Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren thinks the trade for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft might have come down to the friendship between Washington Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan and St. Louis Rams Coach Jeff Fisher. Mandatory Credit: Jason Miller-US PRESSWIRE

Remember all those little mentions in various media outlets over the past month or so about how the relationship between Washington Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan and new St. Louis Rams Coach Jeff Fisher — who have been good friends since their days as assistants with the San Francisco 49ers in the early ‘90s — could be the key ingredient to a trade involving the Rams’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and the presumptive right to select Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III?

If you were like me, you thought ‘codswallop’ to the notion that a blockbuster trade with monstrous ramifications might actually coalesce the same way middle-school boys choose pickup basketball teams: friends first.

Well, turns out those rumors may not have been all that ridiculous, at least not to Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren.

“I’m not going to tell you exactly what we offered, but I will say what we had offered for the pick was every bit the offer that was chosen,” Holmgren told Browns season-ticket holders during a Thursday conference call, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “There are reasons I can’t go into right now why it didn’t happen, but there’s a very close relationship between the people that were involved in getting the deal done, and the people eventually got it done. I’m not sure if any offer we made at the end of the day was going to be quite good enough.”

Also, in addition to the rapport between Shanahan and Fisher, it appears Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen and Rams executive Kevin Demoff are pals, too.

Now, several reports indicate that the Skins were first to ante up a second-round pick in addition to the three first-round selections, but Holmgren suggested the Browns actually matched  Washington’s offer.

“Most of the stories that I have seen, quite honestly all the stories that I have seen, were incorrect,” he said.

I find it hard to believe that had the Browns offered three first-round picks and a second-round selection that St. Louis would have told them no. With Cleveland’s No. 4 overall selection in the upcoming draft, the Rams could have guaranteed themselves a shot at either of the top-rated prospects at their two positions of greatest need — USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil or Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

But if we are to take Holmgren at his word, then this trade really did come down to an agreement betwixt friends, one that could be paying dividends in D.C. for the next decade.

Holmgren shouldn’t worry too much, though. If the state of Cleveland’s roster is any indication, his team may earn the right to draft whichever player it wants in the 2013 NFL Draft.

You can follow Riggo’s Rag (@RiggosRag) and me (@NewmanReport) on twitter.

Feb 03, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Heat defeated the Sixers 99-79. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Ever since we all witnessed the beginning of his illustrious career with not one, not two, not three, but zero NBA Championship rings, LeBron James hasn’t exactly been known for his passing skills. Fear not burgundy and gold faithful, LeBron has sharpened his skills and is said to be nearing a deal with the Redskins to become their next starting quarterback. James is famous now for his ability to pass in the fourth quarter, whether it be to teammates or on potential game-winning shots. LeBron can do it all with the right receivers.

LeBron recently showed off his skills at All-Star Weekend when he passed on what could have been the game winning shot. He hit Dwayne Wade right in stride only to see Wade fumble his pass and the game end in a loss. “The King” has struck again tonight with a last-second pass to Udonis Haslem in the waining moments of their loss to the Jazz in Utah.

Many projected that should LeBron enter the NFL, he would be a receiver. Redskins’ owner Daniel Snyder, however, is thinking differently. Move over Robert Griffin III, Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn or anybody else who thought they were going to call the DC Metro area home. LeBron is here to stay!

This of course is a joke. LeBron is staying in the NBA (as far as we know) and he has no desire to be a member of the Washington Redskins (thankfully). As a native of this area, the sting from my Wizards playoff losses hasn’t exactly faded away so I figured. What’s a blog without a parody article?

If you have a sense of humor, give me a follow on twitter here. Until next time!

Andrew Luck will go #1 overall [Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

1st Overall Selection – Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck, QB, Standford

- It’s safe to say that with Jim Irsay announcing the Colts will take Luck, that well, they will. Peyton will be looking for a new home in all likelihood.

The Redskins must do everything they can to get to #2 [Brendan Maloney-US PRESSWIRE

2 – Washington Redskins: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

- The Redskins fans and media have been toying with ideas such as Matt Flynn or Peyton Manning through free agency. There are also rumors that they will do something similar to 2011 and create a million picks out of a few or even go after Brandon Weeden from Oklahoma State. I don’t buy it this year. (more…)