DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Winslow thought about asking for a trade/SUSPENDED FOR 1 GAME

Very fair question man. I'd intended on staying out of these conversations until the Jacksonville game was over, taking the advice of Jaf which is "use the cool off period"

Keep in mind this is just a discussion, not an accusation, so please don't take it as such. With that in mind, we cannot discount the "Soldja" comments. That was a glimpse into his persona, which was a red-flag of his coming into the league. It turned many teams off. It was that kind of bravado which indicates immaturity, and it was that kind of immaturity and bravado that led him to decide to do what he did with the motorcycle. Therefore, we can't simply wipe the slate clean after his college career is over and start him off from scratch. There are just too many players who come out of college with a bad rap who never turn the corner. So in that regard we disagree.

Here's a little quote from when he got drafted. A reporter asked him about that "soldja" quote, and this was his answer: ""this is supposed to be the happiest day of my life, questions like that are irrelevent".

Then there are his acts of bravado during his rookie year, when he was running around, getting nailed, and acting like a fool. These aren't the acts of a criminal, but being a criminal isn't the issue here. Being a primma-donna is. Those are comments that no player should EVER make about the organization he plays for, regardless of how he feels slighted.

So, having said all that, let me give you a piece of a scouting report from 2004:

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Neg: To this point lacks functional football strength and gets average results blocking. Does a bit of standing around at times rather than coming back to the ball. Takes his eyes off the ball and looks to run before he's actually caught the ball. Getting the rap as a "high maintenance" prospect.

Analysis: Very much a chip off the old block, Winslow will change the way the tight end position is played just as his dad did. A skill player coordinators can game plan around he has All Pro type talent for years to come but must learn to control his temper and remain focused.

Here's another prior to the 2004 draft:

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Evidently Kellen Winslow Jr. was late showing up for a recent meeting with Joe Gibbs which has not sat well with the potential Hall of Fame coach.

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In short, his reputation preceeded him into the league, he showed those issues during his rookie year, he hurt himself the next year doing what he wasn't supposed to do, and now, he calls out the GM.

There is a continuing pattern of behavior here that should give everyone cause for concern. It probably doesn't help to see Edwards act like he does, yet he continues to get all the face-time as the organizations golden child.

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Winslow's complaint 'bigger than the game'
Receiver says he thought about asking for a trade before Tuesday deadline

By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer


Published on Monday, Oct 20, 2008

LANDOVER, MD.: Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow is so unhappy with how he has been treated by the Browns' front office that he nearly asked to be traded before last Tuesday's deadline.

That's what Winslow said after the Browns fell 14-11 to the Washington Redskins Sunday at FedExField.Winslow's emotions were roiling and what stirred him apparently had little to do with the game.

''I don't want to talk about the game. It's bigger than the game right now,'' Winslow said.

Winslow saw his first action after spending three nights in the Cleveland Clinic with an undisclosed illness and missing last Monday's upset victory over the New York Giants. Released from the hospital eight days ago and returning to practice Thursday, Winslow caught two passes for 17 yards. Five others intended for him fell incomplete.

The man causing Winslow's consternation seems to be General Manager Phil Savage. At the Pro Bowl in February, Winslow said he wanted to have a contract extension. But because Winslow's right knee has undergone at least four operations since his 2005 motorcycle accident, Savage has said Winslow's request is not a high priority.

In a brief interview Friday, Winslow said he was going along with the team's request not to disclose the nature of his illness, but almost seemed like he wanted to talk about it.

Asked Sunday what was going through his mind last week at the trade deadline, Winslow said, ''I was thinking about it, but again I didn't say anything because I'm bigger than that. I could have easily, and I thought about it, but I didn't. Phil knew. But I didn't say anything.

''Sometimes I just don't feel part of the team. My teammates, I do. My teammates care about me; that's what I'm talking about. Sometimes you just feel like a piece of meat. Not from the head man.''

It was unclear whether the head man Winslow was referring to was Savage or owner Randy Lerner.

As for the game, Browns coach Romeo Crennel didn't seem to have any qualms about playing Winslow despite his limited practice time last week.

''He's a big talent,'' Crennel said. ''We had some plays for him in particular situations, primarily on third down. They played him pretty aggressively at the line and downfield, so he was not able to get open the way he usually gets open.''

Cribbs stymied

Browns Pro Bowl returner Joshua Cribbs was excited to play in front of friends and family from his hometown of Washington, D.C. But the Redskins' coverage teams were superb, limiting him to a 9.6 average on five punt returns and a 23.0 average on two kickoffs. Cleveland's longest kickoff return came from rookie Gerard Lawson, who ran one back 43 yards in the fourth quarter.

Cribbs was thrilled that he scored his first offensive touchdown on a 1-yard reception with 2:44 remaining.

''I know what it meant just to be on that field,'' Cribbs said. ''My first career touchdown, being from D.C., I couldn't get anything better than that. [I wish] we could have come away with a win so I could have looked at that coach over there and said, 'Hey, I'm from Cleveland, now, baby.' But I wasn't able to do that.''

Cribbs said he spent a fortune on tickets.

''Too many, if you ask me,'' Cribbs said of how many he bought. ''We play the Redskins once about every eight years. Just this once. When it passed $2,000, I told my mother to try to cut back. My game check, it's going to look like I got fined. But I loved playing here. It's a dream come true for me. I always wanted to play in that stadium as a kid. I could hear the noise from my home, especially when they were at RFK.''

Cribbs appeared to be injured with 6:08 left in the third quarter when he took a hard hit to the midsection from fourth-year cornerback Carlos Rogers while he was going out for a pass. After staying down for several minutes, Cribbs walked off under his own power. He came back for the kickoff after the possession ended with a 37-yard field goal by Phil Dawson.

''It knocked the wind out of me,'' Cribbs said.

Williams injured

The Browns' defensive line already was short-handed after end Shaun Smith had hand surgery during the bye week that forced him to miss his second consecutive game Sunday. Then with about 12 minutes left in the second quarter, defensive end Corey Williams went to the locker room with a left shoulder injury, but he was able to return late in the third quarter.

Williams experienced shoulder problems in training camp.

''It was just a little bruise. I was going to come back, regardless,'' Williams said.

Cleveland had to go with two-year veteran Santonio Thomas, signed on Sept. 16, and Louis Leonard, starting in place of Smith.

Off the hook

In the waning seconds of the first half, Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers appeared to commit a costly penalty after he sacked Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell at the Cleveland 18. Rogers was called for delay of game for not letting Campbell get up.

The penalty stopped the clock, but Washington kicker Shaun Suisham, a Bowling Green product, let Rogers off the hook by missing a 36-yard field goal as time expired.

Jones back

Returning to the lineup was strong safety Sean Jones, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Sept. 11. His presence was timely because nickel back Mike Adams, who had been starting for Jones, was inactive with a hamstring injury suffered late last week.

Also inactive for Cleveland was right tackle Ryan Tucker (sore knee). The Redskins were without Pro Bowl cornerback Shawn Springs, who reaggravated a calf injury last week.

No heated exchange

Browns quarterback Derek Anderson and fullback Lawrence Vickers appeared to have words early in the fourth quarter when Anderson called a timeout with 13:54 to go. Anderson downplayed it, saying: ''It was loud. I love Vick . . . in the heat of battle, there was no beef, no issue there.''

Vickers said, ''No friction, just trying to call a timeout.''

Brownies

The Redskins extended their NFL-record streak of pass attempts without an interception to 332. The string includes attempts by Jason Campbell (224), Todd Collins (105), receiver Antwaan Randle El (2) and running back Clinton Portis (1). . . . Browns linebacker Shantee Orr departed in the second half with a foot injury. . . . The Redskins had not been held scoreless in the first half since the New York Giants did it on Sept. 13, 1981.

LANDOVER, MD.: Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow is so unhappy with how he has been treated by the Browns' front office that he nearly asked to be traded before last Tuesday's deadline.

That's what Winslow said after the Browns fell 14-11 to the Washington Redskins Sunday at FedExField.Winslow's emotions were roiling and what stirred him apparently had little to do with the game.

''I don't want to talk about the game. It's bigger than the game right now,'' Winslow said.

Winslow saw his first action after spending three nights in the Cleveland Clinic with an undisclosed illness and missing last Monday's upset victory over the New York Giants. Released from the hospital eight days ago and returning to practice Thursday, Winslow caught two passes for 17 yards. Five others intended for him fell incomplete.

The man causing Winslow's consternation seems to be General Manager Phil Savage. At the Pro Bowl in February, Winslow said he wanted to have a contract extension. But because Winslow's right knee has undergone at least four operations since his 2005 motorcycle accident, Savage has said Winslow's request is not a high priority.

In a brief interview Friday, Winslow said he was going along with the team's request not to disclose the nature of his illness, but almost seemed like he wanted to talk about it.

Asked Sunday what was going through his mind last week at the trade deadline, Winslow said, ''I was thinking about it, but again I didn't say anything because I'm bigger than that. I could have easily, and I thought about it, but I didn't. Phil knew. But I didn't say anything.

''Sometimes I just don't feel part of the team. My teammates, I do. My teammates care about me; that's what I'm talking about. Sometimes you just feel like a piece of meat. Not from the head man.''

It was unclear whether the head man Winslow was referring to was Savage or owner Randy Lerner.

As for the game, Browns coach Romeo Crennel didn't seem to have any qualms about playing Winslow despite his limited practice time last week.

''He's a big talent,'' Crennel said. ''We had some plays for him in particular situations, primarily on third down. They played him pretty aggressively at the line and downfield, so he was not able to get open the way he usually gets open.''

Cribbs stymied

Browns Pro Bowl returner Joshua Cribbs was excited to play in front of friends and family from his hometown of Washington, D.C. But the Redskins' coverage teams were superb, limiting him to a 9.6 average on five punt returns and a 23.0 average on two kickoffs. Cleveland's longest kickoff return came from rookie Gerard Lawson, who ran one back 43 yards in the fourth quarter.

Cribbs was thrilled that he scored his first offensive touchdown on a 1-yard reception with 2:44 remaining.

''I know what it meant just to be on that field,'' Cribbs said. ''My first career touchdown, being from D.C., I couldn't get anything better than that. [I wish] we could have come away with a win so I could have looked at that coach over there and said, 'Hey, I'm from Cleveland, now, baby.' But I wasn't able to do that.''

Cribbs said he spent a fortune on tickets.

''Too many, if you ask me,'' Cribbs said of how many he bought. ''We play the Redskins once about every eight years. Just this once. When it passed $2,000, I told my mother to try to cut back. My game check, it's going to look like I got fined. But I loved playing here. It's a dream come true for me. I always wanted to play in that stadium as a kid. I could hear the noise from my home, especially when they were at RFK.''

Cribbs appeared to be injured with 6:08 left in the third quarter when he took a hard hit to the midsection from fourth-year cornerback Carlos Rogers while he was going out for a pass. After staying down for several minutes, Cribbs walked off under his own power. He came back for the kickoff after the possession ended with a 37-yard field goal by Phil Dawson.

''It knocked the wind out of me,'' Cribbs said.

Williams injured

The Browns' defensive line already was short-handed after end Shaun Smith had hand surgery during the bye week that forced him to miss his second consecutive game Sunday. Then with about 12 minutes left in the second quarter, defensive end Corey Williams went to the locker room with a left shoulder injury, but he was able to return late in the third quarter.

Williams experienced shoulder problems in training camp.

''It was just a little bruise. I was going to come back, regardless,'' Williams said.

Cleveland had to go with two-year veteran Santonio Thomas, signed on Sept. 16, and Louis Leonard, starting in place of Smith.

Off the hook

In the waning seconds of the first half, Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers appeared to commit a costly penalty after he sacked Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell at the Cleveland 18. Rogers was called for delay of game for not letting Campbell get up.

The penalty stopped the clock, but Washington kicker Shaun Suisham, a Bowling Green product, let Rogers off the hook by missing a 36-yard field goal as time expired.

Jones back

Returning to the lineup was strong safety Sean Jones, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Sept. 11. His presence was timely because nickel back Mike Adams, who had been starting for Jones, was inactive with a hamstring injury suffered late last week.

Also inactive for Cleveland was right tackle Ryan Tucker (sore knee). The Redskins were without Pro Bowl cornerback Shawn Springs, who reaggravated a calf injury last week.

No heated exchange

Browns quarterback Derek Anderson and fullback Lawrence Vickers appeared to have words early in the fourth quarter when Anderson called a timeout with 13:54 to go. Anderson downplayed it, saying: ''It was loud. I love Vick . . . in the heat of battle, there was no beef, no issue there.''

Vickers said, ''No friction, just trying to call a timeout.''

Brownies

The Redskins extended their NFL-record streak of pass attempts without an interception to 332. The string includes attempts by Jason Campbell (224), Todd Collins (105), receiver Antwaan Randle El (2) and running back Clinton Portis (1). . . . Browns linebacker Shantee Orr departed in the second half with a foot injury. . . . The Redskins had not been held scoreless in the first half since the New York Giants did it on Sept. 13, 1981.

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They pay him to play. Not be a part of a cover up in regards to staph infections IMO. Being a football player for the Browns is not what I believe the problem is that KW2 takes issue with. Being made a pawn in some PR chess game is yet another matter.

I can't say I blame him....................

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You hit the nail on the head Pit

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I also do know that he is resembling that 9 on the Wonderlick test he recieved.

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He always has.

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thanks toad, now i see where you are coming from. its more about the perceived image, 'prima donna' or 'high maintenance'.
one more question if you don't mind. i know you said you want to stay out until after the next game but, do you think savage NOT calling k2 when he was in the hospital was just a power move about the contract negotiations? it did seem a little strange to me that he savage wouldn't take 2 minutes to check on one of his star players. i'm not even sure if its common or not for the gm to call guys who are sick/hurt. so maybe this is nothing at all. i know you'd be speculating but whats your opinion on this? thanks.

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Man, you don't have to be so formal or polite Think of it this way: We're just a bunch of guys sitting around a table at a bar talking football. That way, if you want to poke fun at someone or question their parental heritage in a fun way, it's all good, hehehe.

So....Is there a monetary element to Savage not calling Winslow? Absolutely! Does Savage call every player that gets hurt? No way. Showing favoritism towards a high-dollar player gives that player leverage, and knowing he wants a new contract means Savage can't go there.

Savage is no idiot. Sure, he gives this country-bumpkin image, but that's not the REAL Opie. He'd never get to be where he is if he were a simple man between the ears.

We all need to remember that everything involves an element of negotation. Sure, it sounded nice when Savage "was kind enough" to let Winslow have the opportunity to earn back the money he lost when he wrecked his bike, but that wasn't charity. That was all business. If Savage DOESN'T give him that chance, the team stood zero chance of ever getting the most out of Winslow, or getting him to sign a new contract if he got better. Just as it's all business for the player, it's all busines for the team. As much as anything, Winslow knows that his contract played a role in Savage not calling him, which is why his contract was at the front of his mind and on the tip of his tongue during those ill-advised comments.

On a side note, I meant to do this last night, but forgot. I'd give a standing ovation to Crennel for how he handled Winslow, if in fact he told the truth when he said "I didn't give Winslow the opportunity to apologize" when he talked with him.

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thanks toad, now i see where you are coming from. its more about the perceived image, 'prima donna' or 'high maintenance'.
one more question if you don't mind. i know you said you want to stay out until after the next game but, do you think savage NOT calling k2 when he was in the hospital was just a power move about the contract negotiations? it did seem a little strange to me that he savage wouldn't take 2 minutes to check on one of his star players. i'm not even sure if its common or not for the gm to call guys who are sick/hurt. so maybe this is nothing at all. i know you'd be speculating but whats your opinion on this? thanks.

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Man, you don't have to be so formal or polite Think of it this way: We're just a bunch of guys sitting around a table at a bar talking football. That way, if you want to poke fun at someone or question their parental heritage in a fun way, it's all good, hehehe.

So....Is there a monetary element to Savage not calling Winslow? Absolutely! Does Savage call every player that gets hurt? No way. Showing favoritism towards a high-dollar player gives that player leverage, and knowing he wants a new contract means Savage can't go there.

Savage is no idiot. Sure, he gives this country-bumpkin image, but that's not the REAL Opie. He'd never get to be where he is if he were a simple man between the ears.

We all need to remember that everything involves an element of negotation. Sure, it sounded nice when Savage "was kind enough" to let Winslow have the opportunity to earn back the money he lost when he wrecked his bike, but that wasn't charity. That was all business. If Savage DOESN'T give him that chance, the team stood zero chance of ever getting the most out of Winslow, or getting him to sign a new contract if he got better. Just as it's all business for the player, it's all busines for the team. As much as anything, Winslow knows that his contract played a role in Savage not calling him, which is why his contract was at the front of his mind and on the tip of his tongue during those ill-advised comments.

On a side note, I meant to do this last night, but forgot. I'd give a standing ovation to Crennel for how he handled Winslow, if in fact he told the truth when he said "I didn't give Winslow the opportunity to apologize" when he talked with him.

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fair enough.. so which one of your parents was the amphibian then? anyways, i was reading on another message board that savage never visited or called LCB when he was in the hospital so it looks like s.o.p. for phil. although i do think it is the right thing (i know its business first, there is the human factor though) for the gm to at least call, i guess that just isn't savage's style. looks like i read too far between the lines....

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i don't like this at all...

i don't like that phil savage is not out in front of reporters talking about this... wknr said they received the news from the browns via email.

it makes the whole thing look bad.

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A warranted punishment. You just don't come out and trash the organization and expect nothing to happen. Hopefully Winslow just keeps his mouth shut from now on.

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i don't like this at all...

i don't like that phil savage is not out in front of reporters talking about this... wknr said they received the news from the browns via email.

it makes the whole thing look bad.

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How many playoff games has this punk won ???

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