One Week After The 2014 NFL Draft, Thoughts On Browns, Buckeyes, & Manziel Mania

One week ago tonight, I sat with a beer in hand in the backyard patio of my friend Tim's home, thankfully watching the NFL Network's telecast of the 2014 NFL Draft.  While there are selections I would have made differently if I was running the NFL Draft for the Browns, I have to admit that I am very pleased overall with the selections that were made.

• I am including a definition of grand larceny.  For future reference, it is entirely possible that a picture of Sammy Watkins and the Buffalo Bills will be included as an analogous episode.  Yes, I believe Sammy Watkins will be a good NFL wide receiver, and the Browns may wind up regretting this decision.  But the Browns, who were offered Buffalo's 2015 first round and fourth round picks, had to take this deal when offered by Buffalo.  I want to re-emphasize the words, "had to".

 Think about this, for just a second as a Buffalo Bills fan - you want a wide receiver, and you believe Sammy Watkins is the best one in the 2014 NFL Draft.  Fair enough conclusion.  You make the deal with Cleveland, but...if you stayed pat, you would not have had Sammy Watkins, but you could have had Odell Beckham, Jr., Brandin Cooks, or Kelvin Benjamin instead; all three went in the first round.  And still hold onto next year's first and fourth round picks.  Was Sammy Watkins that far superior to any of those three wide receivers?

Making it worse for Bills fans - the Bills have usually had a pick in the top ten of the draft over the past decade.  And you gave that pick up for a position group that is traditionally the deepest in the NFL Draft year after year.  This decision may really sting next winter when the 2014 NFL season is over for Bills fans and the front office.

• I believe I made my thoughts on the Browns drafting Johnny Manziel quite clear, before the NFL Draft.  When the Browns made the deal with Philadelphia to select Manziel, let's just say that I used words that were in violation of The Ten Commandments.

 Yes, I would have selected Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater instead of Manziel.  Now that Manziel is in Cleveland, I can only wish he and the team the best of luck going forward.

• Thoughts on Manziel aside, I absolutely love the way the Browns front office, coaching staff, and PR staff are handling this so far.  Part of the reason why I did not want Manziel was because of the circus he would attract; I respect the Browns from trying to keep this under control, and to teach Manziel that he will have to earn the starting job from incumbent Brian Hoyer.

Have fun containing Manziel Mania, Browns. Good luck with that. pic.twitter.com/fBj9xLff7F
— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) May 14, 2014

•  I was surprised the Browns did not take any wide receivers during the draft, but very happy that the team followed its draft board.  As I wrote up above, wide receivers are abundant, and there are always veteran wide receivers available.  Case in point?

BREAKING: Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with WR Miles Austin. pic.twitter.com/T2QHei6FVj
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 15, 2014

• Congratulations to the six Buckeyes selected in the NFL Draft.  While I believe all of the players landed in good situations, I would guess RB Carlos Hyde may be in the best of all situations.  The 49ers will be a popular Super Bowl contender pick, and Hyde will get a chance to supplement 49ers RB Frank Gore, one of the best backs in the NFL.

• And with the 2014 NFL Draft in the books, look for more Ohio State players to be selected in the 2015 NFL Draft.  That team could have at least two first round picks, if not more, next year.

"The Holy Trinity" spotted in NYC, 05/08/2014

Wow. RT @hartmatt9: The Holy Trinity pic.twitter.com/PrPBt8v8Jy
— Brendan Darr (@BrendanDarr) May 8, 2014

My Thoughts Re: Browns Possibly Drafting Johnny Manziel

Let me put it into pictures, tweets, and videos...

If Johnny Manziel gets selected in the 1st round, he'd be the first QB under 6 feet tall to be drafted in the 1st round since 1953.
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) May 7, 2014

@BHOOLZ drafting Johnny Football because you need a quarterback is like drinking saltwater because you're thirsty. It ain't good
— lamar denlinger (@ramal11) May 1, 2014

and what would happen if the Browns picked him...Just substitute Megatron with the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens defense, and Johnny Manziel with Jazz, and you'll understand.

Bill Polian on "Mike & Mike", 05/06/2014

A tremendous interview with former Bills/Panthers/Colts GM Bill Polian regarding Johnny Manziel, Jadaveon Clowney, and others in the upcoming NFL Draft.  Well worth the listen.

Back in 1996, I briefly met Mr. Polian.  Listen to this, and you'll understand why I wanted Jimmy Haslam to hire him back when Haslam purchased the Browns.  I will never understand why Haslam hired Joe Banner.

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=10890090