Irish QB the latest to visit Browns
By JEFF SCHUDEL
Special to The Inde
http://www.indeonline.com

Window shopping for the NFL draft can be a dizzying experience for a team as lowly as the Browns.

Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn visited Berea Thursday at the invitation of the Browns, one day after running back Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma and former LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell were in town.

Any of the three could make the Browns better instantly, and since the Browns have the third choice in the draft April 28 they are guaranteed at least one of them will be available when they make their pick.

None of the players were made available to the media during their visit. All three spoke at the NFL Combine in February and all three had positive things to say about the possibility of continuing their football career with the Browns.

Quinn in fact, has had to explain over and over that while he would love to play for the Browns, he would be happy playing for any team. Quinn made it sound like he was pushing the Browns to draft him when the Dublin, Ohio, product said on national television he would like to play for the Browns.

“I basically said I was a fan when I was younger and I definitely do have a desire based on where I live because of where they are in the draft,” Quinn said. “I think economically that would be a good situation right now with them drafting in the third spot. But that’s where it stops.

“I’m not biased toward any team based on where I live. Whatever team I go to play for I’m going to be happy to play for.”

Quinn was one of the top-rated players in the country until the Fighting Irish played LSU in the Sugar Bowl. Russell was the better quarterback that night because the Tigers were the better team.

“I don’t think one game necessarily makes a career for someone,” Quinn said. “It doesn’t take away from the fact that we lost. We played terrible in the second half – not only myself but as a team. We didn’t do enough to get a win.

“Any time that’s how you end your career, that’s how you end your last game going into the NFL, of course people are going to harp on that. That’s what everyone can think about and write about. That’s their last memory.”

Quinn had a strong Pro Day March 4 and with it improved his standing in mock drafts around the country.

Browns general manager Phil Savage says NFL draft boards do not fluctuate like those of analysts who make a living writing draft guides. The interviews of Peterson, Russell and Quinn this week were more for the purpose of making sure they are sound physically and to reaffirm the opinion the Browns already have of the respective players.

Russell and Savage are from Mobile, Ala. When Russell was 14 he attended a football camp run by Savage, who worked for the Ravens at the time. When Savage returned to Baltimore, he told Ravens G.M. Ozzie Newsome that Russell had a stronger arm than any quarterback on the Ravens’ roster.

Savage saw Peterson twice in less than two months before Peterson visited Wednesday – once at the scouting combine and once at the Oklahoma Pro Day. He was impressed both times and said Peterson’s injury history – a shoulder, ankle and collarbone – would not disqualify the Browns from taking him.

Savage has said the Browns will take an offensive player with their first pick. The Browns were 31st in the league offensively last season and 30th in scoring.

This is from Pro Football Talk:

1. Oakland Raiders: Calvin Johnson, wide receiver, Georgia Tech.

2. Arizona Cardinals (from Lions, projected): Joe Thomas, offensive tackle, Wisconsin.

3. Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn, quarterback, Notre Dame.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: JaMarcus Russell, quarterback, LSU.

5. Detroit Lions (from Cardinals, projected): Jamaal Anderson, defensive end, Arkansas.

6. Washington Redskins: Gaines Adams, defensive end, Clemson.

7. Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson, running back, Oklahoma.

8. Atlanta Falcons (from Texans): LaRon Landry, safety, LSU.

9. Miami Dolphins: Dwayne Bowe, wide receiver, LSU.

10. Houston Texans (from Falcons): Amobi Okoye, defensive tackle, Louisville.

11. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Willis, linebacker, Mississippi.

12. Buffalo Bills: Marshawn Lynch, running back, California.

13. St. Louis Rams: Jarvis Moss, defensive end, Florida.

14. Carolina Panthers: Robert Meachem, wide receiver, Tennessee.

15. New England Patriots (from Steelers, projected): Reggie Nelson, safety, Florida.

16. New York Jets (from Packers, projected): Darrelle Revis, cornerback, Pitt.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Levi Brown, offensive tackle, Penn State.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: Leon Hall, cornerback, Michigan.

19. Tennessee Titans: Eric Wright, cornerback, UNLV.

20. New York Giants: Ted Ginn, Jr., wide receiver, Ohio State.

21. Denver Broncos: Alan Branch, defensive tackle, Michigan.

22. Dallas Cowboys: Ben Grubbs, guard, Auburn.

23. Kansas City Chiefs: Sidney Rice, wide receiver, South Carolina.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Patriots, projected, through Seahawks): Adam Carriker, defensive end, Nebraska.

25. Green Bay Packers (from Jets, projected): Greg Olsen, tight end, Miami.

26. Philadelphia Eagles: Aaron Ross, cornerback, Texas.

27. New Orleans Saints: Anthony Spencer, defensive end, Purdue.

28. New England Patriots: Arron Sears, offensive tackle, Tennessee.

29. Baltimore Ravens: Ryan Kalil, center, USC.

30. San Diego Chargers: Lawrence Timmons, linebacker, Florida State.

31. Chicago Bears: Dwayne Jarrett, wide receiver, USC.

32. Indianapolis Colts: Joe Staley, offensive tackle, Central Michigan.

According to a recent ESPN.Com poll, The 2007 NFL draft is the most anticipated sports related event this spring. In addition, research numbers indicated that nearly 50% of the Fans who responded to the poll said they would watch some or all of the Draft, which is just 25 days away. In another poll conducted by the Neilsen Media research firm, the indication is that the number of fans who watch all or some of the draft coverage has risen each year since 2002(29.3 million fans). Last year 36.3 million fans tuned into the draft, nearly a 3 million increase from the year before. This year the number could come close to if not top 40 million fans. Amazing for an event that is still considered an afterthough by some(but not us!!)