciate the attitude with which they've done it. That said, I approached this draft having disposed of most of my animosity toward the franchise and put to rest the majority of my personal grudges against its owner and head coach. I was ready to give the new regime the fresh start that they probably deserve. With that little preamble, allow me to give you my thoughts on the Browns 2009 draft.


1. Trading down from the #5 pick was a godsend. Truthfully, I don't even need to know anything about the players we acquired from the Jets. It was the right move. It would have been completely absurd for the Browns to pay #5 money to any of the guys that were on the board when they were picking. Not a single player in the top 10 of this year's draft is the type of sure thing pro-bowler that would warrant the type of money they're going to get. It's not worth butchering your cap situation to roll the dice on virtually the same calliber of player that you can get for a third of the money a handful of slots later. As you can tell, I absolutely loved the move back, even though I think based on traditional value charts, it should've cost the Jets a little bit more to move up twelve spots in round 1 (but maybe that's just because as a Browns fan, I'm used to paying high second rounders to move up one spot). Either way, it was a GREAT move.

2. I loved that the Browns kept moving back. It didn't matter that they were only getting 6th rounders in return; they were going to get the same quality of player for less money and pick up additional opportunities to take shots in the dark with late picks. No brainer.

3. With the 21st pick, the Browns select Alex Mack, C, California: Ok, I didn't see that one coming and I didn't necessarily love it. But, my reasoning is probably different than it is for a lot of other people out there. I don't have a problem with the Browns drafting a center in the first round. Truthfully, I think the importance of the center position is underestimated by most fans. Not only are you anchoring the point of attack, nowadays usually against a mammoth two gap tackle, but you're also making the line calls. I like the idea of having a massive, intelligent guy manning the middle of the Browns line. That said, here's what bothers me about Mack: He's not a great run blocker. If there's such a thing, it sounds like he's more of a finesse center. Now, when we're talking about our left tackle, the guy protecting our quarterback's blind side, I'll take agility and finesse at the expense of some run blocking power. At center though . . . I want a road grader. I'm not sure that Mack fits that bill. I love drafting offensive linemen in the first round but I would've rather seen them take Michael Oher. To me, getting a top flight right tackle would've given them a little bit more than a top flight center. I know Fraley is done but the same could be said of whichever miscellaneous journeyman we're going to have manning the right tackle position this year. I think the upgrade would've been more significant at RT, but, I realize that that's just a matter of opinion. Overall, I don't think any of us should have a real beef with the Mack pick.

4. With the 36th pick, the Browns select Brian Robiskie, WR, OSU: Inexcusable. Flat out inexcusable. I understand that with or without Braylon, we needed a receiver. That said, there were a lot of great players left on the board. Even if the Browns had decided they weren't going to take Maulagua (a decision with which I now agree with after reading scout after scout say he is an out of control alcoholic maniac), there were other players available there that offered more than Robiskie. This is especially true if the Browns knew they had another receiver on their board for the second round that they liked in Massaquoi. Why not take, say, Lesean McCoy (you realize our starting RB is finished, right?) or even a D-lineman or defensive back to bolster the defense? As for Robiskie himself, I have two thoughts: 1) People love to tout the fact that he was the most NFL ready receiver in the draft. Well, to me, that's code for the fact that he probably has the least room for growth of any receiver in the draft. He's going to remain exactly what he is right now: A smart receiver with good size and route running ability who is just too slow to get good separation. I don't see him filling a slot role because of his lack of speed and I'm not sure he will ever be effective on the outside because he can't get separation. 2) Say what you want about Robiskie's hands but I'll always remember him for dropping the biggest pass of his college career. I don't care what anybody else says: if he catches that TD pass in the Superdome, that game would've played out totally differently. This was just a really bad pick. I hated it.

5. With the 50th pick, the Browns select Mohammed Massaquoi: Massaquoi was a good college receiver and should make a solid #2/3 receiver in the pros. Plus, he has a fantastic reciever name that I sincerly enjoy saying out loud for no reason. This pick would've made a ton of sense had they not just taken a crappier version of the same guy 14 slots earlier. After taking Robiskie at 36, this pick made NO SENSE. With all of the holes on the roster, you're taking TWO possession receivers in the second round? That's maximizing the value of the picks? I'm sorry but I just don't get it. The Browns should've gone defense or running back with one of those two picks and I think down the line, this will prove to be a costly mistake. Second rounders are hard to obtain. You can't just keep burning them up by making redundant picks of "safe" players at a position that is far less important than others at which your team has gaping holes. Overall, a good player but a head-scratching pick given the circumstances.

6. With the 52nd pick, the Browns select David Veikune, DE, Hawaii: I'll be honest and say that I don't know the first thing about this guy. I know he was projected as about a 3rd rounder and it never makes me feel wonderful when the pundits are calling the pick a reach. I'll give the new regime the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe they're just smarter than we think and they know how to find guys to fit their system. Still, I just can't help but think that this is another case of a front office thinking they're smarter than everyone else. Then again, I've also lived through a regime that came to a consensus on using a second rounder on a guy that nobody had ever heard of who played on a winless college team called West Texas A&M. Excuse me for being skeptical on the whole idea of the small school diamond in the rough. Still, it's not fair to criticize a pick I know nothing about. We certainly needed a "hybrid" DE/LB (which essentially means you end up spending a high pick on a guy without knowing if he has any ability to play the position for which he's just been drafted) so I'll take a wait and see approach.

7. With the 104st pick, the Browns select Kaluke Maiave: The Browns add yet another Polynesian defender to take the sting out of the Maulaga miss! Seriously though, there is nothing wrong with this pick . . . other than the fact that between Maiave and Veikune, I'm not sure we found a single linebacker who is big and physical enough to play every down in the NFL. I have nothing against Maiave, but a 229 lb linebacker probably isn't the cure for what ails our run defense. Perhaps maybe we should've taken a linebacker with a bit better size instead of a crappy possession receiver at 36. Editor's note: My buddy DC started referring to this guy as "the third tenor," a nickname which I find to be very appropriate even though, truthfully, Clay Matthews Jr. is really the third USC tenor and this guy is . . . I don't know, the guy who served as Carreras's backup. Who knows, maybe he'll add some bulk to his frame and end up being a contributor. But hey, on the bright side for Maiave, he'll have virtually no competition at his position on the roster, so that's a positive!

8. I'll lump all of the sixth rounders together:

177 - Carey: Scouting report says he has tight hips. I have no idea what that means but if I had a scouting to english dictionary, it would probably say that "tight hips" translates to "nickel at best." I might've gone with Cedrick Peerman at this spot, the RB out of Virginia. Obviously it's a shot in the dark with anyone this late in the draft but Peerman graded out significantly higher than James Davis, who we ended up drafting later on.

191 - Coye Francies: The scouts like him and after all of the yawnworthy picks that came before him, I like the fact that he's a bit of a risk/reward pick . . . and by risk, I mean he was once brought up on weapons charges and kicked out of Oregon State. I'm glad we carried the "high character" theme all the way through the draft.

195 - James Davis: Well, we certainly needed a running back. Unfortunately, I'm not sure we needed one with all the explosiveness of a 30 year old Jamal Lewis. I'm doubtful Davis will be on the roster by this time next year. I really would've like to have seen this position addressed in round 2 with LeSean McCoy.

Overall Grade (because grades mean so much and are not in any way arbitrary): C+

If nothing else, the Browns were smart enough to trade out of the 5th spot and prevent the inevitable contract holdout/money hemmorhage that goes with it. In addition, between the trade with the Jets and the picks, the team probably added 4 starters. Unfortunately, the starters they added are probably the quality of players that you would expect to be starting for a 5-11 or 6-10 team. I guess you have to take baby steps when you're rebuilding and get your hands on as many solid guys as possible, but I'm still a little concerned that we came out of this draft without a single player that projects to be a major impact guy at any point in his career. They all seem to be solid but unspectacular . . . which is probably the way I'll remember this draft in general. Read the rest of this article

DRAFT DAY

What a day. Full of highs and lows. The nervous, excited anticipation was palpable. Today we learned exactly what we are getting with the MANKOK regime.

Rumors swirled for months that the Browns would trade Quinn and Edwards. Countless big name college stars were mentioned as possible selections with the 5th overall pick. Even another qb, Mark Sanchez, was speculated to be a Brown.

Ultimately, it was all a perfectly planned smokescreen. We got the Jets to trade us a starting DE, Safety, bankup qb, and a second round pick for the right to switch 12 spots in round one. Defensive problems mostly solved. Now we just need a pass rushing olb. Now picking at number 17, surely Clay Matthews jerseys will be back in style in Cleveland.

A couple more trades and a couple more 6th round picks later, and I'm as high as a kite. This is incredible. We saved so much money be backing from the 5th pick to the 21st pick. Not to mention the players and picks acquired. I'm in love with MANKOK. And then it happened.

Alex Mack. I will spare you the Secret World of Alex Mack reference (or will I). Pure devastation. Maybe I didn't watch closely enough, but I didn't think Fraley was that bad. Our biggest need is OLB, not center. Maybe I was wrong, because lots of folks have since told me Fraley is a bum. That's fine. I'll get on board with this pick. Sure it was a little high. But we did our best to get as close to the end of the first round as we could in order to take him closer to his projection. I can't fault the team for getting the guy it wanted (unless that team is the Raiders). Gotta like a center who is smart (academic heisman), and was one of only four lineman to run a 40 yard dash in under 5.0. He also has the size to contain Hampton and Ngata. Good pick. I guess.

After the Mack pick, I was hoping we'd trade some of our newly acquired picks to move back into the first round to take a linebacker. Didn't happen. I was hoping Nicks would fall to us at 36. Didn't happen. I was hoping we'd trade Braylon to the Giants. Didn't happen.

What did happen was three more reaches. Robiske, Massaquoi, and Veikune were taken higher than projected by the "experts." But they do fill needs and are smart, character guys (or so I am told by the "experts"). WR was possibly the weakest position on the team. Braylon can't catch. Stallworth has legal and health problems. Syndric Steptoe was our starting WR last year. If you recall, we traded up for Hubbard last NFL draft, and he wasn't good enough to make the field for this collection of stiffs last year. Robiske and Massaquoi were arguably the two best receivers available. If we wanted immediate improvement at the WR position, which we definitely needed, we had to take them.

Veikune I don't know much about so I won't pretend to. He played DE in college, but is a linebacker in the nfl. One of the reasons MANKOK liked him is probably that he has potential at both inside and outside linebacker. If he is a bust at either, we can always convert him.

Now I'm going to watch Mel Kiper's sexy hair. Bye.

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Heartbreak

Two options: I can go the classy route and congratulate OSU for playing a hell of a game or I can go the petulant jerk route and point out everything they did wrong. If, as I contemplated, I had written this column at the end of the third quarter, we all would've been treated to the latter. However, after watching those guys fight back and nearly pull it out, I'll tip my hat to them and try to write a slightly classier piece.

I'm too tired for eloquent prose so we'll make this short and concise:

The Good:

1. Ohio State may have finally figured out how to play defense against a modern spread attack. Instead of sitting on their heels and letting Texas crossing route them to death, the Buckeyes blitzed from all over the field and kept McCoy on the run all night. If not for some tough (and in the case of Gibson's second personal foul, terrible) penalties on the Longhorns' first scoring drive, OSU may have gotten into McCoy's head and had more success in the second half. Still, they played a great game and were one foot and/or Anderson Russell blown tackle away from winning the game.

2. OSU has some good looking pass rushers coming back next year. In Gibson, Heyward, Rose, Williams, and possibly Wilson, OSU could have a very good defensive front.

3. The Buckeyes may not have won the game but the healing of Ohio State's National image may have begun. The defense showed they were for real and the offense managed 21 points with a freshman under center. I really think you will see the national perception of OSU improve, at least a little bit in the wake of this game.

4. No surprise here by Pryor is very good in the open field when he actually makes up his mind and decides to run the ball. If his throwing ever gets to the point where it's just bad instead of laughable, he will be very tough to contain.

5. James Laurinaitis, you deserve credit for being a badass tonight. The dude was making plays all over the field. I'll always maintain that in the grand scheme of things, Laurinaitis was one of the most overrated players in OSU history....but not tonight. He played an outstanding game. The same can be said for Malcolm Jenkins. Absolute stud.

The Bad:

1. Pryor can't throw the ball. He flat out can't throw the ball. I mean I'm sure he's physically capable but as of right now, he can't throw. Period. What saddens me is that Tressel convinced Pryor all season that he couldn't just be a runner. Well you know what, when you're up two scores against Michigan State, that's fine. Work on reading coverages and making throws. When you're playing in a BCS bowl, utilize the skills that you have. Pryor should've been running all over the field tonight. He left at least 6 points out there because of the stupid notion that he can't just be a runner. It was just senseless. Also, on that note, Pryor is 6'6 235. There was no reason for Tressel to have him running out of bounds every time a defender got within 5 yards of him. I'm sure Tressel never intended him to forget where he was on the field (the first drive) but I thought the message in general was bad. They needed Pryor to make big plays when he scrambled. I thought it was hard for him to do that when he was obviously told to protect himself at all costs.

2. Get these offensive tackles out of my life....forever. I mean it. I never want to see Alex Boone again. The only time I ever want to see Bryant Browning again is if he's getting water for Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts in practice next year. They're absolutely helpless against an edge rush. Boone might, and I stress might, make an average guard at the next level but he has about as much chance of being a successful NFL tackle as I do.

3. Get these wide receivers out of my life. Yes, yes, I know, Robiskie made some catches down the stretch. Good for him. He can't get any separation. None of the OSU receivers can seem to get any separation. You know why? Because they're slow (Matt Vasgersian's wonderful observations aside). Posey and Marlon Brown (fingers crossed) can start next year. We can't continue to play with pedestrian athletes on the outside. Next year, I'll take those guys on the outside with Sanzenbacher in the slot and Stoneburner at TE. Now that would be a formidable attack.

4. Chris Wells....oh Chris Wells. It's just never been right with you. I'm not a doctor so I'm not going to hide behind my keyboard and call you soft. All I will say is that it's really a shame your body is not cut out to play football. What a breathtaking talent to waste. Wells has 10 carries a game in the NFL written all over him.

5. Although overall, I thought it was a great defensive effort, the Buckeyes didn't exactly adjust to that hurry up offense. Apparently the dry erase marker ran out of ink before Heacock could diagram our defensive lineman running their portly asses across the line of scrimmage and getting set because it never happened. That one was a bit of a head scratcher.

The Absolutely Indefensible:

1. Jim Tressel, the jig is up. You are a wonderful head coach and you run one of the best programs in the country. All things considered, I wouldn't trade you for any coach in America. That being said, as long as you stubbornly insist on calling the plays, you will continue to waste talent and blow big games. There's just no excuse. Texas has their ends halfway up the field the entire game and you run one screen and a handful of draws. No excuse. You come into the game with the somewhat logical plan of using Boeckman in passing situations and then, inexplicably, you forget about it for half the game. No excuse. You have a starting quarterback whose only weapon is his legs and you keep letting him take normal drops into the collapsing pocket. ROLL HIM OUT. I mean this is so basic that it makes me want to pull my hair out. I'm so god damn tired of this insanity. I'm calling it like I see it. Offensively, the game has passed Tressel by (and yes, this is a complete waste of time beause Tressel is never giving up playcalling duties).

2. Along those same lines, Tressel has yet to realize that a first half field goal is completely worthless in College football. Seriously, you can't drive all the way down the field and keep kicking it. It's an absolute waste and it kills your momentum. If it's short yardage and you're inside the 30 or so, go for it. If you're ouside the 30, punt it and pin them deep. I'm so sick of watching this team settle for crappy field goals. It always comes back to bite them in the ass. They were playing a team tonight that averages a ton of points. Did Tressel really think the defense would hold all game? If not, he had no business kicking it 3 times in the first half.

The Comedically Abominable:

1. Really Fox? Tim Ryan and Matt Vasgersian? That's the A-team? You spend a fortune to get a BCS game and skimp on the announcers? I genuinely felt like I was watching thursday night Big East football the entire game. What a joke. Get a life Fox.

2. Since when did Laura Okmin start looking like a washed up stripper (a tip of the cap to my buddy Pete for that description. I was going to go with recovering heroine addict but the stripper description is just spot on)?

3. I have absolutely no problems with Texas. Mack Brown seems like an alright guy and for the most part, their athletes and fans don't bother me. That said, what a hilariously cliche' enterprise Texas football is. The band uniforms, the quarterback named "Colt," the qb and wr being childhood friends and roomates just like their dads were, the qb's semi-hot bleach blonde girlfriend in the stands, all the blissfully ignornant fans in their stetsons.... I almost think Texas should get rid of Bevo and just have a guy running around the sidelines in a burnt orange Yosemite Sam costume. We get it Texas. You're all very rugged and cowboyish. Now stop trying so hard. It really takes away from an otherwise respectible thing you've got going on down there.

Conclusion:

There's no getting around the fact that I'm heartbroken right now. I really thought OSU played well enough to win. I thought they were the better team tonight and a win could've done so much for this program on so many different fronts. Still, i'm optimistic about next year. Other then Jenkins and Wells (when he's not nursing something), I don't think there's a single guy we're losing that can't be replaced with someone of equal or greater talent. Moreover, I think the offensive line will be 100x better once the young studs are installed next year. Everything will come down to how well a vintage coaching staff can develop Pryor's skills and decision-making abilities and whether they can put him in a system that hasn't, unbeknownst to them, already gone the way of the steam engine.

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