If first impressions mean everything in any relationship, Joe Thomas, Brady Quinn and Eric Wright, the Cleveland Browns top three draft choices made huge ones Sunday in Berea, the day after they were selected in the first, first and second round respectively.

Some might expect that of Thomas and Quinn, but given the perceived baggage that's accompanying Wright, many might prefer to adopt a wait-and-see attitude.  For those who need a summary of his past problems, they can be found here.

In light of the NFL's new player conduct policy, it would seem that Wright is a huge gamble.  It was last night and it may still be, but after the way in which he turned on the charm in Berea Sunday, it's easy to see why the Browns selected him.  He's an articulate, charismatic guy with an easy going sense of humor, who's faced his issues and is ready to move on.

“It was definitely a long road and it was very hard. It was a roller coaster ride if you will. I feel like it made me weary of the people I trusted and weary of the people I associate myself with. I grew up in strong household and was an honor roll student my entire life. I went to an all boys catholic school and that sort of thing. I really need to present myself in a proper light so people can really know who I am," he said.  "I think this organization has done all they could to get the proper information. That’s why I think they were comfortable in picking me and trading up to get me. I really appreciate that.”

As for Quinn, it's difficult to not like the guy.  Did anyone notice that after the Browns traded up and selected him that as he walked to the podium, he seemed to be on the verge of tears.  Even as he held his new jersey, he looked as if he were about to cry.  He mentioned more than once in interviews that playing for the Browns was a dream come true.

“It was always something where we started watching Browns games. When I was seven, we started going to Browns games," Quinn said.  "My mom’s father, who passed away when I was younger, was huge into the Browns. I think he gave the uniform I was wearing when I was younger that was flashed on TV. It was ingrained in me from day one.”

The last quarterback that wanted to come to Cleveland and lived in Ohio had a pretty good run here.  It took a gutsy move on General Manager Phil Savage's part to take a gamble and move up to acquire him.  Quinn dropped to the 22nd pick, a fate that normally hits some bewildered QB.  The Browns should send flowers, chocolates and a new Lexus to Ted Ginn and the Miami Dolphins for selecting him.  Conventional wisdom said that the Dolphins, who are in need of a QB, would take Brady if the Browns passed on him.  Shows how unconventional the draft can be.

As for Joe Thomas, having grown up in Northeast Ohio I feel comfortable saying he's the type of player the Browns fan base can take to.  Another bright guy to be sure, but what struck me is his attitude.  He's a blue collar type of guy who wants to pack his lunch pail, go to work and do his job.

"I didn’t want to take this off season and waste it. And what I mean by that is waste it by preparing for the combine or the draft. The most important thing is to be ready for your NFL career. I wasn’t going to judge my pro career by where I was drafted yesterday," he said. "I was lucky enough to be drafted high by a great organization and by a team and a city that I fit in very well with. For me, the work has just begun now. The important this is how I play in my career, not where I was drafted. That was the mentality that I took over the off season.”

Ultimately these words will ring hollow if Wright, Quinn and Thomas don't perform on the field.  But proud cynic that I am, I have to confess that when I left from covering the Browns Draft Party Saturday and the dark clouds from the morning had given way to afternoon sunshine, I was optimistic.  Draft Day euphoria?  Maybe.  Ultimately we won't know until next season.

 Pure elation.  That's the only way to describe the fans here when it was announced that the Browns moved up to acquire Brady Quinn.

G.M. Phil Savage had a rep as being a risk taker when he arrived in Cleveland.  Sorry, but I hadn't seen much of that - until today.  Quinn at No. 3 when there are more pressing needs?  No thanks. Quinn at No. 22 by giving up next year's first round pick and this year's second rounder which was at 36.  I'll take a flyer on that.  And allow me to correct myself from an earlier post - the Browns would have had to leap frog Tampa Bay and Detroit.

For now, I"m outta here and will finish the first round from home.  They're about to kick us out of the stadium.

The Jaguars actually make a pick and it's home state guy Reggie Nelson, a safety out of Florida.

The NFL Network FINALLY reports that the Browns are trying to trade up, packaging picks to get Quinn.  They make it seem like the likelihood of a trade is possible.

The N.Y. Giants go for Texas CB Aaron Ross, given the way they lost games in a couple of instances last year, that can only help given his pedigree.

The NFL Network shills for one of its sponsors, Sprint, during the middle of commentary on the draft.  That's a wee bit tacky.

Let's play "what if".  So what if the Browns can't move up and Brady Quinn doesn't get picked in the first round?  That leaves an interesting scenario out there.  At the top of the second round there's Oakland and they sure as heck don't need a QB after drafting JaMarcus Russell.

But they could call the Browns looking to make a deal and if the Browns are that interested in Quinn they might be listening.  Why?  Because the Detroit Lions sit there with the 34th pick over all just ahead of them.  Do you seriously believe they wouldn't consider taking Quinn given the fact that their current starting QB is Jon Kitna?  It's something to think about.

The Titans select safety Michael Griffin  out of Texas.  Yawn. 

The Bengals needed a CB and they got one in Leon Hall.  He's from Michigan.  Just gives Browns fans another reason to detest the Bengals.

The Bengals are making their choice.  Gee, do you think they need to pick an altarboy?  I do.   

All updates will appear at the top now.

It' s 11:45 and I'm set up here in the pressbox.  I've been hearing certain things from media types that I know who suspect Golden Domer (Notre Dame) fans in the area won't get their wish and get to see Brady Quinn here.  I've heard it's Wisconsin's Joe Thomas a practical pick that could solidify the Browns offensive line for a decade.  Is it a gamble?  Heck yes.  But so is drafting Quinn, who possesses happy feet and an inability to show up in big games.  At best this is all a crapshoot.  Enjoy.

Oakland:  The Oakland Raiders take JaMarcus Russell surprising no one.  He's an Al Davis type of bombs-away QB for the vertical game he so loves.  Here's hoping Al's got a way to bolster that O-line because Russell will need it.  Detroit is on the clock will likely take Calvin Johnson or, possibly, entertainn the idea of a trade from Tampa Bay?

During this 15 minutes it's borderline painful to watch Steve Mariucci on the NFL Network talk about the Butch Davis years here and some of the lame brained draft picks while here.  Gerard "Small Change" Warren anyone?

Strategery in play as ESPN talks about how the Bucs could draft Gaines Adams and trade him to the Lions for Johnson.  Apparently the Lions want the Bucs two second round draft picks.  That may be too much to give up - Tampa Bay has too many holes.

Johnson looks happy going to Motown.  We shall see.  ESPN doesn't expect the Lions to hold on to him.

 The Browns are on the clock and I'm heading back to the club level to gauge reaction at the party.

And the pick is, as you all know by now, left tackle Joe Thomas.  It's about damned time they seriously addressed this offensive line.  Thomas could be an imposing presence on the line and a mainstay for years.

The Browns may have won the P.R. battle with this choice.  Before the team made their pick, anytime Quinn's face showed up on TV, there were resounding boos.  When they announced Thomas' name, universal cheers erupted.  Cheers, high fives and pats on the back.  It's difficult to tell how many were beer induced, but from down here, they're happy in Brownstown.  Give Phil Savage credit.  He snookered many in the media until the last minute and two of the best known draft gurus out there - Mel Kiper Jr. and Mike Mayock.

Also consider that it also might be a lukewarm endorsement of Charlie Frye.  Perhaps they recognized that no one could be expected to function with any degree of efficiency behind the sieve known as the Browns O-line.  Frye fans should be happy at this point.

With respect to broadcasting, the NFL Network wins this one because they apparently have the ability to eventually talk to Thomas from the boat he's fishing from with his father on Lake Michigan.  I like the fact that he isn't wrapped up with the glitz and glamour here.  It shows that his head is on straight and that although football is a game, it's also a business and a job.  His blue-collar mentality should work well in this area.

The Bucs choose Gaines Adams.  Think they're not talking trade with DayTwoi? 

The Arizona Cardinals select Levi Brown.  The consensus on both networks is that the No. 5 pick is too high to reach for him.  This first round is going briskly.  My guess would be because there was little movement trade-wise and with respect to surprises at the top of the draft.

Washington takes LaRon Landry. It's a need.  They're done for the day, however, because for some inexplicable reason they loved to trade draft picks for veteran players who ultimately don't mesh with them.  The Minnesota Vikings are on the clock and they are looking at Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson, but there has been talk of some interest in Brady Quinn.

As many of you know the Vikes went with Petersen.  Not a huge surprise there.  The Atlanta Falcons chose to bolster a weak defense with the addition of DE Jamaal Anderson out of Arkansas.

The first true surprise of the draft comes courtesy of Miami Dolphins who select the OSU Buckeyes' own Ted Ginn Jr. WOW!!  HUGE surprise there because almost everyone projected him to fall out of the Top 10.  What's hilarious is watching and listening to ESPN's Steve Young have a heart attack over th Dolphins' selection.  You'd think that Young owned the team as he talks of the legacy of Dan Marino and such.

That pick says a couple things to me:  Daunte Culpepper's rehab may be further along than anyone may think and new Fish Coach Cam Cameron, who comes from the offensive side of the ball, likes what he sees.  In Culpepper he has a bombadier and Ted Ginn Jr.'s 4.3 speed loosen defenses.  Some question his route running skills and many have said that his teammate Anthony Gonzalez has better hands, but there's little denying he can be lightning in a bottle. 

Or the Fish could be on the verge of getting Trent Green, a QB who doesn't have a canon for an arm, but it's not a pop gun either and before he succumbed to injury with the St. Louis Rams and losing his job, was used to working with speedy receivers.  We shall see.

Remembering what happened with Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay a couple of years ago, NFL Commish Roger Goodell invites him into a private area to await his selection, reports ESPN.  It's a classy move on his part.  Sort of nullifies that ridiculous fine of Brian Urlacher a couple weeks back.

 Where were we?  Marshawn Lynch goes to the Buffalo Bills.  Patrick Willis to the 49ers, Adam Carriker from Nebraska to  the Rams.  Carolina swaps with the Jets who take Darrelle Revis a CB out of Pitt.

Bringing us to the Stillers.  Did anyone truly believe they'd not try to fill the shoes left when they let Joey Porter get away in free agency?  Just another outside linebacker to try to terrorize Browns QBs.

Young is still extolling the virtues of Brady Quinn and Chris Mortensen reports the Browns attempting to move up to get Quinn.  I don't hear any of this on the NFL Network.  It's possible that I've missed some nugget of it, but it's not there.  You see the differences in the respective broadcasts through the personnel on the screen.  After 28 years, ESPN has built trust - enough to get a story like that.

The Pack takes Justin Harrell a DT out of Tennessee.  No, it' s not as if they could have used some offensive help for Brett Farvrrree, especially after Ahman Green vacated Wisconsin.

 Jamie Dukes of the NFL Network hits on a very valid point when it comes to Brady Quinn's freefall - the lwoer he goes in the first round, the better the team he plays for next season.  However, he also points out the loss in dead presidents that he will take.  That's got to be hard to swallow as well.

By the way, Quinn to the Jaguars makes sense given the fact that the team doesn't appear to be particularly enamored of Byron Leftwich, their current signal caller.

Jacksonville has a strategy: trade down and get as many picks as you can.

As a quick aside, I actually found a couple folks wearing Miami Dolphin gear here and they were far from happy with the selection of Teddy Ginn Jr.

Other thoughts on Quinn:  Should he fall to the second round, is that necessarily a bad thing?  It wasn't for another Golden Dome QB named Joe Montana who was taken in the third round, but ended up winning four Super Bowls and being named the game's MVP three times.  Whoever gets him will end up with a QB with an itch to prove everyone wrong.

I was sitting in the press area at Quicken Loans Arena Sunday, I looked up and suddenly realized that Larry Hughes had dropped 27 points on the Washington Wizards.  Normally that would be LeBron James, but this afternoon, Hughes was on display.  Maybe that $2 million bonus he got for the team's 49th win put a little pep in his step.  Or, perhaps, there's something else.

In his second season with the Cavs, Hughes suffered through an injury plagued first season and the tragic death of his brother.  There exists some validity to the argument that he never got into any kind of playoff groove last season because of that.  If his performance today is any indication of what the playoffs could be, then Cavs fans will be saying "Welcome, Larry." 

Since being moved to the point guard position, Hughes and LeBron James have played in harmony - certainly a little out of tune on occasion - but for the most part it seemed as if they are on the same page.

Dare we think that Hughes might be LBJ's Scottie Pippen?  No one is likely to go that far, but if Hughes can continue the consistent play, the Eastern Conference Finals are certainly attainable.

Anyone remember the bit that cemented actor-comedian Eddie Murphy's career on the silver screen?

It's the scene in 48 Hours when Reggie Hammond, the felon he portrayed, pretends to be a cop in a country-rock club.  Oh to heck with being PC.  It was a freakin' redneck bar.  He rousts the natives, getting them all riled up, but he kept them in check and got the information he was looking for in the process.

The new NFL commish, Roger Goodell is in full Reggie Hammond mode, stirring up the locals - meaning players - and flaunting his authority.  Is this a bad thing?

Not necessarily.  In the case of his decision last week to suspend Tennessee Titans defensive back and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry no. 

However, in the case of Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, can I get a huge PLEASE!!!  Goodell issued a 100K fine for Urlacher wearing the baseball cap of an unauthorized sponsor during media day at the Super Bowl.  Don't we think that's a wee bit excessive?  Insulting even?  Or just borderline ridiculous?

I vote for all of the above. I understand that Goodell is the new sheriff in town and he has to show that he means business.  With the new player conduct policy adopted with the cooperation (or is that collusion) NFL Players Association, he took a step in the right direction in putting some shine back on the league's image.  That policy now puts players on notice about what's expected with respect to individual behavior.  In that regard it's about time.

With this latest move, however, Goodell reinforces a common belief that the NFL stands for No Fun League.  It also displays just how petty the league can be.

Yes, there's a new sheriff in town and it looks, in this instance, that he's wearing a tin badge.

Everything's all right in Northeast Ohio because fans have a playoff team in the Cleveland Cavaliers to give their hearts to in the second season known as the NBA playoffs.

But I have to wonder if everyone would be giddy had the Chicago Bulls knocked off the New Jersey Nets Wednesday night to take the second seed in playoff bracketing.  You see, that seed is the key to the Eastern Conference Finals.  With the Cavs' win against Milwaukee last night, the team ensured that they won't have to face the bad boys in the East - the Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat.

Instead they get the relative ease of the Washington Wizards and the winner of the Toronto-New Jersey series should they advance past the first round.  Owner Dan Gilbert is looking forward to the playoffs as you can hear in this little sit down he had with the media Wednesday night.  That was before all of the associated fanfare related to the night's events.  I wonder if he'd been as keen if he'd known that the Cavs would be taking on the defending champs.

That brings me to what worries me about this team.  Anyone who reads the sports section knows that we have a superb beat writer in Brian Windhorst, but I've had plent of chances to be around the Cavaliers during the course of the season and the one aspect of this team that I always questioned was its carefree attitude.  Perhaps it's a reflection of Coach Mike Brown and taking every game "one at a time."  No, that's not a bad mantra, but when does that turn to complacency?

It shouldn't have been necessary for the Cavaliers to rely on another team to complete their job last night.  There were at least six or seven games this season that they should have won, but bumbled.  Charlotte Bobcats anyone?  New York Knicks? Boston Celtics?

Fate shined upon them last night.  I just hope they realize just how fickle a lady Fate can be.

By now all sports fans have seen the Tim Duncan video that led to his being ejected from a game by referee Joey Crawford.  Duncan has a rep throughout the league of being a whiner, but that's irrelevant in this case.

Crawford stepped across an invisible line in this case making himself part of the game when, as a game official, he shouldn't have been and he will pay the price for that.  Suspended indefinitely, Crawford will watch the NBA playoffs (or not) from his recliner at home.  It's a suspension that's deserved primarily because he broke a cardinal rule of game officiating.  You have to trust me on this.  I only pretend to know this because my brother refs high school football.   But he refs by the belief that the best game officials are the ones who call fouls, penalties or whatever within the confines of the contests.  According to my dear brother Randy you should never know when an official is there.  I couldn't agree more.

Crawford's grandstanding likely cost Duncan's team, the San Antonio Spurs.  Locked in a fierce battle for the second playoff seed in the Western Conference, the team went on to lose that game against the Dallas Mavericks effectively eliminating any chance Duncan and crew had to grab it.

It's possible that the Spurs would have lost that game with Duncan's imposing presence still in the middle.  It's also possible they would have won.  The problem is we'll never know because Crawford saw fit to call a couple of petty technical fouls and eject Duncan possibly controlling the outcome of the game.   Was Duncan disrespectful at some point? Probably. 

But refs like Crawford need to learn that it's the game that matters, not their egos and certainly not the players' egos.

I sat in on Phil Savage's pre-draft meet-and-greet with local media types today and something became apparent to many of us as Savage sat at an elevated dais and analyzed every position on a football team (except kicker and punter) in some semblance of detail and several things revealed themselves:

1) The Browns would have little problem with moving up in the draft  to get the player they want if the deal is right, Savage said.

2)  Savage has apparently known LSU's JaMarcus Russell since the kid was 14 or 15.

3)  During the course of the press conference, Savage rattled off the comparative strengths and weaknesses of approximatley 15-20 quarterbacks.

4) After ending with his breakdown of all of the positions about 45 minutes later, I suddenly needed to reach for the Tums.

Why?  Because it became painfully aware that after edumacating the press that Savage and the Browns have researched quarterbacks more than any other position.   The Browns will be taking a quarterback in the upcoming draft.  Will they move up to get Russell?  Or will it be Brady Quinn?

It's no secret that Randy Lerner traveled to see Russell work out.  It's also no secret that Quinn wants to play for the Browns.  So why do I want neither?  Let's think waaaaaayyy back to … 1999…when the team drafted Tim Couch out of Kentucky with the No. 1 overall pick.  Yup, he was going to lead us to the Promised Land.  He got sacked. We booed.  He cried.  He was doomed.

Fast forward to 2007 and yes, we once again need a quarterback.  Sorry Charlie, Frye ain't the answer.   Yet it looks as if we're about to make the same mistake.  What good is a quarterback when you can't protect him?  Right now, the Browns pass protection is inconsistent at best, horrible at worst.  And make no mistake about it, if they draft Russell or Quinn, they will play this year.  The Frye Experiment is done.

Here's hoping that Savage and Head Coach Romeo Crennel possible gamble pays off.  If it doesn't, they'll likely pay with their jobs.  And Browns fans?  How does another five years in football hell sound?  Yeah, I thought so.

The moves out of Cleveland Browns HQ in Berea are getting curiousier and curiousier.  The team announced two signings today - fullback Alan Ricard and tight end Ryan Krause.  Given that the Browns released their blocking back Terrelle Smith last month, the former isn't a big surprise.

However, signing Krause could mean one of two things.  The first:  they're in need of some training camp competition or they're worried about Kellen Winslow's recovery from microfracture surgery.  The fact that they signed TE Steve Heiden to a multi-year extension just last week and this tell me that they may be a wee bit worried.  Heiden is a warrior who deserved an extension.  However, would it have come at this time had Winslow not had surgery?

Mind you, this is mere speculation on my part, but right now it looks as if the Browns are preparing for the worst.

Well I'm finally wested and wewaxed and roaring to go.  Shocking that a week in Las Vegas can do that for you.

It's a good thing too with the baseball season officially underway and the Cavaliers heading to the playoffs, it could be a very exciting time in for the area - at least for a little bit.

Yes, there's a healthy bit of skepticism in that last statement.  Why?  Because I grew up in Northeast Ohio.  Skepticism is part of being a sports fan in this town.

While in Vegas I camped out at the ESPNZone for a couple of evenings to keep up on Cleveland area sporting events.  It was an excuse to eat things that I have no business eating and down a couple of frosty brews.  We could use an ESPNZone in this area, near the Gateway area as part Downtown Cleveland's revitalization right next to the House of Blues.  Not like I have a spot picked out or anything like that.  But that's another topic for another time.

I was able to see some of the Tribe's action in their "home opener" against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and part of the Cavs' thumping of the New Jersey Nets.  But let's deal with the Cavs first shall we?

Yes, they've looked fantastic during their last couple of outings - especially the other night against the Atlanta Hawks, yet I'm concerned.  Why?  Because unless the Cavs win out and da Bulls drop one of their last two, LeBron James and company will be the No. 5 seed.  What's the difference?  Let's see, who would you rather have in the opening rounds of the playoffs - New Jersey or the defending champion Miami Heat who now have Dwyane Wade back?  Yeah, I thought so.  During the times that I subbed for Cavs beat writer Brian Windhorst, the Cavs' lack of fire about losses frustrated.  In interview after interview local beat writers heard "it will work itself out."

Yes, it has.  Into a situation where the Cavs are fighting for a playoff position that they should have had locked up.  I was speaking with another media type guy today and we counted the number of games this team through away to sub-part teams such as the Charlotte Bobcats and New York Knicks.  If they end up in that fifth position they have no one but themselves to blame.

As for the Indians, right now you have to marvel at the fact that they sit atop the American League's Central Division standings. Given snowouts, home games in Milwaukee (where they outdrew the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks) they deserve mad props and so far, in a season where expectations are once again high, they look good.  Ace C.C. Sabathia is 3-0 after last night.  Grady Sizemore looks like an All-Star.  The best part of this?  It's April, the month the team is known for thinking they're still in spring training.  It could be a very fun summer.

Yes, many of you are sitting at home right now warm and comfy in your flannel jammies sitting in cushy recliners watching the Tribe on television.  No one in his or her right mind would be watching baseball in person right now.  You're the smart ones because, to be quite honest, if I didn't have to work I wouldn't be at Jacobs Field right now.  It was freakin' 31 degrees with a wind chill of 20 by the time Paul Byrd tossed the first official pitch of the home campaign.  Ummmm YEAH!!!

"Take me out the the ball game.  Take me out to the crowd.  Buy me some peanuts and hot chocolate…"  That just doesn't quite have the same ring as the normal lyrics, does it?  Nope.  What I would love to do is meet the mental midget that scheduled the Home Opener for the first week of April against a West Coast team that only travels here once.  Hello…is there anyone home McFly?

Had this been a A.L. Central Division foe, this game would have been postponed, primarily because even Eskimoes wouldn't have played baseball in the type of weather we've seen today.  Wouldn't things work just a wee bit better if MLB made sure teams in more meteoroligically challenged cities were on the road for the first week of the season?  Perhaps that makes much too much sense.