Thoughts after Tom Heckert's press conference

A few thoughts on the Cleveland Browns draft after general manager Tom Heckert's press conference Thursday:

• It won't surprise me if they end up with LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. He fits the ''best available'' philosophy. And how many times have we heard in the past month or so that you can't have too many good cornerbacks. Heckert pointed out that they play nickel defense 60 percent of the time, which means you need three. And I still remember the days of Dixon and Minnifield fondly. (Is it merely a result of age that I still remember Minnifield's number but would have to look up some on the current roster?)


• It would surprise me if they pick Auburn quarterback Cam Newton. I find it hard to believe he'll still be available, when arguably Carolina, Denver, Cincinnati and Arizona need quarterbacks. But Newton is the ultimate one-year wonder. He could sit for a year behind Colt McCoy, but I think it might take him longer than that to learn the West Coast offense. The Brownns have too many holes to fill to wait that long, or longer.


• It wouldn't surprise me if they draft Georgia receiver A.J. Green. I don't think he'll still be there, either. But the defense of Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi is getting to be too much, even though I love Robiskie.


• It wouldn't surprise me if they draft Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller. I'm not a big fan of the Browns' linebacking corps except for Scott Fujita and Miller would also provide some pass rush. Can't believe he'll be there, either.


• It would surprise me if the Browns don't pick a quarterback in the later rounds. After all, Mike Holmgren will be in the room. Although this could be the year that may not be prudent. It's not a great QB class and since undrafted rookies may have to sit in limbo for months, the Browns could leap on someone in the seventh round they fear of getting outbid for in a feeding frenzy when the free agent floodgates open.


• It wouldn't surprise me to see the Browns draft an Ohio State or Ohio college product. Best guesses -- Walsh receiver Joe Morgan or Ohio State linebackers Ross Homan or Brian Rolle, especially if the latter two are still around on day 3.