4/29/06 General Manager Phil Savage and Head Coach Romeo Crennel press conference following the third round of the 2006 NFL draft

Phil Savage (opening statement)- “I talked about having immediate needs at the pre-draft press conference and secondary needs. We are hoping that the first two picks will fulfill our needs in due time. The situation with Travis Wilson was taking the best available player. On our board, we felt like he was the best available talent at that point. Coming into the season, Travis was rated near the top of the draft as a senior receiver. Of course, Oklahoma lost a number of receivers, their quarterback Jason White and they struggled offensively for the better part of the first half of the year. (Wilson) then had an injury and ultimately missed several games at the end of the year. He came back, participated in the Senior Bowl and had an impressive week there in the practices. He was too good of a value to pass up at that position. We also looked at it in terms with Braylon (Edwards’) situation and the start of next season. We felt like it was too good of a value to pass up so, we decided to take Travis. That certainly was a best available player more than an immediate need. I think that’s an important distinction to make.”

Phil Savage (On the first day of the 2006 draft)- “I think we came away from the first day very satisfied with what we were able to accomplish. We wanted to address the run defense, pass rush and scoring points. I think all three of those players that we took can help in those different areas. I think all three have the demeanor to face the opponents we have in the division. We came away with an extra pick out of the first day with the first round move back from No. 12 to 13. Also, we were able to accomplish something in terms of being able to get value for Jeff Faine. I think it was a very successful first day and we are looking forward to tomorrow with our seven picks. There really are no players that are hanging on a limb that we are trying to get. We do feel like our board is pretty strong and we are going to get a number of players that we do like. That’s where we are right now with this draft. We had some ‘gotta haves,’ with (Kamerion) Wimbley. We had some ‘loves,’ with D’Qwell (Jackson) and now we are into the ‘like’ zone with these guys. We’re looking forward to tomorrow.”

Romeo Crennel (On the first day of the draft)- “There were some needs that we wanted to address and we feel like we addressed those. Especially with the second pick at the inside linebacker position. We were kind of light there. We added an inside linebacker who is a good player and led his team in tackles the last couple of years. He knows how to get to the football so we feel good about that. In the third round, we brought (Travis) Wilson in from Oklahoma and we had an opportunity to sit down and talk with him. He knows some of the guys on the team. He’s a guy who will go get the ball and fight for it. His past year wasn’t as good as the year before and we went back and looked at some of the ’04 tapes to see what he could do there. He was the guy who we had highest rated on the board so we decided to take him at that time. We feel like it was a good move there because Braylon (Edwards) may not be ready at the beginning of the season. If Braylon is not ready at the beginning, we have the possibility of having a quality receiver there to help us until Braylon can get ready. Overall, we accomplished a lot of things we set out to do. We are looking forward for tomorrow to add a few more people to the team.”

Phil Savage (On WR Travis Wilson)- “When he came on his visit, I told him that I thought he would be one of the steals of the draft. I said I thought his stock had dropped and I thought he would be a second-rounded and someone was going to get a good player in him. When I called him in the third round, I told him that I thought he would be a steal, but we weren’t going to be the ones stealing you. He seems motivated and I think he’ll come in with something to prove. As I mentioned he had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl and it elevated his stock where he would at least go in the second round. We felt good to get him in the third round.”

Phil Savage (On the possibility of WR Braylon Edwards not being ready for the season opener)- “Well, I think it’s something in question. The conservative way to look at it would be the opening of the season, but it may very well be later than that. I could be earlier than that. His rehab is going well. He’s working hard to get back. It’s a nine or ten month injury. He has surgery at the beginning of January and got hurt in December. Nine plus one is ten so, you guys can do the math.” 

Phil Savage (On the Browns running back situation)- “Obviously, if we end up not taking a running back (Lee Suggs and William Green) will get a chance to show what they can do. Last year, William really responded to the situation. He came back and tried to help on special teams. He did some good things. With Lee Suggs and this particular group, we don’t really know what he can do but, we see the talent in him. We want to see what he can do in the future. Competition makes everyone better. As we get more players in here, that’s where some of the more difficult decisions will be made because you are going to end up pushing out some players that you really like. You like them as people and you like them on your team. You get attached to some of these guys but someone might be better than you. It’s a tough thing to do.

Phil Savage (On drafting an offensive lineman)- “I think (the fourth round could be early). Obviously, I think our offensive line is set going into next year. Anybody we drafted would probably be in a red-shirt mode and we’d be getting them ready for 2007 more or less. I think that was the attitude looking at the offensive linemen in the first round of the draft this year especially after free agency.” 

Romeo Crennel (On D’Qwell Jackson)- “He played the bubble linebacker position. The difference for us is that he’ll have and offset nose tackle in front of him most of the time. He’s still only the bubble guard. With us, the nose tackle is going to be head-up on the center and he’ll still be on the guard so, he will not have that half a gap protection. We saw him go on and take on blocks, use leverage, use his hands to shed and stalemate linemen. He took on linemen and that was one of the things we were interested in. He is not as tall as some linebackers as I have had before so, it’s a little tough trying to compare somebody in the past. He fits what we are looking for.”

Romeo Crennel (On Travis Wilson)- “We say that he’s more of a developmental guy but, I’ve also said that if Braylon (Edwards) doesn’t make it on the field, he’ll be playing. That’s the thing about the draft. You pick them and you hope you did a good job picking the right guy. They have to come in and prove and show that they can do it on the field. If they are able to do that, they play. If they are not able to do that, they have to sit until they can get to a point where they can make that transition. Even though he’s a third round pick, he’s still going to go out and compete. We’ll see if he’s developmental or not. He might come in and be better than some other guys we got. If that’s the case then we are going to play him. That’s goes for everybody. If the seventh round guy comes in and he’s better than the other guys we have, we are going to play him.”

4/29/06 Travis Wilson conference call

(On coming to the Browns)-“I had a great career at Oklahoma. I’m glad I played with them. As far as going to the next level, I have what it takes to make the big plays. I feel, as far as the Browns, they made the best decision as far as picking me.”

(On comparing himself to the draft’s other WRs)-“I just feel that the schools they were at, they were the guys at the school. They were the main focus. And when you’re the main focus you’re going to get the most opportunities and the most balls. Where I played, (my junior season) I played with three guys who went in the first three rounds, so as far as balls thrown your way, you were limited. You had to make the most of your opportunities. I wasn’t the main focus of our offense. We had a lot of athletes on our offense and the ball was spread evenly. Given an even chance in the league, I feel I can make as many (plays) or more as them.”

(On his relationship with Brodney Pool and Antonio Perkins)-“When I came to visit the Browns, it was good to be around Brodney and Antonio. That’s definitely a comfort zone that’s going to help me as far as fitting into the team. They’re going to help me a lot as far as what it’s going to take for me to get to the next level. I know what kind of level those guys are at so I know what type of players the Cleveland Browns pick. I know they pick the best of the best. As far as I’m concerned, they hold their own and I’m going to hold my own. I just want to make the Cleveland Browns better.”

(On Braylon Edwards and his injury)-“I watched him throughout college. I’m a big college fan and I keep up with sports. I know what he’s capable of and the plays he’s made and the type of player he is. He’s a great player with all the ability in the world. Unfortunately, he had the injury and everything. As far as I’m concerned, whether he comes back 100 percent, I’m there to back him up. I’m just there to make the team better. I want to help the offense, obviously. If I’m there to play the backup role, I’m going to make the best of that and make the plays when it comes to me. Otherwise, if I need to be a lead guy or play behind another veteran, that’s what I’m going to do. All I know is that when I step on the field, I’m going to help the Cleveland Browns receiving corps be better.”