As everybody should know by now, Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was traded Friday to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for draft picks. The breakdown of the trade is listed below:
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS GET:
CLEVELAND BROWNS GET:
If you think that we didn't get enough value for Winslow, then think again. Last year during the offseason, a tight end in the NFC was traded. That tight end, much like Winslow, was productive, injury-prone, and a little egotistical. His name was Jeremy Shockey, and he was dealt by the Super-Bowl winning New York Giants to the New Orleans Saints for a 2nd-round and a 5th-round draft pick.
Funny, isn't it? The Giants trade their tight end and are expected to go back to the promised land with no trouble, but the Browns trade theirs and we're "back in rebuilding mode", according to many. Here's the thing people need to remember though: these days in the NFL, the right rebuilding effort could yield a playoff result the very same season. While somewhat of a different situation, after the Atlanta Falcons had a new coach, a new QB, and got rid of veteran TE Alge Crumpler last season, they made the postseason after being projected as one of the league's worst teams.
Now then, that's not to say that trading Winslow is the cure to our problems; it's merely a bold attempt by new management to piece together the type of team they want to build. Phil Savage tried to build this team by trading draft picks for players; Georgie Kokinis and Eric Mangini are trading player(s) for draft picks. Also, according to the OBR, about $3.6 million in cap space will be freed.
Last year under Mangini, the Jets drafted TE Dustin Keller in the first round of the draft. I hope the Browns do not do the same that early (on Day 1) this April -- it would render the trading of Winslow almost useless. That opens the door for a guy like TE Martin Rucker to be a contributor last season. I'm sure we'd all like to thank Romeo Crennel for the two plays he allowed him to participate in during the season. Veteran TE Steve Heiden is a former starter, and as we saw him do in place of Winslow last year, can be even more productive than Winslow due to his threat of blocking and then slipping out.
Right now, the Browns are scheduled to have the 5th, 36th, and 50th draft picks. On draft day, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Browns end up with two first rounders; around the late 20's pick, if a player we really want is still on the board, we have some leverage to move up.
"Nothing against Winslow, who has tremendous athletic ability, but he comes from Cleveland with both emotional and physical baggage. Not to mention the fact that he’s craving a whopping new contract that Cleveland wasn’t willing to give him.
Granted, he’s fantastically young, turning 26 this July, but he has a body that has undergone a litany of surgeries. He has an attitude that has brought him nothing but trouble – even if he was absolutely right in his stand against the Browns trying to hide his staph infection last season."
Winslow had some memorable moments with the Browns, both good and bad. With the Buccaneers, Winslow joins former teammate Jeff Faine and Antonio Bryant, and returns to the state he played college football at. In a press conference after joining the Buccaneers, Winslow cited that he'd miss working with players like Braylon Edwards and Brady Quinn, but he failed to cite Derek Anderson. With the Buccaneers once rumored as one of the team's interested in his services, what are the odds that they end up together again?
For the Buccaneers' coverage on the Winslow deal, head on over to Buc'Em, our SB Nation affiliate.
0 recs | 33 comments
I like the trade as long as we do something with the draft pick that we received. It wouldn’t be all bad if we trade back up into the first round like Chris mentioned to get somebody. Clay Matthews will be taken at the end of the first round (I think). It would be nice to see a Matthews on the field wearing a Browns Jersey!
drunkrooster - February 28, 2009
Trading back into the first round would cost more than what we got in return for Winslow. Last year Philly traded the number 18 pick to Carolina for 2nd, 4th and this years first rounder. Which brings me too..
The Browns should not be looking to trade up. I know that in order to trade down, someone has to want to trade up. Keep an eye on Philly with McNabb wanting the team to improve its roster. I am actually wishing that Crabtree will fall to five and the Eagles will want to move up. With two first rounders, need for a WR, and a QB that wants some weapons, it could be a nice fit.
The value of the 5th pick seems to be drying up. I am not interested in Orakpo or Mauluaga. I am interested to see what move is made next by Mankok.
Bernie19Kosar - February 28, 2009
You’re right, Philly does seem like a good fit. McNabb has been begging for more recievers and it looks like Crabtree will still be there at 5. Like I’ve said before, I would be happy with drafting Crabtree but if there is a chance that we could trade down to get more picks then I would do that if the deal is right. I think we can pick up some good LB’s, DE’s and a RB in the late first and second rounds.
But with this trade we definately need to get another good reciever, either through the draft or free agency. We can’t go in to the year with Edwards and a bunch of guys that are either unproven, injured, or unproductive. I hope we can get some good players with these picks, but we still need to replace Winslow’s production. He was a big part of this offense, and if we’re going with a young QB we need to make sure he has good players to throw to.
Buckeye Brad - February 28, 2009
There still some decent pass catchers out there. Bobby Engram, Joey Galloway, Ronald Curry, Amani Toomer and D.J Hackett among them. Notice I didn’t say young pass catchers.
Bernie19Kosar - February 28, 2009
One possible reciever target for the Browns should be Brian Robiskie. He was impressive at the combine and has solidified himself as a mid/late second rounder on most boards. Maybe the Browns could get him with the pick they got from Tampa Bay. He’s a good reciever with great speed whose stats didn’t look good at OSU this year because they didn’t throw the ball much. I think he can be a productive #2 WR in the NFL.
Todd McShay’s latest mock draft has Robiskie as the #20 talent after the first round, which would put him right around 50. Also, he has the Browns taking Orakpo with the fifth pick.
Buckeye Brad - February 28, 2009
Reciever is the least of the Browns needs, though. They need starters and they need depth on defense more than they need recievers. If the Browns are indeed installing the Patriots offense, James Harrison should get 40 to 60 receptions. That alleviates the need fora number three. Edwards and Stallworth (ugh) and maybe a low dollar free agent will do for now.
fatback_hairshirt - February 28, 2009
Uhhh…did you see how bad the offense was last year? We need playmakers on offense. I’m not saying reciever is the biggest Browns need, because we certainly have plenty, but Quinn is going to need guys to throw the ball to and we just traded away his #1 target. I don’t trust Stallworth to be the #2 guy, and who knows what we’re going to get from Joe J. If the Browns get a DE and LB with their first two picks, what’s wrong with picking Robiskie? I agree the Browns need defensive help, but if you think the Browns are set at reciever now then you’re crazy.
Buckeye Brad - February 28, 2009
Hey look everybody, Buckeye Brad thinks we should consider drafting a… Buckeye! Never saw that coming… (I kid, Brad, I kid. I’m high on Robiskie too.)
kwoog - February 28, 2009
If we can’t get Robiskie, we should take Brian Hartline. Or Marcus Freeman. Or Alex Boone. Or we can trade the pick for Joey Galloway. If none of those work, maybe we can convince Cris Carter to come out of retirement.
Buckeye Brad - February 28, 2009
I actually might be OK with Freeman. Mangini probably thinks he is too small to play inside in his 3-4 though. If we ran a Cover-2 like the Colts’, I would be clamoring for Freeman.
Is it too early to think about drafting Mike Adams or Thaddeus Gibson?
rufio - March 1, 2009
Freeman was very impressive at the combine. I could see him being a good third round pick (if we got one in a trade).
Buckeye Brad - March 1, 2009
He’s always been impressive in workouts. He has the hang clean record at OSU, putting up 415lbs. That’s explosive hips, ladies and gentlemen.
rufio - March 1, 2009
We Play Tampa Bay....
….at Tampa Bay next season. Would be a great place to get the W in spite of KWII
vince fitz - February 28, 2009
That poll was surprisingly one sided.
gahnki - February 28, 2009
Wow, the Patriots just gave up Cassel and Vrabel for only a second round pick. That makes this trade look pretty good for the Browns, considering they got a 2 and a 5 for Winslow. I know Winslow is more proven than Cassel, but Cassel’s a QB and he looked pretty good last year. And he’s healthy.
Buckeye Brad - February 28, 2009
The thing about Cassel (though I could be wrong) is that it may also require a new, large contract by the Buccaneers also.
Chris Pokorny - February 28, 2009
Meant Chiefs, obviously.
Chris Pokorny - February 28, 2009
True, he was franchised prior to the trade, so I think he would need a new contract at least within the year.
rufio - February 28, 2009
The Bucs are going to have to give K2 a new deal just as much as the Chiefs have to give one to Cassel.
kwoog - February 28, 2009
He is going to want it, for sure.
rufio - March 1, 2009
Quarterbacks > Tight Ends in terms of paydays though, right?
Chris Pokorny - March 1, 2009
I just meant in both scenarios giving the guy a new deal was a part of the trade, to the acquiring team. But yeah, you are right.
kwoog - March 1, 2009
I saw that. I have no idea what the Pats are doing. It is going to be hard to get a 2nd rounder for DA now.
Bernie19Kosar - February 28, 2009
Clearing cap space.
gahnki - February 28, 2009
If they needed cap space so badly, they could have just cut someone. Giving up two players for a pick before the market is set doesn’t seem very wise. ESPN is now reporting that the Broncos were willing to give up there first round pick for Cassel, but offered right after the Chiefs made the deal.
Bernie19Kosar - March 1, 2009
Cap space isn’t as easy as “just” cutting someone. There are situations where even if you cut a player some money still counts against your cap number.
I am glad we didn’t get McDaniels. He just really pissed off the Bronco’s young pro bowl QB who almost singlehandedly willed them to 8 wins last year (and won me a fantasy football championship)…all for Cassel?
I don’t think Denver is too happy about firing Shannahan.
rufio - March 1, 2009
Yeah, WTF is up with that?? Why the heck would you want to trade Cutler, especially for an unproven guy like Cassel? He certainly wasn’t the problem in Denver. If that was a case of McDaniels wanting to bring in “his boy”, then I’d be pretty pissed if I were Cutler, too.
Buckeye Brad - March 1, 2009
I think this makes it easier to get a 2nd for DA.
kwoog - February 28, 2009
i agree. if you can get a 2nd rounder for a washed up LB and $14mm+ QB who’s had one year of above-average performance, then there’s no doubt in my mind that a former Pro Bowl QB due $1.5mm (after the Browns pay his $5mm bonus) can net you a 2nd rounder.
DontCallMeJoey - March 1, 2009
I was thinking the same thing when I read that. If Cassel and Vrabel together are only worth a (high) second, then what is DA likely to garner? The up side is that he can be had cheap – contract wise – in about two weeks, but will that really affect what the Browns could expect to gain in draft picks?
JustBob - February 28, 2009
Yes.
kwoog - March 1, 2009
trading winslow was a good deal
I hate to say it though I loved the guys heart and talent but his integrity and lack of play and big mouth was what got him where he is at. Is he any better in Tampa Bay? Time will tell but when you only play 1 full season out of his entire career due to lack of injuries, motorcycles and your mouth Then i would say he has far from proven himself. Lets face it, this guy makes millions of dollars to cry because nobody comes to visit him at the hospital oh wait it was a staph infection oh wait it was someone slanderd his wife oh wait NOBODY knows and nobody cares. I am just amazed with the hogwash these players need to create when they make millions of dollars and cry because someone does not say hi to the them AHEM*looks at Rogers*
Robiski excellent player, great hands and ya we have a problem with the wrs on this team we have a first round starter who cant catch, Maybe we can convince Braylon to give his jack to Crabtree so Crabtree can teach Braylon how to catch. LOL YEAH the fans bood him cause he was from Michigan last year lol WHAT A JOKE the fans bood you because you cant catch a ball that hits you in your hands. This is not high school football and we still have a bunch of cry babys still on our team. The statement was trading Winslow, it shows that nobodys position is safe and with the effort from most of this team last year, it shoudl be that way.
TopDog - March 1, 2009
Well, let’s hope he passes the physical.
JustBob - March 1, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Dawgs By Nature to post a comment.