THE DAWGCATCHER

I've been reading a lot of posts from disgruntled Browns fans about what a bad job Eric Mangini has done since stepping in as Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns. They complain that he's not handling the players properly, that he's alienating the media and that he's a difficult person to play for.

I even read where some fans said they're going to root for teams playing against the Browns until Randy Lerner finally see's the light and fires him.

All I can say is shame on you.

I can understand not being happy with the state of the Browns at the moment. Especially when we had all our optimism for the 2008 season rudely and abruptly taken away from us by a rash of injuries, bad defensive play and even worse coaching.

But to be a Browns fan and root against the Browns??? That's incomprehensible!

I mean, give the guy a chance to screw up first. What has he really done since he took over the Browns to deserve this?

Hmmmmmmm........lets see........

The more I hear about Mangini and Kokinis, the more I like them. They're not doing anything that any of the Cleveland fans want them to do.

They might be on to something.

I'm personally not convinced that DA or Quinn is the Browns QB of the future.

Maybe they aren't either.

I'm not sure if DA can improve with proper coaching, and I haven't seen enough of Quinn to say he'll be any better. In fact, the more I hear everyone say Quinn's the undisputed future of the franchise, the more worried I get.

So far since The Return the fans (myself included) have been completely and utterly wrong about who they think the QB should be. They haven't hit it once on the head. Not once! Dead wrong every single time.

And the problem with the organization is they listen to fans. Trent Dilfer made that statement in an interview last year.

Quote: “As an organization, from the very, very, very top down, they are very influenced by public opinion.”

And Dilfer is right. We booed Couch and cheered for Holcomb to come in and what happened?

Before I start let me clarify something. I am a die hard Browns fan. I've been following the Browns for over 30 years. My father was a Browns fan and my grandfather before him. I witnessed Red-Right 88, The Drive and The Fumble. I know my Browns history, and I'm very proud of that history, but what I'm not proud of is how the Browns fans are being perceived by the world today.

And that's no ones fault but our own. Myself included.

We think of ourselves as great fans. We're proud of our history and love our team.

But the rest of the world doesn't see it that way, and neither do our own players. The Browns fans of the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's are definitely not the same caliber of fan as they are today. Back then they stuck with their team through thick and thin. They didn't whine and complain all the time. They didn't boo their own players when they got hurt. They sucked it up and prayed it got better. They tried to be optimistic during the rough times. They stuck together, because no matter what happened we were all Browns fans. We were all in the same boat and it solidified and unified us and made us strong.

And we were proud. And rightfully so....

After 4 years, 44 games, 219 receptions, 2,459 yards and 11 touchdowns, Kellen Winslow Jr. was traded Friday night to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks. (Rumored to be a 2nd round pick in 2009 and a 5th round pick in 2010.)

Did this surprise anyone?

The "Soldier" has been a real distraction since he first set foot in Cleveland in 2004.

Granted he was a good player when he wasn't injured, a very good player too, but Cleveland Headcoach Eric Mangini and GM George Kokinis chose to trade the "Chosen One" in order to get some badly needed draft picks.

And whats my take on this you may ask?

I love it! And think it was a good move for both sides. Kellen thought he deserved a new contract and now he's getting it (in Tampa Bay of course), and the Browns needed some draft picks and to play a Tight End who not only plays more than half a season, but also does something known in the NFL as "Blocking".

And "Blocking" is a good thing. Especially when the ball in given to the Running Back. It gives the Tight End something to do when he's not catching the ball or getting in motorcycle accidents.

Now don't get me wrong, I loved Kellen's play on the field. He gave it all he got and then some when he was out there. But was he really worth all the money we paid him in the last 4 years?

No he wasn't. Even though he did make one Pro-Bowl appearance, Kellen only played 44 games in 4 years. That means he got paid for 20 games he never even played in. Kellen never blocked and was definitely a distraction in the locker room.

And Jeff Mangini is the kind of coach who won't tolerate distractions on his team.

Winslow did do some amazing things on the field though. In 2007 he finished the season with 82 receptions for 1106 yards, five touchdowns and made his first appearance to the Pro Bowl as first alternate.

He also went down in NFL history as the first person to ever contract and completely heal from Staph infection in 4 days.

I don't think I'm going to miss Winslow in Cleveland. I'm especially not going to miss reading such brilliant statements such as these:

"I hate to be brash", "But I think my 90 percent is still better than every tight end out there."

"I'm good, very good...."

"But I love to prove people wrong. That's fuel for me."

"Where's the brake again???"


Farewell Kellen, I wish you all the best in Tampa Bay. I hope you have a lot of success and thanks once again for the nice draft picks we got for you.

Go Browns!!!!