DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Derry: He's not Ocho Winslow...yet

Derry: He's Not Ocho Winslow... Yet.


TE Kellen Winslow By Frank Derry
OBR Columnist
Posted May 1, 2008

OBR columnist Frank Derry takes a look at murmurs from Kellen Winslow's camp about a new contract. Is Winslow justified in asking for a new deal? Or is this just a selfish act by a self-absorbed player? Here's Frank's take...

Hey, did you hear the one about the pro athlete who had a good season and immediately wanted to renegotiate his contract? Even after he failed to play up to his potential for the first three years of his career due?

Unfortunately, it’s no joke.

It seems like every year we are subjected to the whining of athletes who, even though they are under contract, either want to get a new and improved deal, get traded, or both.

Thus far, Kellen Winslow Jr., hasn’t issued a trade demand. But for a guy who has, in my opinion, already struck out with many Browns fans, a holdout that includes a demand to be traded would simply by the icing on the cake.

Winslow, the Browns’ first-round draft choice in 2004, had strike one on him before he ever played in a game. That’s because he chose to be a holdout from training camp his rookie season. The only thing he caught during his holdout was the wrath of then-Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia, who openly criticized the son of Hall of Famer KellenWinslow Sr.

Winslow, who had gained a reputation of being a selfish athlete while playing for the Miami Hurricanes, certainly did nothing to change those views by his untimely holdout.

Winslow’s second strike came when he once again put his own self ahead of the team by recklessly riding a super-charged motorcycle following the 2004 season, a season in which he only played in only two games due to a right fibula injury he suffered in Week 2.

He’s managed to come back from the extensive injuries suffered in his careless accident, but he’s admittedly not the same player he was prior to his ill-advised adventures.

Now, as the Browns approach what promises to be a very exciting season, it sounds like he’s willing to take a called third strike by putting his own selfish desires ahead of the good of the team.

If he misses any time whatsoever due to his hopes to renegotiate his contract, it will, in my opinion, be the final straw. It will show once and for all that, no matter what he has said over the past couple of years and no matter how good the team might be, that he is still a selfish, self-centered prima donna who cares more about himself than his teammates, coaches and, oh yeah, the fans.

The Browns were concerned enough that general manager Phil Savage had to mortgage a small part of the team’s future in order to move up in this year’s draft to pick tight end Martin Rucker out of the University of Missouri in the fourth round.

The trade cost the Browns a third-round pick next year. Not exactly an earth-shaking trade by any means, but one that apparently the team deemed necessary due in part of Winslow’s public announcement that he wants a new contract. To be fair, it was also in part due to the fact both Winslow and backup tight end Steve Heiden will probably be limited in upcoming camps due to off-season surgeries.

It should be noted that Winslow’s surgery was his fourth that is a direct result of his motorcycle accident. It also must be noted that he has three years remaining on his contract. And it also needs to be noted that he did play in his first Pro Bowl this past February, albeit as an alternate.

Is Winslow worth more money just because San Diego tight end Antonio Gates suffered an injury that kept him out of the Pro Bowl and opened the door for the Browns’ tight end?

There doesn’t seem to be much logic in that. Nor is there much logic in tearing up the contract of a guy who never has and likely never will live up to his potential due, as previously mentioned, to his own selfish, self-centered prima donna attitude?

Probably the best thing I can say about Kellen Winslow Jr., is that at least he’s not as openly arrogant and as much of a trouble maker as Chad Johnson … at least not yet.

http://cle.scout.com/2/751686.html

No need to comment on this, Just a writter trying to stir things up in May..nothing to write about...

Could this guy be any more inflammatory than he's being in this article?

Maybe I just haven't been paying attention, but when did Winslow make a bunch of demands for a new deal?

And I really saw Winslow as a team leader last year. Well, at least I didn't see him as any kind of distraction. He kept his mouth shut for the most part and played good football.

And, God, how many more people are going to use a FOURTH ROUND DRAFT PICK to show that Winslow is on his way out? Where are the articles talking about how DQ or Andra Davis are on their way out because we picked Beau Bell? Isn't that the same thing?

Yeesh, this is what I hate about the offseason, the media throwing fuel on a fire that they created!

Another story that isn't before it is. He's gonna be sitting for awhile. He just had his fourth (or is it fifth?) surgery on his bad knee. I understand picking up Rucker even at the cost of a 3rd. I can see Winslow wanting to get paid, he probably doesn't have much time left. Will he pull a Chad? I seriously doubt it, and comparing the two is stupid, irresponsible, knee jerk sensationalism at it's worst designed to fire up the emotions of fans and generate hate and distrust for the player. I don't care who wrote it, I hate this time of year. JMHO

I agree Clay...I know K2 mentioned he'd like to redo his contract, to lenghten it and of course that would involve more money. He has 3 yrs left on his contract. If he has another good yr this yr i can see Phil redoing his contract next yr. Along with BE's.

nordawg

And I love that giving up next year's third round pick amounts to mortgaging a small part of our future. Yeah, we gave up something to get up and get Rucker, but c'mon, mortgaging our future? Give me a freakin' break.

Winslow is about winning, not being self centered. Every interview I hear him in, he states watch out for this TEAM. I gotta love how everyone on this board jumps on this bantor and calls it nothing but crap.

Best fans in the NFL here, man!

What I dont like about this article...is how mad he is, and how he thinks the fans are.


What I give him credit for...is that I am a little tired of Kellen. Major stress on little.

His talk of wanting a new contract, I'll give him. Its valid. What worries me is the thought of a potential hold out. That does worry me, and I will be upset about that.

But I think we should wait til we cross that bridge when we get to it. For now. We'll let him do what he's doing, and I'll have no problem with it. This guy should take a step or two back and relax a bit

I guess everyone is entitled to have their own opinion....

It just so happens that DERRY's opinions are based in twisted fact, not so creative 'Creative Liberties' and an absolutely childish desire to be noticed.

WHO THE HELL IS DERRY ANYWAY?


Oh I know... he the putz that wrote that STUPID article on K2. Way to be noticed... BERRY, or um HARRY, or ummm LARRY... whatever your name is.

Just Op-Ed.

Save the article Frank until it happens.

Comparing Winslow to Johnson is very unfair. Except for his college years, K2 is all about being a team player.

IMO Derry is a jerk for this article, and he should apoligize for the crap it contains.

Journalists used to report the news. Now they try to create it. Integrity in the media is a thing of the past

The guy threw out an opinion...it's not a bad one, either. People don't like it because they're watching Winslow highlights through orange colored glasses.

The kid has a second chance in my book. This guy seems to not be so forgiving. So be it, but he has a point.

This guy seems to not be so forgiving. So be it, but he has a point.

Unfortunately it's on the top of his head.

This article is almost total crap. And that is not something I say very often. This is why people roll their eyes when OBR is mentioned.

Nothing to see here, people...nothing to see!

By the way, go figure that Frankie didn't even put an email to be reached at with this article...convenient.

Mr Garrison: "Yes Officer Barbrady?"

Officer Barbrady: "I have to go poopy!"

hahahaha, I hope thats what you were thinking...if not, i apologize

Honestly, K2 gave up lot of money when he paid back some of his bonus and changed his contract after his accident...granted he caused this...doesn't mean he has to give up the money NOW....in my book he already paid for the no show he has first few years by paying the team back and taking a pay cut...

If the team was quick to change his contract cuz he had no production then why can't he ask for money when he put up big #s 2 years in a row? i think it's only fair for him to ask for more money..or should i say the money he gave up in the first place

LOL, I was thinking of Barbrady, but I wasn't thinking of that particular episode.

Some here might remember my feelings concerning the 2004 draft. In fact I took a lot of heat for the comments I made and Toad, GM and few others were the only ones that would actually debate instead of flame.

Here we are it is 2008, and I have to say....I was right...........and I was wrong. Back when we drafted Winslow, I never doubted his ability. But I had major concerns about his character and I had major concerns over the moves to acquire his pick.

And I was right. His character may have cost us what could have been one of the greatest TE's in the history of the game.

But I was also wrong. Partly because of his experience, he gained a maturity that teams wish they had more of. It is just sad that it took those dramtic events in order for him to change.

With all that said. I think Derry doesn't have a clue. When Kellen asks for a new contract, it will not be because of wanting to be a prima donna or to have star notoriety. It will be for security. Security will be the main impetus.

Kellen WILL be asking for a new contract. For one, he just hired Rosenhaus. Well Drew does not get paid until he lands a contract for Kellen. Secondly, he has had 5 surguries on his knee. Granted with his toughness, he will play through a lot of pain. But he cannot defy biology for too long. The knee will take it's toll and his career is or will be severely shortened. So he needs that last contract to hold him for a lifetime after football. Lastly, he deserves to be paid in accordance to his production. He has been playing as one of if not the best Tight End in football. His pay should reflect that.

Derry is right, that Kellen will be asking for a new contract. But that is the onlything he is right about. Security will be the driving force behind the renegotiation of his contract. Not idol worship.

Guess I'll have to be the lone voice of dissention.

Rookie hold out: check
prima dona reputation: check
wrecked motorcycle, lets down team: check
failed to earn his big money first three years: check
hires agent known for representing prima dona hold outs: check
may want to to tear up contract after finally earning his pay: check
Phil trades up to get another TE just in case( maybe the reason): check

I'm not into idol worship so IMO Winslow is fair game and his motives can be questioned. The writing has been on the wall since day one. Winslow will be asking for what he and Rosenhaus think he is worth and Winslow thinks a WHOLE lot of himself.

Maybe Frank Derry is on to something............















Ducking rocks and bottles now

Quote:

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Hey, did you hear the one about the pro athlete who had a good season and immediately wanted to renegotiate his contract? Even after he failed to play up to his potential for the first three years of his career due?

Unfortunately, it’s no joke.

---

It's also not accurate.... First year, injury on field.. can't help it.. it happens.

The second year, was indeed his fault.. No question about it.

But that's only two years,,, then he had two pretty darn impressive years after that..

I had to stop reading right there,, if the reporter is going to distort the facts, then why bother reading anything he says?

The article made a bunch of assumptions, but the basis of it is accurate. We all know KW2 is going to ask for a new contract and we also know that it is not going to be cheap.

I don't see Winslow holding out or anything crazy like that, but this is not something that is just going to go away.

I think this situation is blown out of proportion. We hear a little something in February during the Pro Bowl, then of course Winslow gets asked questions, and that's it. Then we get articles like these. Until I see Winslow on TV or in articles openly talking (and whining) about it, I'm not going to stress out about it.

No doubt I want the guy a Brown for life, and I'm glad he wants to stay, but I'm not going to worry about it now. This is no way even minutely comparable to what's going on in Cincy.

I read about two lines and realize this guy has a mental illness, I would diagnose him with the dumbass disorder typically found in sports-writers who love hearing themselves talk and only ripping on star atheletes.

Honestly, of the two lines I read, one he said he had one good year, and was unproductive his first 3 years of his career.

So he is saying that 89 receptions with 875 yards (Year 3 stats, off the top of my head) is unproductive.

Wow.

Quote:

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So he is saying that 89 receptions with 875 yards (Year 3 stats, off the top of my head) is unproductive

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That's exactly why I stopped reading... he's an idiot!

LOL,, you guys will love this one...

I wrote to the OBR and indicated my displeasure with Frank Derry and his revising of facts in order to slant the story on winslow his way...

this is the response I got,,,, Enjoy

Quote:

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Hi Rick!

I've passed along your email to Frank, who generally responds to the feedback he gets. This article also created some discussion on our forums, with fans split between whether they think Frank's take was justified or not. I would invite you to join in there as well if you want:


We try to offer a variety of viewpoints on the OBR. Frank has written about the Browns for three decades, starting with Browns News Illustrated a long time ago. His take doesn't necessarily reflect my opinion or the opinions of anyone else on the OBR, but we do respect his experience and objectivity.

Thanks again for reading and writing in with your feedback. GO BROWNS!!

Barry McBride
Publisher
The Orange & Brown Report
http://browns.scout.com

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In case you were wondering, Rick is my real name,, thus the Hi Rick



[Ref00 - just removing the link to the forum there]

Quote:

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Objectivity.

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My thoughts exactly! What objectivity,,, what a joke.

Ref00.. Thanks, I didn't even think to take that out.. Sorry..

As with many posters on this board, this guy is just creating his own story.
When we drafted KW2 many were upset , because they thought he was a ME player. They based this on his I'm a solder statement.
How far from the truth they were and are.
Kellen has always been a team player. The solder statement was made out of frustration, that players on the team weren't giving their best efforts on the field . They were just going through the motions. And he was calling them out for it.
I find it funny , all the support for KW2 on this article.
How many were in the cut him line , when he wrecked ?
Winslow has given his heart and soul to this team , yet there will always be haters out there. They have no bases for it , they just love to stur things up.
Does he diserve more money ? probably.
Will he hold out ? probably not.
Will he retire a Brown ? That's really going to be up to Savage.
I really doubt he will, because Phil seems to be following the strategy of the Pats, and I don't think they will spend mega bucks on any one player. Unless his name is Brady.JMHO

did I mention that KW2 is not a decent blocker




again, rocks and bottles..............

Oh my bad, let's cut him.

IMO ......It's just that time of the year. However, with his hiring Mr Drew (who always seems to want his clients contracts redone, of course for his own pay) there may be something to this down the road.

I not that I dislike KWII, he is a hell of a player. But what I do dislike is players in general that sign contracts; then can't live with the terms that they signed for and demand a new deal. No one put a gun to these guys heads and forced them to sign their contracts and at the time the contracts must have seemed like a great deal. You signed it ..... play it out.

That said, I have no problem with a Team rewarding a player with a contract extention, but it should be the Team's decision.