Browns Quiet on Day One of Combine

Fred Greetham reports from Indianapolis, where the Browns avoided the podium on Thursday.

INDIANAPOLIS—There was little talk on the Browns front on the first day of the NFL Combine. Mike Holmgren is slated to talk on Friday and Eric Mangini and Tom Heckert are not scheduled until Saturday.

Several of the front office members from around the NFL spoke about Holmgren being back in the NFL. “I’m glad he’s back in the NFL,” 49er’s GM Scot McCloughan said. “He’s very classy, very professional.” Steelers’ Director of Operations Kevin Colbert respects what Holmgren brings to the Browns. “Any time you have someone of coach Holmgren’s status join the division it will make the division better,” Colbert said. McCloughan worked under Holmgren as a college scout in Green Bay from 1996-99 and then as Director of College Scouting in Seattle from 2001-2005. “I learned a lot,” he said. “He developed quarterbacks and has been known to bring them along.” Topics expected to be addressed by the Browns this week during the combine are Josh Cribbs’ contract status and some discussion on the Browns quarterback position. Recently, Holmgren said he hadn’t had a chance to spend time with either Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn. One of the hot topics of the day around the NFL was talk regarding the nose tackle in the 3-4. The 49ers franchised Aubruyo Franklin and the Steelers signed All-Pro Casey Hampton to a long-term deal. Bills coach Chan Gailey said nose tackles are high in demand. “Everybody’s looking for a nose tackle in the 3-4,” he said. “And there are not a lot of them out there.” Fox Sports’ Adam Caplan reported that the Browns’ coaching staff was high on Ahytyba Rubin, who played well replacing the injured Shaun Rogers in the last half of the season. Two good nose tackles should give the Browns some ammunition as more and more teams are going to the 3-4 and they need nose tackles. If Rogers recovers fully from his broken leg, the Browns might be able to trade him for an upgrade at another position or a high draft pick.