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Sunday's game could be last for 15-year veteran linebacker
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008
BEREA: Willie McGinest was not ready to reflect or get sentimental.
If his feelings haven't changed since last spring, the Browns' 15-year veteran outside linebacker will probably play his 212th and final game Sunday against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. But when he told coach Romeo Crennel he would return for the last year of his contract, McGinest said he didn't need ''a big going-out celebration,'' and he did nothing to stir one up Friday.
McGinest, who turned 37 this month, thought the Browns had acquired the talent in the offseason to build on a 10-6 record in 2007 that was one game shy of the playoffs. He even took a pay cut to be part of it, playing for what the players' union lists as a $900,000 salary.
But the great expectations went down in flames.
Going into the season finale at Heinz Field, the Browns are 4-11 and have lost five consecutive games. Crennel, whom McGinest has known since his rookie year with the New England Patriots, will likely be fired next week.
Before the Browns played the Houston Texans on Nov. 23, McGinest said he hadn't sent in his retirement papers. When he's discussed the matter, he's always left himself a little wiggle room. Even though he's seen enough controversy and disappointment this
season to add a few more grays to his curly hair, he remains reluctant to discuss his upcoming decision.
''Ever since June, I haven't thought about it or been worried about it,'' McGinest said. ''The season's still here. I've just been trying to get ready for Pittsburgh and go out fighting.''
McGinest ranks third on the NFL list of active sack leaders with 86, trailing Jason Taylor of the Washington Redskins (120.5) and Kevin Carter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (104.5). McGinest has just one sack for no yards in 2008, along with 68 tackles, five for losses.
''If he wants to come back, I think he's shown he can play,'' Crennel said.
McGinest's nine quarterback pressures rank second on the Browns behind nose tackle Shaun Rogers' 15. McGinest's most memorable moment came in the season-opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys, when his hit on Tony Romo left Romo with a gash under his chin that cost McGinest a $7,500 fine.
But in McGinest's three years with the Browns, the fans' signature play might be his missed tackle on a 10-yard, third-down scramble by Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Nov. 17, 2007. That set up the winning touchdown in a 31-28 loss as the Steelers rallied from a 21-6 halftime deficit.
Crennel is still winless against the Browns' alleged arch-rivals.
''Those types of plays, I usually make in my sleep,'' McGinest said that day.
McGinest is conscious of leaving the league before he makes a mockery of the skills that made him the fourth overall pick in the 1994 draft.
''I want to go out while I'm still productive,'' he said. ''I don't want to be one of those guys still hanging on and the body not feeling good. That plays a lot into it.''
No matter what the numbers say, McGinest has been an asset as a leader. Winning three Super Bowls with the Patriots, McGinest served as one of six team captains.
''He exemplifies the meaning of leader,'' linebacker Andra Davis said. ''No one ever beats him in here, no one ever outworks him. He's the type of person that this team was missing my first four years here. We had a lot of good guys, but I'd never seen a veteran of his status, his caliber, bring so much to the table.''
Davis said it was McGinest who started the Browns' weekly team meetings.
''Guys can open up to whoever they have a problem with or whatever suggestion needs to be made,'' Davis said. ''He runs it, he controls it. It's a time where guys can let their feelings be known.''
Now McGinest is approaching the time he'll have to sort out his feelings about the game and his future. He has several business interests to occupy his days, but knows he'll miss the camaraderie.
On a Monday night broadcast, ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski has hinted that McGinest could come back for another year.
''I guess I was just smiling or whatever,'' McGinest said. ''Leave it up in the air. I haven't said anything. I tell them the same thing I tell you guys. I'm just playing hard, trying to finish the season.''
Crennel's future
Asked if he'll meet with owner Randy Lerner about his future after Sunday's game, Crennel said, ''Sometime next week, I believe. His schedule varies a little bit. He's told me that we'll meet.''
Punter signed
Rookie punter Mike Dragosavich was signed to the practice squad. A North Dakota State product, Dragosavich was waived by the Patriots on June 10. Punter Dave Zastudil (swollen right knee) is questionable, as he was last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he kicked five times for a 49.4 average.
Two Browns honored
The Cleveland chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America voted nose tackle Shaun Rogers its player of the year. Cornerback Brandon McDonald won the Dino Lucarelli Good Guy Award. Pro Bowler Rogers was a unanimous selection. In terms of NFL experience, two-year veteran McDonald is the youngest good guy winner.
Brownies
Tight end Kellen Winslow (high ankle sprain) is doubtful. Tight end Darnell Dinkins (ribs) and linebacker Leon Williams (knee) are also questionable. For the Steelers, linebacker James Harrison, a Coventry High School and Kent State product, is questionable with a hip injury that has sidelined him all week. . . . Browns receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs said the sprained ankle he suffered Wednesday was no big deal. . . . Crennel gave the players Christmas off, but worked in the afternoon. He said he enjoyed the chance to sleep in, which for him was 8 o'clock.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Willie McGinest was not ready to reflect or get sentimental.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 10:56 AM, 12/27/2008
The Cleveland Browns, from top to bottom, are the CHIEVERS I have ever seen. McGinnest should've quit 3 years ago! Get rid of ALL of them!!
Posted 10:58 AM, 12/27/2008
OVERPAID UNDERACHIEVERS!!!!!! GET RID OF ALL OF THEM!!!!!!!
Bluffton, SC
Posted 11:22 AM, 12/27/2008
Willie McGinest gave the Browns everything he had. Most fans appreciate the effort but hard work and professionalism are never enough. Win or be gone.
The real Browns are playing in Baltimore. Ozzie come back !
Akron, OH
Posted 11:46 AM, 12/27/2008
He did give the Browns everything he had. Unfortunately, what he had was a career average of 3.6 tackles a game. For his position, that's just dreadful. How many times this season did we see opposing offensive players just run around poor slow Willie? It's almost as if the other teams designed plays to go specifically towards him at times, knowing he couldn't stop them.
Posted 12:51 PM, 12/27/2008
STFU Willie. You've barely done a thing since you've been here. You should be arrested for stealing.
Posted 04:56 PM, 12/27/2008
2 words........GO CAVS!!!
