Winslow traded, Ben breaks his leg

The Browns should be dancing with lampshades on their heads if they really got a second-round draft pick for Kellen Winslow. That's what SI.com's Don Banks reported, and if it's true Butch and Sundance need to stand up and say: Who are these guys?

Kellen Winslow did a lot for the Browns in his tenure with Cleveland — even though he seriously cut short his career with his motorcycle accident. Winslow played hard, played with pain, and played well. Until last season, when he let his contract situation get in the way of the team.

That and the public spat with GM Phil Savage made it pretty difficult for the Browns to keep him. Especially since his knee is bad, his shoulder is bad and he wants a new and more expensive contract. Those are all factors that would indicate the Browns would never get a second-round pick in return. Which is why if they did they need to unscrew the lamphades and start spinning around to "Boogie Shoes."

No matter the pick, I give Eric Mangini and George Kokinis an unqualified thumbs-up on this move (not that they need or want it from me). Winslow is better served starting new somewhere else. The Browns are better served starting without him. If it's a fourth-round pick I give it a thumbs-up. It was time to move on.

Winslow Part II

How in the world does a team cut a person with the character and ability of Derrick Brooks and then trade for Winslow? One would assume the trade carried with it the promise of a contract extension. Sometimes, NFL teams just don't make a lot of sense.

Winslow Part III

I wonder if this is only the first shoe to drop for the Browns, whether Winslow's trade means the team will trade Braylon Edwards. No doubt Edwards will want a new contract, so it will be interesting to see how he's viewed by the Kokinis-Mangini regime. I had heard conflicting things, that Edwards' immaturity meant he was more likely to be traded than Winslow, and I had heard that Winslow's contract demands brought him a quicker ticket out of town. It will be interesting to see how this situation plays out. One thing about Winslow that is not true about Edwards — the Browns have other tight ends. They do not have other receivers. The glaring hole Edwards would leave might be the largest negative in the idea of dealing him. That and missing out on the "air guitar" celebration.

Ka-Ching

Albert Haynesworth is the first $100 million NFL defensive player. Exactly how long will it be before the Redskins regret giving Haynesworth that deal? Isn't it kind of disgusting to read about all this money going to guys — in Haynesworth's case a guy who stepped on an opposing center's face with football cleats on — while many in the country struggle to find a job or health care. The money is outrageous in the first place; in these economic times it's disgustingly outrageous.

Ben Wallace breaks his leg …

Just when it seemed things were coming together for the Cavs, Ben Wallace breaks his leg. He'll miss four-to-six weeks, which might maybe bring him back for the playoffs. But I can't imagine four-to-six weeks of inactivity helping a big guy like Wallace. Then again, Z came back pretty quick from his ankle injury.

Wallace's injury reminded me a little bit of what happened to Jim Chones just prior to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1976. Chones broke his foot in practice, right after the Cavs had come off the high of beating Washington in Game 7. The Cavs competed, but did not have depth at center against Dave Cowens to win the Series.

Chones said Wallace's injury reminded him of his situation, and he had effusive praise for Wallace. But he also said that the Cavs could compensate for his absence by moving LeBron James to the four spot for stretches of games. Interesting point. I will address more of what Chones had to say in Sunday's paper.

In the interim … anyone have a number for Joe Smith?

Personal note …

Alan, where did you go? I sure hope I didn't hurt your feelings.

Finally …

RedhawkRick suggests we had moved on to Faith Hill for the Official Blog Female Mascot (the OBFM). She is one nominee. Diane Lane is another. I welcome other suggestions.