By Tony Grossi | ESPNCleveland.com

Photo/Getty

I’d like to congratulate the Browns for rekindling discussion on the quarterback position. Just when it appeared that talk was quieting about displacing Brandon Weeden, the Browns added local product Brian Hoyer to the mix. It roused up the Hey Tony faithful.

Hey Tony: So the Browns signed Brian Hoyer this week. I gotta figure 1 of the 3 prominent QBs in camp -- Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell and Hoyer -- will not be around at the start of the season. In your opinion who will it be? My thinking is, Weeden comes out of camp as the starter, Hoyer as the backup and Campbell is cut loose. Your thoughts?

-- Greg, Chardon, OH

Hey Greg: If Weeden plays up to his capabilities, he will win the starting job. Campbell would figure to be the pre-camp favorite for No. 2, given his NFL experience, but I wouldn’t count out Hoyer. My gut feeling is that all three quarterbacks could make the final roster. Whether they all do stick will be determined in camp and preseason – and injuries at other positions at QB around the league.

Hey Tony: Knowing what we do about Jimmy Haslam and his legal trouble, do you feel we are in a better spot now, or a year ago before Lerner sold the team?

-- Josh, Galena, OH

Hey Josh: That’s a loaded question. I think things are going in a better direction now, but if the Haslam ordeal results in another organizational blow-up, we are back to square one. It might be next year before we really know.

Hey Tony: Has anyone asked Joe Banner for his perspective on how to manage someone who may have too positive of a perspective on decisions made by a competitor? Obviously I'm talking about Mike Lombardi and Bill Belichick.

-- Jonathan, Minneapolis, MN

Hey Jonathan: No, the question has not been asked. It’s obvious that Lombardi draws much of his football knowledge from Belichick. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. But we have seen several other Belichick disciples flounder when forced to think independently of their leader.

Hey Tony: I have been following you for your entire career. You have been right in your analysis almost every time. Recent proof is your prognostication that Lombardi loved recently released QB Hoyer and we should "stay tuned." Lo and behold, Hoyer is subsequently signed to a two year deal. So my question is ... would you consider starting another column that would be titled "Hey, I told you so!"? Thanks for the analysis you provide. It is entertaining and insightful.

-- John, Brooklyn Hts., OH

Carlton Mitchell    Photo/Getty

Hey John: If I wrote a column titled “Hey, I told you so,” it would consist of about three sentences. But thanks for noticing this one I got right. Of course, there was the selection of Barkevious Mingo for the Browns … and picking the Ravens to win the Super Bowl in September of last year … and tabbing Carlton Mitchell as a player to watch in 2012. Oh, wait.

Hey Tony: Despite an off-season featuring the concerning Haslam accusations, a lackluster draft, and some head scratching personnel moves, I'm curious if we can rationally conclude that this team is not far from competing in 2013. We lost games last year because we had too many rookies that couldn't finish (see IND, PHI) & our head coach lacked the swagger of a champion to close out a game. Those rookies now have a full year under their belt & Pat Shurmur is gone. While we clearly still have needs in the secondary & lack a proven pass catching TE, our front seven can control their territory & the offense is undeniably capable, maybe even potent. Can we agree there is a strong argument here for rationale optimism as we approach the regular season?

-- Dan, New York City, NY

Hey Dan: Yes, of course. Three things stand out early to me: 1. The coaching staff is a good one. 2. All those rookies force-fed into the lineup last year should make significant improvement in their second season. 3. The defense, while making a major transition in style and complexity, could be a rabble-rousing unit.

Hey Tony: It seems like statistical analysis is driving more football decisions. Is this a big part of the new regime and Lombardi's focus as GM? League-wide trend? Has the front office explained how they're now using stats more to the media?

-- Steve, Hong Kong

Hey Steve: The Browns’ increased use of statistical analysis – or analytics – is a joint decision of CEO Joe Banner and President Alec Scheiner. The team has named a director of football research, Ken Kovash, to spearhead projects using analytics. I’ve inquired about examples of how analytics assisted the recent draft and was politely turned down.

Hey Tony: I have a question about the Browns free agency "moves" as of late. They drafted McFadden seemingly to be the starter across from Haden so my question is this: Would it be better to sign someone like Jammer who is still available to a two year deal knowing he will be nothing more than a stop gap to groom McFadden or do you just put McFadden right in to give him more experience but possibly run the chance of hurting his confidence being an undersized rookie on a thinner secondary if he is overwhelmed out of the gate?

In my opinion I feel pretty safe saying we aren't going to make the playoffs this year so the more starting experience we can give the younger players the better for the 2014 season when the Browns win the division

-- Matthew, Cumberland, ME

Hey Matthew: I believe the Browns are in concert with your way of thinking. Of course, the old regime did the same thing – force-feeding rookies rather than acquiring a veteran to fill a gap for a year.

Hey Tony: I enjoy following your columns on the internet and hearing your reports on the radio. The thing I am wondering about is the supplemental draft. Is it possible that trading for the extra picks in next year's draft could pay off this year with a supplemental pick, like the previous regime did with Josh Gordon? When is the supplemental draft, and are any decent players available? Also, is it possible we have had a draft that produces zero starters? Has that happened before in Browns history?

-- Ron, Macedonia, OH

Hey Ron: Each supplemental draft is different. Few have a player that makes an impact such as Gordon did. The draft usually is held in July. The league doesn’t announce the players eligible – sometimes as few as one – until sometime in late June. As for a draft that produces zero starters, it happened last in 2008 – when the Browns didn’t have a pick in the first three rounds. The only player left of the five the Browns selected is Ahtyba Rubin, who became a starter in his second season.

Ryan Mallett    Photo/Getty

Hey Tony: I hope you're wrong about Lombardi still wanting Ryan Mallett. He reminds me of Tyler Bray in this draft. Big arm, slow footed, not good under pressure, threw too many picks and had a bad attitude. If they wanted that type of player, they should have drafted Bray in the seventh round and had him sit the bench. I don't believe for a minute that Belichick would allow a potential superstar QB to walk with Brady turning 36 this summer. I believe Chud will want his QB to have some escapability along with the arm. Maybe not a Cam Newton, but with some ability to run. That seems to be what's coming out of college in the next few years. Those QBs are much harder to defend. Tony, if Chud and Lombardi are not on the same page with a QB next year, who decides? The national media would make you believe it's the Banner, Lombardi, Norv Turner show with little mention of the head coach.

-- Rick. Shreveport, LA

Hey Rick: I’ve been told by a high-placed source that my speculation about the Browns’ infatuation with Mallett is unfounded. So I will back off for the time being. If Weeden is replaced next year, I would expect Chudzinski and Turner to have the biggest influence on identifying his replacement. I agree with you that it’s likely that Chud would favor a QB with more mobility than what Mallett possesses. I do not believe at this time, however, that Chud would look for a pure read-option QB.

Hey Tony: What I find most disturbing about the Browns' draft was that they traded their 4th round pick to Pittsburgh and then Pittsburgh drafted a safety which was an area of great need for the Browns. At the time I had this sick feeling that this safety would one day go on to make the pro bowl year after year and possibly even make it to the hall of fame while the Browns struggle to find a decent safety. If they hadn't traded with a division rival I might not feel as bad. Do you think others share my fears? Do you think Joe Banner will cringe every time this guy intercepts Brandon Weeden?

-- Glenn, Tucson, AZ

Hey Glenn: Let’s be clear about one thing: Shamarko Thomas, the safety the Steelers coveted and selected through the trade with the Browns, would not fit what the Browns needed at the position. Thomas is a hard-hitting strong safety – perhaps a future heir to Troy Polamalu. Thomas at the least will be a special teams core player for the Steelers in his rookie season. I would be surprised if Thomas is making interceptions v. the Browns in 2013 (famous last words). The Browns needed a free safety to roam the middle of the field and disrupt deep passes, cause turnovers, etc. So my disagreement with the trade was NOT that the Browns passed on a player that could help them. I disagreed with the trade for two reasons: 1. Never hand-deliver a player to a division rival. 2. Use the pick on a player to help the Browns.

Hey Tony: With all the talk about is Brandon Weeden a franchise QB or not, I was wondering if you would put a list together of your Top 25 Franchise QBs of all time? Some great names from the past (Otto Graham, Y.A. Tittle, Bart Starr) come to mind, but I would like to see your take on it. Keep up the good work.

-- Lawrence, Powell, OH

Hey Lawrence: I anticipate putting together a series of lists for posting during the days leading up to the opening of training camp later this summer. Usually, that is when I formulate my lists of the top 10 active players at every position. As for an all-time list of franchise quarterbacks, my top 10 would include: Otto Graham, Joe Montana, John Elway, Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Dan Marino, Terry Bradshaw – in no particular order. I’m sure I left somebody out. I’d need much more time to assemble a final list.

Hey Tony: Really enjoy your work. With all the focus and talk about the new 3-4 "attacking" defense, I can't help but wonder -- how do they plan to stop the run? Clearly an area this team has mightily struggled with since the '99 return and now with our new front seven stacked with undersized OLB's and pass rush specialists (not to mention our best middle linebacker who didn't exactly excel in last iteration of the team's 3-4), aren't teams going to just line up and ram it down our throat? Please tell me I have nothing to worry about!

-- Bob, Cincinnati, OH

Hey Bob: I’ll have much, much more to say and write on this subject during training camp. For now, let me just say that if it seems as though the Browns consider stopping the run an incidental part of NFL football in 2013, well, that’s not by accident. They simply don’t believe devoting resources to the run translates to wins in this era.

Hey Tony: You know the history of the Cleveland Browns as well as anyone. If you were constructing a Mount Rushmore for the Browns who would you pick? I'm thinking Paul Brown, Jim Brown, Otto Graham, and Lou Groza. What say you? Keep up the good work covering the Browns. People call you negative, but considering how poorly the organization has been run since it returned to the NFL, I don't know how anyone could be otherwise. Thanks.

-- Frank, Duryea, PA

Hey Frank: My Mount Rushmore – four cornerstones of the Browns franchise -- definitely would include Paul Brown, Jim Brown and Otto Graham. The fourth piece would be open for debate. As much as I’d like to include a player from the more modern history, it’s not right to include a popular player at the exclusion of a Hall of Famer. Thus, the candidates for the fourth piece, in my opinion, would have to include Bill Willis, Marion Motley, Groza, Paul Warfield, Dante Lavelli, Len Ford, Frank Gatski, Leroy Kelly, Mike McCormack and Gene Hickerson. I may ask for help in filling out the fourth piece.

Hey Tony: When the Browns hired Ray Farmer, the move didn’t make a lot of noise, possibly because free agency and the draft were dominating the news cycle. Prior to Ray coming to Cleveland, however, he was considered to be a GM candidate for many of the openings after the 2012 season. Given the baggage with Lombardi (even Banner admits he’s on a limb here) is it possible that Banner hired Ray to hedge his bets should Lombardi fail?

-- Derek, Findlay, OH

Hey Derek: I don’t know for sure. I do know that on at least two occasions, Haslam has expressed supreme confidence in Farmer as a future GM. That seemed like excessive praise at the time, given Farmer’s low profile.

Tony Grossi covers the Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR, ESPN 1540 KNR2 and www.espncleveland.com. He has covered the Browns with distinction since 1984 and is one of 46 voters for the National Football League Hall of Fame. Email your “Hey Tony” questions to tgrossi@espncleveland.com Follow Tony on Twitter @tonygrossi

By Tony Grossi | ESPNCleveland.com

Photo/Getty

With the Browns’ draft complete, the Hey Tony mailbag had a welcome diversity of topics. At the top are questions about the ongoing FBI investigation of owner Jimmy Haslam’s company.

Hey Tony: Just a couple of lines to credit you on a nice piece of analysis on Jimmy Haslam’s legal issues and how it bears on the team’s immediate future as well as the region’s. It’s a connection I suspect most Browns fans don’t make, other than it being yet another embarrassment. But embarrassment is something we’re used to. The more significant thing is the potential distraction to the team as well as to the guy we all thought was going to be The Leader we could all rally around, and who would finally set the tone and establish that elusive “Browns way” or personality, or continuity or whatever else you want to call it, that long-term successful sports franchises have. Then there’s the financial aspect. While you didn’t mention the debt that the Haslam family somewhat inexplicably saddled their company with; that, plus the ongoing financial concerns that are linked to the legal problems could turn out to be really significant as well. As you mention, the one thing the NFL is focused on, are the dollar signs.

-- David, Vista, CA

Hey David: I must say I am very concerned about how this FBI investigation story ends.

Hey Tony: I find it interesting that Mr. Haslam surprisingly announced earlier this year that he was returning as CEO of PFJ. Could it be that Mr. Haslam had some advanced word or inside information about the potential for legal troubles or an FBI probe? The short duration and timing of his resignation and then quick return as CEO of PFJ is very curious. I know the lockdown of his HQ was unexpected, but do you think the timing of his return is coincidental or possibly a calculated return to defend his baby?

-- Brian, Springboro, OH

Hey Brian: I said all along that Haslam’s return to CEO at PFJ had something to do with a problem with the company. I had no idea the extent of that problem.

Rob Chudzinski    Photo/Getty

Hey Tony: It has always been my belief that the NFL is a coaches game. That a good coach can make an immediate difference is wins and losses for his team. When Belichick came to the Browns, they were immediately more competitive that first year. When Mike Shanahan coaches a new team, they are better that first year. When Chuck Noll took over the Steelers, they immediately became better. Chuck Knox coached the Rams, the Bills and the Seahawks and all those teams were better, with better records his first year. I truly believe that Rob  Chudzinski, with Norv Turner and Ray Horton, are a vast improvement over the coaches we had last year and I expect the Browns to be better this year than last. That means at least 8-8 (we gave away three games last year) and possibly competing for a playoff spot, this year. What do you think about football as a coaches medium and the Browns chances to be better on the field this year, despite what Banner and Lombardi say about building for the future?

-- Nick, Tucson, AZ

Hey Nick: Oftentimes a new coach has a huge impact on his new team in the very first year. In some cases, there is a relapse in the second season. So I believe it takes two years to get a good read on a head coach. I think the coaching staff is the single biggest reason for optimism in the Browns 2013 season.

Hey Tony: In reading the Grantland piece about the draft, the author mentions that there is a statue of Al Lerner in front of the Browns complex in Berea.

How in the world can there be a statue of Al Lerner there (the man with just as much blame for the team moving as Art Modell) and no statue of Jim Brown in front of First Energy Stadium? The greatest player not only in the history of the Browns, but also arguably the greatest player in NFL history, and there is no statue of him welcoming fans to the games. For that matter, they should have not only Jim Brown, also but Paul Brown statues at the stadium and/or training complex. Do you see either statue happening as the Browns explore improvements at the stadium?

— Mike, Cincinnati, OH

Hey Mike: The statue of Al Lerner was commissioned by the Lerner family as a tribute to the deceased former owner of the Browns. I believe retaining the statue outside the team’s headquarters was a special request of the Lerner family to new owner Jimmy Haslam when he bought the team. As for any future statues displayed at FirstEnergy Stadium, I believe there is one candidate and only one candidate. That would be Paul Brown, the founding coach of the franchise. He is the one man responsible for creating an organization whose utter dominance in the 1940s and ‘50s spawned fan loyalty to the Browns that has been passed down for two generations. No disrespect to Jim Brown, but the Browns were established as the premier organization in pro football long before he was drafted in 1957.

Hey Tony: Any chance the Browns are interested in Charles Woodson? I know he's far past his prime but he could come cheap, provide depth, and could be an excellent mentor for a young secondary. Why not try to bring him in on a moderately priced 2-year deal?

-- Jeff, Canton, OH

Hey Jeff: There is no sign whatsoever that the Browns are interested in Woodson, a Fremont, OH, native who is 36. If Woodson’s age is the only hang-up, I would agree with the Browns that they probably are better off using that position to groom a long-term solution at free safety.

Hey Tony: The last time we had a defensive minded coach that talked about having an "attack" style defense that got after the QB was Bud Carson, and the last time we had an offensive minded coach that talked about having a "vertical" passing game that stretched the field was Chris Palmer. Please tell me Ray Horton and your boy Norv Turner won't have the same disastrous results as the aforementioned coaches. Talk me off the ledge Tony.

-- Devin, Concord, OH

Hey Devin: Carson was one of the best assistant coaches in NFL history. He was miscast as a head coach, however. Palmer was the first coach of an expansion team. From what I recall, only Paul Brown (Bengals), Tom Coughlin (Jaguars) and Dom Capers (Panthers) had early success as expansion team coaches. The comparisons you make are simply not valid to the current Browns situation.

Hey Tony: If Brandon Weeden has a solid season next year, do you feel Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi will look to replace him? I think Weeden will have to be exceptional to keep them from drafting a quarterback high in the draft next year. If Weeden leads this team for years to come, it will be Tom Heckert's pick that was the difference. I may be wrong, but Banner seems to have a monster ego that won't allow this to happen.

-- Rick, Shreveport, LA

Hey Rick: Like the national media, you are making the mistake of discounting the influence of coaches Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner on the process. I promise you this: If Weeden is at the throttle of a winning season in 2013, he will not be replaced in 2014. That doesn’t mean the Browns won’t draft a quarterback – Weeden will be 30, after all – but Banner is not going to replace him simply out of ego. Also, I believe Lombardi’s influence on the QB position is greatly exaggerated. Banner is calling the shots, not Lombardi.

Hey Tony: I have real issues with the Browns, and their lack of use of their current scouts. I’m sure they knew well before the draft that they would not use them, so why waste this year to keep them. This is the same as Holmgren keeping Mangini an extra year. Time wasted is time lost. Now if only the Browns stay with the 4-3, make Kruger a DE which would be his best position, Bryant is a 4-3 DT which is what he was in Oakland. We could see a very good defense for years to come.

-- Jim, Cave Junction OR

Hey Jim: It is common practice in the NFL to carry lame duck scouts through the draft even though their voices are ignored. Contracts for scouts run through May 1, so the hiring pool doesn’t open up until after the draft. Your point about Kruger and Bryant fitting in a 4-3 speaks to my contention that the Browns should have retained the defensive system in place. As time goes on, I’m feeling that owner Jimmy Haslam had as much to do with the change as anyone. His comments last week that Ray Horton “plays defense the way I like to play defense” was telling.

Hey Tony: When are the Browns going to sign Clay Matthews to a contract so he can retire a Brown? The man should have never been let go in the first place and it would only seem right to do so. With the PR nightmare that is the Browns as of late -- Haslam, Groves and Bryant -- it would be nice to see something positive in the news about the Browns.

-- Dan, San Diego, CA

Hey Dan: It’s a little late to have Matthews formally retire as a Cleveland Brown. Your point about creating positive news is well made. It will be interesting to see if the Browns do something soon in that regard. When in doubt, there’s always the Browns’ tradition to fall back on.

Hey Tony: I keep hearing that this year’s draft day trades “give the Browns ammo” to move up next year to draft their QB of the future in the first round. Huh? If team A knows that team B is looking to trade up for their franchise QB, wouldn’t team A ask for more than 3^rd and 4^th round picks? Look at the Rams who got consecutive 1^st round picks from the Redskins. Even Mangini got 2^nd round picks (and some Jets role players) for allowing the Jets to trade up for their franchise QB. Am I missing something?

-- Brad, Westlake, OH

Hey Brad: The extra third- and fourth-round picks are not necessarily the sole collateral for a trade up for a quarterback in the 2014 draft. But creating a surplus of picks does help in formulating a trade offer if the Browns choose to move up – depending on draft position and need.

Hey Tony: With Armonty Bryant’s arrest, how much could the Browns reduce his contract? Could this be down to the NFL minimum? Would you expect his agent to make him a hold out?

-- Alan, Manassas, VA

Hey Alan: The arrest will have minimal impact on Bryant’s contract. He will sign for four years at the NFL minimum salaries. The only impact will be on his signing bonus, which might be lowered some. Holding out is out of the question.

Hey Tony: Coming from Columbus, I have long heard former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel's belief that the punt is the most important play of the game. Do the Browns really plan to enter the regular season with an unproven punter at league minimum salary?

-- Rich, Columbus, OH

Hey Rich: Yes.

Hey Tony: Does it look like part of the Browns draft/undrafted free agent strategy was to target guys who have talent but medical setbacks, risking small investments in hopes of bigger returns? Players like Jamoris Slaughter and Chris Faulk.

-- Keith, Cleveland, OH

Hey Keith: Yes. Very similar to when Bill Belichick was coach and Lombardi was his chief personnel assistant in the early 1990s.

Hey Tony: To what extent do you think that the Browns new analytics team headed by Alec Scheiner swayed the decision to punt in the 3rd and 4th rounds this year? Is Joe Banner using the term "value" instead of broaching the subject of how the team is using analytics/sabermetrics? Do you think that the fan will see any effects of the analytics movement similar to what was seen in baseball (specifically the movement away from individual stars and towards groups of players that bring certain statistical attributes)?

-- Greg, Shaker Heights, OH

Hey Greg: I asked the same questions to Scheiner for the purpose of writing a story on the impact of analytics on the controversial moves. Scheiner’s response – after consulting with Banner – was that the team desired to keep its methods secret.

Hey Tony: Some players are coming out of retirement to help the Browns on their Super Bowl push in 2013. They're all in their prime, but you can choose only one: Darrell Green, Jack Tatum, Jerry Rice, Tom Dempsey or Dick Butkus. Who would it be?

-- Michael, Ravenswood, WV

Hey Michael: An interesting fivesome. I have no idea how you chose these five players for your question. I would rank their impact on the 2013 Browns this way: 1. Butkus, 2. Rice, 3. Tatum, 4. Green, 5. Dempsey. This is not necessarily the way I would rank these players over the length of their careers, but rather how each player in his prime would impact the current Browns.

Tony Grossi covers the Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR, ESPN 1540 KNR2 and www.espncleveland.com. He has covered the Browns with distinction since 1984 and is one of 46 voters for the National Football League Hall of Fame. Email your “Hey Tony” questions to tgrossi@espncleveland.com Follow Tony on Twitter @tonygrossi

By Tony Grossi | ESPNCleveland.com

Photo/AP

Browns fans who responded about the team’s draft fell into two groups. One group didn’t like what the Browns’ did and questioned the trades out of the fourth and fifth rounds. Another group wanted to believe the Browns did all the right things.

Hey Tony: I realize the Browns’ draft decisions were unpopular and virtually everyone is trashing them. As a diehard fan desperately hoping the team will begin to turn things around, allow me, if you would, to try to defend the organization a bit. Trading the fourth and fifth round picks makes sense for the Browns this year because the roster is chock full right now of late-round and undrafted young players. You've got Tashaun Gipson, Johnson Bademosi, Trevin Wade, Craig Robertson, L. J. Fort, James Michael Johnson, Billy Winn, Travis Benjamin -- all guys who contributed something or showed at least some promise last year. What's the sense in replacing these guys with similarly skilled 4th and 5th rounders before you really know what they can do in your new offensive and defensive systems? The Ravens and Steelers need their 4th and 5th rounders to replace aging veterans and players who left via free agency. It makes more sense for the Browns to see what the young guys they already have can do with a year under their belt and some better coaching, doesn't it, or am I just blowing smoke up my own posterior?

-- John, Delaware, OH

Hey John: You make a sound and valid point. In a comparable example, Rams coach Jeff Fisher said last year he turned down the Browns’ trade offer for RG3 because he preferred the Redskins’ offer of No. 1 draft picks in three consecutive years (as opposed to the Browns’ two in 2012 and one in 2013) so that he could better assess his team’s needs and use the picks accordingly. I just don’t see how the Browns’ situation will be appreciably different next year, other than the coaches having a better handle on the players after seeing them one year. There will be more holes on the roster. True, they will have two extra picks, but you can’t predict that more needs won’t develop through player attrition, injury, or whatever.

Barkevious Mingo     Photo/USATSI

Hey Tony: Seriously, how much can a draft be downgraded for a team whiffing (or not, we shall see next year) on fourth and fifth round draft picks? If Mingo becomes a stud pass rusher, if Gordon develops into a number one receiver, if McFadden becomes a solid starter, if the later picks contribute at all, isn't it a good draft despite what might happen with the fourth and fifth round picks? Aren't the fans making too much of the fourth and fifth rounds?

-- Paul, Crescent Springs, KY

Hey Paul: If all of what you say happens, then, sure, too much was made of punting away the fourth- and fifth-round picks. But look at it this way: Suppose a coach elects to punt on fourth-and-1 late in a game on the belief that if his defense gets his offense the ball back, his team will have a chance to win. You have an instant opinion on the strategy. You like it or you don’t. If the “if” happens, maybe your opinion changes. If it doesn’t, maybe you get even angrier.

Hey Tony: We’ve all heard about the Browns 4-man decision-making team, and how if there is a 2-2 split on a player, they will move in another direction. Has anyone asked if that scenario transpired before they made the 4^thand 5^thround trades? In other words, was there a player that two decision-makers liked, but the other two people didn’t like, so they opted to trade out instead of taking that player?

-- Dan, Columbus, OH

Hey Dan: The question wasn’t asked. It’s hard to believe that they couldn’t reach a consensus on two consecutive picks. That in itself would be cause for concern about the team’s decision process. I believe they simply felt the future picks gave them better “value.”

Davone Bess     Photo/Getty

Hey Tony: Now that the 2013 draft has concluded I would like to get your take on a few moves. What is your draft grade? We received a starting LB (Mingo), starting CB (McFadden), starting WR (Gordon), Starting WR Maybe (Bess), and two draft picks a round higher for next year. I think it was a better draft than most feel. Do you agree with the two trades we made to move out of the 4th and 5th? I was all for it at first, but I don't know about the trade with the Steelers. I would have liked for them to have drafted Barrett Jones, OL from Alabama? Thanks.

-- Kenny, Simpsonville, SC

Hey Kenny: I did not formally attach a grade to the Browns’ draft. Pressed by Really Big Show host Tony Rizzo to give it a grade on 850 WKNR, I blurted, “I’d grade it an A – for awful.” Here is my philosophy on draft grades: I don’t buy the BS that a draft can’t be graded for three years. You can grade the immediate impact of a draft. You can revisit that grade each year, if you’d like. A draft can get better or worse over time. But as an analyst, I don’t have the luxury of time to wait three years. My job is to form an opinion on everything the Browns do. My opinion of what they did was not very high, obviously. I don’t agree with the trade-outs. I’m appalled at the audacity to trade with the Steelers when – Joe Banner said – they had similar offers from other teams. The Browns need an influx of talent. Nothing is promised next year. If Mingo has a big impact … if McFadden does, in fact, earn the starting job and hold it down … if Jamoris Slaughter contributes in his first season … if the later round picks do something … I will be the first to say the 2013 draft turned out much better than I thought and the Browns’ grade will improve accordingly. I agreed with a few things, such as ignoring the QB position and taking a CB in Round 3. But anybody can assess a draft in three years and state how they did.

Hey Tony: Am I the only guy that doesn’t hate this draft? If I were an Executive taking over a new company with as many question marks as the Cleveland Browns I’d take a little “wait and see” with some picks as well. Maybe with Norv Turner Brandon Weeden thrives. Maybe with all the Defensive changes, Free Agents and Draft picks we’ve taken the new pass rush takes heat off the Corners and makes a 4 year starter a solid gamble. The receiver corps looks seriously upgraded. I think there are just too many “maybes” on this team to draft a bunch of players to replace other players that need to be looked at in the new system. Am I nuts?

-- Doug, Orange, CA

Hey Doug: No, you are not nuts. You are a fan and are entitled to your faith in the team. You are the reason the team exists and why it should continue to strive to win. Without you, there is nothing. Don’t change.

Hey Tony: I was very disappointed in this draft. Did you get the feeling Banner and Lombardi tried to save face by not picking in the 4th and 5th rounds because they didn't have a clue who to pick. Also do you feel better about this offseason overall because unlike Heckert they made more of a splash in free agency.

-- Dan, Salem, OH

Hey Dan: I think part of the reasoning for trading out was that Banner and Lombardi had no confidence in the inherited scouts who wrote the reports on the draft. The team was active in free agency, but not as active as I anticipated. They failed to sign a starting cornerback. With the pool of players available, I thought that was an egregious oversight.

Hey Tony: The Browns' offense does not have any obvious needs or gaps that must be filled; however, the offense will likely be in the bottom half of the NFL this year. It is not enough to have solid players. A team has to have game changers and elite players. Do you agree with this observation? Does that mean we have to trade or release current serviceable offensive players? Or does this just mean that a quarterback is the key and until we have an elite quarterback none of this matters? Unfortunately, I do not think Weeden will ever be considered elite.

-- Sean, The Woodlands, TX

Hey Sean: Four-elevenths of the starting offensive unit last year was comprised of rookie players – Brandon Weeden, Trent Richardson, Josh Gordon and Mitchell Schwartz. I said all along it was wishful thinking to believe each of them could have impactful years in their first season. Can it be just a matter of giving those players time to develop and mature, and maybe their impact will increase?

Hey Tony: Let’s assume Brandon Weeden this upcoming season puts up similar numbers to Derek Anderson in 2007 (25-30 TDs. 15-20 INTS, 3500-4000 Yards passing). What would this regime’s assessment be on Weeden following a season like that? Are they really giving Weeden a chance to be the "guy" or are they just letting him play one more year as the starter for the heck of it? I feel like they are going to get their "guy" in the 2014 NFL Draft regardless of what kind of season Weeden has and I would totally be against that especially if he puts up similar numbers to Derek Anderson in 2007. What do you think?

-- Mike, Fairview Park, OH

Hey Mike: I think Weeden has this year to prove whether he is the guy. If he puts up numbers like you say, I believe he would win them over for another year (though the interception range is still too high.) The numbers aren’t everything, however. He has to lead the team to comeback wins and manage leads in the fourth quarter, too.

Hey Tony: I keep hearing about us getting Value in this draft. What position will "Value" be playing 2013? Do you know what number "Value" will be wearing in 2013? Do you know where I can get the jersey?

-- John, Brooklyn Hts., OH

Hey John: Yes, that would be Vinny Value. I believe he is a jack-of-all-trades type with great special teams value. Don’t know if his number has been assigned yet.

Hey Tony: Watching the current Browns regime, I think the upcoming season is more about establishing an identity, something the 2012 version was seriously lacking. Admit it Tony, this team had no mindset on how to close a game and "threw back" at least 2 wins. Hindsight, being what it is, would make the Browns then 7-9. Sure, there was quite a bit puzzling about this year's draft but the roster currently assembled needs to be adequately evaluated. That has to be factored in when considering the "strategy" of the front office. Too many guys to replace, so everyone is on audition before the next draft (or two)...

-- Mark, Martinez, CA

Hey Mark: The inability to close out games, I believe, was the fuction of two things: 1. The roster was gutted and first-year players were force-fed into the starting lineup. A lot of them had talent, but didn’t know how to close out wins. 2. Every close loss was marked by questionable sideline blunders (punting on fourth-and-1, not punting on fourth-and-3, slowness in substituting, etc.). I think those factors have been corrected by a. the natural growth of last year’s rookies, and b. a new coaching staff. I think the front office gets credit for making the coaching change, but the new roster moves has nothing to do with last year’s problems. It has to do with finding players that fit the physical and skill-set preferences of the new coaches.

Hey Tony: Since the book on Weeden seems to be that he does not respond well to being pressured, obviously other teams are going to be blitzing against him like crazy. This is of concern since we’ve already established that the Browns don’t have the guards to execute screen plays. So, what will Chud and Turner do to slow down opponents’ pass rush? (And I’m hoping that part of the answer is that Weeden will perform better when being pressured).

-- Brad, Westlake, OH

Hey Brad: Last year’s offense was diametrically opposite to what Weeden had done for two years at Oklahoma State. Plus, the play-calling was so complex, he often didn’t have enough time to make pre-snap reads because the offense was hurrying to the line of scrimmage. On top of that, Weeden was seeing NFL defenses – and they are so much more sophisticated than what he was used to in the Big 12 Conference – for the first time. I think the new coaches will streamline things to give Weeden a better chance at succeeding. His natural growth as a player in Year 2 will help, too.

Hey Tony: It looks to me like the Browns management is building a team to contend for the Super Bowl in 2015. They want to be competitive in 2013, install their new systems, and decide if Weeden is the guy. Fill out the roster in 2014, giving the team a year to gel, and maybe win one round of playoffs. Then compete for the big prize in 2015. As a Browns fan since 1963, I'm okay with that plan. What do you think?

-- Mitch, Fairfield, CA

Hey Mitch: Well, let’s hope there is a certified plan to take the necessary steps to build a contender. We will be able to ascertain in two seasons if they are on the right path or are just running laps on the never-ending treadmill of change.

Hey Tony: Both Heckert and Banner both tell fans that the only way to build a winning team in the NFL is through the draft. I am sick of waiting. When is the last time a team in the NFL tried and failed to build a team through free agency?

-- Steve, Lewis Center, OH

Hey Steve: Redskins owner Dan Snyder tried it every year for about 10 seasons until he hired coach Mike Shanahan and GM Bruce Allen. They, too, floundered until the trade for QB Robert Griffin 3. Now they are on their way. Whether it is acquired through the draft or free agency, the key to everything is finding the right quarterback.

Hey Tony: I was disappointed to hear that a first round deal with the Rams was in place for the Browns to move back and not executed. Would you rather go into training camp with Mingo (#6) or with Jarvis Jones (or even Tyler Eifert) at #16 plus Boise St. CB Jamar Taylor (#46)? We could've then picked a safety in Round 3. In your view, was this a missed opportunity for the new regime to effectively "work the draft board"?

-- Steve, Memphis, TN

Hey Steve: It was reported in St. Louis that the Rams made calls to teams from sixth to 10^th in the first round draft order. If this is true and the offer was, in fact, made to the Browns, I believe they should have taken it. However, the Browns made the decision that Mingo was too good to pass up. They wanted the elite pass rusher. I’m not saying they are wrong for doing that. I am just disagreeing with the decision. I feel the team could have been improved more by taking the trade. We will see how it turns out.

Hey Tony: Thanks for the great job you do on writing about all of ours favorite team. I have a question and I guess one could say an issue with the Browns regularly being referred to as being an "expansion team". Isn't the Baltimore Ravens the real expansion team here? With the history (records, team colors, Brown's name, etc.) of the pre 1996 Browns staying in Cleveland and then picking back up in 1999, our Cleveland Browns have been in existence since 1946 and in the NFL since 1950, not through expansion, but I believe that four teams from the old AAFC merged with the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens on the other hand have been in existence since only the 1996 season. Can the Browns be, when referencing their post 1999 records, instead of an expansion team, rather, "since their return"? At least by you? Thanks again.

-- Scott, Sharon Twp., OH

Hey Scott: The Ravens were the organization that was permitted to continue without interruption when it moved to Baltimore. The new Browns didn’t come back for three years. When it did, it had to build a new organization from scratch – new front office, new scouting system and coaches, new philosophy, new players built from a foundation of other teams’ has-beens. That truly is an expansion team. Sure, the records of the Browns were left intact. As it turned out, keeping the football organization intact was far more valuable.

Tony Grossi covers the Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR, ESPN 1540 KNR2 and www.espncleveland.com. He has covered the Browns with distinction since 1984 and is one of 46 voters for the National Football League Hall of Fame. Email your “Hey Tony” questions to tgrossi@espncleveland.com Follow Tony on Twitter @tonygrossi

By Tony Grossi | ESPNCleveland.com

Photo/AP

The controversy involving Browns owner Jimmy Haslam accomplished the unfathomable this week – it knocked questions about the Browns’ draft and even about the release of the 2013 schedule to the back burner.

Hey Tony: How thorough was the NFL's background check of Jimmy Haslam prior to allowing his purchase of the Browns? This has been a two-year investigation into his company by the government. I would understand if the information was kept confidential, but I have problems with the NFL if they had access to information of an ongoing investigation. I believe the NFL hurt the Browns significantly when they returned to the league by deciding at the last minute to make them a new franchise. They had a frantic rush to find an owner and set up a staff. I believe this cost the team for years with incomplete player evaluation and improper management at the onset. Now I see a similar episode with the Browns floundering due to an unstable ownership. Does the NFL have some accountability for their mishandling of the Browns, past and present?

-- Rick, Shreveport, LA

Hey Rick: The No. 1 objective of the NFL background check on an ownership candidate is to verify financial resources. Can he afford to buy the club? Once a candidate is verified as a legitimate billionaire, he is attractive to the NFL. That said, Haslam scored high in checks into character, security, etc. He was considered the ideal ownership candidate. The FBI investigation into Haslam’s company was a secret to even Haslam until the raid on his headquarters this week. You can’t criticize the NFL for not knowing about it. On your point about the NFL always being against Cleveland, I would disagree. The city of Cleveland and Browns fans preferred an expansion franchise over a relocated one. The decision to make it expansion team was made roughly at the mid-point of the three-year hiatus – in March of ’97.

Dee Milliner    Photo/Getty

Hey Tony: It seems like trading down in the draft won't hurt as much as it has in the past because of the lack of elite prospects. I have seen experts even say that Dee Milliner, while the best CB in this draft, wouldn't have been the top CB in other recent drafts. They have also said that there is not a huge gap in talent between the top prospect and the 20th prospect. Would trading back, even into the 20s, hurt us as bad as it did in say the 2011 draft or do you think Dee Milliner, or any of the other prospects that have appeared as Browns' picks in your mock drafts, is worth the 6th pick?

-- Degen, Macon, GA

Hey Degen: I’m more open to trading down this year because there isn’t a “must get” player in the range of No. 6 that I would advocate. The key to trading down, in my opinion, is maximizing the extra picks collected in the trade. If they all bust out, the trade-down fails.

Hey Tony: Why do the Browns always have to play 4 of their last 6 games on the road? And why is it that the Steelers always have to play 4 of their last 6 at home; with their last few always against perennial losers? The Steelers always have night games at home against top teams as well. It’s clear to me that there is significant favoritism when it comes to schedules. What can the Browns do to change this?

-- Mike, Richmond, VA

Hey Mike: Respect is earned through winning.

Hey Tony: Great article this morning. I was glad to see someone in the media seems to appreciate the gravity of the situation. Sadly, I think this will fall just behind “the move” with regards to devastation on the franchise. There was so much hope with Jimmy Haslam. When will this nightmare ever end for the Browns?

-- Matthew, Richmond, VA

Hey Matthew: I’m going to establish a pat answer for questions about the Haslam controversy. Let’s let it play out before passing judgment.

Hey Tony: I have to say that, for as much as everyone hated Randy Lerner, he never sold out the naming rights to the former Cleveland Browns Stadium. This makes me believe that he, at the minimum, tried to respect the tradition of the City of Cleveland and its Football Team. Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong. However, after watching Mike Lombardi be let in the back door by Banner/Haslam after the entire City was up in arms over the possibility, I just have not had a good feeling about the new ownership. Now, after this FBI/IRS fiasco in Tennessee, I can only come up with one question: If a meteor fell from the sky, are the odds above 99.9% that it would land on the Cleveland Browns?

-- Chad, Crestwood, KY

Hey Chad: Wrong. The meteor would land on the Browns’ fans.

Hey Tony: Am I the only one who is reminded of Kamerion Wimbley by Dion Jordan: 248 pound conversion project from defensive end to 3-4 outside linebacker, does not play with power, cannot fight through blocks, not a creative pass rusher (all per Pro Football Weekly)? Do teams worry about repeating past draft mistakes or only if it is the same front office? Am I being paranoid or is it just because the Browns have botched so many high draft choices in the past?

-- Paul, Crescent Springs, KY

Hey Paul: Relax. I doubt that Jordan will be sitting there at No. 6 for the Browns to take.

Hey Tony: Good Morning Tony and happy one week until draft day!! I’m starting to get tired of the Browns seemingly getting “dissed” for using the 2^nd round pick on Josh Gordon, on all the sports sites and even on ESPN and NFL network you repeatedly read or hear “The Browns have no second-round pick” like we traded it away or wasted it. The Browns used the pick on Josh Gordon and it should be documented more and I also believe when the Ex-NFL players announce the 2^nd round picks Dick Schafrath should announce “the Browns selected WR Josh Gordon.” I don’t think there is a team in the league that wouldn’t take Gordon over any other receiver in the draft this year, 50 catches for 805 yards with 5 TD’s and a 16.1 yard avg. in a horrible offensive scheme. Gordon deserves a little more respect!

-- Dan, Twinsburg, OH

Hey Dan: I’m with you.

Hey Tony: This is without doubt the most excited I have heard players talk about new coaches since we have been back. We usually get the fake “I am anxious to see how it plays out” type talk when new regimes arrive. This time players are going out of their way to say how much they like the new O and D direction. Is it simply the coaches they like so much or the fact that on both O and D we are going to be “attacking” much more and a more aggressive style of play is always more fun?

-- Michael, Galena, OH

Hey Michael: I think both. Consider this the “hope springs eternal” period of the NFL season.

Pat Summerall    Photo/ESPN

Hey Tony: With the recent passing of legendary announcer Pat Summerall, it can be argued that he and John Madden formed one of the greatest NFL announcing teams in league broadcasting history. I know that they usually covered NFC games of the week on CBS and later FOX but my question for you is did the Summerall/Madden duo ever announce a Browns game? It would probably have been an interconference NFC vs AFC game, with the Browns hosting an NFC team at the old stadium.

-- Kevin, Houston, TX

Hey Kevin: Great question. Unfortunately, I can’t give a definitive answer. I would assume the great Summerall announced at least one Browns game during the team’s great run in the late 1980s. I loved Summerall’s economy of words in describing a play. I borrow from him when I write: Weeden. Gordon. Touchdown.

Hey Tony: If the Browns did not trade with Minnesota to select Trent Richardson what would have happened in your opinion? Would we have selected Justin Blackmon with the first 1st round pick? What was your opinion of him going into last year's draft as many projections had the Browns selecting him at 4.

-- Benjamin, Lombard, IL

Hey Benjamin: I did not consider Blackmon a viable alternative for the Browns’ No. 4 pick last year. He carried the baggage of some off-field extra-curriculars and did not have the elite size I favor at the position. Actually, though, he came on at the end to have a strong rookie year. If the Browns had not moved up one spot to No. 3, I think Richardson would have been available for them at No. 4. No sweat. Still worth it.

Hey Tony: A number of mock drafts have the Browns selecting a quarterback in the 3^rd or 4^th round. Hard to believe a pick at that point could possibly be better than Weeden or Campbell. Not to mention the positions that need depth. Do you think that makes any sense at all?

-- Jeff, Warren, OH

Hey Jeff: I do not. In fact, I have advocated not wasting a pick on a quarterback at all in this draft.

Tony Grossi covers the Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR, ESPN 1540 KNR2 and www.espncleveland.com. He has covered the Browns with distinction since 1984 and is one of 46 voters for the National Football League Hall of Fame. Email your “Hey Tony” questions to tgrossi@espncleveland.com Follow Tony on Twitter @tonygrossi

By Tony Grossi | ESPNCleveland.com

Photo/ESPN

It’s all draft, all the time in this pre-draft edition of Hey Tony. Every week I receive at least one question extolling the virtues of Tyrann Mathieu, a.k.a. Honey Badger, the cornerback formerly of Louisiana State. I lead off this column with my answer.

Hey Tony: Like most avid fans, I'm usually very interested in the Browns first pick in the draft then my knowledge of players wanes as the draft gets closer to the seventh round. But, this year, I'm only interested in 1 player that's projected to go round 3 or 4, Tyrann Mathieu. He has proven on the field that he is a dominant force. He has first round talent but slid because of character issues. So here are my questions: Will he be this year’s Vontaze Burfict? Will he slide to round 4 or beyond? Am I building Mathieu up in my head too much (his tape would suggest I'm not)? With being virtually the same size as Troy Polamalu (1 inch shorter and 10-15 lbs lighter), could he move to SS and be a ball hawk there? First 3 picks in my Dream Draft:

Rd1. Jordan/Ansah/Milliner

Rd3. Rambo/Swearinger/Poyer/Collins

Rd4. Mathieu

With so many already great players on defense this would make our defense among the best in the NFL. I'm obsessing over this and need your help.

-- Scott, Ashland, OH

Hey Scott: Mathieu’s problems with drugs are documented. He was kicked off the LSU squad for repeated failed drug tests and also spent time in jail on a drug-related charge. Beyond that, he’s 5-9. My aversion to short cornerbacks – who I don’t believe stand a chance against the bigger, faster wideouts proliferating in the NFL today – would disqualify him on my personal draft board even if he were squeaky clean. I know this isn’t a popular opinion – yet. Seattle has the right idea in stocking up on taller cornerbacks. Frankly, I wouldn’t draft a cornerback shorter than six feet tall unless he had rare skills. Somebody will draft Mathieu in the third or fourth round. They will be praised for getting “value” with the pick. Then they will have a high maintenance player who may be no better than a nickel cornerback in the NFL.

Hey Tony: We've seen tons of mock drafts with the Browns picking at #6, but there seems to be major speculation that the Browns will move back to the 8 to 12 range in the first round. Whom do you like for the Browns in this 8-12 range?

-- Paul, Crescent Springs, KY

Hey Paul: That would be the approximate range for Barkevious Mingo, Sheldon Richardson, or possibly Kenny Vaccaro, Xavier Rhodes or Desmond Trufant. Offensively, the guards Chance Warmack and Jonathan Cooper, or possibly tight end Tyler Eifert.

Hey Tony: Maybe you can answer something I can't seem to figure out. We want to build through draft, I get it. But we have so much cap space. We have huge holes, especially in secondary. What's wrong with signing vets to one year deals--like the rest of the NFL? Wouldn't that contract come off next season and maintain our cap space? Seems we'd still then be able to go after younger FAs who come available (and therefore not hindering our long term plan)? We, the fans, are SICK of seeing the Browns put in developmental players just because they're "young". Find a stopgap until we can target the long-term answer in the drafts down the road!? Thanks.

-- Jonesy, Columbus, OH

Hey Jonesy: I don’t disagree. Understandably, most players don’t like 1-year deals, but there seems to be a lot of these contracts this year. If a player is lights-out halfway through, you can always do a long-term extension, too. I don’t understand a lot of what the Browns have done in free agency, to be honest.

Josh Gordon     Photo/Getty

Hey Tony: If Josh Gordon was in this year's NFL Draft where would he rank vs. the field of wideouts coming out of college?

-- Steve, Austin, TX

Hey Steve: I’ve said and written this before: There isn’t a wideout in this draft I’d rather have over Gordon. I guess that means I’d rank him on top.

Hey Tony: With all the talk of putting pressure on opponents, why haven't we heard anything about the Browns taking one of elite receivers in the first round? Are they just not that great? Also, how do the top two receivers in this year's draft compare with the draft of 2011 when Julio Jones went as the first receiver?

-- Scott, Houston, TX

Hey Scott: At the risk of over-generalizing, I don’t believe there is an “elite” receiver in this draft. What is elite? Great size, great speed, great hands, with experience and production at a high level. There is no receiver in this draft in the same class as Jones or A.J. Green – the top two receivers from 2011.

Hey Tony: The majority of mock drafts expect Cleveland to take Milliner with the sixth pick. However, with all of the OLB/DE/DT talent like Jordan, Ansah, Floyd, Lotulelei, etc. my question is would you rather have two top corners or a disruptive pass rush instead? I'm personally for the latter after watching the Giants win two Super Bowls recently while masking an average secondary with a defensive line that could get to the quarterback. When the Jets had Revis and Cromartie their defense didn't have nearly the same impact and even the best DBs can be beat if a QB is given enough time. Also, are there any draft prospects from our alma mater that the Browns (or anyone else) might be considering? It'd be great to see someone give Blankenship a look. Thanks as always for the great coverage and opinion!

-- Hòa, Los Angeles, CA

Hey Hoa: I’m with you on this topic. I believe the rules of the NFL and the athletes at wide receiver make it nearly impossible for cornerbacks to cover, anymore. Therefore, I would always side with the pass rusher. However, because the Browns have ignored the vacant starting cornerback position in free agency, they can’t afford to pass up Dee Milliner, in my opinion. I would have found a starting CB in free agency and used the No. 6 pick on best available pass rusher, at LB or DL.

Hey Tony: I read your article on the Browns working out all the quarterbacks as a possible smokescreen.I agree to some extent, but I also feel that they would pull the trigger on a QB if Chudzinski and Banner really liked one of them. I'm sure they'd love to get back into the second round by trading back or trading a D-lineman. If they get into round 2, I think a QB is a strong possibility. E. J. Manuel seems to fit Chudzinski's style of a strong armed QB with size and mobility. Don't you get the feeling that they just don't like Weeden? If they're forced to start Weeden, do you think he'll have to start fast or get pulled quickly?

-- Rick, Shreveport, LA

Hey Rick: Opinions within the organization on Weeden are decidedly mixed. Therefore, I believe he is on a one-year trial. He has to improve significantly or his days as the Browns’ starting QB will be over. I’m not sure that Manuel is that attractive to Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner. I actually feel this way: If Weeden were in this draft class, Chud and Turner probably would be attracted to him.

Hey Tony: Read your article this morning and that is one way to look at it. How about the Browns doing due diligence on Quarterbacks for drafting in later rounds? Browns should try and draft a Quarterback in every Draft but only if the Quarterback is not a reach. Thanks.

-- Thomas, Colorado Springs, CO

Hey Thomas: I recognize I am in the minority on this issue, also, but given the Browns’ many position needs, I don’t think I would use a pick on a developmental No. 3 quarterback. If Weeden doesn’t answer the call, the next Browns quarterback will have to be found in 2014.

Hey Tony: I would like your insight on the 2013 NFL draft. If it were up to you, who would you select with the number six overall selection? Please elaborate why.

-- Adam, Bluffton, SC

Hey Adam: My last four mock drafts have selected Dee Milliner for the Browns at No. 6. Their free agency action (or non-action) at cornerback requires them to find a starter in the draft. My next mock will be posted Monday morning on ESPNCleveland.com.

Hey Tony: I know people are asking why the Browns are working out these quarterbacks (particularly Geno Smith), but is there any chance that they're doing this to gage his trade value for teams who would want to trade up to #6 to pick him?

-- Zach, Philadelphia, PA

Hey Zach: Yes, I’m sure that’s part of it.

Hey Tony: Although I don’t believe this is the case, is it possible that Phil had discussions with Joe Banner or Jim Haslam and had told them he is planning to retire in a year or two and wanted to be released so he could sign with a contender like the 49ers? And that both sides agreed to keep it quiet since Phil didn’t want the fans angry at him and Joe wants to get young talent and lock it up while it’s cheap? I personally find the decision to let Phil walk while he’s still your leading scorer when whomever you do sign won’t be a whole lot cheaper. And you have PLENTY of cap space.

-- Clark, Camden Township

Hey Clark: Nice try, but, no, that conversation did not take place. Two things: Dawson has said repeatedly he feels he has several good years left and had no intention to retire in the forseeable future. Also, I know he expressed dismay at the fact the Browns had no dialogue with him before he signed with San Francisco.

Hey Tony: Would you think the Browns might have interest in Tim Tebow to add to their announced QB competition?

-- D.B., Palm Coast, FL

Hey D.B.: None whatsoever.

Hey Tony: Why don't you throw something out there for the draft that looks like this:

ROUND 1: Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

ROUND 2: Josh Gordon, WR, Baylor

And so on … when you consider the fact that even in hindsight, surrendering a second rounder for Gordon was a really solid move. And if he is your second round pick for this draft (which he basically is), then select Milliner, a really good player that fills a need, with your sixth pick and move on. Why is everyone hung up on having to have a second rounder in this draft? As far as I'm concerned THEY DID, and it was a really good pick in Gordon, great when you consider they got to have him on loan and learn the ropes for a year for free.

-- John, Millersburg, OH

Dee Milliner    Photo/ESPN

Hey John: You’re preaching to the choir on Gordon.

Hey Tony: Dee Milliner seems to be the most talented player who just happens to fill a critical need. The Browns have no second round pick. If Milliner is not available at number 6, and if the number 6 choice is at a different position, we would have to look to the middle rounds to address the glaring weakness in the secondary. What are the chances of the Browns trading up to get Milliner, as they did with Trent Richardson? What would they have to give up in terms of a draft pick? Is it possible to trade a player currently on the roster, perhaps from the overstocked D-line?

-- Mark, Branford, CT

Hey Mark: I doubt the Browns would try to move up to take Milliner because they can’t afford to part with another draft pick. Using a player to move up? I don’t recall that ever happening. Maybe it has, I just don’t recall it. If Milliner is taken before the Browns pick at No. 6, they probably would seek to trade down. If that fails, I don’t know what they would do at this point. It wouldn’t be a pleasing scenario to them, I imagine.

Hey Tony: One frequently heard concern about moving our high performing DE Sheard to OLB will be his ability to transition as not having ever played it before, in particular dropping back into pass coverage. For a synergistic effect with our new DE Bryant, why not keep Sheard with his great pass rushing and improved run stopping skills as an opposite side DE instead of moving DT Rubin to DE ? Then given our Front 3 Defensive Line depth use DE Rubin for a trade offer to a team seeking a young well performing 3-4 NG or 4-3 DT to get a 3^rd or even a 2^nd round draft choice, remembering we have NG capable Winn as back up to projected starting NG Taylor? This makes even more sense, if CB Millner is already taken and there are starter capable pass rushing OLBs still available for Pick #6 to pair with new OLB Kruger.

-- Alan, Manassas, VA

Hey Alan: I don’t believe Sheard has the skill set to play defensive end in the 3-4. He is a perfect 4-3 pass rush end, but doesn’t have the stoutness against the run a 3-4 end demands. On the other hand, the team is loaded with nose guards – Rubin, Taylor, John Hughes, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen. All of which raises the obvious question of why switch to the 3-4?

Hey Tony: Did you catch the recent ESPN article by Andy Benoit about the Steelers' draft needs on defense? Benoit wrote that in the Dick LeBeau (aka Browns) defensive scheme, you don't need elite athletes at the cb position--what you need there is smarts and physicality. He goes on to point out that the Steelers haven't drafted a cb in the first round for over 15 years. They believe they can draft them in rounds 3- 5 and develop them. Kind of makes you wonder whether the Browns will pick Dee Milliner even if he's there, doesn't it? Thanks,

-- Brian in St Louis, MO

Hey Brian: It was an excellent analysis of Pittsburgh’s system. It certainly would explain why the Browns didn’t purchase a starting cornerback in free agency. They’re asking a lot, however, to put a rookie third-round pick in the starting defensive lineup at cornerback.

Tony Grossi covers the Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR, ESPN 1540 KNR2 and www.espncleveland.com. He has covered the Browns with distinction since 1984 and is one of 46 voters for the National Football League Hall of Fame. Email your “Hey Tony” questions to tgrossi@espncleveland.com Follow Tony on Twitter @tonygrossi

By Tony Grossi | ESPNCleveland.com

Photo/Getty

As the draft draws closer, contributors to Hey Tony question the release of linebacker Chris Gocong and safety Usama Young and wonder why the team creates new holes without filling others. Surprisingly, there was very little response positively or negatively to the trade of quarterback Colt McCoy.

Hey Tony: Re: the release of Chris Gocong and Usama Young. What are they thinking? Now we have to replace another inside LB and get two safeties? If they did this at the beginning of free agency I think I'd be a lot more confident because I don't disagree with the move, just the timing! It seems to be a little too late to be dropping STARTERS! Ugh thank God I live in Baltimore (live on the same street as the stupid stadium ugh). I am anxious to see what you have to say about their latest ineptitude.

-- Tunde, Baltimore, MD

Hey Tunde: Gocong, 29, is coming off Achilles tendon surgery and was scheduled to make $4.45 million. All of that made him a marked man in the eyes of the new management. I thought Gocong would have been a nice fit at the inside LB spot next to D’Qwell Jackson. Perhaps the Browns coaches see enough good things in James-Michael Johnson, Craig Robertson and Tank Carder to fill that spot. Young’s release makes Tashaun Gipson the incumbent starter at free safety. This, too, is a position that must be addressed in the draft or free agency.

Hey Tony: Do you think that the Browns’ acquisition of an additional late round pick in the Colt McCoy deal makes it more likely that the Browns will use a late round pick on a kicker or punter?

-- Paul, Crescent Springs, KY

Hey Paul: After your email arrived, the Browns announced the signing of kicker Brandon Bogotay. He was a kickoff specialist at Georgia and didn’t have many field goal opportunities. So I would expect the Browns to add another kicker either through the draft or free agency. They have two unproven punters on their roster, too, including 2012 camp hand Spencer Lanning.

Hey Tony: I have a funny suspicion the Browns are going to trade Brandon Weeden away on draft day. Either for Ryan Mallett in a deal with the Pats, or for a second rounder that allows them to get a QB they like. What do you think?

-- Bryan, Belpre, OH

Hey Bryan: It’s amazing so many people still believe Weeden is on his way out. I believe the Browns have committed to Weeden – for one year, at least. If he doesn’t show significant improvement under the new coaches and system, they will reboot the QB search next year. If that happens, Mallett – who would be entering the final year of his New England contract – would be a prime option. I don’t envision Weeden being traded this year. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see no quarterback at all drafted this year.

Hey Tony: Jason Campbell has been in this offense before. Does that give him a legit shot at winning the starting QB job or is it Weeden’s job no matter what?

-- Angelo, Cleveland, OH

Hey Angelo: I think Campbell has a legit shot at winning the job, but I also think everyone expects Weeden to prevail. If he doesn’t, it will be a big disappointment and the QB search will resume in 2014.

Hey Tony: With the hands-on ambitious new owner in Jimmy Haslam, do you see the Browns getting more national attention? How many prime-time games do you see the Browns having this upcoming season? Also I feel like the young players we have are hungry for stardom. Players like Joe Haden, T.J. Ward, Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, Trent Richardson, Josh Gordon, Greg Little love the attention and I feel like with more nationally televised games they will play more nasty and fierce.

-- Mike, Fairview Park, OH

Hey Mike: NFL rules now require each team to appear in a minimum of one nationally televised game per season. I wouldn’t expect an additional appearance in 2013. The Browns have to earn that type of respect before being showcased on the networks. I would settle for one home game at night, rather than multiple appearances on the road.

Hey Tony: Your article on the defensive backs shows a glaring need at this position for this defense to be successful. What if Haden goes down? Where's our ball-hawking safety? Do we have anyone capable of starting opposite of Haden? We now seem to have an overload on the line, especially in a 3-4 scheme. Tony, do you feel with this imbalance on the defense, the Browns will trade D-linemen for some backfield help or extra draft picks? What could they get for Rubin or Hughes? Do you think they see some player on the roster that's been overlooked?

-- Rick, Shreveport, LA

Hey Rick: The Browns’ inability, or unwillingness, to address the holes in the secondary in free agency baffles me. I do believe a trade of a lineman is a possibility. More than likely, it would be for a draft pick. But that’s no guarantee the Browns can adequately fill their secondary needs – a starting CB and a nickel back, plus a starting free safety – in the draft.

Kenny Vaccaro    Photo/Getty

Hey Tony: I heard you on KNR responding to Aaron’s scenario of Milliner, Jordan, Ansah, etc., being gone by the time the Browns pick. If the Browns are not able to trade down, why not take Kenny Vaccaro at #6. He is the best safety (a position of need) who many feel also could play corner (also a position of need). I know ideally it would be best to trade down and do this … but if you can’t find a partner why not just draft him there?

-- Brad, Westlake, OH

Hey Brad: I don’t know of anybody who has Vaccaro ranked that high. Yet I have seen some draft experts list Alabama guard Chance Warmack as one of the top five players in the draft. And you could easily justify guard as a position of need, too. Overall, it’s a scenario that I don’t think the Browns would like.

Hey Tony: If the position is not addressed in the draft, would Kerry Rhodes, formerly of the Cardinals, be a viable option. He played for Ray Horton last year, and was successful. He's only 30 years old and is an accomplished ball hawk in that system.

-- Mike, McAllen, TX

Hey Mike: Rhodes will be 31 in August. He played five years with the Jets and three with the Cardinals. One thing you really want to avoid in free agency is signing a plus-30 player going on his third team. Rhodes might appeal to a Super Bowl-caliber team who is strapped at the free safety position. But the Browns will not reach the Super Bowl, in my opinion, before his tank runs dry. Another issue is whether a player at his age and experience wants to finish his career with a rebuilding team. Then again, if the Browns fail to land a safety in the draft and still have the need when camps draw near, Rhodes might appeal to them as a one-year stop-gap.

Hey Tony: Two questions about the Browns offseason: Is it fair to measure Chud's Browns’ record next season against the record of Marc Trestman's Bears? Both are new coaches with new teams. Second, who got the better deal for their defense, the Browns getting Paul Kruger or the Ravens getting Elvis Dumervil?

-- Kevin, Detroit, MI

Hey Kevin: Measuring Chudzinski v. Trestman is somewhat fair. But keep in mind the Bears have a stronger overall roster, are coming off a winning season and have an established QB in Jay Cutler. As for Kruger v. Dumervil, I think the Ravens came out ahead on that one for this reason: Because of the presence of Terrell Suggs, Dumervil can fill the role of complementary pass rusher. In Cleveland, Kruger has to be ‘the man,’ which he has never been before. The money issue also sides with the Dumervil pickup.

Hey Tony: My name is Eric and I work in Saudi Arabia so it can be a bit hard to keep up with things. I just had a quick question that I hope you have a second to answer. I keep hearing about the hole we have at guard. Last year didn't we draft some monster of a guard out of Colorado? Can or is he developing into the guard we need to fill that hole? Thanks for your time.

-- Eric, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Hey Eric: Ryan Miller was picked in the fifth round in 2012. He is 6-7 and 321 pounds and played both tackle positions at Colorado. The Browns positioned him as a backup guard as a rookie. He may eventually be developed as a tackle because his height might be a hindrance at the guard position.

Hey Tony: With the recent history of Offenses winning Super Bowls as opposed to Defenses, do you think it would be prudent to focus the draft on Offense? Go after Patterson, Allen, or Austin in the first and Tight End in the third? I know our Secondary needs help, but with today's NFL, I feel like we need playmakers to actually score touchdowns. The days of winning (or losing) 6 to 3 on Phil Dawson's leg are gone.

-- Steven, North Canton, OH

Hey Steven: I feel they have enough youth at WR in Gordon, Little, Benjamin. I’d rather have seen them buy a mid-level WR in free agency. You can stock up all you want on WRs and TEs. Until you have the right QB, it won’t matter.

Hey Tony: Why such a hater when it comes to changing the color of the helmets? I'd like to see the Browns go super-retro and go back to the all-white helmets!!

-- Tom, Hilliard, OH

Hey Tom: The all-white helmet was not one of Paul Brown’s better innovations. Sign me up for orange, thank you.

Tony Grossi covers the Browns for ESPN 850 WKNR, ESPN 1540 KNR2 and www.espncleveland.com. He has covered the Browns with distinction since 1984 and is one of 46 voters for the National Football League Hall of Fame. Email your “Hey Tony” questions to tgrossi@espncleveland.com Follow Tony on Twitter @tonygrossi