Shorter catches aren’t a problem for Winslow

The Browns tight end has 69 receptions in the first 13 games.

GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE

BEREA — The catches are getting shorter.

Kind of like Kellen Winslow Jr.’s answers.

Question: How do you need to adjust your approach if the Buffalo game gets belted by snow?

Winslow: “Go play football, man.”

Through the Browns’ first seven games, Winslow averaged 17.2 yards a catch. During the last six games: 10.8.

Thirty minutes before Friday’s practice, Winslow waited out one bloated question:

“Your demeanor seems to be cool and unflappable. You’ve been through the pressure of a big college season. Is the pressure of getting in the NFL playoffs any different than the pressure of running for a national championship?”

His no-fat response:

“Go play ball and try to get a win. That’s all it is.”

Opponents have adjusted to Winslow’s deeper routes. Coordinators don’t want him making big plays. They have no choice but to watch him catch lots of passes when he gets open on shorter stuff.

Winslow is taking it as it comes.

“My demands are always high,” he said before Friday’s nippy outdoor practice. “I always want to make plays, and ... I will.”

The catches are shorter, but there are more of them. He had 31 through the first seven games, 38 during the last six.

There could be even more. Browns coaches are tweaking Derek Anderson to make sure he takes advantage of what defenses are giving.

“We’ve been working with Derek on touch,” offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski said, “being able to take a little bit off the ball and working on his ball placement.”

Trading haymakers for jabs is helping the team. The Browns were 4-3 in the stretch when he was making long catches. They’re 4-2 in his shorter-catch phase.

Now it’s crunch time. If the Browns beat Buffalo on Sunday and Tennessee loses at Kansas City, Cleveland clinches a playoff spot.

This is no time for drive-stalling misfires to receivers who are open short.

“Derek is a work in progress,” Winslow said. “It’s really his first year.

“He’s getting better. He’s working hard every day. He’s taking notes. He’s doing everything he can with the chance he has right now.”

It’s a horse race as to which tight end will finish with the most receiving yards. Jason Witten (955), Tony Gonzalez (954), Winslow (943) and Antonio Gates (890) all have a shot.