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By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Monday, Oct 20, 2008
LANDOVER, MD.: Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow is so unhappy with how he has been treated by the Browns' front office that he nearly asked to be traded before last Tuesday's deadline.
That's what Winslow said after the Browns fell 14-11 to the Washington Redskins Sunday at FedExField.Winslow's emotions were roiling and what stirred him apparently had little to do with the game.
''I don't want to talk about the game. It's bigger than the game right now,'' Winslow said.
Winslow saw his first action after spending three nights in the Cleveland Clinic with an undisclosed illness and missing last Monday's upset victory over the New York Giants. Released from the hospital eight days ago and returning to practice Thursday, Winslow caught two passes for 17 yards. Five others intended for him fell incomplete.
The man causing Winslow's consternation seems to be General Manager Phil Savage. At the Pro Bowl in February, Winslow said he wanted to have a contract extension. But because Winslow's right knee has undergone at least four operations since his 2005 motorcycle accident, Savage has said Winslow's request is not a high priority.
In a brief interview Friday, Winslow said he was going along with the team's request not to disclose the nature of his illness, but almost seemed like he wanted to talk about it.
Asked Sunday what was going through his mind last week at the trade deadline, Winslow said, ''I was thinking about it, but again I didn't say anything because I'm bigger than that. I could have easily, and I thought about it, but I didn't. Phil knew. But I didn't say anything.
''Sometimes I just don't feel part of the team. My teammates, I do. My teammates care about me; that's what I'm talking about. Sometimes you just feel like a piece of meat. Not from the head man.''
It was unclear whether the head man Winslow was referring to was Savage or owner Randy Lerner.
As for the game, Browns coach Romeo Crennel didn't seem to have any qualms about playing Winslow despite his limited practice time last week.
''He's a big talent,'' Crennel said. ''We had some plays for him in particular situations, primarily on third down. They played him pretty aggressively at the line and downfield, so he was not able to get open the way he usually gets open.''
Cribbs stymied
Browns Pro Bowl returner Joshua Cribbs was excited to play in front of friends and family from his hometown of Washington, D.C. But the Redskins' coverage teams were superb, limiting him to a 9.6 average on five punt returns and a 23.0 average on two kickoffs. Cleveland's longest kickoff return came from rookie Gerard Lawson, who ran one back 43 yards in the fourth quarter.
Cribbs was thrilled that he scored his first offensive touchdown on a 1-yard reception with 2:44 remaining.
''I know what it meant just to be on that field,'' Cribbs said. ''My first career touchdown, being from D.C., I couldn't get anything better than that. [I wish] we could have come away with a win so I could have looked at that coach over there and said, 'Hey, I'm from Cleveland, now, baby.' But I wasn't able to do that.''
Cribbs said he spent a fortune on tickets.
''Too many, if you ask me,'' Cribbs said of how many he bought. ''We play the Redskins once about every eight years. Just this once. When it passed $2,000, I told my mother to try to cut back. My game check, it's going to look like I got fined. But I loved playing here. It's a dream come true for me. I always wanted to play in that stadium as a kid. I could hear the noise from my home, especially when they were at RFK.''
Cribbs appeared to be injured with 6:08 left in the third quarter when he took a hard hit to the midsection from fourth-year cornerback Carlos Rogers while he was going out for a pass. After staying down for several minutes, Cribbs walked off under his own power. He came back for the kickoff after the possession ended with a 37-yard field goal by Phil Dawson.
''It knocked the wind out of me,'' Cribbs said.
Williams injured
The Browns' defensive line already was short-handed after end Shaun Smith had hand surgery during the bye week that forced him to miss his second consecutive game Sunday. Then with about 12 minutes left in the second quarter, defensive end Corey Williams went to the locker room with a left shoulder injury, but he was able to return late in the third quarter.
Williams experienced shoulder problems in training camp.
''It was just a little bruise. I was going to come back, regardless,'' Williams said.
Cleveland had to go with two-year veteran Santonio Thomas, signed on Sept. 16, and Louis Leonard, starting in place of Smith.
Off the hook
In the waning seconds of the first half, Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers appeared to commit a costly penalty after he sacked Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell at the Cleveland 18. Rogers was called for delay of game for not letting Campbell get up.
The penalty stopped the clock, but Washington kicker Shaun Suisham, a Bowling Green product, let Rogers off the hook by missing a 36-yard field goal as time expired.
Jones back
Returning to the lineup was strong safety Sean Jones, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Sept. 11. His presence was timely because nickel back Mike Adams, who had been starting for Jones, was inactive with a hamstring injury suffered late last week.
Also inactive for Cleveland was right tackle Ryan Tucker (sore knee). The Redskins were without Pro Bowl cornerback Shawn Springs, who reaggravated a calf injury last week.
No heated exchange
Browns quarterback Derek Anderson and fullback Lawrence Vickers appeared to have words early in the fourth quarter when Anderson called a timeout with 13:54 to go. Anderson downplayed it, saying: ''It was loud. I love Vick . . . in the heat of battle, there was no beef, no issue there.''
Vickers said, ''No friction, just trying to call a timeout.''
Brownies
The Redskins extended their NFL-record streak of pass attempts without an interception to 332. The string includes attempts by Jason Campbell (224), Todd Collins (105), receiver Antwaan Randle El (2) and running back Clinton Portis (1). . . . Browns linebacker Shantee Orr departed in the second half with a foot injury. . . . The Redskins had not been held scoreless in the first half since the New York Giants did it on Sept. 13, 1981.
LANDOVER, MD.: Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow is so unhappy with how he has been treated by the Browns' front office that he nearly asked to be traded before last Tuesday's deadline.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Naples, FL
Posted 06:24 AM, 10/20/2008
Should have traded that loudmouth Winslow while they had the chance. Renegotiate his contract, are you kiddin' me. Let's renegotiate Heiden and Ruckers first!
Posted 08:16 AM, 10/20/2008
Trading up to draft Rucker after Winslow wanted a new contract probably was not just a coincidence. How about sitting #17--at least 4 drops and I'm ready to see Quinn at the controls. How long can this team live on last year's success ?
Port Saint Lucie, Fl
Posted 09:08 AM, 10/20/2008
Lot a finger pointing when you lose.The poor play of DA is why the offense is sputtering;Cleve has good players but no consistency.Also,so much of the game is mental and is in the subconcious.When your comfort zone is mediocrity you tend to go back to that mindset even after a great game,ie.the Giants.Gotta get over the hump and think like winners.The Browns should hire a psychologist to help snap them out of it.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:11 AM, 10/20/2008
I cant wait until Winslows contract expires so he can get the heck out of dodge on the first thing smoking!!! i am so tired of listening to talk about his great potential he should put up or shut up!!! Im sure this latest incident will bring Daddy dear out of the woodwork with an angry rant!!!! LEAVE Braylon alone and let Quinn sit. He is not necessarily the answer to this problem.
GO BROWNS
Posted 09:24 AM, 10/20/2008
How bad does Anderson have to be to get benched... 14-37 this last game and has a completion % less than 50 for the year. I know there are some drops to figure in... but the underthrows, overthrows and throws into empty space are too much to take any longer. To watch guys break free only to be missed by a happy-footed head-case is extremely frustrating. The season is lost... It's time to move on. Anderson is decent, but he is not our future... Lastly, I am disappointed in the last few plays. 1st and 10 from the 37 and we don't get dawson any closer... just 5 yards that's all I wanted, 5 yards!!!!!!!!!!!!
Twinsburg, OH
Posted 11:07 AM, 10/20/2008
"Sometimes I just don't feel part of the team" Kellen, you have to be with the team to be part of the team. How many games and practices have you missed because of injuries?? Some were football related some were not. How many did you miss because of your motorcycle?? How many did you miss because of something that you did outside of football?? You have to be here to be part of the team. Quit running your mouth and prove yourself. Heiden just goes out and plays football.
Posted 11:24 AM, 10/20/2008
Shout out to Winslow: Shut up and play football. You missed an entire season because you fell off your motorcycle that you shouldn't be riding and you still got paid probably more money than your Dad did for his whole career. You owe this team and its fans a lot more before you can start talking about being traded. Sorry. You know what, sit him. Put in Steve. I am SICK of this garbage.
Posted 11:47 AM, 10/20/2008
Where's all the "true" Browns fans that were chanting Super Bowl, and bad mouthing the Steelers just a few months ago? I called this exact scenario during training camp, you Browns fans are so predictable!
Posted 12:09 PM, 10/20/2008
Winslow should shut up and worry about getting kicked in the bal#s by his girlfriend again. They play better when he home nursing them. If you are going to bench DA, make sure #17 is sitting right beside him.
cuyahoga falls, oh
Posted 12:50 PM, 10/20/2008
A good coach would have control of him team and players.
Clearly Crenellephant does not...
Posted 12:50 PM, 10/20/2008
Hey Bill - true Browns fans stand by them no matter what.
But get Winslow out of here - he's nothing but a HACK - loud mouth jerk. Hasn't done much - been more trouble then he's worth - let him go elsewhere and play.
edison, NJ
Posted 01:06 PM, 10/20/2008
hey winslow, you are right, there are more important things then the game, but your "hurt feelings" are not one of them- be on your way !
Posted 01:13 PM, 10/20/2008
Love the Crennelephant and Haha from the Pittspuke fan. Most of the comments point to management. In the other towns where their teams can't win the fan's are calling for the coach's head, but here in Cleveland, because of years of conditioning, 'calmer heads' are prevailing.
For as much as a ticket costs, and the live game experience is a good one, I admit, you would think Savage and the owners would be able to do much better than this. Mid-market towns suffer through this garbage because they keep going to the games, Savage knows that. He's got more revenue charts on his computer than player rosters and game strategy files. Find another Sunday afternoon hobby-use your ticket money for Direct TV and watch the good teams play. Nothing is going to change people-just keep up the bit%^ing-and tell yourself that Phil's listening.
Posted 01:18 PM, 10/20/2008
Love the 'Report abuse' link at the bottom too. Wonder if that sends a message to Phil's office or Randy's???
Posted 01:57 PM, 10/20/2008
True Browns fans? Everyone still supports the Browns, but as fans and as "paying customers" to this franchise we have a right to get upset. We were excited about the upcoming season... we believed, but the browns have disappointed. So, because we are disappointed and we have had to watch unacceptable things happen... we are somehow not true fans. Getting so upset and frustrated only shows the true passion we have for our team. I will still tune in next week and I still think we can win 9 games, but if I watch DA complete 40% of his passes, and the team and coaches make high school mistakes... I will again criticize and complain about seeing a promising team play in the cellar.
Posted 09:39 AM, 10/21/2008
Why keep complaining it is CLEVELAND sports , you will NEVER have a winner because Cleve is to cheap !
Posted 02:06 PM, 10/21/2008
I disagree with the call on Sean Rodgers. You practice playing what they call "waste time," when you're trying to run out the clock on defense. It's the opposite of "save time" when you're on offense and playing hurry up. Also, why were there so many plays to Winslow who was in the hospital almost all week. He wasn't in shape to play. Josh Cribbs was more than ready and should have had some special plays for him on offense. He did catch the one-yard touchdown but he should have had more opportunities to touch the ball. He is a playmaker-give him the ball! Go Browns!
Posted 02:18 PM, 10/21/2008
Winslow is a typical NFL'er. BIG ego's and small brains. Just like Jimmy the Greek Snyder once said, "They hire blacks for their speed and strength, not their brains". In this case, nothing applies to Winslow..........He's just like the owner, GM, coaches and players....... NO brains.
Pity the poor fools who watch these idiots and pay good money to make them all richer, while you become poorer. What a concept !!!
Posted 02:21 PM, 10/21/2008
Want to know the cause of the staph infection for Winslow ?????
Too many tatoos wiht dirty needles !!!!
What an idiot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 06:43 PM, 10/21/2008
If that's true why'd Art Modell take Ozzie Newsome with him?
Marvin Lewis and Ozzie haven't won since Modell beat Wellington Mara (The Duke) and retired.
Posted 09:36 AM, 10/22/2008
Winslow is pulling all this 'T.O' type behavior cause his agent is telling him how great he is and how he will get big money if they trade him. Well, the Browns DID shop him around and NO TEAM wanted to offer anything for him. He had ONE good year but his other 3 have been a bust (2 he didn't even play). This year he has been invisible in the second half of each game he has played in. He constantly gets stuffed at the line, runs the wrong patterns, gets offsides and holding penalties in the red zone, and when he FINALLY catches a 2 yard pass, he pounds his chest and flexes his arms like he did something great.
Trade this loser and let the people who WANT to play like Hieden and Rucker be on the field.
