Cleveland Browns (2008 Season)

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Browns great Gene Hickerson Guard who led the way for Cleveland backs made hall of fame in 2007
By Tom Withers
Associated Press

Published on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008
BEREA: Gene Hickerson, the Browns' hall of fame right guard whose blocking helped Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly and Bobby Mitchell make the shrine, died after a long illness. He was 73.
Hall of fame spokesman Joe Horrigan confirmed Hickerson's death. He said Hickerson's son, Bob, received a phone call from the care facility in Olmsted Falls, where his father was under care, Monday morning.
Hickerson was Brown's personal bodyguard on the field, clearing the way for No. 32, who called Hickerson ''the greatest downfield blocker in the history of pro football.'' When Hickerson was inducted into the hall in 2007, Brown, Kelly and Mitchell pushed Hickerson's wheelchair onto the stage at Fawcett Stadium.
''He was a great friend of mine, as well as a great protector of mine,'' Brown said in a statement released by the Browns. ''He was a tremendous guard, a tremendous pulling guard, but also an outstanding individual.
''We all eventually leave this earth at some time, but I am so glad he was able to leave with his dignity and with the recognition from all of us ? his former teammates, the fans and writers ? who wanted him to go into the hall of fame after waiting so long for that honor.
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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Coaches will focus on Edwards' pass catching Crennel says he must concentrate and not press. Malfunctioning communications cause confusion
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008
BEREA: Trying to help receiver Braylon Edwards return to his Pro Bowl form of a year ago will be a major focus of Browns coach Romeo Crennel and his staff.
Edwards has dropped 10 passes this season.
''We have to keep coaching him and keep working with him,'' Crennel said. ''Focus and concentration and not pressing, to get him to relax and let the ball come to him. And not tighten up when the ball does come to him. We know he can catch the ball, he can make good plays for us. We have to get him to do that on consistent basis.''
Blame it on technology
Crennel blamed what looked like a confrontation between quarterback Derek Anderson and fullback Lawrence Vickers on a malfunction of the headset.
''[Anderson] wasn't able to hear what we were calling and he decided to make a call on his own without talking to Vickers,'' Crennel said. ''I think what happened was that he told Vickers where he wanted him to align. It was a different alignment Vickers wasn't used to or didn't think might've been right, so he had some issues with it. Then the clock was running down so we called a timeout.
''But they straightened it out right away. It was more a function of the malfunction of the communication system than anything between he and Vickers.''
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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Winslow treated for staph Coach Crennel won't condone public outburst by tight end
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008
BEREA: Browns coach Romeo Crennel confirmed Monday that tight end Kellen Winslow was treated for a staph infection while hospitalized at the Cleveland Clinic two weeks ago.
But he did not condone Winslow's post-game outburst after Sunday's 14-11 loss to the Washington Redskins, when Winslow complained about how he has been treated by General Manager Phil Savage and said he felt like ''a piece of meat.'' He said he considered asking for a trade before last Tuesday's deadline.
Crennel said he would consult with others in the organization about whether to fine or to suspend Winslow for conduct detrimental to the team, but would keep any decision in-house. The Browns (2-4) visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-3) on Sunday.
''Kellen is a very emotional player. He's competitive and he wants to win,'' Crennel said. ''He was coming off an injury situation and didn't probably play as much as he wanted to play, even though some balls went his way. Sometimes the emotions of the game and the emotions of your personal situation kind of overflow.''
Several factors probably contributed to Winslow's remarks. Released from the Cleveland Clinic on Oct. 12 after a three-night stay, he missed the

Monday Night Football victory over the New York Giants. Returning to practice Thursday, he did not start against the Redskins and played little in the first half. He caught only two passes for 17 yards in a game that left many frustrated after another sub-par performance by quarterback Derek Anderson.
Winslow wants to renegotiate his contract that has three years remaining, and Savage continues to say it's not a high priority.
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[osugrad21]

CPD

Browns confirm Kellen Winslow's staph infection

by Mary Kay Cabot/Plain Dealer Reporter Monday October 20, 2008, 12:29 PM

Tracy Boulian/The Plain Dealer
Browns coach Romeo Crennel confirmed today that tight end Kellen Winslow suffered a staph infection, but also said he wished Winslow would have kept his complaints in-house and not gone to the media. "It's a distraction for the organization and for Kellen,'' said Crennel. "He should've come to the organization first if he had a problem.''
Winslow told The Plain Dealer Sunday night that he had the staph infection and that he was upset that Browns General Manager Phil Savage didn't contact him while he was in the Cleveland Clinic for treatment.
Crennel, who talked to Winslow while he was in the hospital, said he feels the organization showed concern for Winslow during his ordeal. He said he feels Winslow and the organization can co-exist in the aftermath of the controversy.
He said Winslow made his remarks in the heat of the moment, was coming off an injury, may not have played as much as he liked, and that his emotions spilled over into his personal situation with the staph infection.
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[osugrad21]

CPD

Browns insider

by Mary Kay Cabot Monday October 20, 2008, 9:53 PM


Browns coach Romeo Crennel said he's not worried about his team splintering with some of the turmoil surrounding it in the aftermath of the 14-11 loss to the Redskins.
In addition to dropping to 2-4, the team is dealing with tight end Kellen Winslow's postgame remarks about his staph infection, on-the-field friction between quarterback Derek Anderson and fullback Lawrence Vickers and speculation that Anderson will be replaced by Brady Quinn if he continues to struggle.
"I think I have a good leadership group in that locker room," said Crennel. "I think they'll be able to handle any situation that arises, and I think that they're going to do what's best for the team, and they're going to try to talk to their teammates about doing what's best for the team."

Crennel downplayed the fourth-quarter exchange between Anderson and Vickers, in which Anderson tried to talk to Vickers about an alignment issue that cost the Browns a timeout. Vickers threw Anderson's hand off his shoulder and then waved off Anderson.
Crennel attributed it to a headset malfunction and said it was no big deal. But it was the second time in three games the TV cameras captured a confrontation between Anderson and a teammate. He and receiver Braylon Edwards had words in Cincinnati and were separated by running back Jamal Lewis.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Crennel chastises Winslow

by Mary Kay Cabot Monday October 20, 2008, 9:45 PM


Browns coach Romeo Crennel confirmed Monday that Kellen Winslow suffered a staph infection and also chastised him for going to the media with his complaints about Browns General Manager Phil Savage.
"If he has an issue, he should address it with the organization and not to the media," said Crennel. "I don't know how much you gain by that. He should come to the organization first and try to reach some kind of agreement. Then, if he's not satisfied, he can go elsewhere."
Crennel, who spoke to Winslow on the plane ride home from the game, indicated that he could fine or suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team.
"We'll investigate it, and then we'll determine if anything needs to be done," said Crennel. "My policy is to keep family business in the family. Whatever I do, I'm not going to broadcast it. It's the organization's call. I will consult with everybody."
Winslow revealed to The Plain Dealer on Sunday night that his previously undisclosed illness was a staph infection and that he was upset that he didn't hear from Savage during his three-day stay in the Cleveland Clinic last week. He also was miffed the Browns said it was Winslow who wanted to keep it private when, according to Winslow, the team wanted to hide the fact it was staph.
Savage said in an e-mail response that he probably will comment today.

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Are staph infections plaguing the Browns?

by Bill Lubinger/Plain Dealer Reporter Monday October 20, 2008, 8:44 PM


Kellen Winslow's post-game disclosure to The Plain Dealer Sunday that the tight end's mysterious illness was another staph infection stirs another mystery: Why so many?
That makes six key Browns in five years to come down with the ailment. Seven cases total, given that Winslow has contracted the infection twice.
Despite the latest revelation, Browns head coach Romeo Crennel didn't believe the number suggested a pattern.
"I don't think there is a reoccurrence," he said during a news conference at the team's Berea headquarters Monday. "There have been a couple cases that we have had."

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[osugrad21]

CPD

Browns' Hall of Fame lineman Hickerson dies

by Tony Grossi Monday October 20, 2008, 7:14 PM


Election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 was a bittersweet honor for Browns guard Gene Hickerson, and not because it was long overdue.
Shortly after learning of his election in February 2007, Hickerson was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia and confined to a nursing home.
As his health rapidly declined, family and friends worried that Hickerson might not be able to enjoy finally reaching the pinnacle of his career as the sweeping blocker for Hall of Fame backs Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelly.
But he did.
In August, as Brown, Mitchell and Kelly dramatically pushed Hickerson in his wheelchair on stage at the induction ceremony in Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Hickerson's eyes caught those of his former teammate, Bobby Franklin. Hickerson then made a gesture with his fingers that Franklin recognized as a personal joke of the two longtime friends.
"He really knew what was going on," said Hickerson's son, Bob.
Hickerson died peacefully in a nursing home in Olmsted Falls on Monday morning from complications from Alzheimer's. He was 73.

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[osugrad21]

Canton

Mystery behind Winslow's illness ends
Tight end hit by staph infection
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
BY STEVE DOERSCHUK
[email protected]

BEREA It isn't a secret anymore. Kellen Winslow Jr.'s mystery illness traced to the dreaded "s" word.

Head Coach Romeo Crennel confirmed that the Pro Bowl tight end missed the Oct. 26 game vs. the Giants with a staph infection. That gave players a green light to talk about it after a period when Winslow's condition was Berea's secret of the year.

"Guys talk about it, because it is on a lot of people's minds," said left tackle Joe Thomas, who like Winslow is a former high first-round draft pick. "I can't speak for other people, but personally I don't worry about it.

"What we can know is what medical people will tell us. It's not like they'll know that, 'Oh, that carpet over there has staph. Watch out.'

"A lot of times teams get it, have outbreaks, and take care of it. ... I don't think anybody really worries about it. Personally, I don't."

Union rep Darnell Dinkins, a tight end who caught a touchdown pass in Winslow's absence against the Giants, will not ask the NFLPlayers Association to get involved in policing the Browns' staph problem.

Dinkins believes the team has taken "a proactive approach as far as making sure we're all protected."

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[LitlBuck]

I think the majority of you know that I have been a Cleveland Browns fan since the 1950s and this team bothers me more than any other team I have watched including the teams that included Tim Couch. The attitude of Winslow and Edwards, and to a certain extent Anderson, is really troubling. I have never heard guys wearing a Browns uniform mouth off so much or act like these guys do on the field. I would not care if they traded all three of the guys as long as they just got someone back who could keep their mouth shut and be a team player. These guys:( are a disgrace to the uniform of the Cleveland Browns.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Browns suspend Winslow 1 game over comments

CLEVELAND (AP) - Tight end Kellen Winslow has been suspended for one game without pay by the Cleveland Browns for critical comments he made following Sunday's loss at Washington.
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In a lengthy statement released Tuesday, Savage called Winslow's comments and behavior "unwarranted, inappropriate, and unnecessarily disparaging to our organization.
"His statements brought unjustified negative attention to our organization, and violated the team-first concept of our football squad," Savage said.
Winslow will miss Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and it will cost him $235,294 ? his one-game paycheck. The Pro Bowler will not be allowed to practice or attend meetings at the team's facility this week and cannot return until Monday.
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Entire article: FOX Sports on MSN - NFL - Browns suspend Winslow 1 game over comments

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Browns suspend Kellen Winslow for 1 game


By Tom Withers
Associated Press

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

CLEVELAND ? The Cleveland Browns unveiled their own defensive scheme to shut down Kellen Winslow.
The team suspended their talented, emotional tight end for one game without pay for critical comments Winslow made following Sunday's loss at Washington.
Winslow, who spent three days at the Cleveland Clinic earlier this month with an undisclosed illness, revealed he had a staph infection ? for the second time ? before lashing out at Browns general manager Phil Savage as the Pro Bowler's teammates dressed after their 14-11 loss to the Redskins.
Winslow complained that the team, which has had at least six cases of staph in the past three years, asked him to conceal his illness. He also vented at Savage for not checking on him while he was in the hospital, said he felt the Browns were treating him like a "piece of meat," and said he considered requesting a trade.
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[osugrad21]

DDN

Browns TE Kellen Winslow on his suspension


By the Associated Press

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

CLEVELAND ? Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow released a statement Tuesday night after being suspended for one game without pay for conduct detrimental to the club:
"First I would like to say that I am disappointed that my organization felt the need to suspend me for speaking out regarding my medical situation with staph. I take responsibility for the fact that there might have been a more constructive way to release this, but when I tried to do so I was discouraged from making the issue public. Regardless of how this was released the information would still remain the same. I contracted staph, again.
"I spoke out on this because I felt it was the right thing to do and that is why I was so passionate about it. This has nothing to do with football and this has nothing to with my current contract situation. This is a health concern.
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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Browns suspend Winslow for game Angry remarks to cost tight end $235,000 unless he seeks appeal
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008

Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow drew a one-game suspension for his angry comments concerning his treatment by Browns General Manager Phil Savage following Sunday's 14-11 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Starting today, Winslow will not be able to practice or attend meetings. After missing Sunday's game at the Jacksonville Jaguars, he can return to the team Monday.
Unless he appeals, the suspension will cost Winslow one game check, which amounts to $235,294, 1/17th of his $4 million base salary.
The Browns announced the decision in a statement from Savage on Tuesday. Winslow is the first Browns player suspended since Savage and coach Romeo Crennel took over in 2005.
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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Winslow's recent selfish acts will end his time with Browns Winslow has an agent known for his tactics
By Patrick McManamon
Beacon Journal sports columnist

Published on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008

The suspension of Kellen Winslow for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars is more than a one-game sitdown.
It's the beginning of the end of Winslow's time with the Browns.
This comes from nothing anyone said privately or publicly, but from the occurrences of the past few days and from the statement released by General Manager Phil Savage that was so cold it had icicles dripping from it.
This clearly is one angry GM.
Savage has always been restrained with announcements and news. That he was blunt and direct in the statement about Winslow speaks volumes.
Savage called Winslow's comments ''unwarranted, inappropriate, and unnecessarily disparaging to
our organization.'' He said the comments ''brought unjustified negative attention to our organization, and violated the team-first concept of our football squad.''
He also gave a scintillating defense of the team's attempts to prevent and treat staph infection.
Coach Romeo Crennel spoke on the issue on Monday ? it would have been nice to hear from Savage at that point ? and the coach did his best to defuse things. It did not sound like he favored a suspension.
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