The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Analyst says taking a QB No. 1 is big mistake
An NFL Network analyst says the Browns would be mak‑ ing a big mistake if they take a quarterback No. 1 overall instead of defense end Myles Garrett. Plus, the Indians’ of‑ fense and Cavs tickets.
ESPN football writer and television reporter Adam Schefter created a mild earthquake on April 11 when he said the Browns are waffling between defensive Myles Garrett and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky as their choice for the first pick in the draft on April 27.
Not since 2012 when the Colts were in position to take quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick has there been a player universally regarded as the best in the draft as Garrett is now.
Would the Browns really choose Trubisky or any of the other quarterbacks with the first pick?
Daniel Jeremiah, draft analyst for the NFL Network, would be shocked if it happens. He was on a recent conference call and was asked how he would react if the Browns took Trubisky, the quarterback from Mentor High School and the University of North Carolina, first overall.
“I’d have to pick myself off the floor, first of all,” Jeremiah said. “Then my thought would be that they made a big mistake. They definitely have a need at the quarterback position. There’s no question about it. I don’t think the team is very good right now. I think there are a lot of other pieces that need to be in place.
“So to me, I would rather continue to build up the rest of your roster, then at the right time insert the right quarterback. Maybe you can find that guy. I wouldn’t love it at 12, but I could at least justify it. But to pass on the best player, not only the best player in the draft, but the best player who is also at a premier position right behind quarterback, to push a quarterback all the way up the board would be a huge mistake.”
Bucky Brooks of the NFL Network was on the same conference call and echoed Jeremiah’s sentiments. He said the Browns should not reach for a quarterback to pacify fans.
“I’m not inclined to take a quarterback (just) because the public sentiment is ‘We need a quarterback to get to the next level,’” Brooks said. “I think if you continue to build up the auxiliary pieces and wait for the quarterback to show up, I think that is a better opportunity and plan for the Cleveland Browns.”
The Browns have had 26 starting quarterbacks in 18 years.
Jeremiah doesn’t like the idea of the Browns picking a quarterback with the 12th selection, either, so he would not support the idea of trading up for a quarterback if they do end up taking Garrett first. The bottom line is he is not high on Trubisky, Deshaun Watson from Clemson, DeShone Kizer of Notre Dame or any of the quarterbacks in this draft.
“Forcing the issue at quarterback has been the biggest problem with this franchise for a long, long time,” Jeremiah said. “You continue on that same path if you force a quarterback here.”
Jeremiah says the Browns would be better off drafting Alabama tight end O.J. Howard with the 12th pick.
• Browns owners Jimmy Jeff Schudel and Dee Haslam felt a personal loss at the passing of Steelers chairman Dan Rooney on April 13. Rooney was 84.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dan Rooney,” the Haslams said in a statement. “Mr. Rooney was a great man and true leader who always put others before himself. His immeasurable impact on the NFL will forever be recognized and his legacy, which includes the Rooney Rule, will continue to guide our league.
“Mr. Rooney’s dedication to the NFL is only surpassed by his commitment to his family. It was a privilege and we were extremely fortunate to have spent time with the Steelers and to be in the presence of such a world class person like Dan Rooney. We are graciously thankful for Mr. Rooney, the way he treated everyone he encountered and his passion for the NFL. Our hearts are with the entire Rooney family, who we know will miss him dearly, as will we, along with the entire NFL community.”
Sometimes the media relations departments of professional sports teams have poetic license structuring team statements. But the one issued by the Haslams is genuine.
The “Rooney Rule” refers to the rule created by Dan Rooney that says teams must interview a minority candidate for a vacant head coaching position.
Slow start, don’t panic
The Indians were 4-6 heading into their game with the Detroit Tigers on April 15. They are not pitching well, but the hitting showed a pulse in a 7-6 loss to the Tigers on April 14. The Tribe trailed, 6-0, at one point.
This is not the start fans envisioned the defending American League champions making, so it might be comforting to know the best team in Indians history got off to a slow start as well.
The Indians set a record in 1954 (when teams played 154 games) by finishing 111-43. They started 3-6 that season and then went 108-37 from April 25 through Sept. 26. The final chapter did not end well; they were swept by the New York Giants in the Word Series — their last World Series appearance before 1995.
Edwin Encarnacion is part of the slow start. He is hitting .156 with five hits in 32 at-bats in nine games. His only RBI was on the home run he hit in the season opener.
Encarnacion hit one home run in 19 spring training games, and that came at the end of the Cactus League season. He hit .311 in the spring.
“His track record is so good,” manager Terry Francona said. “If we’re talking about Edwin struggling in a month, I’ll be surprised.”
Francona is right when he says slow starts are not new for the slugger the Indians signed in the offseason.
Encarnacion hit three home runs in the first month of 2016 with Toronto — his lowest production of the season — while driving in 15 runs and hitting .250. He drove in 25 runs in May and 30 in June with a total of 18 home runs those two months.
He hit .205 in April of 2015 with the Blue Jays with four home runs and 10 RBI.
Playoff tickets a bargain?
The average ticket price on the secondary market for a Round 1 Cavaliers playoff game is $189, according to TickPick.com, and that makes games at The Q a bargain.
Sixteen teams NBA teams make it to the postseason. TickPick.com is reporting tickets for Cavs’ home games with the Pacers on average rank fourth. The Los Angeles Clippers, surprisingly, have the lowest average ticket price at $128 followed by the Spurs ($143) and Bucks ($145). The Boston Celtics are on the high end with an average cost of $520 a ticket.
I didn’t know that
… Until I read my Snapple bottle cap.
Fresh apples float because 25 percent of their volume is air. … A person’s middle finger has the fastest growing nail. … Chicago is named after smelly garlic that once grew in the area. … An eagle has approximately 7,000 feathers. … Rutherford B. Hayes was the first president to use a phone. His phone number was “1.”… A group of cats is called a clowder.
Reach Schudel at jschudel@newsherald.com and follow him on Twitter; @jsproinsider.