hey Tony and Wile E

Hey, Tony: I looked at the Browns roster, and I noticed Ted Washington was gone. Did he retire, or get cut? -- Marvin Ford, Cleveland
Hey, Marvin: Washington's contract expired. He is not on the team.
Hey, Marvin: The top four are seasoned vets, and Gramps was taking up a roster spot. You work for AARP, right? Think McGinest will have a beakout year in '10?
Tracy Boulian/The Plain DealerThe condition of Kellen Winslow's knees and the arrival of a potential replacement have Browns fans wondering about the Pro Bowler's future with the team.
It's true. It's even possible they'd trade him. His physical condition writes him out of this team's long-term future, and he's very valuable...NOW.
Hey, Tony: I heard during the draft that the Browns are looking at Rucker (TE) as a future replacement for Kellen Winslow. How worried are the Browns about Winslow's knees. I mean we all know he will never be what he could have been, but how bad are they? And with Edwards and Winslow wanting new deals, how likely are the Browns to do new deals and if they do will they add a year or two to the end to keep them here longer? -- Gary, Philadelphia
Hey, Gary: Winslow's right knee has undergone at least four surgeries. His career probably will be shortened by the fact the knee has never been healthy since his motorcycle accident in 2005. Winslow practices in pain and plays with pain. New deals for Edwards and Winslow apparently are not on the Browns' front burner. I'm thinking Edwards will get one before Winslow.
Hey, Tony: Since the Browns failed to address their CB issue through the draft, is there any chance the Browns go after Eagles CB Lito Sheppard? He would cost the Browns, but is Eric Wright or any of the Browns corners really ready to cover the likes of Terrell Owens, Hines Ward, Marvin Harrison, and Andre Johnson (just to name a few) this season? -- Mike Grimes, Berea
Hey, Mike: The Browns say they are satisfied with their top three cornerbacks and are looking for depth beyond them. GM Phil Savage said the team isn't interested in Sheppard.
Hey Mike: No, Wright will need at least 3 more years of playing full-time before they can trust him to cover anybody. Holly is a raw talent with only two seasons' experience and 10+ interceptions. McDonald should be ready to be a nickel back around 2011. Behind the scenes, the Browns are seeing about releasing Braylon Edwards so they can afford Shepherd, and trying to decide how many first and second round picks they need to give up.
Hey, Tony: With the Browns trading a third-round pick next year for TE Martin Rucker, does this mean Steve Heiden's back injury is career-threatening? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland
Hey, Angelo: No, they are more worried about Kellen Winslow's career longevity and his desire for a new contract with three years left on the current one. Heiden is supposed to be fine for the start of training camp.
Hey Angelo: Hubbard is an H/wing TE like Winslow. Heiden is a much different player, with strong in-line blocking skills and limitted recieving range. Hubbard may be or become a good in-line blocker, but for now he fills a much different role in the offense. Also, Heiden's AGE is a factor.
Hey, Tony: Do you know anything about Todd DeLamielleure's size and speed? I was a real fan of his dad. I saw him play in many games. If he is anything like his father, I hope he gets a good shot. -- Ed Kaser, Sylvania, Ohio
Hey, Ed: DeLamielleure was not offered a contract to training camp after his tryout.
Hey, Tony: Love your work. Question I have is why do you constantly post answers to repeat questions? You have answered time and again the same old questions about trading DA or Quinn, defended Phil Dawson countless times, at least once a week you are refusing to answer a question regarding uniforms, and last week I read a question where some answered their own question about Shaun Rogers by commenting on what their "friend" on the team said. Please save yourself time, and make all the smart Browns fans happy by posting only intelligent questions about the team. -- Jared Smith, Layton, Utah
Hey, Jared: I occasionally answer repeat questions -- again and again -- on the belief that not everybody reads the entire column every week. I hereby pledge to reduce, but not eliminate, the amount of repeat questions.
Hey Jared: Tony also knows that memory is linked to intelligence, and.......nevermind.
Hey, Tony: Do the Browns send scouts to other rookie minicamps in order to scout and possibly pick up someone who is cut that they may want? -- Brandon Sarratt, Columbus, Ohio
Hey, Brandon: No. It is against the rules for scouts to attend other teams' private minicamps. Now, training camps -- which are open to the public -- is another story.
Hey, Tony: I was just curious if the Browns had a rule about players not wearing dark visors during games? I have never seen a player wear one during the games but I have seen them during practice. Also, what are your thoughts with seventh round pick Alex Hall? -- Michael Moeschl, Medina, Ohio
Hey, Michael: There is no team rule against wearing dark visors. I can remember a few players wearing them, but can't recall their names off-hand. On Hall, he is a developmental pass rusher who probably will stick as a practice player.
Hey Micheal: Hall might also be active, as he's a strong candidate for special teams. Coming from a small college, he'll need a season and off-season to adapt to an OLB position and get stronger. If he is determined and works hard, he has the talent to contend for a starting OLB slot as early as next season.
Tony implicitly discounts him as an every-down linebacker, but he has the change-of-direction, balance, speed and quickness required for that particular position in this particular defense.
Hey, Tony: I read your stuff all the time. I have been hearing some rumors about Lito Sheppard from the Eagles coming to Cleveland. Is it possible at all? -- Todd Rhinehart, Zanesville, Ohio
Hey, Todd: After earlier stating I would reduce the amount of repeat questions, I will answer yours because of your compliment. The Browns have told me they have no interest in trading for Sheppard.
Hey Todd: They want to hold onto at least one first-day pick in '08. They also need to pay their other players.
Hey, Tony: I recently went back and scanned through the draft issue of a national sports magazine (Sporting News/War Room Scouts), and noted that Beau Bell was their No. 1-rated ILB, Martin Rucker was their No. 3-rated TE, and Athyba Rubin was their No. 3-rated DT. They actually had Bell going in the second round and Rubin going 26th overall! Would you consider this to just be very poor analysis, or do you think Phil Savage has done the unthinkable -- drafted "diamonds in the rough" based on their on-field performance while other GMs overlook them and salivate over workout numbers? -- Matt Webb, Barberton, Ohio
Hey, Matt: If you consider your source as the ultimate oracle on the college draft, then you would have to praise the Browns. I have given them kudos for their picks. But let's wait a while to see how they pan out before inducting the 2008 draft class into the Hall of Fame.
Hey Matt: That's a good hypothesis! those draft-guides are often full of crap, but Belle's clock-times were while recovering from injuries, and on-film you can see game-speed. Like if a guy can run down a wide reciever from behind in a straight line? That makes the clock-time irrelevant, doesn't it? If a guy gets a bunch of passes defensed and interceptions, how can anybody in their right minds say he can't cover?
Let Tony be a wet blanket if he wants! It's ok to extrapolate.
Hey, Tony: I saw a photo of Beau Bell in a 58 jersey and on the roster D'Qwell Jackson was listed as 52. Why did this number change take place? -- Ricardo Guice, Clearwater, Fla.
Hey, Ricardo: Jackson requested a change to No. 52 and Bell was then assigned No. 58.
Hey, Tony: Did you know that Cleveland native J.J. Bennett, who will graduate from Colgate University this spring, was invited to the Browns' rookie minicamp this week? I'd love to see what the coaches had to say about his workouts. -- Nick Verbitsky, Ridgefield, Conn.
Hey, Nick: Bennett was among the players invited to try out. He was not offered a contract to return.
Hey, Tony: How is it that Savage is deathly concerned with D.A. going down with an injury, but he doesn't seem that all concerned if Jamal Lewis goes down? Seriously, what have the backup running backs ever done to earn such confidence? -- Matt Antunez, Youngstown, Ohio
Hey, Matt: Valid point. Except that when a starting quarterback goes down, it has an added psychological effect on the team. Also, if Anderson went down, it would reduce the QB roster to Brady Quinn and Ken Dorsey, and that would be a concern. Of course, you can point to other positions -- such as left tackle -- and say the same thing.
Hey Matt: INvalid point. Harrison averages over 5 YPC and Wright has kept the chains moving and made big plays over extended periods. Ignore the ignorant and pay attention to performance. We have good depth at RB, and Harrison is a potential star--if he'd just show more discipline in practice. (His game-day performance was not at issue last season, including his blocking.)
Hey, Tony: Don't you think Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams would have benefited from having a mentor and a leader like Ted Washington to help them this season? I can't understand why Ted isn't on this team anymore. -- Terry Toeisher, Rocky River, Ohio
Hey, Terry: Washington simply can't perform anymore. If you want to make him a coach, fine.
Hey Terry: I heard we might be able to get Carl Hairston to come back!
Hey, Tony: I see lots of comments from people about upgrading the cornerback position, but I'm not sure it is that bad. In my opinion, Eric Wright was one of their best defenders last year (hands down the best tackler on the team), and in the past two years both Daven Holly and Brandon McDonald have shown flashes. If you assume the D-Line shows some improvement, they won't have to cover as long on each passing down. How comfortable would you be with the current group? -- Sean Doherty, Guelph, Ontario
Hey, Sean: If you could guarantee me they would stay healthy and play 16 games, I'd be comfortable with that.
Hey Sean: AMEN!
Hey, Tony: Good point. But he's referring to MM's who proclaim the need for a vedderunn STARDER, calling Holly "inexperienced", implying that a cornerback needs several YEARS to develop, and declaring Terrell and other UFA's DOA after an extremely deep CB draft.
Hey, Tony: Do you think the Browns have any interest in former Raider and Colt Dominic Rhodes as insurance for Jamal Lewis? -- Joe Boesch, Columbus, Ohio
Hey, Joe: For the umpteenth time, the Browns are comfortable with Jason Wright and Jerome Harrison as their backup running backs.
Hey Joe: Stop it you're killing us.
Hey, Tony: What do you think are the chances the Browns might deploy Gary Baxter as the third safety in a "Big Nickel" package? With his experience at CB and his size and strength as a safety, he might fit the bill. Romeo apparently used this configuration at New England. -- Chuck, Mayfield Heights, Ohio
Hey, Chuck: Baxter has to prove he can run laterally. That wasn't the case when he made it back to the field last year.
Hey Chuck: Thanks for being you. Yeah, I'm sure they have that in mind, but Tony's right about the lateral movement thing. However, Tony might be forgetting that safety and cornerback are different positions--many safeties ARE safeties because they don't have flexible hips and can be shaken by quick recievers. Also, Tony is determined to avoid using his imagination: Baxter's injuries take two years to come back from. Here it is. Don't write the man off.
Hey, Tony: Things with Kellen Winslow are looking, well, grim. I now look at the Donte Stallworth signing as, perhaps, the most intriguing move of any team this off-season. (Not counting retiring QBs) So my question becomes this, are we looking at a season of an aging Jurevicius in multiple WR formations or should we expect a one-legged Winslow to continue to be a focal point of the 2008 offense? -- Joe Cepec, Columbus, Ohio
Hey, Joe: Perhaps you hit on the reason Martin Rucker became so attractive to the Browns in the draft.
Hey, Joe: Your head is more than a hat-rack, ok? Winslow kicked ass and went to the Pro Bowl last season, so what's this "another season of" crap? It does look grim, but Hubbard is OBVIOUSLY here to ease into his role and insure continuity. Chud's offense more often than not deploys two TE's or two backs even in some longer down and distance situations by design. Plus--behind Edwards/Stallworth/Jurevicious who is the fourth reciever? Or third when someone is injured? Do you think Chud designs a playboook in which a good part of it gets deleted after one injury? jeez!!!
Hey, Tony: Being a huge Penn State fan, I was interested to see that Austin Scott was signed from the tryout period. I know it's early, but what do you think his chances are in making the final roster? -- Joe Zaidinski, Bethpage, N.Y.
Hey, Joe: I answer all questions about undrafted rookie free agents about the same. Chances of making the roster: Slim and none. Not impossible. Not probable. Charles Ali made it last year, so I would expect one undrafted free agent to rise to the top. Will it be Scott? I have no educated guess on that.
Hey, Tony: Now that the Browns have developed a stronger roster, including 6 Pro Bowlers, who do you think will be the first player the Browns may have to use the franchise tag on to keep from losing him, and when will it happen? -- Bill Johnson, Akron, Ohio
Hey, Bill: To use the franchise tag, the Browns would have to absolutely want to keep a star player whose contract is up and who may be asking for the moon and the stars. Safety Sean Jones comes to mind, but there is no inkling of a contract impasse with him. I wouldn't worry about this. By the time a franchise player-type issue faces the Browns, the whole concept of franchise player might be wiped away by a new collective bargaining agreement or work stoppage.
Hey, Tony: Wanted to know your opinion on the recently released Adam Archuleta. Any possible interest in him from the Browns? I think he could, at the very least, provide some much needed experience and depth in the defensive backfield. Thoughts? -- Ron Biswas, New Haven, Conn.
Hey, Ron: He's a decent player, strictly a safety who likes to play close to the line of scrimmage, who could provide what you say. If he's healthy, I'd consider him. He's only 30. I'm not sure how he'd fit in Romeo Crennel's defense, but anybody who can tackle should find a role.
Hey, Tony: Not so long ago, cleveland.com enabled a comments feature for so-called fans to display the ignorant nonsense that immediately enters their brain after reading an off-season article about their local professional football team. I'm not sure that anybody could hate this feature more than I do. Message boards are for people who can't get anybody to read their blog. Your thoughts? -- Scott Trepal, Cleveland
Hey, Scott: Welcome to the Internet world in the 21st century. We're all adapting to it.
Hey, Scott: Sorry about the lynching that happened 2 minutes after this was published. Get well soon.
Hey, Tony: Last off-season, a big deal was made about Jamal Lewis' physically demanding training program that he and Jerome Harrison attended and seemed to benefit from. I was curious if you are aware if they are participating in the same program this off-season? -- Jon Young, Hudson, Ohio
Hey, Jon: Sorry, I'm not aware of it. But I promise to ask them at the June minicamp.
Hey Jon: Oh COOL! I hope that's right, man! Edwards trained with Jerry Rice this off-season too. With Harrison, Lewis's personal example and influence could be invaluable, since the sole issue Romeo cites with him is poor practices. And obviously, that program works! The whole football world thought Lewis was a shadow of his former self, or even washed-up. "You only have so many carries in your body, regardless of chronological age".
If what you heard is true, it's a very very good sign that Harrison has his attitude straight, and could earn his way onto the field more this season. The sky is the limit for this TWO HUNDRED SEVENTEEN POUND running back.
Hey, Tony: I like to keep up with the Browns roster. I would like to see a column added that would show when a player's contract expires. That being said, what are Steve Cargile's contract terms? -- Dale Galbraith, Barberton, Ohio
Hey, Dale: I'd love to know, too, but players' contract information formerly accessible to the media has been suspended. The NFL players union is revamping its Web site and the contract information has not yet been added.
Hey, Tony: Why has no one, whether coach or teammate, been able to light a fire under WR Travis Wilson for the past three seasons? If WR Paul Hubbard works out, where does that leave Wilson in the mix? -- Jim Albertson, Norman, Okla.
Hey, Jim: I wouldn't get overly excited about Hubbard just yet. Let's see him catch a ball in the middle of the field when players are going full speed. That said, Wilson will have to earn his roster spot this year, unlike the previous two.
Hey, Jim: That's right. Savage isn't ashamed to release his own draft picks, and the third season is make-or-break. Hubbard is here specificly to challenge him, and one of the two will come out on top, period. It does NOT mean that Wilson will neccessarily be cut if he loses, however--as some have said. But he WILL absolutely be cut if he doesn't run correct patterns and catch the damn ball.
Hey, Tony: I understand all the Browns draft picks except Paul Hubbard. Why move up to get a guy with questionable hands who isn't going to return kicks because you already have a Pro Bowler back there? -- Chris Bien, Ashtabula, Ohio
Hey, Chris: All I can say is the Browns like Hubbard's size. There's a coaching theory that you can teach a player to catch (or throw or tackle, etc.) but you can't teach size. So big players get a closer look than others.
Hey Chris: It wasn't the first round DO YOU UNDERSTAND? Hubbard is, like MOST low-round picks, a developmental player who projects to being a contributor at least one season down the road. Hubbard is big and fast, and has demonstrated great hands. He dropped because he also dropped some passes, and because he was injured.
WHEN A RECIEVER MAKES GREAT CATCHES MOST OF THE TIME BUT DROPS SOME EASY ONES IT MEANS IT'S MENTAL. IT MEANS THAT IF THE PLAYER CONCENTRATES HE CAN CATCH EVERYTHING THROWN TO HIM. IT MEANS JERRY RICE CAN DROP EVERY SEVENTH PASS AS A ROOKE AND THEN GO TO THE HALL OF FAME DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
Hey, Tony: Do you think or have you heard if the Browns are still interested in Takeo Spikes or Al Wilson and if they are, do you think either would be a good pick-up? -- William Green, Hubbard, Ohio
Hey, William: To my knowledge, Browns never had an interest in Spikes. They gave Wilson a physical but made no offer. They may have brought him in for the NFL minimum salary but Wilson, a five-time Pro Bowler, thinks he's worth more.
Hey William: Repeat after me: "The Cleveland Browns are strong and deep at ILB". STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT
-- Tony