Written by Dave Kolonich

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Isn't it great to be an American? Just mere hours after giving thanks for all we have, most of us enter the wee hours of Friday with one simple directive: we need more stuff. Speaking of which, have you seen the Browns lately? If anyone is truly deserving of some gifts, it is indeed our beloved Browns. Evaluating our current collection of talent is akin to making up a shopping list for a fourth-world war orphan. So, without further pause, Dave Kolonich present's our readers with the Browns version of Black Friday. Isn't it great to be an American? Just mere hours after giving thanks for all we have, most of us enter the wee hours of Friday with one simple directive: we need more stuff.

Speaking of which, have you seen the Browns lately?

If anyone is truly deserving of some gifts, it is indeed our beloved Browns. Evaluating our current collection of talent is akin to making up a shopping list for a fourth-world war orphan. Or, in other words - just off the top of my head, we could use the following:

Quarterback
Running Back(s)
Wide Receiver(s)
Tight End(s)
Right Guard
Right Tackle
Defensive End
Defensive Tackle
Inside Linebacker(s)
Outside Linebacker(s)
Cornerback(s)
Free Safety
Strong Safety

So, if you're scoring at home, the above list means that at the present, we are okay at the following positions:

Left Tackle
Left Guard
Center
Kicker
Punter

We're on our way.

So, without further pause, I present the Browns version of Black Friday. And hopefully, no one not named John St. Clair gets trampled at 4 in the morning - and let's also hope that inventories don't run out.





















Worth the Risk of Braving an H1N1-Infected Crowd:

Ndamukong Suh - DT - Nebraska

Suh is an intriguing player, but his arrival in Cleveland will likely be determined by the overall direction the Browns franchise heads in the next few months. Depending on who is in charge - or more precisely, if Mangini retains his stranglehold over the franchise, Suh could either be matched up nicely beside Shaun Rogers in a four-man front, or left to wither as an end in an eternally malfunctioning 3-4 alignment.

Russell Okung - OT - Oklahoma St.

Much like the circumstances surrounding Suh, the addition of Okung could give the Browns a set of bookend tackles that could survive through at least three more coaching changes over the next several years. But then again, John St. Clair could truly be here for the entirety of Mangini's tenure. But on a more hopeful note, Mangini's recent drafting history does show a penchant for adding offensive linemen.

C.J. Spiller - RB - Clemson

While I would be hesitant to take a running back so early in the draft, Spiller looks to be the kind of rare game-changer in the mold of Tennessee's Chris Johnson. And in case you haven't noticed, Johnson has almost single-handedly changed the Titans' fortunes in 2009. Do you think the Browns could use someone who is probably even faster?

Brandon Spikes - ILB - Florida

Again, the future direction of the Browns has to be noted here, as it is possible that the five year 3-4 experiment may finally be scrapped heading into 2010. However, if not - and all logic points to this as a natural conclusion - adding Spikes next to a healthy D'Qwell Jackson could prove to be a formidable combination. If nothing else, Spikes can be the designated eye-gouger on first and second downs - something this defense has lacked for years.














Worth Stomping an Old Lady For:

Jacoby Ford - WR - Clemson

I know it's vogue for the Browns to draft wide receivers early in the draft - and only play one of them - so perhaps the precedent will again be followed in 2010. Ford is the latest in a series of undersized wideouts who can fill a multitude of roles. Obviously, his greatest asset is blazing speed, which is something the Browns badly lack on offense. Just the mere thought of a Brown who can run vertically is exhilirating.

Taylor Mays - FS - USC

Not since the days of Eric Turner have the Browns featured a game-changer at the safety position. Sorry, Earl Little fans. And considering that the Browns are about seven years behind Baltimore and Pittsburgh in this department, it's probably time for Cleveland to add someone with Mays' talents. And in a nod to Cleveland's ever-changing front office landscape, Mays could one day be featured as a linebacker in some future coach's Tampa 2 scheme. That's what is known as versatility, Cleveland style.

Brandon Graham - OLB - Michigan

And while OSU fans will be no doubt disgusted by Graham's inclusion here, the Wolverine could bring the kind of toughness that the Browns run defense has lacked for years. But again, considering the tenuous state of the Browns current regime, we could be scouting 235 lb. defensive ends in a few months.

Patrick Robinson - CB - Florida State

Did you see the Lions game last week? Are you comfortable with a future of Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald at the corners? Is Ty Law still in the league?

Worth Sitting in Three Hours of Traffic For:

Trent Williams - OT - Oklahoma

Picking a Big 12 offensive line certainly does not come without its risks, but again, the right side of the Browns offensive line is among the league's worst. While a Williams pick at the top of the draft may be a bit risky, some likely Mangini manuvering could land the Oklahoma tackle in the middle of the first round.

Nate Allen - FS - South Florida

Call this the anti-Taylor Mays pick. Or how about the anti-Michael Huff? Just like the Williams pick, a player like Allen would make a great late first round pick, assuming Mangini goes all Mangini again in next year's draft. And if history has taught us anything, it is that the quality safeties are usually found deep in Round 1.






















Brandon Ghee - CB - Wake Forest

What is it about the ACC this year? Is it possible to exclusively draft from this conference in 2010? Ghee could bring the kind of size and speed that the Browns haven't seen at corner since the days of Hanford Dixon. And again, depending on the given scheme in place, Ghee could give the team the kind of versatility not currently found at the position.

Anthony McCoy - TE - USC

So, what is the moratorium on drafting a tight end in the first round - especially after the carnage that was the K2 era? Is it too soon? Or, are we okay with Robert Royal and Michael Gaines?

Worth Leaving on the Shelf:

Tim Tebow - QB - Florida

Whichever NFL franchise falls for the mystique of Tebow should ready themselves for multiple seasons of Christian righteousness, broken collarbones and endless second-guessing. I may get my share of football prognosticating wrong, but I am certain that in no way will Tebow succeed at QB in the NFL. At tight end? That's a different story.

Jimmy Clausen - QB - Notre Dame

Really, Browns fan? Are you ready to go down this path again?

Sam Bradford - QB - Oklahoma

Are you sensing a theme here? Brittle QB coming from a pass-happy, no defense playing Big 12 conference - did somebody say Graham Harrell?

Of course, the overriding theme here is two-fold. First, the Browns have more needs than players at the moment. Second, who knows which people will be put in place to make these decisions. And while I'm beyond ready for yet another offseason shopping spree, I shudder at the thought of digging through my overflowing buggy and realizing that the process has only just begun.

Let's hope there are still some bargains to be found.