Finally, the Cleveland Browns have landed their top pick of the 2004 draft. This week the Browns reached a contract agreement with Kellen Winslow II, nearly two weeks after practice started.
Winslow was the sixth pick overall in the draft and Cleveland had given up a second round pick to be in position to get him. At 6 feet, 4 inches and 250 pounds. Winslow is being touted as the Browns' best hope at tight end since Ozzie Newsome.
In 37 college games for the Miami Hurricanes, he caught 119 passes for 1,365 yards and 9 touchdowns. However, as with most marquee receivers, he can't...or won't...block. Len Pasquarelli of ESPN suggests the Browns will use him more as an H-back for that reason.
The Browns did use an interesting ploy in their negotiations with Winslow and his representative, Kevin Poston, to try to end the 12-day holdout ... openness.
After Winslow rejected an offer of 40 million dollars, Browns' management went public, releasing the terms of their offer to put pressure on the other side. It seems to have worked. Winslow went to the team's camp in Berea and met with president John Collins Tuesday and the deal was announced that night.
The accepted deal is not all that different in total size than the rejected original. It would pay at least 29 million dollars and could grow to 40 million if Winslow meets some performance incentives. Included are 16.5 million bonuses for signing and other goals.
The total figure is virtually the same, Cleveland had set 40 million as its ceiling for Winslow's contract. But the distribution of the various elements of the six-year deal was modified.
I foresee trouble. It may be a habit of looking on the dark side, but it seems that so often, when the Browns do get a superstar or potential superstar into camp, the fireworks soon fizzle.
One needs look back no farther than quarterback Tim Couch, who never saw more than middling success after being promoted as The Answer.
Or William Green, whose rookie season was phoned in and whose sophomore season was interrupted by legal troubles and an injury.
We could go on.
Winslow has his contract. So what if he gets only 29 million from Cleveland? It's a good start, giving him the opportunity and time to promote himself to other, richer teams in larger cities, where he would rather be.
I predict that Kellin Winslow, II will not be a hero for the Cleveland Browns. He will be a disappointment ... another in a series of disappointments Browns fans have suffered.
I really hope I'm wrong this time.