CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns will spring rookie running back Trent Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden on the AFC North this season, but the rest of the division also had solid drafts, even if some lacked the big-name power of the Browns’ first round.

The Bengals’ draft earned rave reviews nationally, and the Steelers, who re-stocked their offensive line, always seem to get it right. Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome added a premier linebacker who promises to wreak havoc like so many of the others.

The Browns were the only AFC North team not to make the playoffs in 2011, but hope their new backfield can get them there soon.

“You start with Cleveland, anytime you can get a running back, it shortens the game,” Newsome said during his post-draft press conference. “And them getting a guy like Trent [Richardson] and then getting a quarterback — but not only a quarterback — a quarterback that has some maturity, I think that learning curve may be a lot shorter with him. So, they did a good job.

“Then Cincinnati, Marvin [Lewis] having two first-round picks to get the offensive lineman and the corner that they got [Dre Kirkpatrick]. And then you move on to Pittsburgh.

“So, I think all three teams really helped themselves in this year’s draft, and they just made competing in the AFC North that much tougher.”

A look at the drafts of the Browns’ division rivals:

Cincinnati: National analysts Mel Kiper Jr., Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden gushed over the Bengals’ draft, and it’s easy to see why. They spent their top first-round pick on a tall, athletic cornerback in Alabama’s Dre Kirkpatrick and then traded down in the round and picked up a stud starting right guard in Wisconsin’s Kevin Zeitler.

Kirkpatrick is 6-1, 185 and will compete with Nate Clements for the starting job.

“[We like tall] guys that can get hands on the receivers at the line of scrimmage; and he moves his feet laterally well,” defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer told reporters in Cincinnati. “He does a great job in bump and run. The taller corners have an advantage when they’re going down the field because the ball has to go over the top of outstretched arms.”

The Bengals then shored up their interior defensive line with Penn State tackle Devon Still in the second round and Clemson’s Brandon Thompson in the third.

The Bengals added two receivers to complement A.J. Green: Rutgers’ Mohamed Sanu in the third round and California’s Marvin Jones in the fifth. Sanu had 115 catches last season, but lacks elite speed. Jones is faster and can get open, and should get playing time.

They also tabbed 251-pound Georgia tight end Orson Charles, who’ll create mismatches over the middle and allow the Bengals to play more two tight end sets.

Pittsburgh: The Steelers’ draft wasn’t flashy, but smart and solid.

They began by shoring up their offensive line with No. 24 pick David DeCastro, the top-rated guard from Stanford, and second-round tackle Mike Adams from Ohio State, who made certain commitments to the Steelers after he tested positive for marijuana at the combine. The Steelers were ecstatic when DeCastro, the draft’s highest-rated guard, slipped to them, and he’ll start immediately.

Adams can start on either side, and will compete with veteran Willie Colon. Miami linebacker Sean Spence, taken in the third round, is smallish for the position, but he’s fast, explosive and a sure tackler. Kiper had him rated one spot behind Browns’ sixth-round pick Emmanuel Acho.

Fourth-round defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu will be groomed to replace Casey Hampton down the road. An intriguing prospect is small, speedy Florida running back Chris Rainey (5-8, 180), who will sub for Rashard Mendenhall, who’s coming off ACL surgery.

“I’m a playmaker all around,” said Rainey. “I’m perfect for this offense.”

Baltimore: Leave it to Newsome to trade out of the first round but still land Alabama linebacker Courtney Upshaw.

Upshaw undoubtedly came highly-recommended from Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban, and should provide a formidable edge-rusher to team with Terrell Suggs. He had 15 1/2 sacks the past two seasons and has something to prove after tumbling out of the first round.

He’ll also have a great role model in Ray Lewis and some extra motivation twice a year to try to set the edge against his former Alabama teammate, Richardson.

The Ravens added offensive depth with their next three picks: Iowa State tackle Kelechi Osemele, who will most likely play guard, Temple running back Benard Pierce, who rushed for 1,481 yards and 27 TDs last year, and Delaware guard Gino Gradkowski.

Newsome came back in rounds four and five with cornerbacks for this pass-oriented league, size and speed guy Christian Thompson of South Carolina State and possible nickelback and special-teamer Asa Jackson of Cal Poly. They also tabbled 6-5 Miami receiver Tommy Streeter, a deep-threat for Joe Flacco.

The Ravens’ draft received mixed reviews locally, but count on Newsome to have unearthed some gems.

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Veteran quarterback Seneca Wallace wasn’t a fan of mentoring Cleveland Browns starter Colt McCoy last season, but he’s singing a different tune about Brandon Weeden.

“I know my job going into my 10th season of being in this offense is to prepare Brandon Weeden to get him right and make sure he’s ready to go for Day 1,” Wallace told WKRK-FM, according to The Plain Dealer. “This is a different beast. This is a first-rounder that we drafted, 22nd overall, and from a business standpoint, you know and everybody else knows and outsiders know that this kid’s got to play. My job as a veteran guy is to make sure he’s ready to play.”

Wallace, 31, welcomed the opportunity to address his lack of enthusiasm at the prospect of mentoring McCoy, who’s 25.

“People looking at me and saying that he doesn’t want to mentor, no, I’m more than willing,” he said. “I’ve been a team guy for 10 years. There’s never been a knock on me not being a team guy. I actually caught a ball from Colt McCoy this past season. It’s not that I’m not a team guy and don’t want to help out. At the same time, going into the season, I have to prepare myself to be ready to play in the event (someone is hurt).”

Last season, there was an open competition between Wallace and McCoy. This year, Wallace sees Weeden, 28, as a replacement for both quarterbacks.

“Going into 2012 now, with Brandon Weeden coming in, he’s a first-round draft pick,” Wallace said. “We all know the business side of it, and you’re going to see that guy play, if it’s Week 1 or Week 7, he’s going to be playing.”

(Re-post from last April, as the 2011 NFL draft approached)

Today we finish our countdown of the Cleveland Browns’ 100 best draft picks of all time.

Previously, we have posted the Browns best all-time picks Nos. 100-81, followed by Nos. 80-61 and Nos. 60-41 and Nos. 40-21.

This is not a ranking of the 100 best players drafted by Cleveland. Instead, it’s an estimation of the 100 best Browns’ picks in terms of value. Simply, a Player A taken by the Browns with, say, the 120th overall pick, turned out to be a better pick for value than did a Player B who might have contributed a little more but was a 55th overall pick.

Only players who played at least three seasons with the Browns after being picked by the team in the annual draft were considered. Players acquired through a rare supplemental draft, such as Bernie Kosar, Kevin Mack and Mike Johnson, aren’t included because the mechanics of the supplemental draft are not comparable to the regular draft.

Browns greats such as Otto Graham, Marion Motley, Lou Groza, Dante Lavelli, etc., aren’t included, as they began their Browns’ careers in the All-America Football Conference.

Performance with the Browns only is considered. For instance, future Hall of Famers Doug Atkins, Willie Davis, Henry Jordan and Dick LeBeau were Browns’ draft picks from 1953-59. LeBeau was cut by the Browns before playing for them. The other three were traded by the Browns after just two seasons each as part-time players.

Playoff game performances were considered. Statistics are only for what a player did with the Browns. Statistical considerations in the rankings recognize that the game has become more pass-oriented in the last 30 years or so. Also, some players’ values are enhanced by what the Browns eventually got for them in trades.

Only occasionally is it considered whom the Browns didn’t take. The value of 1976 picks Mike Pruitt (seventh) and Dave Logan (65th) shouldn’t be diminished because they and no other team selected future Hall of Fame tackle Jackie Slater until the Los Angeles Rams took him 86th.

Positions: Offense — QB, quarterback; RB, running back; FB, fullback; WR, wide receiver; TE, tight end; C, center; G, guard; T, tackle; PK, placekicker; P, punter; Rtn, kickoff and/or punt returner; LS, long snapper.

Defense — E, end; T, tackle; NT, nose tackle; LB, linebacker; CB, cornerback; S, safety; DB, cornerback and safety.

Key: ranking number, player, position, year drafted, round/overall pick number, college, years with Browns.

20. Ray Renfro, WR-RB, 1952, 4/48, North Texas, 1952-63. Earned Pro Bowl or second-team all-league recognition in five different seasons. Sprinter’s speed helped him average 19.6 yards on his 281 pass receptions, the 15th best career yards-per-catch in NFL history.. Caught 50 touchdown passes and ran for four more TDs. Caught seven passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns in the Browns’ 1954 and 1955 championship game wins.

19. Joe Thomas, T, 2007, 1/3, Wisconsin, 2007-10. Assuming he stays healthy, Thomas is on track to move up on any list like this in the future. Made the Pro Bowl team each of his four seasons and named to all-pro first-teams each of the last two seasons. Has started all 64 games at left tackle. (Ranking was made prior to the 2011 season)

18. Gary Collins, WR-P, 1962, 1/4, Maryland, 1962-71. Three-time first-team all-pro. Averaged 16 yards on his 331 career receptions, and caught 70 touchdown passes. After playing as a backup his rookie season, caught 61 TD passes in his six full seasons — many on the famed “(Frank) Ryan to Collins post pattern” — the 61 TDs a remarkable number in a running game-oriented era of 14-game seasons. Scored five touchdowns in postseason play. Three of them (18, 42 and 51 yards) were the game’s only TDs in the Browns’ 27-0 upset win over the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 championship game. Was the Browns’ punter his first six seasons. Led the NFL with a 46.7-yard punting average in 1965.

Video: Highlights of the Browns’ last two regular season games in 1964, and the 27-0 title game win over the Colts, when Gary Collins caught three touchdown passes (videos from youtube.com):

The Plain Dealer’s Browns History Database includes PD stories on every regular season and playoff game the Browns have played in. The late Chuck Heaton, the PD’s longtime Browns beat writer, wrote about the Browns’ title game win over the Colts on Dec. 27, 1964 at Cleveland Stadium.

17. Greg Pruitt, RB-Rtn, 1973, 2/30, Oklahoma, 1973-81. Made the Pro Bowl his first two seasons due in large part to his return game, and made it in 1976 and 1977 because of his play at halfback. Rushed for 5,496 yards as a Brown, averaging 4.7 yards a carry. Caught 323 passes and totaled 43 touchdowns. Missed much of the 1979 season with a knee injury, and was used primarily as a receiver the next two years.

16. Hanford Dixon, CB, 1981, 1/22, Southern Mississippi, 1981-89. Dixon, and the Browns other cornerback, Frank Minnifield, both played man-to-man pass coverage as well as virtually any DB in the 80′s. Named first-team all-pro twice. Missed just three games, not counting the three “replacement player games” during the 24-day players strike in 1987. Intercepted 26 passes.

15. Ken Konz, CB-S, 1951, 1/14, Louisiana State, 1953-59. Served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War before joining the Browns in 1953. A first-team all-pro twice. Intercepted 30 passes (four returned for touchdowns) during regular season games — and had two INTs in the Browns’ 56-10 championship game win over the Lions in 1954, and two more in the 38-14 title win over the Rams in 1955. Led the league with a 14.4-yard punt return average in 1956. Occasionally used as a punter.

14. Jerry Sherk, DT, 1970, 2/47, Oklahoma State, 1970-81. Didn’t miss a game in his first seven seasons, and again in 1978, but was slowed by injuries his last three years. One of the quickest tackles in the league, he was a stalwart run-stopper and a fine pass rusher. Played in four Pro Bowls and was first-team all-league twice.

Video: Highlights of a 27-17 Browns’ win in 1972 at Philadelphia, including some glimpses of Jerry Sherk (72).

13. Bobby Mitchell, RB-Rtn, 1958, 7/84, Illinois, 1958-61. Played halfbaack with Jim Brown at fullback. Rushed for 2,297 yards, 5.4 per carry, and 16 touchdowns as a Brown. Averaged 11.4 yards on 128 receptions, with 16 touchdowns. Returned 62 kickoffs for a 25-yard average and three TDs, and 54 punts for an 11.2-yard average and three touchdowns. Traded with halfback Leroy Jackson, the Browns’ 11th pick in the 1962 draft, to Washington for the first pick in the draft, halfback and 1961 Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. Davis was stricken with leukemia that summer, and died on May 18, 1963. Mitchell was used primarily at wide receiver with Washington, where he continued to build on his Hall of Fame career.

12. Clay Matthews, LB, 1978, 1/12, Southern California, 1978-93. The Browns’ all-time sacks leader with 76 1/2. Played in four Pro Bowls and was first-team all-pro once. Played in a Browns’ record 232 games, including 216 starts. Adept at covering receivers out of the backfield and excellent against the run. Clinched the Browns’ 1989 playoff game win over Buffalo, 34-30, with a late interception of a Jim Kelly pass near the Browns’ goal line.

11. Cody Risien, G-T, 1979, 7/183, Texas A&M, 1979-89. Became a starter as a rookie. One of his era’s taller offensive linemen at 6-7, Risien excelled in both run and pass blocking. Missed the 1984 season with a knee injury. Was first-team all-league twice and played in two Pro Bowls.

10. Walt Michaels, LB, 1951, 7/86, Washington & Lee, 1952-61. We’re including Michaels even though the Browns traded him to Green Bay during his rookie season training camp. They re-acquired him via trade the next April. Played in five Pro Bowls and was first-team all-league three times. Helped the Browns to five championship games. Intercepted a pass in each of the two title game wins, 1954 and 1955.

9. Michael Dean Perry, DT-DE, 1988, 2/50, Clemson, 1988-94. Great run-stopper who provided a terrific inside pass rush, with 51 1/2 quarterback sacks. Combination of strength and quickness. Played in five Pro Bowls, and made one or another first-team all-league team in each of his last six seasons with the Browns.

8. Dick Schafrath, T, 1959, 2/23, Ohio State, 1959-71. Replaced Hall of Famer Lou Groza at left tackle in 1960, after Groza retired after starting at the position since the Browns’ inception in 1946. Groza ended his one-year retirement to resume his legendary place-kicking career in 1961. Schafrath made first-team all-pro four times and played in six Pro Bowls. Missed just two games. A strong case can be made that he should be in the Hall of Fame.

Video: From the first segment of the 1965 Browns highlight film, see Dick Schafrath (77) pass protect for Frank Ryan and run block for Jim Brown and Ernie Green (one of the very few games Schafrath missed during his career was the 1965 championship game, a 23-12 Browns’ loss to Green Bay, which he sat out with an injury):

7. Brian Sipe, QB, 1972, 13/330, San Diego State, 1974-83. Sipe was on the Browns “taxi squad” as an inactive roster player in 1972 and 1973. Had mixed results in the several games he played for the poor 1974-75 Browns teams. Took over in 1976 and was the ringleader of the “Kardiac Kids,” known for their late-game heroics. Though the 1980 season ended with the interception of a Sipe pass in the end zone, clinching an Oakland playoff game win, the Browns would have never been there without the season-long brilliance that earned Sipe the NFL MVP Award. Cleveland’s all-time leader in several career passing categories.

6. Paul Warfield, WR, 1964, 1/11, Ohio State, 1964-69, 76-77. After playing halfback at Ohio State, the Browns turned Warfield into a wide receiver during his rookie training camp in 1964. He was first-team all-pro and a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, and also in 1968 and 1969. Despite missing almost all of the 1965 season with a broken collarbone, Warfield caught 215 passes, averaging 20.2 yards a catch, and scored 44 touchdowns before he was traded to Miami after the 1969 campaign. He had also caught 24 passes for 404 yards and a touchdown in seven playoff games.

Warfield was sent to the Dolphins for their first pick, the third overall, in the 1970 draft. The Browns’ rationale for the trade was that they had to groom a quarterback to eventually replace their Pro Bowl QB, Bill Nelsen, whose knees were getting worse game by game. Cleveland used the pick to draft Purdue star QB Mike Phipps. Phipps replaced Nelsen one game into the 1972 season and led the Browns to a 10-3 record the rest of the way and a playoff berth. Cleveland was on the verge of the playoffs the next year before losing its last two games, and the Browns were a combined 7-21 in 1974-75.

Phipps separated his right (throwing) shoulder in the 1976 season opener, and Brian Sipe took over at QB. The Browns traded Phipps to the Bears and, as part of the deal, got a 1978 first-round pick in return. They used it to take tight end Ozzie Newsome with the 23rd overall pick.

Warfield, a Hall of Famer, helped the Dolphins win two Super Bowls. He returned to the Browns for his final two seasons, totaling 56 catches for 864 yards and eight touchdowns.

Video: From the Browns’ 1969 highlight film, Paul Warfield helps the Browns to a 38-14 rout of the Cowboys in a playoff game at Dallas.

5. Jim Ray Smith, G-T-DE, 1954, 6/64, Baylor, 1956-62. Spent nearly two years in the U.S. Army before joining the Browns several games into the 1956 season. Played the rest of the campaign at defensive end, before being moved to guard for the 1957 seaon. He proceeded to make one or another first-team all-pro team in each of his remaining six seasons with the Browns, and to play in five Pro Bowl games.

4. Ozzie Newsome, TE, 1978, 1/23, Alabama, 1978-90. Hall of Famer, as one of the tight ends who revolutionized the position with their ability to make plays downfield. All-time Browns leader in receptions (662) and receiving yardage (7,980). Didn’t fumble in his last three seasons. Missed just three games. First-team all-pro twice and second-team five times.

Video: A segment from a Monday Night Football game on ABC in 1979, when the Browns routed Dallas, 26-7. Two Browns’ touchdowns, including an Ozzie Newsome catch of a Brian Sipe pass.

3. Leroy Kelly, RB-Rtn, 1964, 8/110, Morgan State, 1964-73. Hall of Famer. Excelled as a punt-kickoff returner his first two seasons, and as a backup running back. Took over as the Browns’ featured runner after Jim Brown’s retirement in 1966. Rushed for 7,274 yards, leading the NFL twice. Also led in yards per carry twice and in rushing touchdowns three times. Caught 190 passes. Returned kickoffs and punts for 2,774 yards. Led league in yards per punt return once. Totaled 90 touchdowns. Made one or another first-team all-pro team five times and played in six Pro Bowls.

Chuck Heaton wrote in his Plain Dealer game story about Kelly’s great performance running with the football and catching it, too, during the Browns’ 35-17 win over the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 10, 1968, in Cleveland.

2. Gene Hickerson, G, 1957, 7/78, Mississippi, 1958-73. Hall of Famer. First-team all-pro five times and second-team another time. Played in six Pro Bowls. Missed the 1961 season with a broken leg. Missed just two other games. One of the fastest pulling guards ever, he led the way on the famed Browns sweep for Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, Leroy Kelly and Ernie Green.

1. Jim Brown, RB, 1957, 1/6, Syracuse, 1957-65. Hall of Famer regarded by many as the greatest player ever. Won various NFL MVP awards in four seasons, and was consensus first-team all-pro in every season except 1962, when he got some first-and second-team recognition. Held virtually every rushing record when he retired. Rushed for 12,312 yards and 5.2 yards per carry. Caught 262 passes for 2,499 yards. Scored 106 rushing TDs and 20 receiving TDs. Averaged 104 rushing yards a game over the 118 games in his career, as NFL seasons were 12 games his first four seasons and 14 games his last five campaigns. Ran for 114 yards in the Browns’ 27-0 win over the Colts in the 1964 championship game.

Video: From the Browns’ 1961 highlights film, Jim Brown ties his own record — then the NFL record — with 237 rushing yards in a 45-24 Browns’ win over the Eagles in Cleveland Stadium:

CLEVELAND, Ohio — I know I’m the last person in the world still picking Justin Blackmon for the Browns at No. 4. I’m not saying I won’t convert to Trent Richardson before the draft, but this is my story for now, and I’m sticking with it.

I also think the Browns will field some offers on draft day, and that they’ll consider trading down if the right deal is there. At least four teams have expressed interest in trading up, including the Rams (No. 6) and Eagles (15).

Two other changes this week: Boston College Luke Kuechly for the Panthers at No. 9 instead of South Carolina defensive end Melvin Ingram and Iowa tackle Riley Reiff for the Bills at No. 10 instead of Notre Dame receiver Michael Floyd.

1. Indianapolis — Andrew Luck, quarterback, Stanford.

Comment: No rumblings this week from owner Jim Irsay about Robert Griffin. He’s too busy tweeting about teams needing to trade up to No. 3 to draft Ryan Tannehill.

2. Washington (trade with Rams) — Robert Griffin III, quarterback, Baylor.

Comment: No doubt about this one.

3. Minnesota — Matt Kalil, offensive left tackle, USC.

Comment: Here’s where it gets interesting. Will the Vikings pass on Kalil? GM Chris Spielman has talked about trading out of this pick. If Kalil is available at No. 4, the Browns’ phone will definitely be ringing.

4. Browns — Justin Blackmon, wide receiver, Oklahoma State.

Comment: I could make things easy and jump on the Trent Richardson bandwagon. But I can’t help but think touchdown catches would be a good thing for the Browns.

5. Tampa Bay — Morris Claiborne, cornerback, LSU.

Comment: I’ve been hearing that Claiborne is not only a great player, but a great kid and smart. If the Browns pass on him, they’ll wince while doing so.

6. St. Louis — Trent Richardson, running back, Alabama.

Comment: Will the Rams consider a draft day trade with the Browns? Coach Jeff Fisher has been touting Richardson this week.

7. Jacksonville — Quinton Coples, defensive end, North Carolina.

Comment: The Jaguars could consider several other players here, including Ingram.

8. Miami — Ryan Tannehill, quarterback, Texas A&M.

Comment: If the Dolphins don’t take Tannehill, he could go No. 11 to K.C. or 12 to Seattle. The Dolphins could also go with Coples if he’s there.

9. Carolina — Luke Kuechly, linebacker, Boston College.

Comment: Kuechly’s stock has been steadily rising. Could be a perennial Pro Bowler.

10. Buffalo — Riley Reiff, offensive tackle, Iowa.

Comment: Coached by former Browns OL coach Kirk Ferentz, the Bills know he’ll be NFL ready.

The Cleveland Browns had one of the worst records in the NFL last season. The Browns won only four games.

So as Jamison Hensley of ESPN writes, the Browns should have one of the easier schedules for 2012, right?

The Browns have the third-hardest schedule next season and the toughest one among non-playoff teams. The Browns’ opponents in 2012 had a combined 135-121 record (.527) last season.

One reason for this is the fact that Cleveland plays in the AFC North, which sent three teams to the playoffs last season. So that’s six games against teams with a combined record of 33-15 (.688).

The Browns will have only four games against teams with losing records. Clearly, these upcoming games against Kansas City, Washington, Buffalo and Indianapolis are not gimmies.

More Cleveland Browns

The good and the bad when it comes to picking in the first round (CantonRep.com).

Receivers are the most talented group in the NFL Draft (Cleveland.com).

Why would the Browns listen to the Colts (CBSSports.com)?

Here are a couple of football camps led by Greg Little and T.J. Ward.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The upcoming NFL draft has plenty of people talking to themselves, including me. The Browns have the fourth, 22nd and 37th picks in the first two rounds.

Question: Can the Browns mess up the No. 4 pick?

Answer: Here the No. 4 picks in the last five years:

2011: A.J. Green. An emerging star receiver with the Bengals;

2010: Trent Williams. An offense tackle with Washington who has talent, but also flunked a drug test;

2009: Aaron Curry. Drafted by Seattle, traded to Oakland. Considered a disappointment;

2008: Darren McFadden. A good running back for Oakland, but has battled injuries and has had only one big season (1,157 rushing yards in 2010). He played only seven games in 2011; and

2007: Gaines Adams, a defensive end drafted by Tampa Bay, traded to Chicago and then died of a heart condition in 2010.

Q: Well, aren’t you Mr. Sunshine?

A: Just reporting the facts.

Q: So the Browns can mess up the pick?

A: I don’t think they will. If they stay at No. 4, they will have a crack at three of these four players: Mo Claiborne, Matt Kalil, Trent Richardson and Justin Blackmon.

Q: Don’t most fans want Richardson?

A: The Alabama running back is considered the favorite according to our Cleveland.com poll.

Q: Isn’t No. 4 too high for a running back?

A: Here’s the list of the rushers who gained more than 1,200 yards in 2011, along with where they were drafted.

1. Maurice Jones-Drew (No. 60, 2006), 1,606 yards; 2. Ray Rice (No. 55, 2008), 1,364; 3. Michael Turner (No. 154, 2004), 1,340; 4. LeSean McCoy (No. 53, 2009), 1,309; 5. Arian Foster (undrafted, 2009), 1,224; 6. Frank Gore (No. 65, 2005), 1,211; 7. Marshawn Lynch (No. 12, 2007), 1,204.

Q: So No. 4 is too high for a running back?

A: I will argue this: If Richardson can run for 1,200 yards, he’s worth the No. 4 pick. In 2007, former Browns General Manager Phil Savage was debating between Joe Thomas and Adrian Peterson for the No. 3 pick. He went with Thomas, the All-Pro tackle who is the franchise’s best selection since the return in 1999. Peterson went No. 7 to Minnesota, where he became a superstar.

Q: What will the Browns do about Richardson?

A: On my Facebook page, Greg Gotti posted an argument that Richardson is right for the Browns because you must be able to run the ball in the AFC North with all the rugged defenses. Tyler Bates countered with the AFC North defenses beating up Richardson in a few years. I would not be surprised if this same discussion is taking place in Berea.

Q: What is Tom Heckert’s recent draft history when it comes to running backs?

A: He picked LeSean McCoy in 2009′s second round for the Eagles. He also traded up and took Montario Hardesty in the second round of 2010 for the Browns. So he may look for a back in the second round.

Q: What if they take Matt Kalil at No. 4?

A: I have been whining about not signing a right tackle. Kalil is supposed to be the Joe Thomas of this draft. So he’d put the Browns in a great position up front with Thomas at left tackle, Kalil at right tackle and Alex Mack at center.

Q: Do you think they will take him if he’s available?

A: No. They may trade the pick to a team that wants a left tackle.

Q: Trading down?

A: I’m OK if it’s a few picks … but not down into the 20s. They need impact players.

Q: Don’t you think fans will go crazy if they trade way down?

A: That’s putting it mildly.

Q: Why would they take Mo Claiborne at No. 4? Don’t they need offense?

A: They need offense, but my hunch since January has been Claiborne. I still think he’s a serious candidate. The Browns love good cornerbacks, it’s why they took Joe Haden in the first round in 2010. I can imagine them saying, “With Haden and Claiborne, our secondary can be set for years. These guys can cover and we can then bring heat on the cornerback.”

Q: What about Claiborne’s low score on the Wonderlic test?

A: Most teams knew for months that Claiborne had a learning disability and would not test well. I believe the Browns and several other teams at the top of the draft will not reject Claiborne because of the test.

Q: What about Blackmon?

A: Evan Shanley posted this on my Facebook page: “We HAVE to take Blackmon. We haven’t had a premier wide receiver since we came back. … Running backs are a dime a dozen IF you have a quality offensive line. We’ve just been without a quality wide receiver for too long … we have to try to fill that need.”

Q: Do you agree?

A: I have to think about him, but as Dave Metsch posted, I wish Blackmon were closer to 6-5 than his height of 6-1.

Q: How about Ryan Tannehill?

A: I don’t want the No. 3 quarterback in the draft at the No. 4 pick — especially since even Tannehill’s strong supporters admit that he’s not immediately NFL ready.

Q: What will they do at No. 22?

A: Here’s the last five players picked at No. 22:

2011: Anthony Costanzo, tackle;

2010: Demaryius Thomas, a wide receiver with only 54 catches over two seasons for Denver;

2009: Percy Harvin, a wide receiver who has caught 218 passes in the last three years for Minnesota. I’d love to see the Browns find a player with his speed;

2008: Felix Jones, a running back for Dallas who has gained 2,060 yards over the last three years, nothing special;

2007: Brady Quinn, a quarterback and you know that story.

Q: Your point?

A: The reason that so many people keep talking about the draft is that there is so much to talk about.

BEREA — The Cleveland Browns won’t join the Peyton Manning chase.

However, they’re still in the hunt for Robert Griffin III.

Offering few clues about his plans for the NFL draft, free agency or how he’ll solve Cleveland’s quarterback situation, Browns general manager Tom Heckert said Thursday the team will not pursue Manning, who is a high-priced free agent after being released Wednesday by the Indianapolis Colts.

“Not really,” Heckert said when asked if Manning was on the team’s radar. “He’s obviously a great player and all that, but where we’re at and where he’s at. … To be honest, we have not talked to him or anything. No, that’s probably not a direction we’re going in.”

Heckert met informally with reporters for the first time since undergoing heart surgery in February. A few pounds lighter, he recently returned to the office after recovering at home and missing the scouting combine in Indianapolis, where the Browns got an up-close look at Griffin, Baylor’s talented Heisman Trophy winner.

With the No. 4 overall pick, the Browns might have a chance to select Griffin, considered the best QB prospect in this year’s draft behind Stanford’s Andrew Luck, who is expected to be taken first by the Colts. But with Griffin’s stock soaring and several teams desperate for a franchise quarterback, Cleveland, which also owns the No. 22 pick, might have to trade up to get St. Louis’ pick at No. 2 — if they want Griffin.

The move could be costly.

It’s possible the Browns could wind up in a bidding war with several teams for a shot at Griffin. Heckert treasures draft picks and might be unwilling to part with any of Cleveland’s selections. But the price might be worth it if the Browns, who have three of the top 37 picks, think Griffin can reshape a franchise that has just one playoff appearance since 1999 and was the only AFC North team not in the playoffs in 2011.

Heckert said he has had talks with the Rams, but he wouldn’t classify them as “serious.” He was asked if the Browns would be willing to give up its first-round picks to go higher.

“I’d never say never about anything,” said Heckert, who plans to attend Griffin’s pro day workout March 21.

Heckert called the speculation about a possible trade with St. Louis preliminary and labeled media reports as “crazy.” He also said it’s possible the Browns might hold onto their first pick.

“We feel very comfortable staying at four and getting a good player there, and that could happen,” he said. “And we feel comfortable in moving down and getting more picks, we really do. It’s way early to start talking about this stuff.”

Heckert said the Browns think there are four quality quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. In addition to Luck and Griffin, Heckert said Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill is “untapped” and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden is “super smart.” Heckert said he’s eager to see the 28-year-old Weeden throw at his pro day today.

While the focus has been on jockeying for position to get Griffin, Heckert said the Browns have not given up on Colt McCoy, who had an inconsistent season as a full-time starter.

“We’re not down on Colt McCoy, so I just want to make that clear,” Heckert said. “We still think Colt’s going to be a good player.”

Heckert said there’s comfort in knowing what they have in McCoy. He also thinks adding former Minnesota coach Brad Childress as the team’s new offensive coordinator only will help McCoy, who was plagued by a lack of protection and dropped balls in 2011.

“The question is whether we have enough to see what Colt can do, and I think we do,” Heckert said. “If we catch more balls and protect him better, can Colt be a lot better? Yes. That’s our goal. We still think Colt can play in this league and it’s our job to help him out.”

As for free agency, Heckert won’t change his ways.

Since his days as Philadelphia’s GM, Heckert has resisted the urge to overspend on players. He’ll stick with his method of building mainly through the draft and adding lower-tier free agents to fill particular holes — and the Browns have a bunch.

“We’re not going to go crazy in free agency,” he said. “You look at throughout the history. I know Green Bay didn’t sign one free agent when they won (the Super Bowl) two years ago. I don’t think the Giants signed anybody, or at least anybody you’ve ever heard of as a free agent. You don’t win football games by signing a bunch of free agents. Now, can they help you? Certainly. And if there’s guys that we think can help us, we’ll definitely do it. But it’s easier said than done.”

Heckert’s stance would seem to rule out the Browns making a run at Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn, the prize of this year’s free agent group.

Heckert reiterated the Browns are open to re-signing running back Peyton Hillis, who had a drama- and injury-filled second season in Cleveland. Hillis, who rushed for 1,177 yards in 2010, recently changed agents again and will be an unrestricted free agent.

“If we can work things out, he’d like be here,” Heckert said. “And if we can do it, we’d like him to be here. Whether he has to wait till he sees what happens in free agency, that’s fine with us. We’re willing to do that. We’ll just have to wait and see how things go.”

On other Browns issues, Heckert said:

» The team has not had any contact with linebacker Scott Fujita, who played for New Orleans from 2006-09 and reportedly is entangled in the Saints’ “bounty” scandal.

» He would like to sign veteran kicker Phil Dawson to a long-term contract. The Browns placed their franchise tag last week on Dawson, who has been with Cleveland since 1999 and his coming off one of his best seasons.

» The Browns want to retain free safety Mike Adams and cornerback Dimitri Patterson. Both are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

» Right tackle Tony Pashos underwent ankle surgery Tuesday. Pashos was slowed by an injury to his ankle most of 2011.

BEREA — The Cleveland Browns won’t join the Peyton Manning chase.

However, they’re still in the hunt for Robert Griffin III.

Offering few clues about his plans for the NFL draft, free agency or how he’ll solve Cleveland’s quarterback situation, Browns general manager Tom Heckert said Thursday the team will not pursue Manning, who is a high-priced free agent after being released Wednesday by the Indianapolis Colts.

“Not really,” Heckert said when asked if Manning was on the team’s radar. “He’s obviously a great player and all that, but where we’re at and where he’s at … To be honest, we have not talked to him or anything. No, that’s probably not a direction we’re going in.”

Heckert met informally with reporters for the first time since undergoing heart surgery in February. A few pounds lighter, he recently returned to the office after recovering at home and missing the scouting combine in Indianapolis, where the Browns got an up-close look at Griffin, Baylor’s talented Heisman Trophy winner.

With the No. 4 overall pick, the Browns might have a chance to select Griffin, considered the best QB prospect in this year’s draft behind Stanford’s Andrew Luck, who is expected to be taken first by the Colts. But with Griffin’s stock soaring and several teams desperate for a franchise quarterback, Cleveland, which also owns the No. 22 pick, might have to trade up to get St. Louis’ pick at No. 2 — if they want Griffin.

The move could be costly.

It’s possible the Browns could wind up in a bidding war with several teams for a shot at Griffin. Heckert treasures draft picks and might be unwilling to part with any of Cleveland’s selections. But the price might be worth it if the Browns, who have three of the top 37 picks, feel Griffin can reshape a franchise that has just one playoff appearance since 1999 and was the only AFC North team not in the playoffs in 2011.

Heckert said he has had talks with the Rams, but he wouldn’t classify them as “serious.” He was asked if the Browns would be willing to give up its first-round picks to go higher.

“I’d never say never about anything,” said Heckert, who plans to attend Griffin’s pro day workout March 21.

Heckert called the speculation about a possible trade with St. Louis preliminary and labeled media reports as “crazy.” He also said it’s possible the Browns might hold onto their first pick.

“We feel very comfortable staying at four and getting a good player there, and that could happen,” he said. “And we feel comfortable in moving down and getting more picks, we really do. It’s way early to start talking about this stuff.”

Heckert said the Browns think there are four quality quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. In addition to Luck and Griffin, Heckert said Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill is “untapped” and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden is “super smart.” Heckert said he’s eager to see the 28-year-old Weeden throw at his pro day today.

While the focus has been on jockeying for position to get Griffin, Heckert said the Browns have not given up on Colt McCoy, who had an inconsistent season as a full-time starter.

“We’re not down on Colt McCoy, so I just want to make that clear,” Heckert said. “We still think Colt’s going to be a good player.”

Heckert said there’s comfort in knowing what they have in McCoy. He also thinks adding former Minnesota coach Brad Childress as the team’s new offensive coordinator only will help McCoy, who was plagued by a lack of protection and dropped balls in 2011.

“The question is whether we have enough to see what Colt can do, and I think we do,” Heckert said. “If we catch more balls and protect him better, can Colt be a lot better? Yes. That’s our goal. We still think Colt can play in this league and it’s our job to help him out.”

As for free agency, Heckert won’t change his ways.

Since his days as Philadelphia’s GM, Heckert has resisted the urge to overspend on players.

He’ll stick with his method of building mainly through the draft and adding lower-tier free agents to fill particular holes — and the Browns have a bunch.

“We’re not going to go crazy in free agency,” he said. “You look at throughout the history. I know Green Bay didn’t sign one free agent when they won (the Super Bowl) two years ago. I don’t think the Giants signed anybody, or at least anybody you’ve ever heard of as a free agent. You don’t win football games by signing a bunch of free agents. Now, can they help you? Certainly. And if there’s guys that we think can help us, we’ll definitely do it. But it’s easier said than done.”

Heckert’s stance would seem to rule out the Browns making a run at Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn, the prize of this year’s free agent group.

Heckert reiterated the Browns are open to re-signing running back Peyton Hillis, who had a drama- and injury-filled second season in Cleveland. Hillis, who rushed for 1,177 yards in 2010, recently changed agents again and will be an unrestricted free agent.

“If we can work things out, he’d like be here,” Heckert said. “And if we can do it, we’d like him to be here. Whether he has to wait till he sees what happens in free agency, that’s fine with us. We’re willing to do that. We’ll just have to wait and see how things go.”

On other Browns issues, Heckert said:

» The team has not had any contact with linebacker Scott Fujita, who played for New Orleans from 2006-09 and reportedly is entangled in the Saints’ “bounty” scandal.

» He would like to sign veteran kicker Phil Dawson to a long-term contract. The Browns placed their franchise tag last week on Dawson, who has been with Cleveland since 1999 and his coming off one of his best seasons.

» The Browns want to retain free safety Mike Adams and cornerback Dimitri Patterson. Both are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

» Right tackle Tony Pashos underwent ankle surgery Tuesday. Pashos was slowed by an injury to his ankle most of 2011.

BEREA, Ohio (AP) The Cleveland Browns won’t join the Peyton Manning chase.

However, they’re still in the hunt for Robert Griffin III.

Offering few clues about his plans for the NFL draft, free agency or how he’ll solve Cleveland’s interminable quarterback riddle, Browns general manager Tom Heckert said the team will not pursue Manning, who is now a high-priced free agent after being released by the Indianapolis Colts.

“Not really,” Heckert said when asked if Manning was on the club’s radar. “He’s obviously a great player and all that, but where we’re at and where he’s at … To be honest, we have not talked to him or anything. No, that’s probably not a direction we’re going in.”

Heckert met informally Thursday with reporters for the first time since undergoing heart surgery last month. A few pounds lighter, he recently returned to the office after recovering at home and missing the scouting combine in Indianapolis, where the Browns snared an up-close look at Griffin, Baylor(‘s talented Heisman Trophy winner.

With the No. 4 overall pick, the Browns may have a chance to select Griffin, considered the best QB prospect in this year’s draft behind Stanford’s Andrew Luck, who is expected to be taken first by the Colts. But with Griffin’s stock soaring and several teams desperate for a franchise quarterback, Cleveland, which also owns the No. 22 pick, might have to trade up to get St. Louis’ pick at No. 2 – if they want Griffin.

The move could be costly.

It’s possible the Browns could wind up in a bidding war with several teams for a shot at Griffin. Heckert treasures draft picks and might be unwilling to part with any of Cleveland’s selections. But the price might be worth it if the Browns, who have three of the top 37 picks, feel Griffin can reshape a franchise that has just one playoff appearance since 1999 and was the only AFC North team not in the playoffs last season.

Heckert acknowledged that he has had talks with the Rams, but he wouldn’t classify them as “serious.” He was asked if the Browns would be willing to give up both its first-round picks to go higher.

“I’d never say never about anything,” said Heckert, who plans to attend Griffin’s pro day workout on March 21.

Heckert called all the speculation about a possible trade with St. Louis preliminary and labeled media reports as “crazy.” He also said it’s possible the Browns might hold onto their first pick.

“We feel very comfortable staying at four and getting a good player there, and that could happen,” he said. “And we feel comfortable in moving down and getting more picks, we really do. It’s way early to start talking about this stuff.”

Heckert said the Browns believe there are four quality quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. In addition to Luck and Griffin, Heckert mentioned Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill “untapped” and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden “super smart” during his 30-minute interview session. Heckert said he’s eager to see the 28-year-old Weeden throw at his pro day on Friday.

And while the focus has been on jockeying for position to possibly get Griffin, Heckert said the Browns have not given up on Colt McCoy, who had an inconsistent season as a full-time starter.

“We’re not down on Colt McCoy, so I just want to make that clear,” Heckert said. “We still think Colt’s going to be a good player.”

Heckert said there’s comfort in knowing what they have in McCoy. He also believes adding former Minnesota coach Brad Childress as the team’s new offensive coordinator will only help McCoy, who was plagued by a lack of protection and dropped balls last season.

“The question is whether we have enough to see what Colt can do, and I think we do,” Heckert said. “If we catch more balls and protect him better, can Colt be a lot better? Yes. That’s our goal. We still think Colt can play in this league and it’s our job to help him out.”

As for free agency, Heckert won’t change his ways.

Since his days as Philadelphia’s GM, Heckert has resisted the urge to overspend on players. He’ll stick with his method of building mainly through the draft while adding lower-tier free agents to fill particular holes – and the Browns have a bunch.

“We’re not going to go crazy in free agency,” he said. “You look at throughout the history. I know Green Bay didn’t sign one free agent when they won (the Super Bowl) two years ago. I don’t think the Giants signed anybody, or at least anybody you’ve ever heard of as a free agent. You don’t win football games by signing a bunch of free agents. Now, can they help you? Certainly. And if there’s guys that we think can help us, we’ll definitely do it. But it’s easier said than done.”

Heckert’s stance would seem to rule out the Browns making a run at Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn, the prize of this year’s free agent group.

Heckert reiterated the Browns are open to re-signing running back Peyton Hillis, who had a drama- and injury-filled second season in Cleveland. Hillis, who rushed for 1,177 yards in 2010, recently changed agents again and will be an unrestricted free agent.

“If we can work things out, he’d like be here,” Heckert said. “And if we can do it, we’d like him to be here. Whether he has to wait till he sees what happens in free agency, that’s fine with us. We’re willing to do that. We’ll just have to wait and see how things go.”

On other Browns issues, Heckert said:

- The team has not had any contact with linebacker Scott Fujita, who played for New Orleans from 2006-09 and is reportedly entangled in the Saints’ “bounty” scandal.

- He would like to sign veteran kicker Phil Dawson to a long-term contract. The Browns placed their franchise tag last week on Dawson, who has been with Cleveland since 1999 and his coming off one of his finest seasons.

- The Browns want to retain free safety Mike Adams and cornerback Dimitri Patterson. Both are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

- Right tackle Tony Pashos underwent ankle surgery on Tuesday. Pashos was slowed by an injury to his ankle most of last season.

BEREA, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns won’t join the Peyton Manning chase. However, they’re still in the hunt for Robert Griffin III.

Offering few clues about his plans for the NFL draft, free agency or how he’ll solve Cleveland’s interminable quarterback riddle, Browns general manager Tom Heckert said the team will not pursue Manning, who is now a high-priced free agent after being released by the Indianapolis Colts.

“Not really,” Heckert said when asked if Manning was on the club’s radar. “He’s obviously a great player and all that, but where we’re at and where he’s at … To be honest, we have not talked to him or anything. No, that’s probably not a direction we’re going in.”

Heckert met informally Thursday with reporters for the first time since undergoing heart surgery last month. A few pounds lighter, he recently returned to the office after recovering at home and missing the scouting combine in Indianapolis, where the Browns snared an up-close look at Griffin, Baylor(‘s talented Heisman Trophy winner.

With the No. 4 overall pick, the Browns may have a chance to select Griffin, considered the best QB prospect in this year’s draft behind Stanford’s Andrew Luck, who is expected to be taken first by the Colts. But with Griffin’s stock soaring and several teams desperate for a franchise quarterback, Cleveland, which also owns the No. 22 pick, might have to trade up to get St. Louis’ pick at No. 2 — if they want Griffin.

The move could be costly.

It’s possible the Browns could wind up in a bidding war with several teams for a shot at Griffin. Heckert treasures draft picks and might be unwilling to part with any of Cleveland’s selections. But the price might be worth it if the Browns, who have three of the top 37 picks, feel Griffin can reshape a franchise that has just one playoff appearance since 1999 and was the only AFC North team not in the playoffs last season.

Heckert acknowledged that he has had talks with the Rams, but he wouldn’t classify them as “serious.” He was asked if the Browns would be willing to give up both its first-round picks to go higher.

“I’d never say never about anything,” said Heckert, who plans to attend Griffin’s pro day workout on March 21.

Heckert called all the speculation about a possible trade with St. Louis preliminary and labeled media reports as “crazy.” He also said it’s possible the Browns might hold onto their first pick.

“We feel very comfortable staying at four and getting a good player there, and that could happen,” he said.

“And we feel comfortable in moving down and getting more picks, we really do. It’s way early to start talking about this stuff.”

Heckert said the Browns believe there are four quality quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. In addition to Luck and Griffin, Heckert mentioned Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill “untapped” and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden “super smart” during his 30-minute interview session. Heckert said he’s eager to see the 28-year-old Weeden throw at his pro day on Friday.

And while the focus has been on jockeying for position to possibly get Griffin, Heckert said the Browns have not given up on Colt McCoy, who had an inconsistent season as a full-time starter.

“We’re not down on Colt McCoy, so I just want to make that clear,” Heckert said. “We still think Colt’s going to be a good player.”

Heckert said there’s comfort in knowing what they have in McCoy. He also believes adding former Minnesota coach Brad Childress as the team’s new offensive coordinator will only help McCoy, who was plagued by a lack of protection and dropped balls last season.

“The question is whether we have enough to see what Colt can do, and I think we do,” Heckert said. “If we catch more balls and protect him better, can Colt be a lot better? Yes. That’s our goal. We still think Colt can play in this league and it’s our job to help him out.”

As for free agency, Heckert won’t change his ways.

   Since his days as Philadelphia’s GM, Heckert has resisted the urge to overspend on players. He’ll stick with his method of building mainly through the draft while adding lower-tier free agents to fill particular holes — and the Browns have a bunch.

“We’re not going to go crazy in free agency,” he said. “You look at throughout the history. I know Green Bay didn’t sign one free agent when they won (the Super Bowl) two years ago. I don’t think the Giants signed anybody, or at least anybody you’ve ever heard of as a free agent. You don’t win football games by signing a bunch of free agents. Now, can they help you? Certainly. And if there’s guys that we think can help us, we’ll definitely do it. But it’s easier said than done.”

Heckert’s stance would seem to rule out the Browns making a run at Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn, the prize of this year’s free agent group.

Heckert reiterated the Browns are open to re-signing running back Peyton Hillis, who had a drama- and injury-filled second season in Cleveland. Hillis, who rushed for 1,177 yards in 2010, recently changed agents

again and will be an unrestricted free agent.

“If we can work things out, he’d like be here,” Heckert said. “And if we can do it, we’d like him to be here. Whether he has to wait till he sees what happens in free agency, that’s fine with us. We’re willing to do that. We’ll just have to wait and see how things go.”

On other Browns issues, Heckert said:

– The team has not had any contact with linebacker Scott Fujita, who played for New Orleans from 2006-09 and is reportedly entangled in the Saints’ “bounty” scandal.

– He would like to sign veteran kicker Phil Dawson to a long-term contract. The Browns placed their franchise tag last week on Dawson, who has been with Cleveland since 1999 and his coming off one of his finest seasons.

– The Browns want to retain free safety Mike Adams and cornerback Dimitri Patterson. Both are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.

– Right tackle Tony Pashos underwent ankle surgery on Tuesday. Pashos was slowed by an injury to his ankle most of last season.

Jeff Schudel of The News-Herald writes how the Cleveland Browns, Redskins and Dolphins have begun preliminary talks with the Rams when it comes to acquiring the No. 2 pick to acquire Robert Griffin III.

Schudel writes how the Redskins are the favorite to make the deal happen, the Browns have more to offer because they have the fourth pick and 22nd pick in the first round of the 2012 draft. The Redskins draft sixth in the first round and the Dolphins draft eighth.

Former Browns general manager Phil Savage used to call the months leading up to the draft ‘the silly season” because of all the rumors floating about concerning trade possibilities and reports about players being moved up or down draft boards — usually down — because of perceived weaknesses that suddenly crop up.

Silly or not, if the Browns want Griffin badly enough, they might have to give up both first-round picks this year plus a fourth-round pick this year and their first-round pick next year, writes Schudel.

It beats hunting for another quarterback every year or watching Colt McCoy compete with Seneca Wallace for the starting job.

More Cleveland Browns

Marla Ridenour writes on Ohio.com how Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd is dealing with some off the field issues.

CantonRep.com’s Steve Doerschuk writes about several issues including Mike Holmgren, RG3 and the NFL.

The Cleveland Browns are talking with the St. Louis Rams, writes Mary Kay Cabot on Cleveland.com.

Is it a surprise that ESPN’s Jamison Hensley rates the Cleveland Browns’ receivers last in the AFC North?

A fan on Yahoo.com takes a look at the Cleveland Browns lineup for 2012.

Tom Heckert underwent heart surgery to remove blockage.

Here are a few notes and tidbits on the Dawgs By Nature blog.

By Tom Withers,

Associated Press

9:18 PM Monday, January 2, 2012

BEREA — The growing pains were agonizing, the mistakes numerous, the progress difficult to spot.

The Cleveland Browns had another one of those seasons.

Losing, though, has its rewards in the NFL, which compensates its worst teams with high draft picks to help them get better. After going 4-12, the Browns, with one of the league’s youngest rosters, will have the No. 4 overall selection in April and Cleveland fans are already frothing at the chance to bring in a college star like Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III to be their savior.

As he packed his bags for the offseason Monday, Browns cornerback Sheldon Brown issued a warning to that line of thinking.

“My thing is, if you’re dependent on a draft pick to come in here and change your life, then you’re kidding yourself,” he said. “This game is too hard.”

It certainly has been for the Browns, who haven’t made the playoff since 2002. They’ve lost at least 11 games in each of the past four seasons and a minimum of 10 in eight of the past nine. Green Bay (15) won more games this season than the Browns (14) have won in the past three seasons — combined.

And consider this stat: The defending Super Bowl champion Packers outscored the Browns 560-218.

It was a turbulent first season in Cleveland for coach Pat Shurmur, who because of the NFL lockout didn’t have an offseason to install his new West Coast offense or get to know his team on the field. He made his share of mistakes, but Brown, who was previously with Shurmur in Philadelphia, is confident Browns president Mike Holmgren hired the right coach.

Shurmur has his detractors, but there’s no denying the Browns, who went 0-6 in the rugged AFC North, played hard for him.

Shurmur will discuss his rollercoaster rookie year today, and Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert are scheduled to meet the media Thursday, when they’re sure to be grilled about the team’s quarterback situation.

Colt McCoy made 13 starts this season, but missed his final three games with a concussion. The Browns have a better sense of what McCoy is, and there’s a strong argument to be made for sticking with him in 2012 after investing so much time into his development. But if the Browns — particularly Holmgren — don’t think McCoy can take them to a Super Bowl, they may look for a starting QB in free agency, a trade or the draft.

Cleveland’s wild season included costly injuries, endless drama around running back Peyton Hillis, dropped passes, and tough losses. The Browns lost six games by seven points or less, dropping their final three by a total of 13 points.

Eight games, eight wins. The Baltimore Ravens achieved perfection at home for the first time, and now they’re looking to add to that ledger in the playoffs.
Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes, and the Ravens beat the bumbling Cleveland Browns 20-14 on Saturday to move one step closer to winning the AFC North.
Ray Rice ran for 87 yards and caught a TD pass for the Ravens (11-4), who led 17-0 at halftime and held on.
“I have never been perfect at home in 16 years of football. That’s amazing,” Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis said. “As good of teams we’ve had here, we’ve always found (a way) to lose one or two here or there. I think this year we really made a focus on taking care at home. This is the result, us being able to go 8-0 and being able to be sitting where you want to sit at the end of the day.”
The Ravens would win the AFC North by defeating Cincinnati on the road next week. That would also give Baltimore a first-round bye and a home playoff game — two if New England loses next Sunday at home against Buffalo.
“It’s big, man,” linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We are at our best when we are at (home) and our fans are rocking. So we definitely need a home playoff game, by any means necessary.”
Flacco went 11 for 24 with touchdown passes to Rice and tight end Ed Dickson. He also had a 33-yard run.
Josh Cribbs had a career-high 84-yard punt return for a TD for Cleveland (4-11). But the Browns generated very little offense and were guilty of questionable play calling, bad clock management and untimely penalties in their fifth straight loss.
Cleveland saved the worst for last. Having already burned their three timeouts, the Browns lined up on defense after the two-minute warning with the Ravens facing a fourth-and-2 at the Cleveland 37.
It appeared obvious that Flacco and the Ravens were merely hoping to draw the Browns offside.
As the play clock moved close to zero, Cleveland tackle Phil Taylor jumped across the line of scrimmage to give Baltimore a first down.
“It was the first hard count and we stayed onside,” Taylor said. “The second time, I just jumped. Of course you feel bad, but you just got to move on.”
Said Flacco: “I don’t know if I’ve ever been in position for that to happen. It’s never worked.”
The Ravens then ran out the clock on their eighth straight win over the Browns, including two this month.
“We knew this would be quite a challenge for us,” Cleveland quarterback Seneca Wallace said. “We’re playing the Ravens at home, and they’re playing for everything. I should have played better, and I should have made better decisions.”
Wallace went 19 for 33 for 147 yards in place of Colt McCoy, who was out with a concussion. Peyton Hillis ran for 112 yards, but Cleveland’s offense mounted only one decent drive.
The Browns took the opening kickoff and moved from their own 26 to the Baltimore 30 behind the power of Hillis, who gained 30 yards on six carries. But on a third-and-1, Cleveland inexplicably went to the air, and Lardarius Webb intercepted Wallace’s pass for Mohamed Massaquoi.
Flacco immediately threw deep for Torrey Smith, who drew a 60-yard penalty for pass interference on Mike Adams to set up a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dickson.
Later, a 29-yard throw from Flacco to Smith led to a 48-yard field goal by newcomer Shayne Graham, signed in the middle of the week to take over for the injured Billy Cundiff.
After another Cleveland punt, Flacco directed an 82-yard drive that gave Baltimore a 17-0 lead. Rice slipped behind linebacker D’Qwell Jackson on the right sideline, caught a soft pass in stride and sprinted into the end zone to complete a 42-yard scoring play.
That made Flacco 5 for 5 for 94 yards and two touchdowns on third down.
Cleveland moved deep into Baltimore territory late in the first half, thanks in part to a 30-yard pass interference call against Chris Carr. But with the clock inside 10 seconds and the Browns without a timeout left, Wallace handed off to Hillis instead of spiking the ball, and Hillis went nowhere.
Wallace took the blame, and so did Browns coach Pat Shurmur.
“I need to communicate it better, OK?” Shurmur said.
Time expired before Cleveland could get off another play, and the Browns headed to the locker room after being held scoreless in the first half for the second time this season. The other time it happened was also against Baltimore.
Graham kicked a 43-yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 20-0.
The Browns finally scored when Cribbs took a punt on the right sideline, escaped an arm tackle and broke toward the center of the field before outrunning three defenders into the left corner of the end zone late in the third quarter.
“I was wondering where all the defenders were,” Cribbs said. “I saw all the great blocking around me. From there, it was easy. It was just a walk in.”
Cribbs also contributed to Cleveland’s next touchdown, catching a 23-yard pass from Wallace as part of an 80-yard drive that ended with a 9-yard TD throw to Evan Moore midway through the fourth quarter.
The Browns forced a punt, but on a fourth-and-4 from the Cleveland 45 with 4:03 left, a pass to Hillis did not produce the necessary yardage.
Taylor’s jump across the line of scrimmage soon followed.
NOTES: Ravens KR David Reed hurt his left knee and declared himself out for the season. Also, Baltimore OT Marshal Yanda (chest) and CB Cary Williams (concussion) did not play in the second half. … Shurmur said the Browns sustained no serious injuries. Cleveland closes the season next Sunday against Pittsburgh.