It seems Eric Mangini is wasting little time in putting his stamp on this franchise.

The trade of outspoken TE Kellen Winslow is the first significant move made by the Kokinis/Mangini tandem.

For the Browns, this surprise move is a huge step forward in changing the culture and attitude of the organization. Kellen Winslow, while a supreme talent on the field, is a notoriously opinionated tight end with a pension for expressing himself to the media. In Eric Mangini's anti-media era of Browns football, such a persona goes against everything demanded out of players on this roster.

For Mangini to truly run a Belichickian ship, every member of this organization must share the team-first philosophy implimented by the coach. Over the past 4 years, Kellen Winslow has consistently proven his individualism exceeds such a philosophy, and that most likely culminated in his release.

From a risk-reward standpoint, trading Kellen Winslow at the presumed height of his career has many positive ramifications for the Browns. Winslow spent the first two years of his career in Cleveland on the physically unable to perform list. The oft-injured tight end has had multiple surgeries on both knees only 5 years into what was supposed to be an illustrious NFL career. Put simply: dealing Kellen Winslow eliminates a great injury liability for the Browns.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, Kellen Winslow is not the prototypical tight end that would allow for offensive balance and deception. Winslow's pass protection is sub-par and his run-blocking non-existent. For Brian Daboll to run a truly balanced offensive system, the tight end must be adept in both pass catching and run blocking. A one-dimensional player like Kellen can tip off opposing defenses to the play based on formation and personnel groupings - a virtual death sentence in the AFC North. 

 

While a supreme talent on the field, the injury-ridden Kellen Winslow

was not suited to the new regime.

 

From a football perspective, I would have liked to see Kellen Winslow stay with the team in a potential conversion to wide receiver. With the success of tall, phyiscal pass catchers in the mold of Terrell Owens and Larry Fitzgerald, Winslow's size and toughness could have given Cleveland a dangerous weapon that created mismatches against smaller defenders. Despite this I agree with the move based the changing culture of the Browns' franchise.

 

 

Out of sheer frustration, I've decided to break down the Cleveland Browns in a two part series. The first part will take a look at the Browns' offense and what they need to focus on heading into 2009.

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On offense, the problem starts with personnel. The Browns would be an infinitely better team if they only took advantage of their players' strengths. I've said it before and I maintain my original position - there is tons of talent and potential hidden throughout this team. What's been killing the Browns this season is failing to maximize that talent and turn it into production.

Rob Chudzinski and the Browns' coaching staff are stubborn. Chudzinski's greatest weakness as a coordinator is his inability to adapt. Like trying fitting a square peg into a round hole, Chud continuously takes the offensive personnel on this team and applies them to his system - regardless if they properly fit. There are two great examples in Jamal Lewis and Kellen Winslow. Jamal's running style and and lack of ellusiveness make him best suited for two-back sets. Jamal cannot create on his own - so a fullback is absolutely necessary for him to have any success in this system. Seeing the Browns have one of the best run-blocking fullbacks in the NFL, it's common sense to use the two together - but no. Lewis constantly runs out of singleback sets and stretch plays.

Kellen Winslow is a receiver blessed with the size and strength to play tight end. Winslow has the speed to go with arguably the best set of hand in the NFL. Such a dynamic game-changing player should be the focal point of the Browns' offense. Winslow needs between 10-15 targets per game to best utilize the talent he brings to the roster. Kellen Winslow is a Terrell Owens or Larry Fitzgerald type who can constantly win regardless of coverage. For Kellen average 4.3 receptions per game to this point is a joke.

What the Browns need to do offensively is establish an identity, and that starts with the running game.

Based on the personnel available on this roster, the Cleveland Browns are best suited running an aerial-based possession style of offense. Since the Browns have finally committed to Brady Quinn as the future quarterback, it is essential to build the offense around his strengths and weaknessess. Quinn has shown the ability to make good decisions and accurate throws in the short to mid-range passing game. It is critical for Phil Savage, the head coach, and Rob Chudzinski to build the offense around Brady Quinn. This means, the running backs, fullbacks, tight ends, and wide receivers all need the necessary skillsets to support that offensive philosphy.

In a west-coast type passing attack, running backs H-backs, and fullbacks must be able to catch the ball out of the backfield and possess the ability to create yards after the catch. Such a system obviously favors a feature back like Jerome Harrison, who has continuously proven he posesses big play ability and the speed necessary to thrive in such a scheme.

Since Harrison is a relatively smaller back (5'9, 205lbs), the Browns would need a short yardage back to compliment Harrison's speed and agility. Enter Lawrence Vickers. I've said it before, but Vickers is a sensational talent. He has the hands to become part of the passing attack, the size (6'0, 250lbs) to gain the tough yards, and the vision to remain an excellent lead blocker. The Browns would be best served to use Lawrence Vickers in conjunction with Jerome Harrison to form a running back tandem. Together, the two runners give the Browns unlimited options for creativity in the running game alone. The split back formation, the strong-I formation, and the weak-I formations would become base sets for the Browns. The conversion of the offense would be a tremendous aide in pass protection - an area the Browns have struggled with from the running back position.

Staying with the offense, the wide receiver play is paramount to a successful offense - regardless of the change in philosophy. Speed and consistency are a huge part of the short-range passing game, so players like Braylon Edwards and Syndric Steptoe should be counted on to get open and use their ability to create after the catch.

Offense Review

• Kellen Winslow 10-15 targets per game
• Build around Brady Quinn's strengths
  
• Harrison/Vickers running back tandem
• Continuous solid wide receiver play

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Thank you to everyone for reading. Keep an eye out for the second of this two part series entitled, "Fixing the Cleveland Browns' Defense."

If you haven't read Mary Kay Cabot's full story, it can be found here: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/ind
ex.ssf/2008/10/browns_confirm_winsl
ows_staph.html


I fear the worst for the Cleveland Browns organization. Kellen Winslow revealed in an interview last night that he feels neglected by Phil Savage. While no official report has been released by Savage or Crennel, we will certainly know more after their press conference.

Kellen was drafted by the Browns to make an impact in the passing game from the tight end position. He has done that for the most part, and I'd hate to see him go. Mary Kat mentioned Winslow contemplated going public and asking for a trade a week ago at the trade deadline. This would have been a huge story, except the timing and judgment the disgruntled tight end used protected the organization from a media circus.

I'd like to see Phil Savage step us and give us some clarification as to exactly what is going on. Cabot mentions she and others heard parts of a headed conversation between Winslow and Savage that took place in the locker room after the game. Another huge detail mentioned the Browns telling Winslow to stay away from the facilities in Berea - as if there may be something there causing him to be at risk.

I'm very curious to the nature of these staph infections. We've seen this before with Joe Jurevicius, Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow, LeCharles Bentley, and other players. It seems the Browns have had it the worst of all NFL teams - and this surfacing story may lead to something else.

According to a league source published in part by Profootballtalk.com, Kellen Winslow is being hospitalized for Swollen Testicles.

The report only makes notice of the injury and does not specify any additional details.

If this report is indeed true, Browns fans have little to worry about.

A men's health article published by 4-men.org elaborates on what this could possibly mean for the Browns.

Testicle Swelling
Pain doesn't always accompany swollen testicles; the presence or absence of pain depends on the cause of the swelling. Often, swollen testicles are caused by harmless fluid accumulations. However, swollen testicles can also be a symptom of testicular cancer.

Hydrocele
Hydrocele is a common cause of swollen testicles in newborns and the elderly, although men can develop Hydrocele at any age. Hydrocele occurs when fluid accumulates between the two menbranes that cover the testicles. One or both testicles may be swollen. Hydrocele swelling gradually increases over a period of weeks or months.

Hydrocele swelling is usually painless. If the testicles appear to be chronically swollen, medical interventions are available. Surgery can cure Hydrocele, or the fluid may be drawn out of the testicular membrane using a fine needle. (fine needle aspiration is quite painful, so some men prefer surgical operations)
Kellen most likely was kept an additional night to run tests for cancer or any other serious conditions.

The big thing to take into consideration here is the absence of pain. Barring a serious discovery, Mary Kat Cabot thinks Kellen would be cleared to play on Monday night.

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Sources

1. 4 Men's Health, "Testicle Swelling" [http://www.4-men.org/testicle-swell
   ing.html] Accessed October 11th, 2008
2. Rotoworld.com, "Kellen Winslow Player Profile" [http://rotoworld.com/content/player
   pages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=2772] Accessed October 11th, 2008

I honestly thought that we had a chance in this one. I really did.

Unfortunately, the Cleveland Browns remembered that they're...well, the Cleveland Browns and continued to do the same things that foiled the 2007 season. As is the case with every game, there is the good, the bad, and the ugly.

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The Good

• Derek Anderson - Despite a mediocre statistical performance (11 for 24, 114yards, 1TD), I thought Derek Anderson played well this game. Yes, there were some poor decisions made and a couple bad throws, but DA didn't have a great deal of help with a decimated wide receiving corps. Braylon Edwards dropped 4 passes on my count to go along with the general lackadaisical receiver play of Syndric Steptoe and Steve Sanders.

• Kellen Winslow - Winslow was the only member of the team who wanted to win this one. Offensive Coordinator Rob Chudzinski went to him early and often in the first half - and K2 responded. Winslow made a nice adjustment on the touchdown catch, showed great hands coming over the middle, and ran excellent routes. My biggest concern with Kellen was how he disappeared in the second half of this game. I would have liked to see Chud stick with what worked earlier and continue to exploit the Winslow mismatch throughout the game.

• Rob Chudzinski - Hats off to Chudzinski for calling a *decent* game. There were times as a fan where I wanted him to abandon the running game, and I thought that he stayed with it for too long. The pass protections and play design put us in a position to succeed, and that's all you really could ask of him.

The Bad

• Corey Williams - My 13-year-old sister had more impact on the game than Corey Williams, and she didn't even dress. Throughout the entire telecast, I didn't see or hear Troy Aikman make even one mention of Williams. We paid this man to generate pressure on the quarterback and stop the run, and he didn't do much of either today. Shaun Rogers commanded double teams all day which left Williams with one-on-one matchups which he failed to take advantage of. A very disappointing overall performance.

• Jamal Lewis - The Cleveland Browns' running game was analogous to the old 'square peg in a round hole' adage. One of the problems that caused Baltimore to release Jamal a couple seasons ago was his choppy style of running. Lewis constantly keeps his feet moving - which is good. The downfall to that is he is often times too indecisive at the line of scrimmage which causes him to tip-toe around instead of finding a hole and hitting it. The offensive line couldn't generate much push in this one either, but I'll put most of the blame on Lewis.

• Cleveland Browns' Linebackers - The lack of pass rush and pressure in the first half was unacceptable. Romo could have held a garage sale with all the time we afforded him in the pocket. Bringing 4 guys isn't enough to generate pressure on that offensive line with our personnel. One thing that I noticed was how vanilla our blitz packages looked. Before the snap, I could have told you what each and every member of the front seven entire defense was doing on that particular play. The 3-4 is all about deception and pre-snap looks, and we showed no propensity for competency in either area.
  

The Ugly

• Braylon Edwards - This certainly was a surprise. Heading into this game, I thought that Anderson to Edwards would highlight a spectacular passing attack that would keep us in the game right to the very end. I was wrong. Edwards, in addition to the drops, looked lost out there at times which is something that you never want to see from an offensive star. Aikman blamed Edwards' play on the lack of preseason conditioning and reps, and I agree to a certain extent - but this was ridiculous. Big game players make big game plays, and Edwards failed to live up to his superstar status.

• Penalties - The 2008 Browns are supposed to be past this juvenile stage. A big "thank you" goes out to Brandon "hands to the face" McDonald, Braylon "start the play already" Edwards, and Seth "spasms" McKinney for their contributions in this sloppy affair.
  

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The Cleveland Browns are at a point now where close doesn't cut it anymore. Sloppy play, overthrown passes, and stupid penalties are a thing of the past, and I'd like to think the Browns are better than that. Dallas did what they were supposed to in order to win this game - and embarrassed the Browns in the process. Our vaunted high-octane offense (while running at close to 65%) was essentially neutered.

I hope the Browns will be able to correct some of the things that went wrong today. Getting Cribbs, Hadnot, and Stallworth back next week will certainly help the offense. Edwards and Anderson have another week to get that chemistry back together and I expect a better showing from these two.

As far as the defense goes, how about a little deception up front? Hey Mel Tucker - here's a tip: If you bring a safety or corner in the box, you don't always have to blitz him! The Cowboys developed a gameplan against the Browns which I fear we're going to see again until we prove we can stop it.

The best way to counter our mammoth defensive line is to run horizontally and attack the outside backers. How many Marion Barber tosses or off-tackle runs ended up gashing the Browns for chunks of yardage? Willie McGuinest and D'Quell Jackson aren't that effective in pursuit and any tailback with quickness should realize that. Unfortunately for the Browns...

• Willie Parker (!!!)
  
• Ray Rice
• Chris Perry
• Derrick Ward
• Maurice Jones-Drew (!!!)
  
• Marshawn Lynch
• Brian Westbrook (!!!)
  
• Joe Addai (OMG the Colts' stretch running game!!!)
  

...all exist and are just a few of the names ready and willing to wear the team out.

Let's hope for some improvement against the Steelers in week 2. I have an avatar bet to win.