2007 CLEVELAND BROWNS:
A Season to Believe

This weekend was hands down THE biggest and most important draft since 1999. XEKE.com is proud that Cleveland's own Mike Trivisano, from 1100 WTAM, is on board with the true importance of this year's draft. Going into the draft, XEKE.com emphasized the importance of drafting Joe Thomas, and filling holes on the team. The aforementioned Mike Trivisano has already coined this year's draft as simply "The Draft." Cleveland sports fans have faced infamous and dubious moments in recent history with "The Shot," "The Drive," "The Fumble," and Game Seven of the 1997 World Series. The Browns have made some rather dubious first round picks since their return in 1999 (Tim Couch, Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown, William Green, and Jeff Faine). GM Phil Savage made the Browns an instant competitive football team in the span of six hours this past Saturday afternoon. After using common sense to draft LT Joe Thomas out of Wisconsin, Brady Quinn dropped faster than Don Imus, and landed at the 22nd pick. Savage used this year's second round and next year's first round picks to trade back into the first round to draft Quinn. Savage later traded up to the second round to take CB Eric Wright ("Easy E"), who experts say is a first round talent. In summation, Savage was able to draft three legitimate first rounders on Saturday, to fill the three most glaringly obvious needs on the team.

With sensible off season signings, including Eric Steinbach, Jamal Lewis, Robaire Smith, Shaun Smith, and Alan Ricard, the Browns solidified up the offensive and defensive line, adding depth and experience, as well as adding a bruising running back and his former fullback. Experts speak of needing five playmakers on each side of the ball to succeed in the NFL. On offense, the Browns have Braylan, K2, Jamal Lewis, Eric Steinbach, Joe Thomas, and Brady Quinn. On defense, the Browns have Andra Davis, Wimbley, D'Qwell Jackson, Leigh Bodden, Sean Jones, and Brodney Poole. It is clear that GM Phil Savage knows exactly what he is doing, and he has patiently created a team with a great chance of success in the not too distant future through free agency and the NFL Draft. In a couple of years, "The Draft" may prove to be the single most important reason that the Browns are Super Bowl contenders.