3 Chapter #3 Draft and trades

As the draft progressed into its later rounds, Jim and Tommy remained glued to the television set. They had high hopes after the Browns' intriguing early selections.

When Laveranues Coles was picked in the third round, Tommy nodded approvingly. "Brady's going to need a reliable target," he noted. Jim agreed - the offense was starting to take shape.

Then in the fourth round, Shane Lechler's name was called. Tommy let out a small chuckle. "A punter, eh? I guess special teams matters too!" he said. Jim just smiled, confident in Dwight Clark's knowledge of team-building.

Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila in the fifth round had Tommy especially excited. "Now that's what I'm talking about, Dad! Another playmaker for the defense." Jim was intrigued as well by the young linebacker's potential partnering with Urlacher.

As the later picks went on, the excitement in the Hart household steadily grew. Jim could sense his son's complete buy-in to the team's new vision. When Dante Hall was drafted as a return specialist, Tommy was ecstatic.

As day tree of the draft wound down, I knew our roster still had room for improvement. An opportunity arose to solidify our offensive line for the future.

I called New Orleans GM Randy Mueller with an intriguing proposal. "Randy, I'd like to discuss a possible trade. We have two fifth round picks this year that could be of interest."

He listened intently as I laid out swapping those picks for their standout rookie guard Brian Waters. A conversation ensued weighing the value on both sides.

"Brian showed real promise in limited action last year," Muller mused. "And bolstering the line could do your young quarterback well, and also we can benefit with that rounds. Alright Dwight, you've got a deal."

Back in the draft room, anticipation was high as our next selection approached. I shook Commissioner Tagliabue's hand with a sly grin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Cleveland Browns have completed a trade with New Orleans. We send them our fifth round picks and in turn get offensive lineman Brian Waters from New Orleans State."

Tommy jumped off the couch. "An O-lineman, sweet! Brady and those runners will be well protected." Jim nodded, trusting my strategy was coming together.

With our two additional picks, we targeted depth on the lines. By day's end, analysts conceded our retooled roster appeared much further along through aggregation of talent. Our rebirth was unfolding at last through character and bold vision, igniting hope that long-awaited better days lay just ahead.

I knew a few key additions could elevate our defense to championship caliber. Scanning the board, opportunities emerged from Oakland and Chicago.

I called Raiders GM Mike Rumph. "Mike, I'm interested in defensive tackle Roderick Coleman. What would it take to acquire him?" After bargaining, we agreed on trading our two sixth rounders.

Next I contacted Jerry Angelo of the Bears. "Jerry, any interest in moving cornerback Jerry Azumah? I have three seventh round picks that could be yours." A deal was struck.

Back at the draft, it was time to announce our latest moves. "Cleveland has completed trades with Oakland and Chicago," Tagliabue relayed. "They acquire Roderick Coleman and Jerry Azumah, sending the requisite picks to those teams."

"Yes!" Tommy shouted, pumping his fist. "That D-line just got nasty,nice!" Jim grinned, thoroughly impressed by Dwight's wheeling and dealing.

Our war room buzzed in approval as well. Spytek smiled. "Dwight, your unorthodox methods just keep paying off. This roster is truly coming together ahead of schedule through your vision." I smiled internally, satisfaction growing that our rebirth was unfolding perfectly through character and relentless planning.

With our additional picks, late depth selections flew by. Jim marveled at the team taking shape. "Who would've believed this after last season, son? Clark is a genius." Tommy beamed, their passion for Browns football restored tenfold through a leader who made the impossible, possible.

The draft day was finally over.