Written by Cris Sykes

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Like alot of fans, Cris Sykes is jubilant this morning. In his view, the Browns just walked out of the first day of the NFL Draft with the best lineman, the best quarterback, and the best cornerback available ... filling three huge needs and adding three new starters in the process. Sykes takes some time out to thank Phil Savage for daring to be bold, for having the stones to make some aggressive moves up that can help turn this franchise around. “Here we go Brownies, here we go! Woof woof!” God it felt good to hear those cheers again today. What a scene it was at a JAM PACKED Panini's downtown. Hundreds of Browns fans were in attendance, and the mood was one of jubilation all day. All I can say is thank you, Phil Savage.

Most readers know that I had, essentially, a man-crush on Joe Thomas coming into yesterday. Well, once that pick was made and on the books, I really thought we were in for a bit of a slower day. Of course, I was also very happy to be in the spot we were in. This did not need to be a fancy draft; it just had to be effective. We would wait around until the early part of the second round; fill a void at corner, quarterback or the defensive line.

Thank you, for Joe Thomas, Phil!

Instead, Mr. Savage answered most fans dreams that didn’t want the offensive lineman. The "left tackles do not score touchdowns" clan. The "Charlie Frye is a bum" bunch. So what did you do? You said spork it. It is time for the Cleveland Browns to do something a little different. You took a chance. Another Ohio born quarterback, who grew up admiring those Bernie Kosar Browns teams, Brady Quinn was sliding like nobody’s business. We saw all the pictures once the Browns passed on you at number three. Brady Quinn in his little Browns uniform, so ready to step right in and play, as soon as he was needed. Well it turned out to be about 15 years later, and boy did we need him.

Thank you, for Brady Quinn, Phil!

OK. Now is the time to settle in and watch everyone else draft players, because we gave up our second rounder to get Mr. Quinn. Nobody I was with really seemed to mind, as the hugs and beers were flowing. Grown men prepared to bow at the feet of this Savage character, didn’t really care how long until we picked again, because we jut got two of the top five players on a lot of NFL draft boards. Wait, what’s that? Another pick is coming for the Browns? Phil did what? This is not Cleveland Browns general managing. This is aggressive, we want to build a winner drafting. We got Eric Wright? Really? The corner that would have been a top 15 choice without a couple transgressions? We got him too?

Thank you, for Eric Wright, Phil!

The Cleveland Browns entered the 2007 NFL Draft with many holes. To expect them all to be filled would be downright ridiculous. I will contend though, there is a very real possibility that we got the best player in this draft at all three of our biggest positions of need. The offensive line has been an abomination since 1999. Our quarterback play has been, well, not so good. Remember Ralph Brown, playing cornerback? Not anymore.

Here is a quick look at what our offense will look like in the 2007 season, and yes, I am putting Brady Quinn in, Day 1. He knows pro style offenses. He understands the language. He will have protection and weapons, so give him the shot. I think he might be out there with a little chip-on-his-shoulder. Anyway, take a look at this offense:



I don’t know about anyone else, but I think that is competitive in this league, immediately. That does not even include the possibility of LeCharles Bentley coming back in 2008. As remote as some feel that it, punch him into the RG spot, and take another look. Now go ahead and wipe the drool of your chin. There is still work to be done. The depth at the skill positions is not all that great, but as a starting “11”, this is the best group in a very long time.

Thank you, for taking some chances, Phil!

If anyone is still wondering if the Browns are in the right hands with Phil Savage, you can stop. If anyone thought there a chance any team was walking out of Saturday with the best offensive lineman, quarterback, and cornerback in the draft ... nobody would have ever guessed the Cleveland Browns would be that team. I have checked into a couple of “prospect ranking” websites since I got home tonight, and either they are all wrong, or we are in the midst of the most important draft, quite possibly in the history of this proud franchise.

Thank you, for restoring the faith, Phil!

Just want to take a little room at the bottom here to thank some people. First and foremost is Rich Swerbinsky. That was one hell of a weekend, and we are on one hell of a ride, thanks! Panini’s, downtown, you guys throw a great party. To all the fans of the Browns and this site, that made it out to the bash, thanks we enjoyed having you.  I even like Eric Wedge today!

Thank you Phil.  For making Saturday, April 28, 2007 go down in history!