After the NFL Draft , the question is "Who is going to lead?"

Since Utah's Alex Smith wasn't available Braylon Edwards is a good first pick. He has the potential to be the difference between winning and losing six or seven games a season. A teams number one receiver always has the chance to determine the out come of six or seven games. The rest of the draft is a crap shoot with a tug on heart strings for a couple local college players including QB Charlie Frye.

As everyone knows the quarterback and protecting the quarterback are huge Browns question marks. The draft didn't really address these issues. As I recall Trent Dilfer was a Tampa Bay quarterback who had problems during the 2:00 minute drill periods before half-time and the end of the game. Making questionable to poor decisions seemed to be his problem with Tampa Bay. To his great credit he did play well in the Ravens' Super Bowl victory if I am remembering correctly, I turned that game off at the prospect of having to listen to Modell.

The Browns GM Phil Savage and Head Coach Romeo Crennel have given the team an attitude adjustment by shipping out those who seem to have had a problem with the old Coach Butch Davis regeme. I'm not sure that meant they would have the same problems with Coach Crennel but they are gone and the new players are welcome to be part of a new Browns era.

GM Phil Savage has shuffled the Browns deck. Changing 13 starters for 13 new starters. That changes not only the personell but puts a new attitude, a new team spirit on the field. Team leaders or the lack of them will determine if that new attitude will be a winning one. It is extremely difficult for any rookie to learn his new profession and at the same time get to know his new teammates, fight for acceptance and lead all at once. The Steelers QB Rothilsberger did it as a rookie but the Browns new attitude and fate seems to lie with acquired Veterans like Dilfer, offensive linemen Joe Andruzzi and Cosey Coleman who will be in key roles in shaping offensive attitude.

Who will lead is Browns real question.

Coaches get too much blame and too much credit. I believe the leadership has to come from a core of players who want "it" more than anything else who play for a coach who guides them along an unselfish path. Part of that unselfish path being a willingness to work your ass off for your teammates and those you care about most.

Coach Crennel comes from a team with tremendous player leadership. The Patriots have player leadership cores on both their offense and their defense. From Tedi Bruschi and Vrable, Rodney Harrison and their defensive group to Tom Brady and his offensive core they lead by example. They start with aggressive blocking and tackling, hussle and making plays and hitting people especially late in the fourth quarter. When leaders like Deion Branch fight for a bobbled pass they believe, they know they are going to come down with it. The last few years the New England Patriots have exemplified that "team first" attitude. They believed in each other, they knew their teammate would carry out the detail of his assignment and that not to carry out your own assignment would be a breach of trust between brothers. This is the reason Coach Romeo Crennel is in Cleveland.

If three or four of the draftees like Pool, Perkins, McMillan, and Frye give surprising performances the Browns will be fortunate enough to be a contender. Perhaps these defensive players plus Baxter can re-awaken the Browns tackling.

It probably isn't fair to expect a back up, traded about, now Browns starting quarterback Trent Dilfer to become a team leader, but that is exactly what he must do if the Browns are going to the Super Bowl. Browns? Win the World Championship? Isn't that the only reason you play? I wish Dilfer and his new teammates well, the Cleveland fans deserve another winner.

Browns Draft

Alex Smith QB from Utah should be the Browns number one pick. He could be another Rothelsberger as a rookie. I think his home life is a great asset to him as pro quarterback. The offensive line has been improved a bit with new aquisitions which will help Dilfer or whoever starts out backing him up, but the improvements are not enough that the Browns QB will not be running for his life to make broken plays a high percentage of the time. The team spirit, meaning the degree of unselfish drive Romeo Crenell can foster in his players without a Ted Brouscki will determine how well the Browns perform. The Browns need dramatic improvement in their tackling particularly their open field tackling and I don't see that being addressed. The defensive back from Baltimore, Baxter may help but he may be pretty lonesome when a reciever or running back gets into the open field.

Sending a entire defensive line to Denver will give us an unusual way to measure the Butch Davis coaching abilities or inabilities.

I don't see any players from the University of Florida, Gators that could have a positive impact on the Browns, perhaps LB Channing Crowder but he comes with some troubled baggage.

Hyping the draft doesn't make it any more promising than it is for the Browns. Chances are neither quarterback the Browns want will be available by the third pick.
The Browns need some people who can tackle.