Nov 7, 2011 by BABB Member Lorin Fink

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Top Ten Reasons the Browns will win in 2011:

1. QB Colt McCoy is a leader and winner
2. New Coach Pat Shurmer’s offensive mind
3. Healthy RB team of Montario Hardesty & Peyton Hillis
4. DE rookie stud: Jabaal Sheard
5. DT rookie stud: Phil Taylor
6. Safety T.J. Ward – builds on great rookie season
7. CB Joe Haden  –  ditto 
8. WR’s will be better
9. New right tackle (and no more St. Clair)
10. See # 1

2011 Browns Draft Pick Highlights

Rd 1 (21)                          Phil Taylor                   DT         Baylor University

Phil Taylor possesses rare size and athleticism at 6-3 and 334 pounds. He also has nimble feet and above-average range to make some plays outside the tackle box. Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin will be the defensive tackles inside for the new  4-3 set up.Taylor is a big, physical player who can eat up blockers, free linebackers to the ball and get some penetration. With him and Rubin, the Browns have two solid inside defenders.

Rd 2 (37)                          Jabaal Sheard            DE         Univ of Pittsburgh

Jabaal Sheard has elite toughness, with great strength and power at the point of attack against the run and is a good pass-rusher, where he does a good job using his hands on quick swim and rip moves.
Under new Browns Defensive Coordinator Dick Jauron’s 4-3 defense, Sheard can line up at left DE and anchor versus right-handed run offenses and he is a tough, hard-nosed player who will provide very good pass rush capability.

Rd 2 (59)                          Greg Little                    WR      Univ of North Carolina

Little is a former running back and has impressive tools. He has great size and speed, strong hands and plays the ball well. We spent a lot of time on him,” said head coach Pat Shurmur. “He can beat the bump and run, he’s extremely good at catching the football, he’s got size to go up and get the football and he finds a way to get in the end zone. He also had the ability to catch the ball and run with it.”  Added GM Tom Heckert: “When he catches the ball, he tries to hurt you.”

Little has a very interesting skill set. The Browns have several young WRs but there are no dynamic playmakers for Colt McCoy to grow with. Little will be asked to be a big, physical receiver who can make plays on third down.

Rd 4 (102)                        Jordan Cameron       TE                 USC

Jordon Cameron is a former basketball player whose upside as a receiving option has yet to be translated to the football field, and he has to get stronger and tougher as a run blocker. A video of him dunking with friend and LA Clippers star Blake Griffin also generated some positive buzz for Cameron, who remains relatively inexperienced as a football player.  “I have a lot of improvement to do, but I am willing to learn,” Cameron told Cleveland reporters. “I am excited to embrace this process as a tight end and get really into football and really serious about this with good coaching. I can create some mismatches with my athletic ability and stretch the field a little bit.”
He is another target in the passing game for Colt McCoy after they took WR Greg Little in the second round. He can move around the formation and is a tough matchup because of his pass-catching ability. He should be effective on third down and in the red zone.

Rd 4 (124)                        Owen Marecic             FB                 Stanford

Owen Marecic was a two-way player (FB/LB) in college but we project him as a fullback. He is not a great athlete but he takes good angles to blocks and walls off defenders, and he is a tough between-the-tackles runner.
He is a throwback as a FB and he should form a fascinating tandem with Peyton Hillis running behind him. Marecic should contribute immediately in short-yardage and goal line situations, and also be a terror on special teams.

Rd 5 (137)                        Buster Skrine             CB                Tenn – Chattanooga

Buster Skrine has blazing 4.2 speed and enough agility to develop into an effective sub-package corner for the Browns.

Rd 5 (150)                        Jason Pinkston          OT                 Univ of Pittsburgh

Jason Pinkston shows above-average athleticism and lateral quickness.

Rd 7 (248)                        Eric Hagg                     S                   Nebraska

Eric Hagg has the athleticism and awareness to develop into a versatile sub-package reserve and potential starter down the road. He should make an immediate impact on special teams.