BROWNS Morgan, Jackson offensive picks

The Browns selected wide receiver Quincy Morgan and running back James Jackson.
By GEORGE WELKER
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BEREA -- When the Browns turned to offense, they looked for the big-play weapons the team has lacked.
"We wanted to leave ourselves the opportunity for anybody that might be there potentially from an offensive standpoint that can give us some offensive firepower," Browns coach Butch Davis said.
With their first pick in the second round, 33rd overall, Cleveland took Kansas State wide receiver Quincy Morgan, who scored 23 touchdowns in two years at K-State and averaged just more than 20 yards per catch over that span.
Moving into the third round, Davis went with what he knew well, taking James Jackson (65th overall), a running back he coached last season at the University of Miami.
Confident: "I really think I can be the guy," the Browns have been looking for, Jackson said, adding that he believes he can develop into a franchise running back.
"If I couldn't do it, I don't think Coach would have drafted me."
Jackson carried 201 times for the Hurricanes in the 2000 season for 1,006 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 91.45 yards per game.
Jackson said he possesses the strength to run inside and the speed to run outside, which, in his eyes, should help the Browns offense, which managed just 1,085 rushing yards last season, while its opponents racked up 2,505 yards on the ground.
"[Morgan's] going to come in here and compete, obviously for playing time," Davis said. "He'll add some dimensions that we really need. I would think that Tim Couch is pretty happy right now."
"I don't think I could be on a better team right now with Coach Davis and [wide receivers] Coach [Terry] Robiski," Morgan told reporters by teleconference.
Attractive: Morgan is just taller than 6-foot, weighs about 215 pounds and has excellent leaping ability, all of which made him attractive to the Browns.
"We wanted someone from a physical standpoint ... to have someone who could not only run fast, but also someone who was very physical, with productivity in the red zone, someone that's got the height and the jumping ability to put some points on the board," Davis said.
Most attractive was Morgan's ability to run after the catch. In his senior season, Morgan caught 64 passes for 1,166 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had scores of more than 25 yards eight times.
"I love getting the ball quickly and making something happen with the run after the catch," Morgan said. "I also think I do a good job of going deep and getting behind defensive backs."
"I see myself as a No. 1 receiver. I think I am a complete receiver."
Assets: Morgan was rated as one of the fastest receivers in the draft, and the Browns liked that Morgan was used to playing in terrible weather while in college.
"Playing at Kansas State, it's always blustery, it's always wet, it's always cold, and half the time, there's sleet and snow," Davis said. "So, it's not going to be a major transition [coming to Cleveland]."
Davis said Browns officials were impressed by watching Morgan in workouts, realizing his potential and athleticism.
"He has the athletic ability to run great routes," Davis said. "He has a great change of direction and great flexibility in his lower body, which will translate into the ability to run sophisticated routes. He obviously has the speed.
"I think he has some of the attributes to become a No. 1 receiver. He has height, speed and has shown productivity. His size gives him the ability to deal with the pressure coverage of NFL corners."