Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Bungle In The Jungle
By John Chandler
The look on Kellen Winslow's face said it all.
In the rubble of Sunday's wreck in Cincinnati, Winslow answered questions in front of his locker with restraint that was uncharacteristic of his tell-it-like-it-is persona. When asked why he was on the sideline for several crucial 3rd down plays, Winslow would only offer that he was just following the game plan.
With Browns PR reps supervising, he punctuated the phrase game plan with a smirk and a shrug of his shoulders.
On Monday, the Browns third year tight end said what the Browns did not want to hear, but what his body language already told us.
"I don't mean to try to go behind (the coaches') backs or whatever, but we're 0-and-2," said Winslow. "We have nothing to lose. Let's go. Let's air it out. Let's run the ball. Let's make plays. Let's be exciting.
Kellen Winslow is upset. He is also right.
On a critical 3rd and 8 from the Bengals' 40 yard line in the first quarter, Winslow was called off the field, replaced by Josh Cribbs as the third wide receiver. Reuben Droughns took the handoff on a draw and ran right into the brick wall of Bengal defenders. Kellen was seen in the ear of
head coach Romeo Crennel. He said he talked to position coach Ben Coates. Hey, somebody had to try and talk sense into a coaching staff that appeared to be reading the map to the end zone upside down.
The intent here is not to unfairly criticize Crennel, or more specifically, offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon. They did enough, themselves, to raise questions on Sunday.
The game plan was to establish the running game with Reuben Droughns. But five straight running plays on the first two drives led to a 3rd and 8 from the Bengals' 13 yard line (the good field position, courtesy of an Andra Davis interception, mind you). Everybody in the building saw a pass coming. Cincinnati dropped seven defenders into coverage, and quarterback Charlie Frye had nowhere to go.
By the time they were down 14-3, the Browns finally threw the ball Kellen Winslow's way for a 13 yard gain. That was near the 7:00 minute mark of the second quarter. What a waste!
Winslow is quite clearly the most talented player the Browns have on offense. Some might make a case for Braylon Edwards, but right now there is a fundamental difference between the two: Winslow catches the ball.
Forget the fact that he has just four NFL games under his belt. Ignore the notion that he just wants the ball so he can earn back some of the incentive money he lost joyriding his motorcycle. Consider, for one moment, that the man has a point.
Kellen's open criticism of the Browns current idea of an offense is not out of line; it's out of the ordinary. For the last eight years, Cleveland's lockerroom was a bastion of boredom. It was speaking in cliches and settling for the status quo. Now, the most talented player on the team is asking for the football. Don't tell Kellen Winslow to shut up, tell him to put on his helmet and go long. What else do the Browns have to lose?
Browns fans, do you agree with Kellen Winslow? Voice your opinion to the Alltel Sound Off, then watch for your comments on the Toyota Sports Sunday at 11:32 PM on NewsChannel 5.
The look on Kellen Winslow's face said it all.
In the rubble of Sunday's wreck in Cincinnati, Winslow answered questions in front of his locker with restraint that was uncharacteristic of his tell-it-like-it-is persona. When asked why he was on the sideline for several crucial 3rd down plays, Winslow would only offer that he was just following the game plan.
With Browns PR reps supervising, he punctuated the phrase game plan with a smirk and a shrug of his shoulders.
On Monday, the Browns third year tight end said what the Browns did not want to hear, but what his body language already told us.
"I don't mean to try to go behind (the coaches') backs or whatever, but we're 0-and-2," said Winslow. "We have nothing to lose. Let's go. Let's air it out. Let's run the ball. Let's make plays. Let's be exciting.
Kellen Winslow is upset. He is also right.
On a critical 3rd and 8 from the Bengals' 40 yard line in the first quarter, Winslow was called off the field, replaced by Josh Cribbs as the third wide receiver. Reuben Droughns took the handoff on a draw and ran right into the brick wall of Bengal defenders. Kellen was seen in the ear of
head coach Romeo Crennel. He said he talked to position coach Ben Coates. Hey, somebody had to try and talk sense into a coaching staff that appeared to be reading the map to the end zone upside down.
The intent here is not to unfairly criticize Crennel, or more specifically, offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon. They did enough, themselves, to raise questions on Sunday.The game plan was to establish the running game with Reuben Droughns. But five straight running plays on the first two drives led to a 3rd and 8 from the Bengals' 13 yard line (the good field position, courtesy of an Andra Davis interception, mind you). Everybody in the building saw a pass coming. Cincinnati dropped seven defenders into coverage, and quarterback Charlie Frye had nowhere to go.
By the time they were down 14-3, the Browns finally threw the ball Kellen Winslow's way for a 13 yard gain. That was near the 7:00 minute mark of the second quarter. What a waste!
Winslow is quite clearly the most talented player the Browns have on offense. Some might make a case for Braylon Edwards, but right now there is a fundamental difference between the two: Winslow catches the ball.
Forget the fact that he has just four NFL games under his belt. Ignore the notion that he just wants the ball so he can earn back some of the incentive money he lost joyriding his motorcycle. Consider, for one moment, that the man has a point.
Kellen's open criticism of the Browns current idea of an offense is not out of line; it's out of the ordinary. For the last eight years, Cleveland's lockerroom was a bastion of boredom. It was speaking in cliches and settling for the status quo. Now, the most talented player on the team is asking for the football. Don't tell Kellen Winslow to shut up, tell him to put on his helmet and go long. What else do the Browns have to lose?
Browns fans, do you agree with Kellen Winslow? Voice your opinion to the Alltel Sound Off, then watch for your comments on the Toyota Sports Sunday at 11:32 PM on NewsChannel 5.
Posted at 9:48 AM
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