Written by Cris Sykes

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Cleveland Browns General Manager Phil Savage likes to keep everyone guessing leading into Draft Day. It's more likely you get a solid tip out of one of the terrorists on Cleveland Browns General Manager Phil Savage likes to keep everyone guessing leading into Draft Day. 

It's more likely you get a solid tip out of one of the terrorists on “24” than getting one out of Phil about a potential draft choice.  The chances are better of Don Imus and C. Vivian Stringer going out on a date than they are of getting anything out of Phil these next couple weeks.

So when people recently paid $500 a plate to have lunch with Phil and some Browns players to talk about the draft, hoping to get some information, I hope they enjoyed the show.  They got to talk to Kam Wimbley, last year’s #1 pick, who offered this line about the secretive nature of Savage, “Even when they were on the clock last year … I was saying, ‘Dang, they aren’t going to take me.’” 

Savage did take offer some “insight” on the biggest names in the draft, as reported here by Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.  He also announced, barring a trade down, that the pick will be on the offensive side of the ball.  

Since Phil didn't give away much, I tried to climb inside his head, and translate his comments into what he really wanted to say: 

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Brady Quinn – “A terrific quarterback who can come in and play right away.”

Translation – Brady Quinn has all the tools.  He has the size, arm, and brains to be an NFL quarterback.  What we don’t know is if he has the heart.  About coming in and playing right away?  Um, have you seen the quarterbacks currently on the Browns roster?  Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, might be able to come in and play right away. 

JaMarcus Russell – “A rare king of guy in terms of size.”

Translation – Boy, this kid is fat.  I don’t remember him being this fat during all of those camps I was at with him.  His biggest upside might be if he can’t read defenses he might be able to switch to guard.  Hopefully the Raiders screw up royally and pick him so I can save face back home because there is no way in hell I am picking this lazy bum. 

Calvin Johnson – “A big-time wideout … a supreme talent.”

Translation – Why did I take Braylon Edwards a couple of years ago?  I would love to draft this guy, but I could not handle all of the Matt Millen jokes if I did.  If I could find someone to take Edwards off my hands, I would personally deliver the envelope to Mr. Goodell with his name on it.  Best player available be damned.  I can’t do it.   
 
Adrian Peterson – “Tremendous speed.  He brings a passion, a toughness, a certain temperament.”

Translation – Boy this kid can really play the game.  I think #3 is a little high for him, but if we can sucker someone into trading up and he falls into our laps, I will be ecstatic to pick him.  His toughness might be enough to make up for the fact that we have nobody to block for him. 

Joe Thomas – “Taking a left tackle may not be the most exciting things.  It could be the wisest.”

Translation – Half of the city is going to want me dead if I pick this guy, even though I know it is the best thing for this team.  I really hope I can trade down and someone steals Adrian Peterson from us leaving me with no real choice.  He has all of the ability to be an anchor to our weakest unit for the next 10 years.

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All in all, a trade down is the best-case scenario for a football team with so many holes.  If there is a willing partner, I do not think Phil will hesitate. If they can’t trade down I think it is a coin flip, as of today, between Joe Thomas and Adrian Peterson.  Either the anchor to the offensive line, or a serious influx of speed and athleticism to the offensive backfield is the way Phil is leaning today. 

Tomorrow, there could be a whole new set of quotes to be interpreted, and they could lead you to a totally different conclusion.