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Holmgren backs off in draft room

Tom Heckert, Pat Shurmur, Mike Holmgren

In this photo provided by the Cleveland Browns, team general manager Tom Heckert, left, and head coach Pat Shurmur talk as president Mike Holmgren, right, talks on the phone inside the NFL football team’s draft room, Thursday, April 28, 2011, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jen Nawalaniec, Cleveland Browns)

AP

On paper, the Browns had a very successful draft.

They picked up a lot of selections by getting out of the No. 6 spot, including a first-rounder in next year’s draft. We like the value of Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, and Greg Little as their first three picks.

Browns President Mike Holmgren liked the draft too, partially because he says he didn’t do as much work.

Holmgren said he “kind of backed off” this year, according to the Canton Repository.

“I was part of the decision-making, but this really was [G.M.] Tom’s [Heckert] draft,” Holmgren said.

Whatever he did, we think the foundation from the ’10 and ’11 draft classes will serve the Browns well for a while. Taylor didn’t waste time trying to become a fan favorite.

“Ben Roethliberger is a great quarterback, but when I am going to play against him, he is going to go down,” Taylor said.