Cairns: Browns getting ready for the NFL Combine and beyond; Pat Shurmur discusses team’s future

BEREA, Ohio - Is Colt McCoy the Browns starting quarterback next season? Will the Browns draft RG3 with their first pick? Is Peyton Hillis coming back? Will the Browns be a big player in Free Agency? These are just a few of the questions that were asked Wednesday when Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur met with a select group of the media in Berea, of which I was a part.

For 50 minutes, the media came at Coach Shurmur from every angle on every subject -- and questions were asked in every way possible.

So, what did I get out of Wednesday morning’s meeting? Before I get into that, let me just say this is not the first roundtable I have been involved in out in Berea, so I already knew what to expect before I ever walked thru the securely-gated doors of Browns Headquarters.

If anybody who was there for the first time thought they were coming away with any pre-draft or pre-season secrets, for that matter, they were setting themselves up for disappointment. Here is what I did take away from Wednesday’s interviews with Pat Shurmur and new Browns Offensive Coordinator Brad Childress.

RG3 AND THE DRAFT

The Browns are well aware of all the predictions and mock drafts that are out there and the fact they have them selecting Robert Griffin III with their first round pick. Pat Shurmur has never met RG3 but he will get to sit down with him this week at the NFL combine this week. Shurmur has seen a lot of film on the Baylor quarterback and said he is "very accomplished." Neither Shurmur nor Childress seemed very concerned about Griffin throwing primarily from the shotgun in college.

No matter who the Browns chose at quarterback, Shurmur said he feels "You have to get the QB position right." Shurmur also told us the team is not locked into an offensive or defensive player with the first pick. The Browns head into the draft with nine picks. Last year, seven drafted players made impacts on offense and defense for the Browns.

COLT MCCOY

Coach Shurmur is excited about the future of Colt McCoy. He said he feels Colt will work hard and do all the things he needs to in the offseason to prepare and be ready for next season. Shurmur said he does not feel McCoy's arm strength is an issue and feels Colt has no problem throwing the deep ball. What he would like to see McCoy work on this offseason is his footwork and getting a better feel for the right targets to throw to. I also got the impression that Shurmur was not committed to Colt as the starter and didn't say anything to change my impression.

PEYTON HILLIS

Pat Shurmur has spoken with Hillis several times during this offseason and can't really say what is going to happen, and if he will return. Shurmur did say he liked Hillis when he was healthy and that is one position the Browns need to get better at.

D'QWELL JACKSON

The team is trying to get a long-term deal done with Jackson and want him back. If not, he is a candidate to have the franchise label slapped on him -- a decision the Browns need to make by March 5. Shurmur did say he was happy with the way the linebackers played as a whole last year despite injuries, and is not past changing up positions with the current linebacking core that he has.

Thoughts on other players:

PHIL DAWSON                  Important player to bring back

DIMITRI PATTERSON       Key player to retain and could play corner if needed

ERIC STEINBACH            Working out and getting better every day but still not cleared to play

PLAY CALLING DUTIES WITH OFF. COORDINATOR BRAD CHILDRESS

Pat Shurmur and Brad Childress have known each other for a long time. Both men were hired on the same day by Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid. Shurmur and Childress even lived in the same neighborhood. Both men said we are all making too much of who will call the plays. Shurmur said it will be a team effort every week. Childress will be up in the box and Shurmur on the field. Childress who took last year off will run and direct the offensive meetings every week with Shurmur checking in from "time to time."

FREE AGENTS

The Browns have made it clear this year’s team will be built through the draft and free agents. There are a number of big-named free agents available at different positions, including wide receiver -- a much needed area for the Browns. Shurmur said if a free agent wide receiver is brought in, its important that he "add leadership to the team." Browns fans: you can draw your own conclusions there.

This invite-only roundtable for me has always been a "read between the lines" type of get together. There is a lot of information that is discussed. Some on the record and some off, but I can say this Browns fans, no matter what happens come draft time this year, Pat Shurmur and his staff will be more prepared then last year.

Keep in mind, seven players drafted last season played for the team and played well, so I am confident in thinking Shurmur and his group have a good handle on the offense and the best Browns football is yet to come. Your comments?