All Eyes Will Be on Kellen Winslow

Last off-season, Kellen Winslow Jr was shipped to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two draft picks, opening up the floodgates for what was ultimately a large roster overhaul that appears to still be ongoing. 

This Sunday, in a meeting of two rebuilding franchises, Winslow faces Cleveland for the first time since the trade. Primed to be one of Tampa Bay’s biggest weapons against the inexperienced and perceivable weak Browns defense, it appears that the tight end could not be more ready.

“[Kellen] will be full go,” said Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris.  “He’s a fired up young man.”

Though the Buccaneers went on to win a mere three games last season, Winslow suited up for all 16 (he played in only 10 during the prior season for Cleveland) and amassed a fairly solid season by matching his career high in touchdown catches (five).  Leading the Bucs in receiving, Winslow hauled in 77 passes for 884 yards.  For comparison purposes, Tampa Bay’s second leading receiver was Antonio Bryant with 39 receptions.

Things started off a bit rocky in Tampa Bay upon Winslow’s arrival, but judging by the head coach and his teammates, all parties are very happy with the 27-year old’s desire to win.  In a pair of Wednesday afternoon conference calls, Winslow was the main topic of conversation.  He was given heaps of praise by Morris as well as teammate Ronde Barber who chuckled when asked what Kellen Winslow brings to the Buccaneers.

“Is that a direct question,” asked Barber.  “He’s a great player, period.  He comes to work every day and he loves what he does.  He brings a lot of energy when he’s out on the field and it’s contageous.”

Historically, opposing tight ends tend to have a field day against the Browns defense.  Though head coach Eric Mangini stated that the team will use a variety of combinations on how they are going to cover Winslow, his main defender will likely be rookie safety TJ Ward who will promptly be baptised by fire during his first game as a professional football player.  Though the victim of a long pass play to Greg Jennings during the opening week of the preseason, Ward states that he is impressed by Winslow, but will have to focus on the game as a whole instead of simply dwelling on one player.

“I don’t really think about [Winslow] too much,” said Ward.  “I just concentrate on my assignments, on what I need to do, what I need to do to get better and work on the game plan.  Coming into this, of course, you got to study your opponent.  But him being the caliber tight end that he is, I really don’t think about that too much.”

Other Browns News and Notes:

– The team named their captains for the 2010 season,voting for two players from each “side” of the ball.  Jake Delhomme, Joe Thomas, Scott Fujita, Robaire Smith, Josh Cribbs and Phil Dawson will be donning the “C” patches come Sunday.  Delhomme called the distinction “special” on Wednesday, saying that as it’s voted on by his teammates, it “means more to him than just about anything else.”

– Shaun Rogers (ankle) was listed as “limited participation in practice” on yesterday’s release of the injury report and is “questionable” to play on Sunday.  Others with this designation are Marcus Benard (shoulder), David Bowens (knee), Robert Royal (ankle) and Floyd Womack (knee).  Naturally, D’Qwell Jackson is listed as “out,” with Nick Sorensen being “doubtful.”

– There is some overriding concern about the heat in Tampa Bay this weekend (forecasted to be 90 degrees and humid), but Browns rookie cornerback Joe Haden claims that he is not phased.  “That’s where I played in Florida,” said Haden. “I’m used to the heat, so it won’t be a factor at all.”

– Head coach Eric Mangini stated that he will wait until “later this week” to decide who his starting right guard and right tackle will be come Sunday.  It is looking more and more like rookie Shawn Lauvao will get the nod at guard with Tony Pashos at tackle.  Assuming that Floyd Womack is available, he and John St. Clair will likely get their fair share of snaps regardless of who is out there for the opening drive.

– Cleveland media was forced to discuss Winslow with Morris and Barber because Winslow himself turned down requests for conference call access.  Personally, I hope that the Browns do not solely focus on Winslow as the Buccaneers have a pair of rookie wide recievers that could provide to be very effective.

– And for those wondering, the two picks which the Browns received for Kellen Winslow were turned into some meaningful players. The second-round pick was used on wide receiver Mohammed Massaquoi, and the fifth-round pick was packaged in the deal that resulted in the Browns trading up to select Montario Hardesty.