Is Winslow becoming a distraction?

By Neal Coolong  |   Tuesday, October 21, 2008  |  Comments( 6 )

Cleveland Browns
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Add tight end Kellen Winslow II to the growing list of Cleveland Browns players who contracted a staph infection. He may be a couple thousand dollars poorer, too.

Since 2005, the Browns have had five confirmed cases of staph -- Winslow, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius (who is still out with the infection), WR Braylon Edwards, center LeCharles Bentley and safety Brian Russell.

Winslow played in the Browns' 14-11 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday, saying after the game that the team was treating him "like a piece of meat." Winslow expressed frustration that he was visited in the hospital by head coach Romeo Crennel and tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts, but not by general manager Phil Savage.

Crennel said Winslow's comments are "a distraction," and the team may fine him.

Commentary: The fact several players over three years have contracted the infection is enough to raise eyebrows around the Browns organization. But Winslow has been growling about a contract extension since last season, and his perceived slight by Savage will only make the situation worse. The Browns had a glimmer of hope when they thrashed the New York Giants in Week 6, but their loss to Washington put them at 2-4, three games behind AFC North-leading Pittsburgh.

That's a big deficit to overcome with their offense playing as poorly as it is. Winslow's battle with the team's general management isn't going to help, especially considering the Browns are on the verge of a quarterback change. Derek Anderson is 32nd in the NFL with a 62.9 passer rating. He may have saved his job with his performance versus the Giants (that came without Winslow in the lineup), but he was ineffective against the Redskins (Winslow had two catches).

Fan Pulse: The frustration of fans posting on The Browns Board reaches an all-time high in a thread titled "Besides DA, Who Sucks More?"

Injury Watch: Offensive lineman Ryan Tucker did not play against Washington after returning from a knee injury he's been battling all season. Defensive end Shawn Smith hasn't played since Week 4 against Cincinnati.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one...
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