In what was a surprisingly candid discussion about the Cleveland Browns, head coach Eric Mangini went on record during Tuesday’s NFL owners meeting to say that his football team is not done adding pieces to the puzzle as the team heads into the 2010 season.

With the recent trades of former first-round selections Brady Quinn and Kamerion Wimbley, the Browns have amassed 12 selections for the upcoming draft.  And while the team is expected to use most of them – five of which are within the first three rounds – Mangini stated that the team is not counting out a move that would land them higher selections than they currently own. 

“There’s some other things that hopefully will get done in the next couple of weeks,” said Mangini. “A little bit of [the Quinn and Wimbley trades were] done in anticipation of being able to get some other things done that will involve draft picks.”

Quite a change from last season where Mangini would be mum on all internal conversations.  Whether or not this is coachspeak or a smokescreen remains to be seen, but the fact remains that the coach’s level of media-directed conversation has dramatically spiked. 

“[The Wimbley trade] gives us flexibility if we want to do that,” Mangini continued.  ”And if it happens, we can do some of those things. If not, then you get another third-round draft pick, which is really a good spot to draft, whether we want to address the secondary or someplace else.”

Not surprising, the secondary continues to be a large need for the Browns.  The team has scheduled workouts for multiple upcoming draftees including Texas’ Earl Thomas and LSU’s Chad Jones.  As it has been discussed here in the past, the Browns are also in the market for a quarterback with Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen, Texas’ Colt McCoy and Florida’s Tim Tebow being linked to the Browns in some shape or form.

On top of draft-related moves, Mangini claimed that the Browns continue to look at options within the restricted free agency arena as well.

“I think there’s a couple combinations [of trades pending],” Mangini said. “Some could be restricted free agents, and some could be players currently on a roster.”

The restricted free agents that have recently been linked to the Browns are a pair of 2006 draftees in Eagles linebacker Chris Gocong and Seahawks offensive lineman Rob Sims.  Gocong was a player referenced by Eric Mangini when Tom Heckert was hired as both individuals had interest in him coming out of college.  Sims has obvious ties to Mike Holmgren given his current team but is also a Cleveland, Ohio native that went to The Ohio State University.

The Browns have reportedly been in discussions regarding both players, but it appears that there is a gap in what the Browns are willing to pay versus what their respective teams would like in return.  Both players currently have fourth-round tenders that would require draft picks in return for their services, something that the team may not be comfortable parting with.  Due to this, Mangini was sure to lay out a giant caveat for the future.

“[But] it’s like anything else,” Manigni said.  “Until it’s done, you can’t guarantee it.” 

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Image via PhiladelphiaEagles.com