Did they give up too much?



I can't say Saturday's proceedings in the Browns war room made me feel all warm and fuzzy.
I believe Kellen Winslow is a very good choice for just about any team -- at least one ESPN commentator on Friday called him the top overall pick in the draft. He was certain to go among the top 10 picks.
However, I don't understand why the Browns, specifically coach Butch Davis, believed it was necessary to trade up just one spot to select the Miami (Fla.) tight end.
Winslow seems to have everything a team would want -- he certainly has the pedigree, being the son of the former San Diego Chargers tight end and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee by the same name.
His resume includes two appearances in national championship games and the reputation of an outstanding receiver. His blocking skills have been questioned by virtually every draft expert, however, and that will be the one area the Browns will have to coach him up.
Evidentally, the Browns believed the Lions were leaning towards taking Winslow with their pick, so it would answer the question of why they traded up one just spot.
And, assuming both teams coveted Winslow, easily the best tight end in a class considered pretty poor for its depth, it was probably a trade Davis figured he had to make. (Although I think Ben Hartsock of Ohio State is pretty good, admittedly I'm probably looking at him through scarlet and gray colored glasses.)
Points of interest
However, my reluctance to endorse this move without reservation comes on two fronts:
UOne, I think giving up the second-round pick was too much. I assume, though, that the Lions were probably pretty adamant about getting such a high draft choice and were unlikely to make the deal without it. I wonder, though, if Davis couldn't have held out a little longer and been able to part with only a third-round pick.
UTwo, the Lions (like the Browns) have needs at several different positions. I'm sure coach Steve Mariucci would have loved to have stayed at No. 6 and taken Winslow, but I'm sure he's also quite content with moving down just the one slot and getting possibly the best receiver in the draft, Texas' Roy Williams (sorry Larry Fitzgerald fans).
Likewise, the Browns have many needs. Davis said Saturday he talked trade with the Oakland Raiders, but Al Davis wanted far too much in return for his No. 2 overall pick, which Cleveland would have most certainly used to take Iowa offensive lineman Robert Gallery.
Gallery too costly
Now, for a move like that, I'm sure the Browns would have had to part with, at least, their No. 1, No. 2 and probably one other this year, and high-round choice next year.
So, I can't disagree with Davis in his assertion that he would have to give up too much.
(Of course, if Gallery becomes a perennial All-Pro and the Browns continue to flounder, we may all be left scratching our heads and wondering if Davis shouldn't have pulled the trigger on that deal.)
Could have taken Hall
Anyways, since the Browns need help at so many positions, would it have been so bad to stay put at No. 7 and take Virginia Tech cornerback DeAngelo Hall -- who, incidentally, went to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8.
The more I watched of Hall the more I like him, and the more I felt he had the potential to become an impact player sooner that Winslow. (Of course, all of that is conjecture until we actually see these guys play, but Hall's stock rose continually from the end of the college season until Saturday.)
But, all that is water under the bridge. The Browns have Winslow, who Saturday said all the right things and certainly gave us the impression he wants to play in Cleveland.
He's a big, physical and talented football player.
Let's hope he's worth all that the Browns gave up to get him.
XRob Todor is sports editor of The Vindicator. Write to him at & lt;a href=mailto:todor@vindy.com & gt;todor@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;.

By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of use.

» Accept
» Learn More