Dawg Pound Lounge ,

I couldn't pass up the Trent Richardson jersey!!!   Gotta luv the #33 

The Browns offense has such a new dynamic!  I think this year is going to be special.....Our QB isn't really a rookie in my mind....I think his confidence is superior.....Plus he has one heck of a RB to help out in all phases of the attack...

All the doubters are going to have to eat their words this year.....Brandon Weeden is really the key to everything.  His arm is for real, and his age and experience are going to do nothing but help in the immediate future.

You guys know I'm always going to bring up my favorite story about an NFL team finally getting their collective act together....It all started with a 28 year old "rookie" QB...Kurt Warner took the decades' worst team, and won the freakin SB!  Heck,  if Weeden could keep the Browns in the playoff hunt, most fans would be happy....

The defense is pretty good and still improving......The offense just got SO MUCH better last weekend it's amazing!   The Browns WILL be a factor for a change...And thanks to H&H, this team is being built to stay.

Greg Little is really the wildcard IMO....I can just about guarantee that Weeden is going to put the ball n him...With his god given abilities, he should prove to be the best Browns WR in a long time...At least the best since Webster Slaughter...


This is really exciting.....We got a QB fella's!  WOOF  WOOF!!  

Who wouldn't want a Smelley jersey...

Kinda like in HS Football after two a day practices .


PEEEEEUUUUUUUUUU .


I Bet Smelley makes it . Marecic has already had two dingers . plus he can also play H Back with his soft hands . he was a  HS QB so the most tricky of all the trick plays in the book the FB pass is a threat at anytime

All the doubters are going to have to eat their words this year.....Brandon Weeden is really the key to everything.  His arm is for real, and his age and experience are going to do nothing but help in the immediate future.

I Have high hopes for Weed  as well . i just wish that they would swing a deal for a veteran QB to help mentor him. Wallace has decided he will help out . something he wouldnt do last season .. to late give him the boot .. I think having McCoy around might be to awkard . that leaves us with Lewis   who i think will be our # 3 this year . 

 

i can hear it now ..Weed just smoked the defense

Opposing coaches on Brandon Weeden: Pressure may affect QB's accuracy
Published: Saturday, May 05, 2012, 9:58 PM

Every Brandon Weeden play in Oklahoma State's loss to Iowa State
www.cleveland.com/browns/index...br
andon_we.html

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Brandon Weeden was 23-3 at Oklahoma State. His Cowboys beat Stanford's Andrew Luck, Baylor's Robert Griffin III, and Texas Tech's Ryan Tannehill -- the three quarterbacks drafted before him.
Two coaches who managed to beat him say it was more a matter of outlasting him.

When Iowa State upset Oklahoma State, 37-31, in double overtime last season, defensive coordinator Wally Burnham said they never ran the same coverage two plays in row and focused entirely on pass defense.

"We didn't fear his running like we did RG III or even Tannehill," he said.

The Cyclones often sent five and six pass-rushers to try to shake him up.

"He got quick feet. He got nervous," Burnham said. "He really threw the ball away in a hurry. I'm not saying he was scared, he just wanted to get the ball out to his hot receiver."

But Weeden was still 42 of 58 for 476 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions.

"Because he's so accurate, it was hard to defense everything he did," said Burnham, who went 1-1 against Weeden.
Former Oklahoma associate head coach/defensive coordinator Brent Venables, now at Clemson, was also 1-1 against Weeden, although to suggest the Sooners' defense stopped him would be a stretch. Oklahoma won, 47-41, in 2010, his junior season.

Venables said the plan was to stop the run, eliminate big plays and change up defensive looks. But Weeden wasn't confused much. He finished 28 of 43 for 257 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Venables said Weeden picked up defenses quickly, was deadly accurate and made all the throws -- the 10- to 15-yarder, the 25-yard comeback, the long ball -- but that Oklahoma State's quick-strike passing game made it difficult to rush him.

"The challenge in the NFL," he said, "will be when the pocket's collapsing."



This has been one of my concerns about his play at the next level: his footwork and comfort in the pocket. He's gonna have to move around in the pocket to allow plays to develop. Then when he does roll out, how will his footwork and accuracy be?

I personally feel good about how he will acclimate, but those are my concerns for Weeden.

In the defense of him and his team, I believe there was a death inside the university's athletic community that they found out about prior to the game vs Iowa State. Not to dos credit that team, but many on the OkSt team were close with this individual. I believe Weeden spoke about this during his Gruden Camp interview.

Now that the Browns are grooming former Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden to be their starter, it's time to provide him with his second-best friend after star running back Trent Richardson: a veteran quarterback who's willing to mentor him.

Even though he's 28 and more mature than most rookie quarterbacks, Weeden would benefit from a veteran who not only knows his role, but relishes it, much like Gary Danielson with Bernie Kosar in 1985 and 1987-88 and Jake Delhomme with Colt McCoy in 2010.

It's a role that 10th-year pro Seneca Wallace isn't ready to play yet, and a major reason the Browns will strongly consider parting ways with him before the season. Wallace readily admitted last season that he wasn't willing to mentor McCoy and share all the secrets of the West Coast offense. Besides, he's set to make $2.4 million in 2012, most of which the Browns could save on their cap by releasing him.

McCoy foundered at times last season, in part, because he no longer had big brother Delhomme around to show him the way. Delhomme, who spent last season with the Texans and is contemplating retirement, is the kind of role model that Weeden needs to get ready for opening day.

Whether or not the Browns keep McCoy -- and they've made no guarantees they will -- they need to add a player-coach for Weeden, one who can help him with the nuances of the West Coast offense. Former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who had his best years under Pat Shurmur and Browns offensive coordinator Brad Childress, is a free agent, but he's likely too large a name for the role.

Another option might be former Rams quarterback A.J. Feeley, who served as Sam Bradford's mentor in 2010 in St. Louis, when Shurmur was offensive coordinator. An 11-year veteran and current free agent, Feeley was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of 2001 when Shurmur and Childress were there and spent six seasons as a backup over two stints. In 2002, he came off the bench and won three of four starts to keep the Eagles' playoff bid alive until McNabb returned from injury.

In 2010, the Rams signed Feeley to mentor No. 1 overall pick Bradford, and help school him on the West Coast scheme. "I'm going to try to work with (Bradford) every day," Feeley told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Anything that I picked up by being in this offense for (so long), I'm going to give it to him. I'm going to try to help him out as much as I possibly can."

With that kind of support, Bradford went 7-9 that season and almost led St. Louis to the playoffs.

"(Bradford) competed through the off-season and became the starter day one," Shurmur said Saturday. "We were a couple plays away from winning the division on a team that time wasn't all that explosive on offense either."

Feeley doesn't have much starting experience -- he's 8-10 in his career -- but he did manage to come off the bench last season in place of the injured Bradford when the Rams were 0-6 and engineer a stunning 31-21 victory over the Saints. It was one of the Rams' two victories last season.

There's another precedent for Shurmur and Childress when it comes to mentoring. In 1999, the Eagles brought in former Green Bay backup Doug Pederson, then 31, to help McNabb. That was back when rookie quarterbacks actually had a chance to watch and learn for a few games. Pederson, who served the same role in Cleveland for Tim Couch a year later, started the first nine games before McNabb took over.

If the Browns don't like any of the current free agent quarterbacks, they can always hope a good one shakes loose over the next couple of months. But Browns President Mike Holmgren cautioned that the wrong mentor can be a detriment.

"A lot of those guys mentor the wrong way," he said. "They want to play. So listen to (the coach). It's a little overrated in my opinion."

Weeden might not need as much hand-holding as other rookies, because he left home at the age of 18 to chase his dream of pitching in the big leagues, and spent five years in sleepy towns and on long bus rides, doing his own laundry and taking care of himself. He's married and older than most of the players on the team.

But it doesn't mean he couldn't use a Delhomme-Danielson type presence to start his NFL career off right.

Undrafted free agents: Weeden's second-leading receiver last season at Oklahoma State, Josh Cooper, was among the undrafted free agents signed by the Browns on Saturday and Sunday. The Browns haven't announced the moves yet, but here's an unofficial list, according to various sources: cornerbacks Mike Allen of James Madison, Emanuel Davis of East Carolina and Antwuan Reed of Pittsburgh; Akron offensive lineman Jake Anderson; Idaho offensive tackle Matt Cleveland; Arizona State center Garth Gerhart; Wyoming safety Tashaun Gipson; Florida defensive end William Green; Central Florida linebacker Josh Linum; receivers Jermaine Saffold of Missouri State and Bert Reed of Florida State; Ohio State offensive tackle J.B. Shugarts; and Ohio State linebacker Andrew Sweat.

You guys know I'm always going to bring up my favorite story about an NFL team finally getting their collective act together....It all started with a 28 year old "rookie" QB

Another good comparison.

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal believes rookies RB Trent Richardson, QB Brandon Weeden, OT Mitchell Schwartz, and LB James-Michael Johnson will be immediate starters for the Browns.

Richardson is a no-brainer. Weeden is the favorite over incumbent Colt McCoy. Tony Pashos was already cut loose, so Schwartz is locked in at right tackle. With Scott Fujita suspended for three games as part of the bounty scandal punishments, Johnson is expected to compete with Kaluka Maiava for the starting weak side linebacker job. Ulrich has DT John Hughes and WR Travis Benjamin penciled in as role players.

John Hughes benefited from the culture shock he experienced after a new coaching staff infiltrated the University of Cincinnati’s football program about two years ago.

It took some time to sink in, but the change served as a wake-up call for Hughes. He realized he had to put forth more effort if he wanted to live up to his potential.

Hughes, a 6-foot-2½, 309-pound defensive tackle, turned the corner during his senior season. He was rewarded when the Browns drafted him in the third round (87th overall) Friday.

“When we came in two years ago, we just practiced at a little different tempo than most people,” Cincinnati defensive line coach Steve Stripling said in a recent phone interview. “It’s based on our up-tempo offense. Everything’s called at the line. So I think when we got there, our philosophy made it a little different, practice was a little harder with more intensity. So I think it was a learning curve, not only for John, but for everybody else. I think that’s just part of maturity.”

Hughes’ production behind the line of scrimmage increased significantly last season, when he started 12 games and compiled 51 tackles, including 12½ for loss, five sacks and a blocked field goal. In 2010, he started 12 games and had 47 tackles, including 4½ for loss, without a sack.

“He’s obviously a big, physical presence,” Stripling said. “I think he does a great job with his hands. I think he does a really good job of getting off blocks, and that makes him a really good run defender. I think what people maybe don’t know is he has the ability to rush the passer, to get off [blocks] and make plays, and I think that’s what kind of came to the forefront last season.”

The Browns plan to rotate Hughes with starting tackles Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin. Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron believes Taylor and Rubin played way too many snaps last season, so the addition of Hughes should help spell them. Stripling said Hughes can play one-technique (across from the center) and three-technique (across from the guard), and that type of versatility appeals to Jauron.

Still, some were surprised Browns General Manager Tom Heckert spent a third-round pick on a defensive tackle even though other pressing needs — namely at wide receiver — had yet to be addressed in the draft. Heckert selected Miami receiver Travis Benjamin in the fourth round (No. 100). But first, he traded down 20 spots in the third round, gaining a fourth-round pick (No. 120) in a deal with the Denver Broncos, and then took Hughes.

Several analysts predicted Hughes would become a late-round pick, not someone whose name would be called during the second day of the draft. Even Hughes, a Gahanna native, conceded that he didn’t expect to be selected until later. During a conference call with local media, Hughes explained he and his family had planned a draft-viewing party for Saturday, when the fourth round started, instead of Friday night, when the second and third rounds were held.

Heckert, though, said he worried another team would use a third-round pick on Hughes, who bench-pressed 225 pounds 28 times in February at the NFL Scouting Combine but didn’t participate in other drills because of an injured right knee. Hughes said he had a pre-draft visit with the Browns, and the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears showed interest in him, too.

The Saints had the 89th pick, two slots behind the Browns. The Bears bypassed Hughes earlier in the third round at No. 79.

“To be honest, we were holding our breath there a little bit,” Heckert said. “I was getting a little concerned that I shouldn’t have made the trade, but it came down that John was still there.”

Although the pick was not popular among most Browns fans, Stripling believes Hughes will prove he’s worthy in the long run.

“I think what really jumped out on game day was John just showed great quickness at times,” Stripling said. “Everybody labels him as a run stopper, and maybe I do, too, but he would show little spurts of quickness. Here’s a 300-pound guy that’s got football intelligence, that’s mature, knows how to work and he’s got the quickness to make some plays — and not just to defend the gap, but to get off blocks and make some plays. I think that’s when everybody said this kid’s got a future.”

From ESPN Cleveland:

Why claim a new punter?: The Browns were awarded punter Spencer Lanning off waivers from Jacksonville. Lanning spent the 2011 training camp with the Chicago Bears and was signed by the Jaguars in January.

In four years at South Carolina, Lanning averaged 42.6 yards a punt. His last two years, he also served as the team’s place-kicker and made 34 of 44 field goals.

Reggie Hodges is expected to return to his role as Browns punter after missing the 2011 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The first thing that came to my mind when Lanning was claimed was that Hodges looked a bit heavy when he appeared in the locker room at the conclusion of the 2011 season.

---

The first thing that came to my mind when Lanning was claimed was that Hodges looked a bit heavy when he appeared in the locker room at the conclusion of the 2011 season.

What about the ruptured Achilles tendon?  You think that may have played a small part in grabbing a punter off the wire?

Idiots!!!!

A story with a moral . . .

A while back (shortly after the college football and NFL seasons ended), Mrs. Lyman signed us up to attend an Easter Seals fund raiser.  When she "asked" if I would interested in going (insert after spending countless hours in front the big screen, tweeking FFB rosters and hosting an NFL Pick 'em Challenge here on CBS), I obviously answered, "Why sure, Honey.  Sounds great!"

It turns out that this fund raiser was a wine tasting event at tOSU's Ohio Stadium.  More specifically - in the Huntington Club at the Shoe.  In addition to the wine tasting, there were Hors d'oeuvres provided by most of the top restaurants in Columbus (one being my absolute favorite - the Refectory).  We make wine here at home and I like to eat so this gig was at least palatable on more than one level.

Did I mention that there was also a silent auction? 

Table after table filled with donations each with a bid sheet.  As you can imagine, a lot of these items were wine related (we did have our eye on a vintage table top bottle opener that was to kill for), some were just fun things to do (a hot air baloon ride - ended up going for $500.00), fun things to have (a popcorn cart that we had earmarked for our up-coming media room) and a whole chit load of tOSU memorabilia.   GAME ON!

At the end of the evening we walked out of the Shoe with an autographed football in a display case signed by 26 former Buckeyes;

A.J. Hawk, Archie Griffen, Beanie Wells, Bobby Carpenter, Chris Spielman, Craig Krenzel, Dane Sanzenbacker, Dimitrious Stanly, Dustin Fox, Howard "Hopalong" Cassidy, Jin Cordle, Justin Boren, Justin Zwick, Kirk Herbstreet, Kurt Coleman, Michael Doss, Raymont Harris, Robert Smith, Ryan Miller, Todd Boeckman, Tom Cousineau, Will Allen and William White.

(TopDawg - Eat your heart out)


The moral of the story? 

Stopped clocks are right twice a day, blind squirrels will find an acorn and wifes can come up with a good idea!

Stopped clocks are right twice a day, blind squirrels will find an acorn and wifes can come up with a good idea!

Hmm . the only good idea my last one came up with was leaving



the autographed football sounds cool . i have mini Buckeye helmets signed by Hawk , Carpenter & Schelegel .. not sure if the last name is spelled right ?. u cant read his hand writing anyway to check it . much like my own  no i am not googling it either  .


sounds like a good time .

The first thing that came to my mind when Lanning was claimed was that Hodges looked a bit heavy when he appeared in the locker room at the conclusion of the 2011 season.

So Hodges wont be running ..err.. waddling on anymore 76 yard fake punts .


glad to see the media nailed that one  

About the Browns ...

Can Pat Shurmur and Brad Childress get Brandon Weeden up to speed in the West Coast Offense in time to make an impact as the Browns' starting QB in September?

Pat Shurmur has been acting like the happiest man in Berea. While the front office is pleased with the recent draft, Shurmur can't wait to coach his team with the new players.

Simply having Trent Richardson in the backfield and Brad Childress as an offensive coordinator are major upgrades over a year ago when Peyton Hillis couldn't stay healthy and Shurmur had too many jobs as a rookie head coach.

But there also is a major challenge for Shurmur and Childress. They are committed to rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden. They believe in his strong, accurate arm and his maturity at age 28. While he showed at the Senior Bowl that he was comfortable taking snaps under center, it remains a new offense for him. At Oklahoma State, he was in the shotgun behind the center for nearly every play.

Weeden also will have play in the best division in football, where the other three teams made the playoffs and the defenses are rugged.

Obviously, the Browns would not have taken Weeden at No. 22 unless Shurmur and his coaches believed in the quarterback -- and also were convinced they could get him ready for the NFL immediately. We'll see if they can pull that off. Just as we'll see if the Browns can upgrade the passing attack by adding only one receiver, Travis Benjamin. They believe there will be internal improvement in Greg Little, Jordan Norwood, Mohamed Massaquoi and Joshua Cribbs.

They are realistic and privately admit that not all four returning receivers plus Benjamin will take steps forward, but they believe some will -- and the addition of Richardson and Weeden will help the process.

About the Browns' draft (the linemen) ...

1. Lost in the obsessions about drafting only one wide receiver is that major attention was paid to roster holes that screamed to be filled. Not only did they pick one right tackle (Mitchell Schwartz), they added another lineman (Ryan Miller) who can play tackle and guard. Picked in the fifth round, the Browns believe Miller can eventually become a starter. They expect Schwartz to walk in and start from opening day.

2. Suddenly, the Browns have a very young and gifted line with All-Pro Joe Thomas at left tackle and Pro Bowler Alex Mack at center. They played young guards Jason Pinkston and Shawn Lauvao last season. Add Schwartz and Miller to the mix, and suddenly fans should not have to worry about seeing a lot of Oniel Cousins at right tackle for a second year.

3. The Browns also believe that because Schwartz started 51 games (35 at left tackle, 16 at right) and Miller started 48 they are close to NFL ready. After breaking his fibula in his sophomore season, Miller has missed only two snaps on the last three years. The Browns believe they not only added toughness, but also durability. Thomas and Mack have played every snap of their pro careers. Pinkston played every snap at left guard in 2011.

4. Pro Football Weekly rated Schwartz as the top right tackle prospect, and that matched how the Browns viewed it. They say it does take some adjustment to go from left to right tackle, and Schwartz has already shown he can play the position.

5. With Scott Fujita ending each of the last three seasons on the injured list -- and suspended for the first three games of this year because of the Saints' bounty scandal -- a linebacker was needed. They added two in James Michael Johnson and Emmanuel Acho. A fifth-rounder from Nevada, Johnson is especially intriguing because he started 50 games (23 at outside linebacker, 27 in the middle) and can play all three positions. He is very comfortable in the 4-3 scheme used by the Browns.

6. A seventh-round pick, Acho started his final 26 games at Texas, mostly on the outside. Johnson has a better chance to make an immediate impact, but both men are expected to help on special teams. Acho and Schwartz both have brothers in the NFL.

7. The most debated pick was third-rounder John Hughes. The defensive tackle from Cincinnati was surprised to go that high, as were most draft experts. The Browns believe they need depth on the defensive line, and that's why they also added defensive tackle Billy Winn (Boise State) in the sixth round to support tackles Ahtbya Rubin and Phil Taylor.

8. When it comes to Hughes, the Browns believe he will prove worthy because he is strong against the run. By drafting two offensive linemen and running back Trent Richardson -- the Browns are putting a major emphasis on running the ball. By drafting two defensive linemen and signing two defensive ends as free agents (Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker), they want to stop the run. They ranked 28th in rushing, and 30th in defending the run last season.

the autographed football sounds cool . i have mini Buckeye helmets signed by Hawk , Carpenter & Schelegel

They had a mini helmet autographed by some guy named Urban Meyer.  I bid on it for a while but dropped out when the bidding hit the stratosphere.


(OBTW: if bidder # 185 is on here - hope you as much fun as I did)

All eight members of the Browns’ 2011 draft class appeared in at least eight games last season.

And four — defensive tackle Phil Taylor, defensive end Jabaal Sheard, wide receiver Greg Little and left guard Jason Pinkston — became full-time starters as rookies.

So will the Browns’ 2012 draft class yield as many immediate contributors as its predecessor?

Here’s how I expect the Browns’ 11 recent picks to be used as rookies:

• Alabama running back Trent Richardson

Pick: First round, third overall.

Expectation: Immediate starter.

Analysis: The Browns’ brass and Minnesota Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman have said other teams made the Vikings offers for the No. 3 pick in hopes of leapfrogging the Browns and nabbing Richardson. Still, some believe that the Vikings were bluffing and have ripped the Browns for trading picks in the fourth (No. 118), fifth (No. 139) and seventh (No. 211) rounds to move from No. 4 to No. 3 to take Richardson. Either way, I doubt anyone will be complaining in a couple of years if Richardson lives up to the hype. He should provide immediate relief from the inconsistent, dysfunctional situation the team had at the position last season, and I expect him to eventually become a top-five running back. After the Browns fell short in the sweepstakes for Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Richardson became their top priority, and they were wise to make sure they didn’t lose him, too.

• Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden

Pick: First round, 22nd overall.

Expectation: Immediate starter.

Analysis: The Browns’ decision makers have made it clear Weeden is their starting quarterback moving forward. He’s also their most important pick since Mike Holmgren became team president. The Browns obviously drafted Weeden because they believe he’s better than Colt McCoy, and with his prototypical size (6-foot-3½ and 221 pounds) and a good arm, he should prove to be an upgrade. Of course, Weeden will turn 29 on Oct. 14, but the fact he’ll be switching from Oklahoma State’s spread offense to Shurmur’s West Coast system is easily the more pressing matter. Before the draft, Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken told me: “I think the things that will be most difficult for him will be what we don’t do in terms of protections, in terms of being under center, in terms of being under duress and making throws.” The Browns’ chances of improving their record this year will hinge on the pace of Weeden’s adjustment. I predicted the Browns would draft Weeden early in the second round (No. 37 overall) and was a bit surprised they took him earlier. Holmgren has certainly put his reputation as a quarterback guru on the line with this decision.

• California offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz

Pick: Second round, 37th overall.

Expectation: Immediate starter.

Analysis: Considered by many to be the top right tackle in the draft, Schwartz will replace Tony Pashos, whom the Browns cut, in the starting lineup from Day 1. Schwartz had back surgery after his junior season, so durability could be a concern, even though he started all 51 games during his collegiate career. But if he can stay healthy, he should solidify a position that has been a problem for years. His bloodlines (brother Geoff is an offensive lineman with the Minnesota Vikings) won’t hurt his chances of succeeding.

• Cincinnati defensive tackle John Hughes

Pick: Third round, 87th overall.

Expectation: Role player.

Analysis: The majority of Browns fans still can’t believe General Manager Tom Heckert took a defensive tackle in the third round instead of addressing the team’s dire need for a wide receiver. And even Hughes conceded that he didn’t believe he would be picked before the fourth round. For those reasons, it’s safe to say Hughes is the Browns’ least-popular pick this year. Regardless, he should receive significant playing time as a rookie while rotating with starting defensive tackles Ahtyba Rubin and Taylor. If Hughes proves to be a formidable run stopper, Heckert won’t get as much grief for this one.

• Miami wide receiver Travis Benjamin

Pick: Fourth round, 100th overall.

Expectation: Role player.

Analysis: Benjamin does not resemble a legitimate No. 1 receiver despite his elite speed. With the current roster, Little and Mohamed Massaquoi would be the projected starting receivers, though Benjamin should play right away in the slot. He also could be used to handle the return responsibilities along with Josh Cribbs.

• Nevada linebacker James-Michael Johnson

Pick: Fourth round, 120th overall.

Expectation: Immediate starter.

Analysis: Johnson could have a golden opportunity to crack the starting lineup right away, because the NFL suspended strongside linebacker Scott Fujita for the first three games of the upcoming season for his involvement in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal. When Fujita missed the final five games last season with a broken hand, the Browns started D’Qwell Jackson in the middle, Chris Gocong on the strong side and Kaluka Maiava on the weak side. They could do it again but don’t be surprised if Johnson edges Maiava. It might all depend on how defensive coordinator Dick Jauron chooses to use Gocong — he played both outside positions last season and seemed to thrive on the strong side. Johnson played strongside and middle linebacker at Nevada.

• Colorado offensive lineman Ryan Miller

Pick: Fifth round, 160th overall.

Expectation: Backup.

Analysis: Miller played right guard and right tackle in college, so he could be an ideal swing backup right off the bat. He’s a long shot to immediately supplant anyone as a starter, but if he exceeds expectations, he might be able to push right guard Shawn Lauvao to some extent.

• Texas linebacker Emmanuel Acho

Pick: Sixth round, 204th overall.

Expectation: Backup.

Analysis: Acho also could benefit from Fujita’s suspension, though Johnson is more likely to earn a starting job this year. Acho should still be able to find a role on special teams and provide much-needed depth at the position. He has experience at all three spots.

• Boise State defensive lineman Billy Winn

Pick: Sixth round, 205th overall.

Expectation: Role player.

Analysis: Winn, who can play tackle and end, seems to have enough talent to join Hughes as a rotational player. Both Winn and Hughes will likely need to battle Scott Paxson and Brian Schaefering for snaps.

• Arizona cornerback Trevin Wade

Pick: Seventh round, 245th overall.

Expectation: None.

Analysis: If he makes the team, it’ll be a bonus. He might need to fight cornerback James Dockery, who made the team last year as an undrafted rookie, for a roster spot.

• Alabama fullback Brad Smelley

Pick: Seventh round, 247th overall.

Expectation: None.

Analysis: Like Wade, his ability to perform on special teams will be a deciding factor as he attempts to survive cuts. He can play tight end or fullback, so his versatility won’t hurt his chances. The two concussions fullback Owen Marecic suffered last season as a rookie won’t, either.

(OBTW: if bidder # 185 is on here - hope you as much fun as I did)

I did! Making you overpay for OSU memorabilia is fun! When's the next event?

















p.s. I won't mention to anyone that you bid $500 on a Mike Adams autographed Steelers Terrible Towel!!!

(TopDawg - Eat your heart out)

I did!   What an awesome haul!

(OBTW: if bidder # 185 is on here - hope you as much fun as I did)

I did! Making you overpay for OSU memorabilia is fun!

Then we're even, #185 . . . how do you like it way up there in the Stratosphere with your Urban Meyer helmet. 

 

I won't mention to anyone that you bid $500 on a Mike Adams autographed Steelers Terrible Towel!!!

You mis-read the bid sheet, #185.  the winning bid for THAT little jewel was $.05 due to the toxic nature of the merchandise. (I'm putting in a new toilet and needed a rag to stuff in the mounting flange while the old toilet was out of there.)