Cavs 106, Blazers 94: Where LeBron vs Roy Happened
January 11, 2010LeBron James Cares Not For Blazer Fan Fondling
January 11, 2010
The Browns will have one receiver under contract next year that I am sure none of us was necessarily counting on ever again. Donte Stallworth is set to be re-instated by the NFL following the completion of this year’s Super Bowl. And while a lot of us assumed Stallworth would never play another down for the Browns, things have changed drastically since he was suspended shortly following the start of the Mangini era in Cleveland.
If all goes according to the rumors and Tom Heckert is hired by the Browns in some capacity on Monday, it could mean an opportunity for Stallworth to return to the Browns lineup. Stallworth will be under contract with the Browns next year, and Stallworth has a history with Heckert from his year in Philadelphia. Now, more than ever, the Browns could use a healthy, productive Stallworth.
I talked to Stallworth (ever so briefly on Twitter) yesterday after he said, “Getting a lot of questions if I’ll be back w/Browns next year… Answer is I don’t know, I’m still under contract but it’s up to management” So, I asked him what kind of playing shape he is in with his impending re-instatement and he replied, “5days a week, listening to Rocky soundtrack, 2pac, Van Halen, Young Jeezy, etc. READY NOW!!!” Musical choices aside, it is an interesting thought.
I don’t know anyone who was a harsher critic of Stallworth after the general lack of production after he signed with the Browns. That, combined with his accident when he stepped on Braylon Edwards’ bare foot during training camp became one of the punchlines for that ill-fated season.
But a lot has changed now. The Browns have a young receiving corps that no longer includes Braylon Edwards. Also, if my research is correct, the Browns can have Donte’s services for this upcoming season for $1.5 million in salary. They paid an exorbitant multi-million dollar bonus to Stallworth a season ago. With that cost already being sunk, it might make some business sense to see if Stallworth can help the receivers out this upcoming season for an additional $1.5 million.
Despite all the negativity surrounding Stallworth from a year ago with his tough season and then the accident and suspension, there is no indication that Stallworth wouldn’t get along well with the new look Browns. Stallworth seemed to get along with Mangini just fine before he was suspended. Time will tell to see what Holmgren (and maybe Heckert) decide to do regarding Donte Stallworth. At this point, I don’t see what the Browns have to lose in giving Stallworth a shot to contribute to the Browns this season.
(Photo from Stallworth’s Twitter Account)
21 Comments
“The Browns will have one receiver under contract next year that I am sure none of us was necessarily counting on ever
againin the first place.”/adjusted for accuracy
To be honest, I’d all but forgotten about him. I still don’t think he’s more than a number 2-3 receiver at best though.
+ 1 Chris
I dont know how many #2-#3 WRs we need on this team but if we can get him for 1.5 I’d say what the heck.
PS – Are you guys going to adress the McNabb to Cleveland “rumors?”
I personally hope this doesn’t become reality the Browns already have enough to deal with in Josh Cribbs do they really need the media story of Donte Stallworth? I say thanks but no thanks.
JK, are you JK? Or did you actually see that somewhere? LOL!
Yet another Mangini mistake: not cutting Stallworth during a season the Browns had cap space, thereby causing him to be a drain on the team for the next few years regardless of whether or not he plays.
@JK Eagles beat writers are saying if anyone goes, it’s going to be Kolb this offseason. Would Heckert be able to work out a deal for him once coming over? Do we want Kolb? He’s had limited experience but has been impressive. If Stallworth really does come back and they want to fit him into the system, it makes the Robiski pick look even worse. Mo Mass at 1, Stallworth at 2, Stucky at 3, throw in Cribbs (he’s not sitting 3 years) and we have an awful lot of 2-3 receivers on this team…
I seriously doubt that there will be a media circus with Stallworth from his side of things. I think that last thing he wants is more publicity about the accident. He may just want to come in, keep his head low and do what he’s getting paid to do.
Stallworth has speed and hands. He could make an excellent distraction for defenders when it comes to helping Mo Mass. Put, Stucky in the slot and Moore on the end and you have a somewhat serviceable receiving corp.
McNabb in Cleveland would be very very interesting!
@ Tron – If I’m not mistaken, Kolb’s contract is up this year.
Actually, nevermind, I just looked and it’s up after 2010.
@ Chris – I could have sworn I saw it ran through the 2010 season, but I could be wrong. Either way, I don’t think Philly is going to send McNabb packing, not yet at least.
I was serious.. Type in ‘Donovan McNabb Browns’ in google and many articles come up. Also I have friends that live in Philly and they said its all over their sports radio.
The Kolb talk is interesting. It reminds me of the Matt Schaub situation a few years ago with the Falcons.
From ESPN:
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid says Donovan McNabb will be the team’s quarterback next season.
McNabb’s status was questioned because he has one year left on his contract and he’s failed to lead Philadelphia to a Super Bowl victory in 11 seasons.
“That’s my call,” Reid said Monday when asked who will make the decision to bring McNabb back. “I think he’s a great player. His work over the last 11 years has proven that. I truly believe it’s a team sport; it’s not one guy.”
I’ll pass on McNabb…Kolb, however, intrigues me especially with Heckart coming here. Certainly follows the Holmgren pattern of plucking another team’s backup QB.
Do I want Kevin Kolb as our QB next year… (WFNY Edit) HECK YES! GO COOGS!
If Mo Mass is our #1 receiver going into next season, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say Holmgren didn’t do a good job in the offseason. Kid has potential, but a #1 he ain’t. Not now, at least.
A case could be made for Kolb being “Brady Quinn” before we had a Brady Quinn. Their career’s and stats are very similar.
I don’t know anything about Kolb but I’m all for giving someone else a chance at this point. But, I won’t be surprised to see Holmgren “urge” Mangini to try and fit Brady into a west coast system.
In fact, WFNY writers, that’d be a great article. Now that Mangini’s being retained, what is going to happen with the 3-4 vs 4-3 and the West Coast vs the run-first offense debates and other football philosophy differences between Holmes and Mangini? Do we have any indication what the separation of power is going to look like yet?
Give Stallworth the chance to make the team.
@Mike “Yet another Mangini mistake: not cutting Stallworth during a season the Browns had cap space, thereby causing him to be a drain on the team for the next few years regardless of whether or not he plays.”
FACTS FAIL. The contract bonus was paid to him BEFORE the incident. Therefore his cap # would have been the large (would have had to carry some of the latter years weight as well) if we cut. Actually, his cap # was reduced by not cutting him.
Please base all future salary cap comments on facts not your anti-Mangini bias. Thanks.
[…] will be ending next month and the Browns will have to decide on his status. WFNY’S own Craig caught up with Stallworth earlier this month via Twitter and Donte exclaimed that he was ready and in shape to play right now […]