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Coach Crennel won't condone public outburst by tight end
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008
BEREA: Browns coach Romeo Crennel confirmed Monday that tight end Kellen Winslow was treated for a staph infection while hospitalized at the Cleveland Clinic two weeks ago.
But he did not condone Winslow's post-game outburst after Sunday's 14-11 loss to the Washington Redskins, when Winslow complained about how he has been treated by General Manager Phil Savage and said he felt like ''a piece of meat.'' He said he considered asking for a trade before last Tuesday's deadline.
Crennel said he would consult with others in the organization about whether to fine or to suspend Winslow for conduct detrimental to the team, but would keep any decision in-house. The Browns (2-4) visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) on Sunday.
''Kellen is a very emotional player. He's competitive and he wants to win,'' Crennel said. ''He was coming off an injury situation and didn't probably play as much as he wanted to play, even though some balls went his way. Sometimes the emotions of the game and the emotions of your personal situation kind of overflow.''
Several factors probably contributed to Winslow's remarks. Released from the Cleveland Clinic on Oct. 12 after a three-night stay, he missed the Monday Night Football victory over the New York Giants. Returning to practice Thursday, he did not start against the Redskins and played little in the first half. He caught only two passes for 17 yards in a game that left many frustrated after another sub-par performance by quarterback Derek Anderson.
Winslow wants to renegotiate his contract that has three years remaining, and Savage continues to say it's not a high priority.
So when Savage didn't call to check on him in the hospital and the team insisted on keeping the staph infection quiet, Winslow became more incensed. Winslow first contracted staph in 2005 after reconstructive surgery on his right knee following a motorcycle accident.
Seen in the locker room Monday, Winslow declined further comment.
''I don't know how much you gain by addressing it to the media,'' Crennel said. ''He should talk to the organization first and try to reach some kind of agreement. And then if he's not satisfied and he thinks he needs to go elsewhere, he can go elsewhere.''
Browns receiver/returner Joshua Cribbs sympathized with Winslow, whose injuries from the motorcycle accident were life-threatening.
''Because of the situation he went through, we understand,'' Cribbs said. ''That's why we're not lashing out at him because it's more personal with the team.''
Crennel also saw it from that side.
''The thing that sometimes we don't understand is the pressure that a young man like that has on him when he gets injured, when he's not able to play, when he thinks about his future,'' Crennel said. ''There's a lot of things going through his mind and they do have to deal with a lot. Sometimes emotions do come back. He has made progress since I've been here.''
Cribbs didn't agree with Winslow's ''piece of meat'' description, but sees where it came from.
''At times you feel like it's a business and teams don't care about you,'' Cribbs said. ''But you've got to be reminded every game that we're collateral. We're a product. We're entertainment. If you get hurt playing your hardest, they can let you go like that.
''You hope and have faith that your team will care about you more than just entertainment, but I'm not sure if that's here or not. I won't comment on that. I haven't felt like that, but some players do.''
Winslow told ESPN.com he felt his teammates needed to know he had staph again. The Browns have had at least seven staph infections in the past four years, with center LeCharles Bentley, receiver Joe Jurevicius, receiver Braylon Edwards, former safety Brian Russell and former linebacker Ben Taylor also infected.
Tight end Darnell Dinkins, the team's union rep, said the Browns ''broached all concerns'' about staph in a team meeting before Winslow spoke out.
''We understand there have been some issues and they will do everything they can, I believe, to make sure it's right,'' Dinkins said.
''Anybody who has staph, you're talking about your life. It's bigger than football, it's bigger than a game. Kellen is a good friend of mine. Anyone who has a condition or issue like that, you want to make sure he's protected and he's healthy. I'm glad he's healthy, and I hope we can contain it.''
Crennel said he doesn't think there has been a recurrence even though Winslow and Jurevicius contracted staph this year. He said the building is checked regularly and cleaned thoroughly. Experts have spoken on the subject.
''I think the team is doing everything we can to try to keep our players safe,'' Crennel said. ''Even with that, there's no guarantees. There are different types of staph; all the situations have been different. Some of them have been pre-op, some have been post-op, some of them have been after the guy's left the hospital and gone home.
''No one has come to me and said he felt like there was a problem or we needed to do more. It seems like maybe someone would have come and at least whispered in my ear that we have an issue. No one has done that.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Browns coach Romeo Crennel confirmed Monday that tight end Kellen Winslow was treated for a staph infection while hospitalized at the Cleveland Clinic two weeks ago.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:08 AM, 10/21/2008
Do stories about the Browns even matter anymore when the team sits at 2-4 and out of the playoff picture so early in the season? The only stories Browns fans would want to see are the firing of Romeo and the starting at QB by BQ. As for me - GO STEELERS, on to the playoffs again !!!
Akron, OH
Posted 07:21 AM, 10/21/2008
Romeo should be fined for the team's poor performance. HE is the reason they have no discipline on the field. HE is the reason players have to talk "behind the team's back" to let the truth come out. HE is the reason the team is a laughing stock right now. How can he threaten to discipline a player for speaking the truth when he can't even get professional players to line up for a play correctly? I think he's looking to build up anything as a cover for his own lack of ability.
Twinsburg, OH
Posted 08:08 AM, 10/21/2008
Windslow needs to get a grip on life. When a normal every day Joe is home sick for a day or two does the CEO or President of the company you work for call to see how you are doing?? NO!!! Your immediate boss usually will, your work friends will. That is exactly what happened here!! If everyone think the Browns have a STAPH problem, you better think again. LeCharles Bentley, Joe Jurevicious, Braylon Edwards, Brian Russell and Ben Taylor all have had STAPH infections in the past 2-3 years. All have a common link....THE CLEVELAND CLINIC. All had surgeries there. HHmmmmmm??? Do you think the problem is at the Clinic?? Yes, they are a fantastic hospital that does miraculous things. But it is the little things like disinfecting that they seem to be a little lax at here. The Clinic needs to get their act together. I wonder how many "regular" people are coming down with this that we do not hear about.
Windslow should have kept his gripe within the team (first). Then if there was no satisfaction or resolution to it then the media.
Who is advising him on how to handle things?? They are doing a bad job.
Posted 11:42 AM, 10/21/2008
Winslow needs to be thankful he even has a job, Cleveland could have laid some serious pipe to the guy after he wrecked his bike but didn’t. The stood behind him and took vary little money from him for his VERY bad choice in riding the bike in the first place. Be thankful for what you have and get over that huge ego you got, ya aint that good in the first place.
Clermont, FL
Posted 12:46 PM, 10/21/2008
This team's inconsistency is entirely the fault of without a doubt the most inept head coach in team history if not NFL history. He is totally lacking in areas necessary to communicate with and maintain discipline with his players. The team and its coach are the laughing stock of football.
akron, OH
Posted 04:37 PM, 10/21/2008
Staph infection is not just Brown problem, but a NFL problem. what do you think occur after knee surgery for Peyton Manning?
Posted 09:23 PM, 10/21/2008
winslow is an overpaid jerk. he is not near the class act his father was. the browns should know better then draft any idiot from miami. the only good player was kosar. hey, kellon, break a leg !! besides, you have staph in your bad mouthing the browns, your the thud that broke yourself on the motorcycle, duh!!
Posted 10:34 PM, 10/21/2008
Get rid of that dead weight. He has done NOTHING this season. He basically disappears in the second half. He constantly gets stuffed at the line, misses blocks, runs the wrong patterns, gets offside and holding penalties when the Browns are in the red zone, and when he FINALLY catches a two yard pass, he flexes his arms and pounds his chest like he did something great. Keep Hieden in the game and let Winslow pout on the sidelines.
