NFL FanHouse

Jim Brown to Kellen Winslow: Don't Hold Out

Michael David Smith — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:04:00 EST

Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow has skipped voluntary workouts this off-season, and he has suggested that he thinks he deserves a new contract. The team has said it's not planning to renegotiate Winslow's deal.

The team's position has the backing of an ex-player who knows how to influence people: Jim Brown, the Hall of Fame running back widely regarded as the best ever to play the game. Jason Cole reports:

"The team stood by Kellen when he got into his accident," said Brown, the Hall of Fame running back who serves as an advisor to the team. "He needed to respect that, come in and have another good year and then approach the team."

Brown is basically right about that, and that motorcycle accident Brown refers to is the basic reason that Winslow isn't entitled to a new deal. Although Winslow has outplayed his contract in the last couple of years, he also missed an entire season because of his own off-field irresponsibility. Let Winslow have a good 2008, and that might convince the Browns to give him a new deal in 2009.

Jim Brown to Kellen Winslow: Don't Hold Out originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kevin Kasper Is Nothing Like Wes Welker, but They're Both White Wide Receivers

Michael David Smith — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Patriots, Boston, Cleveland

Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel has forgotten more about personnel evaluation than I'll ever know, but when he claims that his own wide receiver, Kevin Kaspar, is similar to New England Patriots wide receiverWes Welker, well, he's just plain wrong. The two aren't similar at all. In fact, they couldn't be much more different.

As athletes, they're very different: Kasper is 6-foot-1, has great speed and lit up the scouting combine coming out of Iowa in 2001. Welker is 5-foot-9, is slow by NFL wide receiver standards, and had such bad times at the 2004 combine that many teams took him off their draft boards. (He signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent.)

As football players, they're even more different: Welker runs good routes, has good hands and is one of the NFL's most productive possession receivers, with 112 catches last season. Kasper doesn't run good routes, doesn't have good hands and as a result has bounced around the league (if he makes Cleveland's roster, the Browns will be his sixth team) and caught just 24 passes in his career.

The only similarity I can see between these two players is that they're both white wide receivers. Have we really made so little progress that in 2008, we're still labeling people as "similar" simply because of skin color? Apparently so.

Kevin Kasper Is Nothing Like Wes Welker, but They're Both White Wide Receivers originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 22 May 2008 09:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carson Palmer Wears Lions Gear

Sportz Assassin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:55:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Lions, AFC North, NFC North, Cleveland, Detroit

(Hat tip: Mo Egger)

There has been some fuss this week about a Carson Palmer interview where he was wearing a Detroit Lions shirt. The interview was in the Bengals locker room and was mainly about the receivers (who they have, the departed Chris Henry, adding Doug Gabriel).

Some believed that it was a shout out to current Lions' quarterback Jon Kitna. Remember that Kitna was the Bengals' starter during Palmer's rookie year and became a mentor when Palmer took the starting gig in 2004. Since leaving for Detroit in 2006, the two have remained great friends.

However, that's not why he wore it:

But the shirt looks older than the 35-year-old Kitna. It looks like it may have been worn by former Bengals head coach Dick LeBeau in his heyday in Detroit during the '60s and '70s.

It turns out that Palmer has had the shirt longer than he's been a Bengal. He got it at the 2003 Senior Bowl, where the Lions staff coached his North team.

"Hey, do you care what's written on your shirt if you like it?" asked Palmer, pointing at the offending scribe.

Still, in an organization that can't keep its stars from voicing their desires to be elsewhere, it has to put a lump in the throat in the Bengals' faithful.

Carson Palmer Wears Lions Gear originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joe Jurevicius Becomes Sixth Cleveland Brown to Suffer Staph Infection in Last 4 Years

Michael David Smith — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting (via PFT) that Browns receiver Joe Jurevicius developed a staph infection several weeks after having knee surgery in January, making him the sixth Browns player in the past four years to have a staph infection.

For Jurevicius, it does not appear serious. He is expected to participate in organized team activities in May and minicamp in June, and the surgery was just a clean-up of the knee, a very common, very minor procedure for NFL players.

But the larger issue of athletes battling staph infections -- and of the Browns' peculiar inability to steer clear of them -- is serious. Jurevicius learned that he contracted the infection in the knee about two weeks after the surgery, and he could have picked it up anywhere, but when it happens over and over again to the Browns, you wonder what in the world is going on.

Previously, center LeCharles Bentley, tight end Kellen Winslow, receiver Braylon Edwards safety Brian Russell and linebacker Ben Taylor all had staph infections while playing for the Browns. Cleveland Clinic infection specialists have visited the Browns' facilities and the team used a special anti-staph agent to disinfect the locker room, weight room and other places where players congregate. And yet another staph infection has struck.

Joe Jurevicius Becomes Sixth Cleveland Brown to Suffer Staph Infection in Last 4 Years originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:28:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dorsey, Gholston, Longs, McFadden, Ryan to Attend NFL Draft; No One Going Fishing

Michael David Smith — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:35:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, NFL Draft, Cleveland

The NFL has invited LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston, Virginia defensive end Chris Long, Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, Arkansas running back Darren McFadden and Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan.to attend this year's draft.

All six players have accepted the invitation to hear Commissioner Roger Goodell call their names in person, stroll onto the stage at Radio City Music Hall, put on a baseball cap and hold up their new team's jersey. It might seem like a no brainer that the players would agree to show up, but last year Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas decided to skip the draft to go fishing. The Browns chose Thomas third overall.

Also last year, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn ended up wishing he had skipped the draft to go fishing; he lasted a few hours longer than he thought he would before the Browns finally chose him 22nd overall. I don't think any of the six players at this year's draft will last that long, but of those six my money is on Ryan to be the last off the board.

Dorsey, Gholston, Longs, McFadden, Ryan to Attend NFL Draft; No One Going Fishing originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gib Shanley, Former Radio Voice of the Cleveland Browns, Dies at 76

Michael David Smith — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland

Gib Shanley, who spent nearly a quarter-century as the radio voice of the Cleveland Browns, died Sunday. Here's a look at Shanley during his days as a 1970s sportscaster, in a local news promo that no Ron Burgundy parody could top:

Shanley called the Browns' 1964 NFL Championship Game victory over the Baltimore Colts, and he stayed with the team through the mid-1980s.

But he is best remembered for the night in November of 1979 when he ended a newscast that had reported on the American hostages in Iran by burning an Iranian flag on live TV. He told Iranians that if they were offended by his actions, they should leave the country. The TV station said it received hundreds of calls about the incident, almost all supporting Shanley.

Shanley was 76 years old and had been suffering from an undisclosed illness.

Gib Shanley, Former Radio Voice of the Cleveland Browns, Dies at 76 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Browns' Kenny Wright Gets Arrested, Produces Creepy Mug Shot

Michael David Smith — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland, NFL Police Blotter

Cleveland Browns defensive back Kenny Wright was arrested Thursday morning in Pearland, Texas, and charged with unlawful restraint, evading arrest and possession of marijuana, all misdemeanors.

Pearland police had to chase Wright on foot, and in the statement they released, they sounded proud of their ability to run down an NFL defensive back:

"The foot chase was about a quarter of a mile," Sgt. Roy Castillo said in a prepared Pearland Police Department statement. "We had people on scene pretty fast, and I believe because of our quick response time and the mental and physical toughness of our officers to catch offenders, we were able to get him in custody quickly and safely."

Wright, who has previously played for the Vikings, Texans, Jaguars and Redskins, was then taken to jail, where he produced one of the better sports-related mug shots we've seen. I don't know what he's wearing, I don't know what the deal with his eyes is, and I don't know how a 30-year-old professional athlete can look that old.

Browns' Kenny Wright Gets Arrested, Produces Creepy Mug Shot originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Browns' Jamal Lewis a Student at Harvard

Michael David Smith — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, NFL Video, Cleveland

Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis appeared on ESPNews today and talked about his off-season activity of studying at Harvard:

"It's a great experience and a good networking tool," Lewis said, adding that NFL players including Ty Law and Sammy Knight joined him at Harvard Business School in classes this off-season.

Oscar De La Hoya is the best businessman in American sports, but one of the approximately 120 NFL players who spend their off-seasons taking business courses could some day rival De La Hoya for that title. Lewis, who owns his own trucking business, sounds serious about planning for his post-NFL life, and he could end up making more money in business than he has in football.

Three years ago, Lewis spent his off-season in federal prison on drug charges. Now he's spending his off-season at Harvard. Lewis is a guy who has put his mistakes behind him and has his life going in the right direction.
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Browns' Jamal Lewis a Student at Harvard originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn? Browns Will Have a Choice to Make in 2009

Michael David Smith — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:45:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns have made their decision at quarterback, and while Brady Quinn might think he has a chance to compete for the job, the fact is, the contract given to Derek Anderson means Anderson is the starter in 2008.

In 2009, however, the Browns will have an interesting choice to make. James Walker of the Columbus Dispatch has an excellent report (via PFT) on the details of Anderson's contract:

+The deal includes a $7 million signing bonus.

+Anderson has a roster bonus of $5 million due before the 2009 season.

+Another roster bonus of $2 million is due before the 2010 season.

+Also included are Pro Bowl and performance incentives that total $1 million.

That 2009 roster bonus means that if Anderson doesn't play as well in 2008 as he did in 2007, he probably won't be back in 2009. Rather than paying a $5 million roster bonus, the Browns would, if Anderson has a sub-par season, just cut him and hand the starting job to Quinn.

So a year from now, one of two things will have happened: The team will have made the kind of financial investment in Anderson that indicates they want him to be the starter for good, or Anderson will be an unrestricted free agent and Quinn will be the Browns' starting quarterback.

Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn? Browns Will Have a Choice to Make in 2009 originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 04:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shaun Smith on Chad Johnson: 'He Swung at Marvin, and Hit Marvin'

Sportz Assassin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:18:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Browns, AFC North, NFL Video, Cleveland, Cincinnati

Current Cleveland Brown (and ex-Cincinnati Bengal) Shaun Smith doesn't mind smacking on his former team from time to time. Smith let loose when speaking at a Central Maryland Browns Backers meeting.

At the 5:30 mark of the video, he talks about the much publicized fight between Chad Johnson and a coach during halftime of the Bengals 2006 playoff game against the Steelers.

"He swung at Marvin, and hit Marvin. Look at his left eye in the press conference after the game. I was there in the training room. He shattered the training room glass. Then he tried to swing on Hue Jackson as well"

He also got in a few more digs:

"Marvin doesn't have control of personnel...he didn't have control of keeping me" "

It's hard when you let certain people continue to get away with certain things......and then it becomes a repeated pattern and the next guy feels he can do that...and the next guy"

UPDATE: Magically, the video has been taken off YouTube. Hmmm.

Shaun Smith on Chad Johnson: 'He Swung at Marvin, and Hit Marvin' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Browns Sign Shaun Rogers to Six-Year, $42 Million Contract, $20 Million Guaranteed

Michael David Smith — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:23:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland

Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that the Cleveland Browns have signed defensive tackle Shaun Rogers to a six-year, $42 million contract extension, including $20 million in guarantees.

That's a whopping deal for Rogers, the player the Browns acquired last week in a trade with the Detroit Lions. I'm a Rogers fan and thought that trade, which sent a third-round pick and cornerback Leigh Bodden to the Lions, had the potential to help both teams. But adding in the big raise for Rogers raises questions.

Is it really a wise move for the Browns to tie up that big a guarantee in a player who has incredible athletic talent but is at times hard to motivate? A more sensible approach to Rogers would have been to tell him, "Have a great season in 2008, and we can assure you a big raise in 2009."

If Rogers lasts five or six years and plays his best, he's absolutely worth this kind of money. But he's about to turn 29, weighs 340 pounds and has battled injuries. How confident can anyone be that he'll last five or six years and play his best?

The Browns' strategy this off-season has been clear: Sacrifice money and draft picks to get better now. If Rogers doesn't make them better now, they'll regret this contract.

Browns Sign Shaun Rogers to Six-Year, $42 Million Contract, $20 Million Guaranteed originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Browns Moves Put Steelers On Defensive

JJ Cooper — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:36:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Steelers, Cleveland, Pittsburgh

We can debate the long-term wisdom of the Browns' decision to give up the entire first day of their 2008 draft, but make no mistake, the moves the Browns have made in the past couple of weeks will give the Steelers plenty of problems when they teams play twice next season.

Last year Cleveland had a good offense, thanks to Derek Anderson, an outstanding offensive line and a solid receiver corps, but its defense was several steps behind, thanks in part to an extremely mediocre defensive line. That was a big reason the Steelers ended up winning the division while the Browns were sitting home come playoff time.

But by adding Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams, Cleveland appears to have fixed the defensive line problems. If they can find a better complement to Kamerion Wimberly at outside linebacker they should have most of their defensive problems licked.

Rogers especially should give Steelers fans, and Willie Parker, reasons to worry from now until September. Although he's not always the most motivated player, Rogers is a nimble 340 pounds, capable of destroying running plays and also sacking the quarterback. And now he'll be playing nose tackle, he'll be lining up over the Steelers center. As of today, that's still Sean Mahan, the same center who got picked up and tossed into the backfield by nose tackles around the league last year. With little cap room, the Steelers don't seem capable of really fixing their center problem this offseason (unless Kendall Simmons is a significantly better center than guard), which means there's plenty of reasons to worry that Rogers is going to create havoc when the Steelers face the Brownies next year.

Browns Moves Put Steelers On Defensive originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Browns GM Phil Savage: New Defensive Line a Bigger Piece Than Derek Anderson

Michael David Smith — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland, NFL Free Agency

Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage appeared on ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning today and talked about the team's extremely busy off-season, which has included trades for defensive linemen Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, acquiring receiver Donte' Stallworth and re-signing quarterback Derek Anderson:

Although most people are talking about the Anderson signing and what it means for the Browns' other quarterback, Brady Quinn, Savage insisted that neither quarterback will be traded, and he concluded his discussion with the Mikes by saying, "Don't forget about that defensive line. That's a bigger piece than the quarterback piece."

I'm not sure I agree with that, although I do think the Browns have been extremely bold in re-building their defensive
line, adding two talented players in Williams and Rogers, but two players who don't have experience playing in the 3-4 defense that Browns coach Romeo Crennel prefers.

The real question for the Browns, of course, is whether they're going to miss all the draft picks they've traded away: This year's first-round pick went for Quinn, this year's second-round pick went for Williams and this year's third-round pick went for Rogers. Those are the kinds of trades that look fine now, but that teams often regret after a couple of years.

Browns GM Phil Savage: New Defensive Line a Bigger Piece Than Derek Anderson originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brady Quinn Incorrectly Believes He'll Get a Chance to Beat Out Derek Andereson

Michael David Smith — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 15:05:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland

When the Cleveland Browns signed quarterback Derek Anderson to a three-year deal with $14 million guaranteed, they were making a clear statement: Anderson is the starter. Anderson's contract pays him significantly more than the deal the Browns gave Brady Quinn last year, and the Browns wouldn't have agreed to that deal with Anderson if they didn't see Anderson as the starter.

Unfortunately, Quinn hasn't gotten the message:

"We're both obviously good quarterbacks,'' Quinn said. "It puts us in a good position if anything were ever to happen. I'm just looking forward to the competition.''

Just to clarify how wrong Quinn is, Browns General Manager Phil Savage says,

"When you sign a contract like we did with Derek, I don't think there's going to be an 'open competition','' Browns general manager Phil Savage said. "We go in with Derek as the lead horse. You don't sign a contract like that and say, 'hey, it's an open competition'.''

Of course, Quinn put himself in this position by holding out last summer; if he had shown up to training camp on time he probably would have been ahead of Anderson on the depth chart, and when Charlie Frye got benched, Anderson wouldn't have had the opportunity to prove himself worthy of this deal. That's a lesson other rookies might want to learn.

Brady Quinn Incorrectly Believes He'll Get a Chance to Beat Out Derek Andereson originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 15:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shaun Rogers to Bengals Trade Voided; Sent to Cleveland Instead

Sportz Assassin — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:57:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Browns, Lions, AFC North, NFC North, Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati

How often do you see this? First off, the Detroit Lions send Shaun Rogers to Cincinnati for a couple of draft picks. Well, turns out that the NFL voided the deal and that Rogers would be sent to the Cleveland Browns instead:

After a deal fell through that sent Shaun Rogers to the Cincinnati Bengals for a third-round and fifth-round pick, the Lions rebounded by sending Rogers to Cleveland in exchange for a third-round choice and cornerback Leigh Bodden. Late Friday night, the Lions informed Rogers' agent, Kennard McGuire, that the trade with the Browns has been complete.

The trade with the Bengals was apparently nixed by the league because of language issues in the trade agreement.

That has to sting for Cincinnati. Not only did they not get the deal done, but their rival ends up with him. I mean, how many times does a guy get traded twice in the same day? The fact that the Bengals didn't get a chance to counter the deal once it fell through means Cleveland knew something was up.

Word is that the Lions were desperate to deal Rogers to anyone because he was set to earn a $1 million roster bonus at 12:01 a.m. Friday night/Saturday morning.

Shaun Rogers to Bengals Trade Voided; Sent to Cleveland Instead originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:57:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Browns Sign Derek Anderson for More Money Than Brady Quinn Makes

Michael David Smith — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland, NFL Free Agency

Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson spent a few hours as a restricted free agent before reaching an agreement on a three-year contract extension with the team.

According to Adam Schefter of NFL Network, the contract guarantees Anderson $14 million. What most likely happened is that Anderson had that offer on the table from the Browns and decided to let the free agency deadline pass to see if another team offered him more, and when no one did, he chose to stay in Cleveland.

The interesting part of all of this is that the Browns now have more money tied to Anderson than they do to Brady Quinn. When the Browns signed Quinn last year, they gave him $7.75 million guaranteed on a five-year deal. And while Quinn is widely expected to become the starter in Cleveland at some point, the Browns wouldn't have guaranteed Anderson almost twice as much money as they've guaranteed Quinn if they saw that as a sure thing.

And that's how it should be. Quinn has potential, but Anderson has proven himself on the field. There's no reason Anderson shouldn't make more money than Quinn and enter the 2008 season ahead of Quinn on the Browns' depth chart.

Browns Sign Derek Anderson for More Money Than Brady Quinn Makes originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Packers Trade Corey Williams to Browns

Michael David Smith — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:44:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Packers, Cleveland

The Green Bay Packers have traded defensive tackle Corey Williams to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns' 2008 second-round pick.

The Packers designated Williams as their franchise player, meaning he will likely first sign the one-year tender offer worth the average of the league's top five defensive tackles in 2007 and then sign a long-term deal with the Browns.

Williams is a good player who started nine games last year and will be a solid addition to the Browns' defensive line, although the Packers aren't losing much by sending him shipping, as Green Bay has a deep defensive line.

The Browns are now without their first-round pick thanks to last year's Brady Quinn trade and without their second-round pick thanks to this trade. They may hope some team steps up to sign restricted free agent quarterback Derek Anderson and compensate them with first- and third-round picks.

Packers Trade Corey Williams to Browns originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kellen Winslow Wants a New Contract, Browns Would Be Fools to Give It to Him

Michael David Smith — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:09:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland

We've previously noted that Browns tight end Kellen Winslow is seeking a new contract and explained why we don't think the Browns should give him one, but this was a major subject of conversation last week as the NFL world gathered in Indianapolis, so let's take a closer look.

Here's Winslow's statistical production in each of the four years of his NFL career, as well as the total compensation the Browns paid him, according to the USA Today salary database:

2007: 82 catches, 1106 yards, $2,150,000
2006: 89 catches, 875 yards, $547,450
2005: zero catches, zero yards, $4,722,560
2004: five catches, 50 yards, $6,950,000

Does Winslow have a point when he says he's been underpaid the last two years? Sure, if you look at those two years in a vacuum, he's been one of the top tight ends in the league and hasn't been paid like it. But for his first two years, thanks to a broken leg and a motorcycle accident, Winslow was the NFL's highest-paid tight end and didn't even come close to performing like it, averaging more than $2 million a catch.

All things considered, Winslow has probably been a little bit overpaid over the entire four years of his career, relative to what you would expect a tight end with his level of production to earn. He certainly hasn't been underpaid to such an extent that the Browns should tear up his contract and give him a new deal. So while he and agent Drew Rosenhaus can talk all they want about a new deal, it simply isn't going to happen, unless the Browns are fools.

Kellen Winslow Wants a New Contract, Browns Would Be Fools to Give It to Him originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cleveland Browns GM Hopes to Sign Derek Anderson Within a Week

Michael David Smith — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:53:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cleveland, NFL Free Agency

Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson is slated to become a restricted free agent at the end of the month, but Browns general manager Phil Savage says he hopes to get a deal worked out with Anderson's agent while they're at the Indianapolis scouting combine. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

"Talks have been a little more frequent in recent days," Savage said in an e-mail response. "It seems that the three-year deal is becoming more the focus. We've had pretty good dialogue and will continue over the [NFL scouting] combine. ...

I do feel like [an Anderson deal] is going to get done. I have reason to think it will get done. We'll continue to work on it, but I do think it will go down to the days before free agency."

If Anderson doesn't sign a contract extension with the Browns before the end of the month, they'll give Anderson the "high tender offer," which means he'll be offered a guaranteed one-year, $2.562 million contract, and any team that signs him would have to give the Browns first- and third-round draft picks.

The most likely scenario, though, is that Anderson will sign a three-year deal, probably for good but not great money as NFL quarterback contracts go, and head into training camp as the Browns' starter.

Cleveland Browns GM Hopes to Sign Derek Anderson Within a Week originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Draft: Browns Don't Have a First-Round Pick, but That Won't Change Their Approach

Michael David Smith — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, NFL Draft, Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns traded their 2008 first-round draft pick to the Dallas Cowboys last year so that they could move up and draft quarterback Brady Quinn. That means their first pick in April's draft is their second-round choice, the 53rd pick overall.

But that doesn't mean the Browns are just ignoring the top prospects and focusing on the guys who will still be around in the middle of the second round. Browns General Manager Phil Savage says he's told the team's scouts and coaches who will be in Indianapolis this week for the Scouting Combine that they should approach it as if they're looking for first-rounders.

"The staff has been instructed to scout as if we have all of our picks, particularly our number one pick," Savage told the News-Herald. "You never know what can happen."

It is true that you never know what can happen, and Savage's comments would seem to suggest that the Browns would like to trade into the first round. But realistically, it would be foolish for a team whose first pick is 53rd to devote its scouting resources to guys like Darren McFadden, Matt Ryan or Glenn Dorsey, and I'm sure the Browns are spending most of their time looking at likely second-round prospects.

NFL Draft: Browns Don't Have a First-Round Pick, but That Won't Change Their Approach originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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