With the 21st pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select...

..Phil Taylor, defensive tackle, from Baylor. In case you sports fans missed it last night, the Cleveland Browns started the night with the 6th overall pick in the draft. Players like DL Marcell Darius, LB Von Miller, WR A. J. Green, and CB Patrick Peterson were on the Browns' wish list. All four were drafted prior to the Browns' pick. GM Tom Heckert jumped on a trade from the Atlanta Falcons, giving up the 6th overall pick to acquire the Falcons 1st round pick in 2011 (no. 27th overall) and 2012, their 2nd round pick in 2011, and their 4th round pick from 2011 and 2012. That's four extra draft picks!

The Browns weren't done. Kansas City became a trade partner, with the Browns moving from the 27th overall to the 21st overall and giving up their 3rd round pick. With this pick, the Browns took 6 foot, 4 inch and 337-pound defensive tackle Phil Taylor. This gives the Browns two run stoppers in the middle of their new 4-3 defense, pairing Taylor up with Ahtyba Rubin. The AFC North features premier rushers like Ray Rice and Rashard Mendenhall, and stopping the run is a priority of Browns defensive coordinator Dick Jauron.

The draft pick is only part of the deal. With the 6th overall draft pick, Browns management was looking for an impact player. Instead, the Browns picked up 4 additional draft picks to supplement their team with players and or more draft picks. I think this was a solid trade both from the drafting of Phil Taylor and the additional draft picks.

With the 37th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select DE Jabaal Sheard from Pittsburgh. Another commitment to the defense, and a much needed one at that. Sheard was a 1st Team All Big East player in 2010 and brings a pass-rushing presence to a team that desperately needs it. Sheard will help fill in the Browns' need both in quality and quantity with the transition to a four linemen defensive scheme.

Two picks in, both committing to the defense. With the 59th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns select WR Greg Little from North Carolina. Little was one of the several Tar Heels that had to sit out the 2010 season. At 6'2'' and 231 pounds, Little brings a big target for Colt McCoy in the West Coast offense to complement Mohammed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie. Another need has been met by the Browns here.

In review, the Browns filled needs on the defensive line and the wide receiver corps with their first three picks. In addition, extra picks were acquired for this season and next. What does this mean? It says to me that the Browns are looking to stockpile a group of solid players. We need players that will contribute immediately and have staying power. In the past, the Browns may have drafted a "star" only for the sustained success to have been compromised. It's up to the team of Heckert and President Mike Holmgren to get the Browns up to speed with the elite models of the Ravens and Steelers.

Rounds 4-7 are tomorrow. With seven more picks this draft, stay tuned to how the Browns plan to stock up.

Midweek Cooler Talk

How about them Indians, sports fans? Off to a 12-5 start, the 2011 Friends of the Feather have come out of the gates with strong pitching, tight defense, and timely hitting. The numbers from the pitchers speak for themselves. 13 out of 17 games have been considered a quality start by the rotation (at least 6 innings pitched giving up 3 or less runs). Chris Perez is picking up right where he left off last year with 5 saves in 4 tries, and the bullpen has been dazzling....

...What isn't commonly quantified is defense. You can look at team errors as a measurement of defensive success, but it doesn't tell the entire story. The Indians defense is light years better than they were last season. A healthy Asdrubal Cabrera certainly helps, but the additions of veteran Orlando Cabrera and light-hitting, but quick-gloved Jack Hannahan have proven thus far to be the major additions to this squad...

....Orlando Cabrera didn't play second base coming into this season. He's a left-side infielder for the most part, but with Manny Acta putting his faith that a third basemen or shortstop being able to move seamlessly to second base, this move has paid immediate dividends. The elder Cabrera is like a coach out there, positioning the infielders and taking charge. His experience is evident, as he has been to the playoffs 6 out of the last 8 seasons, including a World Series win in 2004 with Boston....

...Jack Hannahan has a reputation for struggling at the plate. After a hot start, this rep has proven true for the most part. But the Tribe didn't get him for his offense. It's his defense that makes him his money in the majors. There have been numerous plays this season that has solidified his spot. You can see the way he handles third base that he's comfortable at the hot corner....

....Last season we had a combination of Jason Donald, Jayson Nix, Andy Marta and Jhonny Peralta playing 2B, SS, and 3B. Errors were abundant, infield singles were given up, and too many double plays were not turned all of which give the opposition extra outs. Cleveland pitchers got punished by their ability to induce a ground ball. Not to this point of the season....

....The outfield has been tremendous as well, and with Grady Sizemore working his way back in, we're looking at Michael Brantley at left, Grady in center, and Shin-Soo Choo in right. This is basically a Web Gem waiting to happen each night out. Defense is going to have to continue at their current level in order to carry this Indians squad into contention...

....I need to acknowledge the fact that I completely botched the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, and Final Four picks I put up awhile back. I don't think anyone could've predicted how it was going to play out, but since I have a public forum, I'm admitting that I was wrong a lot more than I was right during this tournament. Let's just say my wallet may or may not be lighter on the other end of this tournament...

...The Cavs showed some fight in winning 4 of their last 6. Just enough fight to have the second-worst record in the league. I don't put too much stock in the lottery because it's exactly that. Lady Luck will have to be on our side come May...

...If you have the opportunity to check out Fox Sports Ohio's tribute to Joe Tait titled "Have a Goodnight Everybody" please do so. As my friends and I discussed, it was a classy move by Fox Sports to air Joe's final commentary on their network. I'll be honest though, I had to listen to the radio for my last Joe Tait experience, and that included the post-game show. Just to hear him say one last time, with a slight modification, "Have a Good Life, Everybody"....

...I know I already posted on this, but I will truly miss the only Voice of the Cavs that i know. Thanks again for all of the calls...

...Be sure to check out some of the other Cleveland teams ripping it up right now. The Lake Erie Monsters currently own a 2 games to 1 lead over the Manitoba Moose in the first round of the American Hockey League's Calder Cup Playoffs. If necessary, Games 6 and 7 will be in Cleveland next week...

...The Arena Football League's Cleveland Gladiators are off to a 3-1 start. Led by former Mount Union QB Kurt Rocco and former Bowling Green WR Robert Redd, the Gladiators have been lighting up the scoreboard with the exception of a 34-33 heartbreaker this past Saturday night against the New Orleans Voodoo. Arena football is extremely fast-paced with high-flying action and bone-crushing hits. Players are slammed into the walls and thrown out of the playing area. Great fun at an affordable price, plus any ball that goes into the stands is for keeps....

....I will attempt to post on the NFL Draft next week, as the Cleveland Browns have the 6th overall pick. Who are the Browns going to take? Let us know....

...Enjoy the rest of the week folks. Follow our other writers and check us out on Facebook and Twitter. Our April episode is up on our website as well, which saw us visit Panini's Bar and Grill in Brunswick, Ohio!

A season to remember

Article by: Brent Bartchak

BRUNSWICK, OH- - This past boys basketball season is one that fans won’t forget for a long time. The season got off to an exciting start even before the preseason began as the talents of Pat Forsythe brought division one coaches pouring into the east gym. Coaches such as Thad Matta from Ohio State and Bob Huggins form West Virginia all had Forsythe at the top of their wish list. Forsythe committed to West Virginia and the news of Brunswick having a division one athlete on its basketball team spread like wildfire through the city. Fans became anxious for the basketball season to begin, but they would have to wait until the third game of the season to watch them play because the Blue Devils traveled to New York to start the season and played in the Wilson Tip-Off Tournament.

The New York trip is one that the team will never forget as 17 players, cheerleaders, coach’s sons, the team manager and videographer all got stuck in the hotel elevator for a half hour after the first victory of the season. It was a frightening but it was a great bonding experience that brought the team closer together.

The season got off to a slow start but that was expected because of all young talent which included freshman point guard Ryan Badowski. Critics were questioning Coach Mackey’s decision to start a freshman, but Badowski shut the critics up with his outstanding poise throughout the season and his lights-out three-point shooting. The one game of the season that left a sour taste in the mouths of the team was the twenty-three point loss to Medina early in the season. After that horrific loss the team started to pick up momentum and improved their game as the season progressed. One of the highlights of the season was a 46-44 nail biter victory at home against Medina.

Through the ups and downs of the season the Blue Devils made it to the postseason and were ready to take on any opponent. They won their first two games but in the second game Forsythe suffered an ankle injury that ended his season. Without Pat for the Berea game, most fans thought that the Blue Devils were going to get blown out, but the total opposite happened. Brunswick forced overtime against the Braves but the ending result was not in their favor. For as much heart as the team played with that night at Midview, the season ended with a heartbreak 47-44 loss. This was the final chapter in an exciting season that will never be forgotten. The Blue Devils finished with a 13-7 record which is way better than most people projected.

The team had a fantastic group of seniors that will be missed greatly. Those seniors are Anthony Ocacio, Matt Dunning, Zach Gresch, Ray J Brown, and Pat Forsythe. Forsythe set nine school records this year and was named District Player of the Year, All-Conference and All-State. Dunning also had a great season averaging close to 10 points a game and was named All-Conference. Although the Blue Devils will be graduating a lot of talent this year, there is still a large group of players with a lot of skill that will continue to have success next season.