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.
