June 19, 2013

Cleveland Browns 2009 Fantasy Football Preview

browns-helmetHa that title was pretty funny. But seriously, for all those fans that are not quite immersed with Ohio State’s game today versus the Naval Academy, or to those that are just plain old obsessed with fantasy football like me, this feature is for you. I am here to discuss what players for the Browns this season will potentially be productive in terms of your fantasy league, what sleepers there might be and what the value is of some of our supposed stars. I know that in my own league with my brother and his friends, it has always been an odd tradition to avoid Cleveland players, but this could be the year (along with 2007) that that trend sort of fades.

Two years ago, if you had managed to snag Derek Anderson as a waiver wire acquisition or managed to steal Braylon Edwards as a second or third receiver, you were an absolute genius. They both shot up in terms in fantasy production, finishing the year within the top five in their respective positions as well as former Brownie Kellen Winslow. It was an awesome year to be a Browns fan, but last year the team reverted to form and Cleveland fans saw the same old disappointing season that is a big reason why this site is called WFNY after all. Without any further discussion of the past, I will now jump into what to expect and where to rank many of the top contributors for the Browns in 2009:

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Browns Team Shop – Lots of Deals

stallworth-jerseyAs the Browns season approaches, I was interested in seeing what new apparel is available for wearing proudly this fall.  The only Browns jersey I own or am currently able to locate is a home William Green jersey.  I am pretty sure that is not a piece of attire germane to this upcoming season so I decided to take a gander at the jerseys page on the NFL online shop.  I suppose you could always be one of those peculiar individuals who spends $100 and personalizes a jersey.  I have seen a wide range of these down at Cleveland Browns Stadium ranging from creative to confusing to vulgar.  I never really understand the rationale behind this but I guess it always stays relevant unlike my Billy Green jersey.  As opposed to Rick’s in depth look at historic jersey numbers last week, I found some not so historic but infamous jerseys available.  Needless to say, the official online NFL shop presented some items of note:

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Could Browns Go Winless This Year?

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

In a word.  No.

If I stopped right there, that probably would have been the shortest post in WFNY history.  No such luck, though.

Yesterday, I came across an article on FoxSports  that had my head cocked to the side like a confused puppy.  Peter Schrager decided it was time to draw some attention to himself by knocking down some of the NFL teams that struggled most last season.  The basis for his article is that the Detroit Lions put up the worst year in the history of the NFL.  The Lions are much improved and there is no way they can go winless again.  But, there are three teams that could challenge the winless Lions of a year ago for a season of winless futility.  The teams that he chooses are the Bucs, the Rams, and yes, your Cleveland Browns.

Maybe I am the dummy here for playing into it, but I don’t really care.  I am not going to get all angry and call names like “stupid,” “idiot,” “simpleton,” or even a personal favorite “knuckle dragger.”  No.  I am not going to use any of those words to describe Peter Schrager because of his article.  Please, people.  That kind of name-calling is childish.  Instead, I am going to stick to the “facts” in his article. [Read more...]

More Kellen Winslow Staph Details Emerge

Kellen WinslowThere are few players that are worthy of the attention even though they are no longer a member of a Cleveland franchise, but it is pretty fair to say that Kellen Winslow Jr. fits this bill.  The latest news regarding the former Browns tight end actually refers back to his time with the team and the he said-she said business that went down late last season.

If you recall, there were initial reports about Winslow’s “injury” status involving some enlarged testicles.  Soon thereafter, rumors swirled that Winslow actually had an STD that caused him to miss practice time.  It turns out that while we had originally thought that neither of these were true, a recent interview with ESPN The Magazine clears some of this up.

Just a forewarning, it isn’t for those with weak stomachs. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting… Tressel Chestbumps, Steelers SB Rings, and K2 Haunts Houston

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar. 

jimtressel_chestbump

Score a TD in a war zone?  Boom, Chestbump from Tress: “This was too good pass up. I don’t know the full story behind this picture. I could easily infer one, but it almost doesn’t need a back-story. It just is. Nothing further must be said about it.” [Our Honor Defend via OSU Athletic Dept]

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On Phil Dawson’s Holdout

p_dawson_071118_02_iaIf you’re one of those fans that was attempting to boycott all things Browns until the Cavs season was over, well…

Lost in all of the hubbub regarding Josh Cribbs and a handful of rookies that were forced to endure a 10-hour bus trip is the fact that team captain and effectively clutch kicker Phil Dawson has yet to report to voluntary workouts.

Dawson is in the middle of a five-year, $7 million deal that he signed in 2005.  Being fairly front-loaded, he has roughly $1 million left for this year and next.  And given the team’s inability to put the ball in the end zone, frequently resulting in a field goal opportunity, Dawson apparently feels that he should receive a bit of a bump in pay.

Terry Pluto recently called Dawson a guy who is only truly appreciated once he is gone.  Meanwhile, coach Eric Mangini has wasted no time in discussing the successes of the recently-added place kicker Parker Douglass.  In one of last week’s press conferences, Mangini had the following to say: [Read more...]

Winslow a No-Show for First OTA

winslow

One year ago, there were a few Browns fans were up in arms about Kellen Winslow missing OTAs – thinking that it was likely about contract issues.  After all, his agent is well-documented.  But, now that the tight end is the highest paid at his position in Tampa Bay, Buccaneers fans assumed that he would be front and center for their first “activity.” 

Not so much.

Winslow was nowhere to be found for yesterday’s first organized team activity.  [Read more...]

Staph Infection to Postpone Pavlik Fight?

kelly-pavlik-rubio-winSet to go off on June 27th, the pride of Youngstown, Ohio Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik was to defend his middleweight WBC/WBO title against Sergio Mora. However, those that are planning on venturing to Atlantic City to see the defense may have to reschedule their plans if an ESPN report is indeed true.

Per columnist Dan Rafael, Pavlik has a “nagging” staph infection in one of his hands that will force the boxer to postpone the match. [Read more...]

Kellen Winslow Jr. Just Got Paid. A lot.

winslow

Will Kellen Winslow Jr. be remembered for having some of the best hands on the football field?  Or will he be for a premature end to a rookie season followed by a knee injury sustained thanks to a motorcycle accident, leading to multiple surgeries over the course of the last few seasons?

Either way, it may not matter to him as he is the recent recipient of a six-year, $36.1 million extension that makes him the highest-paid tight end in the history of the National Football League.

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NFL Free Agency: Thoughts on Robert Royal and the Direction of the Browns

I know there is nothing to be really excited about with the signing of Robert Royal.  At least I don’t believe there is any reason to get excited because of who Robert Royal is as a player.  On the surface, he is just another run-of-the-mill tight end as RockKing and frequent commenter RandyOSU have pointed out.  In fact, his story in Buffalo was mixed.  According to this report on the OBR Royal was originally signed to become a well-rounded player with developing pass-catching ability. 

Basically, the Bills invested in the potential that Royal could finally break through as a receiver. He never did. Despite being the Bills’ regular starter at tight end, Royal was a marginal receiver. In three seasons with the club, Royal never caught more than 33 passes, while totaling only seven touchdowns. While he certainly didn’t have the luxury of stability at quarterback or offensive coordinator, Royal never developed.

So, why, then would Royal signing in Cleveland get me excited?  There is only one way.  And that is if Kokinis is truly working toward developing the Cleveland Browns into a consistent running team.  I know that Royal is a downgrade from an offensive explosion standpoint in the passing game from Kellen Winslow.  But, if his addition to the club means that the Browns are going to work to establish the running game, then things could get exciting. [Read more...]

While We’re Waiting… TE Signs, Cavs Clinch, Jackets Trade

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar.  This is your substitute teacher edition.  Scott is on assignment in Chanhassen Minnesota.  (I made that up.)

The fears of losing Kellen Winslow are officially put to rest.  The Browns got their man yesterday when Robert Royal agreed to terms with the Browns to play tight end.  I know this doesn’t seem exciting, but given the cap situation with the Browns, we can expect a lot more of these types of “depth” signings. [The OBR]

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While We’re Waiting… LeBron vs. Wade, Browns Free Agent News, and the Future of Andy Marte

While We’re Waiting aims to be the round-up of the recent WFNY-esque information for your morning viewing. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email in the sidebar. 

“I’ve long held that this team is the one you don’t want to see in the playoffs, and tonight was a reminder. They have a great shot at the 4 seed, and as long as Atlanta doesn’t go anywhere and the Cavs maintain pace, we’re looking at a very likely Wade vs. LeBron matchup in the semifinals. Which would honestly be the best thing all year. These two go at one another in a very unique way. Maybe they’re courting one another. Maybe they like putting on a show. But there’s something that happens when these two step on the floor, the same thing that’s been missing between LeBron and Kobe. They’re friends, contemporaries, paired icons of a generation, and the idea of them battling back and forth, LeBron with Delonte at his side, Wade with Beasley, is almost too good of an idea to be true.” [Matt Moore/Hardwood Paroxysm]

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Overvaluing Tight Ends in the NFL

Sorry Vernon, you are overrated.

Sorry Vernon. You are overrated.

The Browns will be getting a second round draft pick this year, and a fifth round pick in the 2010 draft for tight end Kellen Winslow.  As a precedent, the New Orleans Saints gave up a second- and a fifth-round pick for Jeremy Shockey.  What do we learn from this?

Well, for starters, if you draft a TE in the first round then you are an idiot.  Seriously.  It’s like buying a new car, they lose their value as soon as you drive them off the lot.  If a Pro-Bowl TE isn’t worth trading a first-round pick, then no TE is worth drafting in the first round.  Sorry San Francisco, that pick you spent on Vernon Davis?  You overpaid.  Any team looking at Brandon Pettigrew with their first rounder – you have been warned. [Read more...]

Kellen Winslow Trade: THE WFNY Staff Weighs In

Instead of having one of our esteemed (ha ha) writers pen a piece with his own initial thoughts on the big news of the day: the Kellen Winslow trade to Tampa Bay for undisclosed draft picks. So without further ado….

Rock - First and foremost, without even knowing the picks, I hate this move. I don’t understand the merit of losing a special player who has arguably been the best player the Browns have had since their return in 1999. I don’t like getting rid of the player with the most heart and desire on the entire team. Any of our long time readers knows how I feel about Winslow. He’s one of my absolute favorite players in the entire NFL. But as a writer, I am capable of separating my feelings out from reality, and I can say that on face value and the merits of this trade alone, I still hate this move by the Browns. [Read more...]

BREAKING: Browns Trade Winslow to Buccaneers

AP Photo

AP Photo

From a team press release, Kellen Winslow has been traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks. More on this as it develops, of course. In the statement, GM George Kokinis was quoted:

The Cleveland Browns thank Kellen for his contributions to this organization over the past five years. We appreciate his passion for the game and wish him success in Tampa Bay. The draft picks we have obtained through this deal will give us greater flexibility as we look to infuse more talent and create competition and depth on this football team.

Upon first glance, my take on this was Austin Powers-esque: “First, I plan to soil myself. Then, I plan to regroup and come up with new plan.” In other words, when I heard it, I first thought, “NOOOOO!!!” But, when you think about it, it really all depends on the draft picks. Kokinis explicitly said “picks” in the plural form, so we should assume at least two picks.

If we’re talking about one as a first rounder, then, by all means best of luck Kellen. But, with a thin WR corps already, and many other questions marks on both sides of the football, it’s hard to trade one of your best players. If we’re talking like a third and a sixth or something, then I’ll be a little upset that they couldn’t get more. [Read more...]

NFL Trade Rumors: What is Kellen Winslow Worth?

AP Photo

AP Photo

Since the Browns’ latest reboot with Eric Mangini and George Kokinis running the show, they have harped on one main theme.  They are looking for team-first guys with good attitudes.  Now there could be a whole host of arguments on both sides whether or not Kellen Winslow fits into that category or not.  I for one, think Kellen Winslow easily could be the guy who buys in to a team-first approach depending on who was selling it.  Obviously Phil Savage wasn’t the guy to do it and Romeo Crennel couldn’t pull it off either.  Whether Mangini and Kokinis can do it remains to be seen.  That being said, I think Winslow, while a bit of a problem sometimes, just hates to lose and thinks he is a key for his team to win.

Either way, let’s say for the sake of argument that Mangini and Kokinis don’t believe that Winslow is capable of being a part of this new team.  If they were intent on trading him this year, what exactly is he worth?  As Browns fans we know just how amazing Winslow can be.  We know how distracting and hurt he can be too.  Given his potential, what exactly is he worth?

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Flag Football, Anyone?

Though I’m a few days late on this, MJD over at Yahoo!’s Shutdown Corner had an excellent idea with which to replace the Pro Bowl: Flag Football. 

Instead of drawing flags for illegal formations or false starts, the Browns would get to lock horns while donning a waistband full of plastic pieces hanging towards their knees.  Each team sends five guys.  Maybe with an alternate.  All teams have to send a quarterback.  The others can be any non-lineman types.  I would definitely watch this.  I was a fairly lethal flag football player in college – it would be sort of reminiscent.  Yet entertaining at the same time.  Which got me thinking…

Who would represent the Browns?

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Was Drafting Kellen Winslow Wrong?

Kellen WinslowI’m notcing that a  lot is being made of the 2004 NFL Draft.  After all, the last two quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl were drafted in the first round of 2004.  Eli Manning made the most news that year by saying that he did not want to play for the San Diego Chargers, who then had the top selection.  But not long after he was traded to the New York Giants, another trade went down that saw the Browns add their second-round selection to their first-rounder in order to move up one slot to grab tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr. out of Miami.

Five selections later, the Pittsburgh Steelers took Ohio native Ben Roethlisberger.  Five years later, Roethlisberger has two Super Bowl rings and Winslow has entering his second coaching regime.

Sean McClelland from the Dayton Daily News says that the Browns are now being haunted by the “Curse of Big Ben.”  I am not sure that I agree.  [Read more...]

Open Thread: Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Where: There
When: Not soon enough
Line: Not large enough
Injuries: Fan pride, wallets
Mood: Windy

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The Browns Will Win If…

This Sunday is the quintessential “Lipstick on a Pig” game. I find myself fighting the inner battle of “Please, just let the Browns FINALLY SCORE AN OFFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN” and “Come on Romeo, just roll over and solidify our draft status. Don’t be a hero.”

The Bengals are one of the few teams that (record-wise) have been worse than the Browns this season, and yet the Bengals are doing what the Browns cannot in recent weeks: scoring and winning. They humbled Washington this past Sunday (though hardly the same Skins team that eeked out a win over the Browns oh so many weeks ago). To borrow a theme from Bill Simmons: “Dorsey! Fitzpatrick! It’s the NFL on CBS!!” Without further ado…

The Browns Will Win If… [Read more...]