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"My value on the field, they put in a nickel (coverage), an extra DB in the game, and that really changes the whole game. They have to guard me kind of like a wide receiver so, you know, yeah, got to get that new money."
Just When You Thought We Had Seen the Last of “The Soldier” – 2-11-08
Kellen Winslow is Demanding More Money from the Browns
Just when it seemed K2 had relinquished his Miami Hurricanes, bad boy attitude and took the leap into maturity and integrity, he came out challenging for more money from the franchise that made him the sixth pick in the 2004 draft.
The same franchise that sat patiently while he missed all but two games his rookie season with a broken fibula. The same franchise that was willing to disregard a missed sophomore season to a horrific, but stupid motorcycle accident. The same franchise that had to deal with Winslow's outrageous claim of “I think my 90 percent is still better than every tight end out there.” This bold statement was made in training camp prior to the 2006 season – he had played in only two career games to this point.
2007 was different though. There were no distractions. No injuries. No brash, arrogant words that overshadowed his brilliant talent. A vital component to the Browns surprisingly dynamic offense, Winslow reaped 5 touchdowns, 1,106 yard receiving and made his first Pro Bowl. And coincidentally, it was the Browns first winning season since he graced Cleveland Stadium.
Now Winslow has come out, testing the Browns to renegotiate his contract.
"When I got hurt (in 2005) the contract got renegotiated so some things changed, but I think I've proven these past two years that I'm one of the elite tight ends,'' Winslow said. "My value on the field, they put in a nickel (coverage), an extra DB in the game, and that really changes the whole game. They have to guard me kind of like a wide receiver so, you know, yeah, got to get that new money."
All said with a chuckle and a grin. The Soldier isn’t completely gone.
Winslow has made a name for himself and is without a doubt one of the top five tight ends in the game. But no one is feeling sorry for the man whose deal includes $4 million in 2008, $4.9 million in 2009 and $4.75 million in 2010.
The Browns need him to be a part of the young nucleus of Braylon Edwards, Joe Thomas and the Anderson/Quinn two-headed monster. And he is exactly that – young. Winslow is only 24 and will certainly garner even bigger bucks down the road if he continues to play at a high level and, maybe even more importantly, keep his mouth shut.
Just go out and play ball, Kellen. The Browns stuck by you through tough times, and now it’s time for you to play your game, and good things will happen. Cleveland would like more than anything for Winslow to be a superstar in the league. A superstar on a winning team. And if the wins pile up, no one will argue paying him like an NFL superstar when that time comes.