Browns: Pre-Draft Quarterback Workouts

Nov 17, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns helmet lays on the ground before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns have started the process of holding private pre-draft workouts with this years crop of Quarterback prospects. The first quarterback to meet with the Browns’ coaching staff was Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr (6-2, 214), whose private workout was held on Monday (March 31st) just outside Fresno, California.  The Browns’ front office has come under scrutiny in the media recently by the decision to pass on pro day workouts and combine interviews with top draft prospects. The Browns’ put some of the scrutiny to bed by sending General Manager Ray Farmer, Head Coach Mike Pettine, Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan and Quarterbacks Coach Dowell Loggains to Carr’s private workout. Carr recently went on  SiriusXM NFL Radio with Gil Brandt and Alex Marvez and talked about his workout experience with Browns’. Carr told Brandt and Marvez “Everything went great. It went exactly how we wanted it to and now, of course, we just wait till May and see how they’re feeling.” Carr further added “Coach Shanahan ran the workout, so we do their (Browns) drills, and they really want to tire you out. Carr added “When you’re doing the individual drills, they really try to tire you out, to see how you’re feeling, really grind you a little bit. And then you go into throwing routes while you’re tired, like a football game”. 

The Browns’ staff on Wednesday (April 2nd) made the trip down to Florida and put Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles (6-5, 232) through the paces. The Browns’ once again generate media scrutiny for not making an appearance at Wednesday’s pro day of South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. It’s been reported the Browns’ sent a scout to Clowney’s pro-day workout, but no one wearing Browns’ official gear was spotted during the event.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported the Browns’ are also scheduled to work out the following quarterbacks this week: Louisville Teddy Bridgewater, Eastern Illinois’ Jimmy Garoppolo, Pittsburgh Tom Savage and Ball State’s Keith Wenning. Mortensen confirmed via twitter the Browns’ will hold a private workout Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in 2-3 weeks. Pittsburgh quarterback Wenning’s workout was confirmed by Brandt and will be conducted in front of  HC Pettine and GM Ray Farmer on Saturday (April 5th). ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi confirmed via twitter the Browns’ will dine and workout Eastern Illinois’ Garoppolo by the end of the week.

Last week, Pettine said the team would conduct private workouts with “a big list” of quarterbacks to include Bortles, Manziel and Bridgewater. Pettine also said the organization would host several quarterbacks on pre-draft visits to Berea and elsewhere. Pettine and company thus far are staying true to their word and are criss crossing the country to meet, greet and run every prospect through the paces. This should be a very busy and interesting few weeks leading up to the NFL draft on May 8th.