Browns select DB Joe Haden from Florida

Browns select DB Joe Haden from Florida

Associated Press

BEREA

Joe Haden’s slow times in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine didn’t scare away the Cleveland Browns.

Once on the clock, they didn’t waste one second before taking the cornerback.

Unable to move in the first round, the Browns selected Haden, a two-time All-American at Florida, with the No. 7 overall pick in Thursday’s first round.

“We thought he was the best fit for us at No. 7,” Browns general manager Tom Heckert said. “He was a guy we spent a lot of time with and evaluating. He’s a bigger corner that can really play the run, has good cover ability, is a smart kid and he’s tough.

“We liked Joe all along in the process.”

Haden is the first player taken by Cleveland’s new regime of Heckert and Browns president Mike Holmgren, who was brought in to restore this troubled franchise. Haden is also the second addition to Cleveland’s shaky secondary after the Browns acquired former Pro Bowler Sheldon Brown in a trade from Philadelphia earlier this month.

The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Haden wept when he received the phone call in New York from the Browns.

“Those were tears of joy,” Haden said.

Relief as well.

Haden’s poor sprint workouts at the combine had dropped him on some draft boards, and after looking like a lock to be taken in the Top 10, there were suddenly doubts about his ability.

Bothered by a bad lower back that he aggravated while lifting weights, Berry was timed in Indianapolis as slow as 4.57 seconds — hardly NFL cornerback material. But the Browns liked that he tried to run anyway, and they were even more pleased when he did much better at his pro day.

“He ran fast,” said Heckert, who would not divulge the times.

Haden admitted he was worried that his troublesome back hurt his draft chances.

“At first I was,” he said. “I knew my back was messed up. But I’m a competitive player. I knew I had another chance.”

Sheldon’s arrival seemed to lessen the possibility of Haden going to the Browns, but coach Eric Mangini said 21-year-old passed the criteria needed to become “a green-sticker guy.”

“Smart, tough, hardworking, competitive,” Mangini said. “Somebody who is selfless, somebody who the game is important to.”

ESPN reported that the Browns were divided over whether to take Haden or cornerback Kyle Wilson of Boise State. Heckert said Wilson was a possibility, but that the team had decided to go with Haden before commissioner Roger Goodell announced they were on the clock.

Heckert said the Browns talked to a number of teams about moving up in the draft. Cleveland was believed to be interested in Tennessee safety Eric Berry, but he was selected by Kansas City at No. 5. Heckert also confirmed reports that the Browns spoke to St. Louis about the No. 1 overall pick.

“We talked to them, but that was really about it,” he said.

Haden visited the Browns along with quarterback Tim Tebow, who gave his Gators teammate an enthusiastic endorsemen.