Troubled Receiver Heads to Jets in NFL Trade

Former Browns’ receiver Braylon Edwards has had his fair share of trouble and rumors during his five-year stint in Cleveland. From his hands-of-stone last season to his most recent allegation of sucker punching LeBron James’ 170-pound friend outside of a nightclub, the Browns have finally seen enough.

On the other hand, the New York Jets were lacking a deep threat to accomodate rookie sensation (too soon?) Mark Sanchez. Not a doubt in my mind that Edwards is good and will likely help out Sanchez, but it’s the off-field stuff that should concern people. If Edwards gets into crap in Cleveland, what the hell will he be like in New York City? But then again, who knows? Maybe Edwards takes advantage of the HUGE opportunity that lies: a new scene, a big city, and a MUCH improved Jets team.

The Browns received wideout Chansi Stuckey, a third-round selection (which could turn into a second), a fifth-round selection, and a special teams player in return for Edwards. Although I am a fan of Stuckey, I think the Jets make out okay in this one but all their eggs appear to be in one basket.

Adrian Peterson: Proof of a Beast

Adrian Peterson ran all over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, going off for 180 yards and 3 TD’s on just 25 carries. One run in particular, a 64-yarder, Peterson made a case for why he should not be allowed to play with the rest of the NFL  because he is simply….too good.

It’s arguable, but I think Peterson breaks SIX tackles on this play, including the taking of one defender’s head and simply tossing him to the ground. That lucky individual? Eric Wright, a third-year defensive back from UNLV. If Mr. Wright had never been embarrassed before, he has been now. I know big hits, stupid plays, and huge blocks happen to men around the league every game. But this particular play was a beast (Peterson) tossing a normal human (Wright).

Enjoy.

Stallworth Gets 30 Days In Jail For Fatality

On March 14th, just days after signing his roster bonus worth millions of dollars with the Cleveland Browns, NFL wide receiver Donte Stallworth strikes and kills a pedestrian while driving under the influence in Miami, Florida. Stallworth’s maximum penalty was 15 years, however he will only serve 30 days. ESPN reports:

After his release from jail, Stallworth must serve two years of house arrest and spend eight years on probation. Lyons said the plea agreement will allow Stallworth to resume his football career. The Akron Beacon Journal reported that according to an NFL source, commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to discipline Stallworth before the Browns start training camp July 31.

Stallworth must also undergo drug and alcohol testing, will have a lifetime driver’s license suspension and must perform 1,000 hours of community service. Lyons said after five years, Stallworth could win approval for limited driving for reasons such as employment.

Police Have Not Yet Confirmed Stallworth Report

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Dante Stallworth was driving in Miami last Saturday when he struck and killed a 59-year-old man, Mario Reyes.

Today, a local Miami television station reported that Stallworth was legally drunk when he struck the pedestrian. WSVN-Fox reported that Stallworth had a blood alcohol level of .12, the legal limit is .08. However, Miami police will not confirm the reports.

Stallworth has not been charged.

Stallworth released this statement through the Cleveland Browns,

My family and I are grief stricken over the tragic accident which occurred Saturday on Miami Beach where Mario Reyes sadly lost his life,” Stallworth said. “My thoughts and prayers are with the Reyes family during this incredibly difficult time. Unfortunately, since this accident is still under police investigation, I cannot comment further on the matter at this time.

Good luck Dante Stallworth. I would think that a personal rule for ALL people, whether an athlete or not, should be not to drive after consuming any level of alcohol. If you know there’s alcohol at the place you’re heading, there are a number of ways to get home safely (designated driver, taxi cab, call a friend, etc.). I know people have heard it a trillion times but it couldn’t be more true: when you get behind the wheel after drinking you endanger everyone else on the road, not just yourself.

 

Cutler Wants A Trade: Where Does He End Up?

As if you didn’t already know, Jay Cutler wants out of Denver. He had a meeting with new coach Josh McDaniels over the weekend to discuss his future and to settle the riff between the two, however nothing was resolved. In fact, things went from bad to worse when Cutler and his agent asked for a trade.

So the big question is: Where does Jay Cutler end up? Although a trade is not set in stone and the Denver Broncos continue to tell the media that they will not trade Cutler, it could be a fun subject to mess around with. Here’s a few teams that I think may be interested in Cutler with no consideration of what the teams have to offer the Broncos…

• Minnesota Vikings – I would like the Cutler-to-Minnesota trade. Minnesota has a good defense, apparently Super Bowl caliber, and Adrian Peterson can obviously open up the passing game. Cutler’s HUGE arm would go great with the speedy receivers that the Vikings have. I believe that the addition of Cutler can make the Vikings an immediate threat in the playoffs.
• Detroit Lions – The Lions need everything, quarterback included. I think the Lions will take Stafford with the first overall pick in the Draft, however I have an idea. Perhaps the Lions could use some of the picks they received from Dallas last season and add in a player in order to try and land Cutler. With the quarterback situation now in place, the Lions could select Jason Smith with the first overall pick and they immediately take care of two GAPING holes.
• Chicago Bears – This isn’t too bad. After years of hearing Lovie Smith say, ” Rex is our quarterback” or “We’re gonna go with Kyle”, I think it’s safe to say that neither of those guys are the answer in Chicago. I have the Bears drafting an offensive-lineman and taking care of the quarterback position would really help them in the division.
• Cleveland Browns – This is probably the most realistic of the possible places Cutler could land. The Browns have two quarterbacks to deal to Denver for Cutler, because obviously Denver would need a QB in return (Ramsey is cutting it). Josh McDaniels probably receives good word from Charlie Weiss about Brady Quinn from when he coached him at Notre Dame, McDaniels is going to want a young kid that he can groom, it just all seems to add up.
• Denver Broncos – Cutler may not be going anywhere. There is a lot of time between now and the start of the season, so many things can happen. Perhaps Cutler and the team resolve their differences and he’s back better than ever? Maybe Denver is serious about NOT trading the young stud that Pat Bowlen obviously liked? Maybe Cutler becomes so much of a headache that the club has no choice but to trade him? Who really knows…

I understand why Cutler is upset, but he also has to come back down to Earth. This is the NFL buddy, anyone is tradeable.

Mangini takes the reigns in Cleveland

Eric Mangini was finally announced as the Browns’ new head coach. Everything fits in Cleveland for Mangenius to take over (3-4 defense, young talent, loyal fans) and I think he will make Cleveland a contender as soon as they hit the field. Good luck to Mangini.

UPDATE: Mangini leading in Browns’ job

ESPN is reporting that Eric Mangini is the front-runner for the Browns’ head coaching job. The Browns’ have interviewed a few potential coaches but the team’s owner, Randy Lerner, said that Mangini had a “compelling” interview. As I said in the last post, I hope Mangini gets this job. The Cleveland Browns have talent, they have potential, they just need that leadership. Brady Quinn, Braylon Edwards (say what you want), Joe Thomas, Kellen Winslow, Shaun Rogers, etc. Mangini will create an awesome 3-4 defense and the offense will improve once they get more of a scat-back style running back to compliment Jamal Lewis’ bruising style. Watch out!

The riddle of the offseason…

What can a dynasty like the Patriots learn from an underachieving team like the Browns? Does anyone remember Derek Anderson? How about his 2007 season and the Browns’ decision to stick with him as their starter instead of rookie stud Brady Quinn? Well, I am not saying that there is an open quarterback competition in New England between Tom Brady and Matt Cassel, but with Cassel about to become a free-agent I would advise ALL teams to beware. Don’t fall into the “Cinderella-Derek Anderson” trap!

Derek Anderson came out of no where in 2007 and led his team to a playoff-like record, but the Browns just didn’t get in. His Pro-Bowl stats inspired the Browns’ front office (now fired) to sign him back and make him their starter. They made Anderson the starter over hometown rookie Brady Quinn – at which time fans probably didn’t mind too much. Then, after a horrible start in 2008, fans realized how bad he was. They realized how bad the front office was and so did the owners, which is why Phil Savage is now unemployed. But look at the stats:

Derek Anderson (2007) (15 G)         3,787 yds   56.5%    29 TDs   19 INTs   82.5 RTG                                                                                                                  

And in 2008 we saw Tom Brady go down in the first game and watch a guy named Matt Cassel come in and fill the HUGE shoes. Cassel’s background was short – very short. In fact, Cassel hadn’t started a game since high school, which lead to no type of confidence amongst fans or analysts. However, Cassel got better week after week, he started putting up huge numbers, and before you know it…Matt Cassel has Pro Bowl stats and in the final year of his contract. Sound familiar? Look at Cassel’s stats:

Matt Cassel (2008) (15G)                  3,693 yds   63.4%   21 TDs   11 INTs   89.4 RTG

Both guys’ stats are extremely appealing, especially to people like Minnesota, Detroit, New York Jets (longer term), and maybe even San Francisco. But can Cassel really be trusted or is he another one-hit-wonder? Many people will tell you that any quarterback could succeed in New England’s system offense and that’s why they don’t buy into Cassel. Some people will say to look at Derek Anderson last year. But I would say to wait out for the playoffs. Matt Cassel may get an opportunity that Derek Anderson didn’t have and that’s to show what he can do in a must-win playoff situation. We must remember that even when a team loses an All-Pro quarterback, there is still 52 men that were a huge part of an undefeated season just months ago. Cassel, if lucky enough, will have a great opportunity to demonstrate some leadership and skill, all while having a strong supporting cast behind him. This is the one-time deal for Cassel to make the big dollars, no excuses.

You can make your own arguments and create your own “what-if” scenarios, but the “Cinderella-Derek Anderson” effect has to be in the minds of numerous GM’s in the league. And now with Tom Brady reportedly slow in his recovery, maybe the Pats resign Cassel and he ends up just fine. Or will he crumble? If he stays, starts, and succeeds – is it the system or is he really a good quarterback? No one will know until it happens, but Cassel should come with a ‘BUYER BEWARE’ label.

Quick Update: Kellen Winslow

Just wanted to put an end to the rumors circulating around about how Kellen Winslow was admitted to a clinic do to elephantitis, aka grapefruits in your pants. Reports have surfaced recently, that seem to be accurate, claiming that Winslow was admitted do to a staph infection.

Winslow was told to keep quiet by the team because apparently staph infections were a regular thing around the Cleveland organization and, well, it’s frickin gross. Winslow also decided to call out the Browns’ G.M. for not checking up on him while he was in the hospital, head coach Romeo Crennell says that Winslow could face fines for the remarks. And new rumors surfaced that Winslow almost asked for a trade, the trade deadline may have passed but he may not stay in Cleveland much longer.

What the hell happened to Kellen Winslow?

When Kellen Winslow was suddenly hospitalized last week and no one knew why, it created some suspicion amongst the media and fans. The Browns kept the issue TOP SECRET and none of Kellen’s teammates were talking. With a guy like Winslow, who has been plagued by injuries here and there, it makes you wonder why in the world he’s missing games. But I heard his latest admittance to a Cleveland Clinic wasn’t exactly an “illness”, and it would make perfect sense why no one said anything about anything.

Although rumors are rumors and we know they are rarely true, the rumor about Kellen Winslow was that his testicles were the size of grapefruits. I was always heard of it as being “elephantitis”, but Kellen nor the Browns would ever admit such a thing. At least Kellen can say he has the biggest you-know-whats on the team when he goes off on one of his locker room rants. All jokes aside, this symptom could be the result of something much more serious. We certainly hope not. 

However, it’s not important that we know or the media knows. What’s really important is that Kellen gets better and hopefully it’s just a result of sleeping with some nasty lady in Cleveland. It’s possible that he suits up against the Redskins this weekend.