Carstensen: New Browns Regime Makes Right Statement with Wrong Player

Newly hired Browns head coach Eric Mangini and general manager George Kokinis made their first big personnel move on Friday, trading tight end Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an undisclosed number of draft picks.

The move undoubtedly sends a message from the new Browns regime to the players, media, and even fans.

Shape up or be shipped out.

It was the right message. But was it made with the right player?

Kellen Winslow has his share of baggage. At 25 years old, his body is already breaking down. He’s playing on borrowed time, thanks to his poor decision making early on in his career. He whines a lot, he’s overly emotional, he's confrontational with management. He’s asking for a new contract and demanding the Browns to show him the money.

But no one else on the Cleveland Browns represented the team, city, or fans better than Winslow.

When on the field, Winslow fought each game with the fury of a gladiator in the Roman Coliseum. He never quit, and never accepted defeat. He carries a level of pride in himself no one else in the Browns locker room could match.

He knew he was a winner, despite all the losers and quitters surrounding him. He believed he could win, despite the color of the helmet he was wearing.

He never made excuses for his poor play, and never blamed those around him.

Winslow confronted football with a warrior mentality, which never wavered during his stay with the Browns.

How many other past and present Browns players can you say the same for?

I can understand why the Browns made this move. But I don’t agree with it. Not when the same statement could have been made with a player who has quit on the Browns. With someone who has made excuses, and is used to losing and accepts it.

Kellen Winslow gave everything he had to the Cleveland Browns. Not many other past and present Browns players can say the same.

This column was originally published at Sportszona.com. I'm David, and I welcome your feedback.

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