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West Texas A&M again? You may remember the school that produced Chaun Thompson, the Browns' second-round pick in 2005. General Manager Phil Savage often said the problem with Thompson was being drafted too high from a small school. He actually helped on special teams and as a backup linebacker, before signing with Houston this spring. It was Butch Davis who picked Thompson. Savage has his own guy from West Texas A&M, only he's an undrafted free agent. From hearing Savage talk about Kolo Kapanui, don't be shocked if the H-back/tight end makes the team.

Just who is Kolo Kapanui? He's 6-foot-5, 270 pounds and started his career at USC in 2001 at the age of 17. He had some academic problems, transferred to El Camino Junior College. Then he didn't play for a few years, landing at Thompson's alma mater in 2006, where he became a Division II All-American in 2007 catching 39 passes, 7 for TDs. "He can play tight end, he can play fullback," said Savage. "We are intrigued by him." By way, West Texas A&M did not win a single game in Thompson's senior season. The Buffs turned it around, going 12-0 in Kapanui's senior year.

The Browns dream of finding another Josh Cribbs, who was signed out of Kent Statefor a $5,000 bonus to try out. So you get stories about Kolo Kapanui. Or Gerald Lawson, a backup cornerback from Oregon State who receives raves for his special teams work (especially punt and kick coverage) from his college coach, Mike Riley. The Browns also were impressed by him as a special teams guy. Then there's receiver Nate Hughes from Alcorn State, who caught 49 passes for a 12.4 yards per catch average. He's a track guy and the Browns liked his speed.

At the free agent/rookie camp, most eyes were on fourth-rounder Beau Bell. The coaches liked his attitude, and the real story will be told in the summer, when the fourth-rounder is in pads. He is more of a hitter than a sprinter. At his best, he runs a 4.7 in the 40-yard dash. That's about the same as D'Qwell Jackson, another inside linebacker. Outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley ran a 4.6. The Browns' fastest linebacker is Leon Williams, but pure speed doesn't make you a good linebacker.

There were some Internet reports questioning the toughness of fourth-rounder Martin Rucker, partly because his father Lavall is a politician. Not sure about the connection. Yes, Lavall Rucker is a member of the Missouri House of Representatives. But Martin's brother is Mike Rucker, a defensive end for nine years in the NFL. "Martin has been around the pro game, he knows what it's about," said Savage. "His toughness was questioned because he wasn't asked to block much at Missouri. Yes, he is a project as a blocker because he needs experience, but we really like what he showed in school and at our camp as a receiver. Not exceptionally fast, but he has good hands and can get open."

Steve Heiden (back surgery) is progressing well from his back surgery. The Browns expect him to ready for the season. That brings us back to Kolo Kapanui and West Texas A&M, where -- get this -- the quarterback coach is Ryan Leaf. Yes, that Ryan Leaf from San Diego, where he once was a teammate of Heiden's. Leaf told the Browns that Kapanui reminded him of Heiden, just a good, all-around tight end. I should note that Leaf is in his second year as quarterback coach, and he also is the school's golf coach.

The Browns liked how Melia Purcell (sixth round, 2007) and Chase Pittman (seventh round, 2007) looked in camp. The two defensive linemen came to the Browns in the 280-pound range, and are now about 300. They also were impressed with sixth-rounder Ahtyba Rubin. The point is not that these guys will play a lot, but the team wants to develop its own offensive and defensive linemen from the practice squads, so they don't have to continually spend big money to stock the lines, which is what they've had to do over the last few years.

This is like the opening of spring training in baseball. The picks and prospects all look good because they are in shorts and no one is getting hit. They also are being compared to each other, not the top pros. But if the Browns are to become an elite organization, they need to find a few players low in the draft or as free agents who become valuable to the team.

Could Kapanui make the team?

Only way I can see it is if they keep him over Ali, but they really like Ali's blocking and Special Teams play.

I think it's safe to say that Dinkins has played his last regular season game for the Browns.

I could see Kapanui taking Ali's spot and also being the blocking TE when it's called for:
Vickers FB
Kapanui FB/TE Short yardage and goal line situations.
Heiden TE Basic run formations
Rucker TE passing downs
Winslow TE all world

This is also another statement letting Rosenhaus know that the Browns are not going to be intimidated. Very intriguing.

I have a strong feeling that Kellen Winslow is not going to spend a lot of years with the Browns. Back when the Browns treated him well financially in spite of his stupidity, I said, "I hope he remembers this."

He hasn't. In the end, he's a tight end. For the last decade, the Chiefs have had a Pro Bowl and eventual Hall of Fame player at that position, and it added up to a large pile of nothing.

It's tight end. It's like expecting your left guard or safety to carry you to a championship. I'm pretty sure we can throw those same passes to Martin Rucker. And I bet he catches them.

I sure hope you're wrong, but I have a bit of that "gyuutt" feeling myself. Figures, I could not stand Winslow at Miami, then loved the pick remembering what he did to OSU, then couldn't stand him again after reading all the foolishness he perpetuated on bikes even before the crash, then came around to considering him one of my favorite players ever.... Now, this bullcrap with Rosinbag, which I think is a lot worse than anybody (especially Phillip) is letting on.

Gotta respect Savage on how he's handling it pro actively, he's beating them to the punch.

I think what really irks me is Winslow grew up with money, got paid for being dumbass, has the backing of the whole organization and the fans, is top 5 amongst TE's in the league in salary, and yet still goes out and hires Rosinbag??? I'll bet they may have laid it out there already but the Browns have kept it hush hush.

Bottom line is he's under contract for three more years and he's well paid. I sincerely believe the Browns should offer him a small bump... and call it a day.

I would tell his agent that we would trade him for a Top 10 pick and nothing less. Have at it.

Well, if he makes this a big issue he's a dick, plain and simple. The Browns have money set aside next year and at that time can give him a bump, but with all the optimism going into this year the last thing they need is someone bringing the rest of the team down. He's supposed to be a leader, so we'll see if it is indeed all about him or not.

BTW, I saw him on TBDSSP a couple of weeks ago with Chris Rose and he seemed pretty upbeat. Rosinbag is the one who scares me.

If Winslow even says the words "hold out" Id put hom on the trade block. Chud is a TE coach we dont have to wory about that position.

K2 has the fire I like but if he really starts demanding more money I would send him out the door to the highest bidder.

Winslow's main asset is his fire, his determination. His athletic ability is diminished because of his dumbass motorcycle accident and subsequent staph infection. He himself admitted it last year. However, he is still very good. But I wouldn't renegotiate his contract. He owes the Browns after his stupdity.

quote:

I'm pretty sure we can throw those same passes to Martin Rucker. And I bet he catches them.

No chance.

Winslow has some of the best hands I've seen. We've talked about it on these boards several times.

I don't like that he's wounded and may want a new payday. That said, inferring that Rucker is an equivalent player is a HUGE reach.

I agree Grey. Winslow is a special player. Had we noy traded up a slot to get him, he wasn't going to fall to the 4th-5th round...he would have been selected 1 or 2 picks later at the most.

To think Rucker can step in and fill Winslow's shoes is more than far fetched.

I am not for giving him much, nor am I against trading him if things start to get ugly, but there is no question we will lose a big part of the O. Rucker or Heiden will not be able to replace what Winslow brings to the table.

Period.

quote:

He hasn't. In the end, he's a tight end. For the last decade, the Chiefs have had a Pro Bowl and eventual Hall of Fame player at that position, and it added up to a large pile of nothing.

It's tight end. It's like expecting your left guard or safety to carry you to a championship. I'm pretty sure we can throw those same passes to Martin Rucker. And I bet he catches them.

KC hasnt been great, but look at the next 3-4 guys on the list. They play for SD, Indy, and Dallas. I think all 3 teams would say their TEs were very important pieces of the team. I certainly dont see a Martin Rucker-Antonio Gates trade in the works. Do you?

quote:

That said, inferring that Rucker is an equivalent player is a HUGE reach.

Not my point, though.

Rucker can give us productivity out of the TE spot (well, at least potentially) and occupy a safety.

Can he be as good as the Winslow we had late last year, when he lost his burst and his numbers dwindled?

I think he can be better than that.

Don't get me wrong: I'd love to have a happy, healthy Kellen Winslow. But it may not be in the cards.

quote:

Originally posted by shepwrite:
I think he can be better than that.

Don't get me wrong: I'd love to have a happy, healthy Kellen Winslow. But it may not be in the cards.

Haven't seen enough of Rucker, but I am leaning towards no way is he ever going to be better than Winslow.

As for a happy Winslow, who said he isn't happy? When did he say that? Because he has Drew R as an agent? Sure is a distraction for the fans for such a non-story.

Now for all the people who questioned Savage for giving up a 2009 pick to get a TE (Rucker)..........Is the picture getting any clearer?

Savage does a great job of protecting his butt and making sure he has a plan B. Rucker may not be a Winslow but he does have great hands and played mostly standing up in college. Very simular to what the Brown's do with Winslow. Winslow not coming to the OTA's, is a statement, but picking Rucker was also a statement.

I like what I read about this kid Kapanui. He can block, catch, play H-back and also play fullback. Might be a all purpose player they can put behind Vickers and not have to keep Ali. Teams love players that can do more then one thing and play more then one position.

teams that chose the 6 foot speedy receivers as their go-to's are now being defended.....on the regular.

spreading these 6'3"+ match-up monsters (with excellent hands) all over the field is damn near undefendable, as long as the QB makes good decisions of course.

once this offense really gets clicking i think Chud's philosophy will revolutionize the entire game.

gotta say, i love a big receiver. it's got me mega hyped.

and about K2's hands, his skill outmatches his concentration. as great as he is he drops a crapload of easy ones too.
Heiden doesn't have his speed but his hands very rarely drop a pass. same with JJ. i don't care if it's pretty, cradled, caught away from the body when it didn't need to be, etc just as long as it's caught. good hands get the job done and sometimes K2 takes a shit due to his "flashiness".

those reps he missed in preseason last year are probably responsible for a lot of those poor fundamentals Chud was alluding to. stupid penalties, stupid mistakes.....all poor fundamentals. it makes a difference....even if you're K2.

anyone know if he showed up today?

As I said K2 is the heart and soul of this team. He has the fire that wins games.

On the other hand him and and his father are both morons. K2 is making his worth in money he doesnt deserve anymore. His body is falling apart and he should be greatful to be getting paid like a top 5 TE.

If this becomes any kind of distraction to the team I say trade him. (Maybe for Greg Olsen out of CHI) I have enough confidence that BE can deliver that same intensity every game. Rucker may not be K2 but he will be a bigger Todd Heap type. All he would need to do is catch the leftover balls BE and Donte arent hauling down.

quote:

Originally posted by Louisville Slugger:
As I said K2 is the heart and soul of this team. He has the fire that wins games.

the fans are the heart and soul of this team. we ignite the fire and hand it to them, which they sport proudly. don't believe me just ask them.

K2 has his own fire, which is fine, but when he marches to his own drum it's counterproductive to the team philosophy. hopefully he'll learn to do both and stick around.

or like i pessimistically predicted a few years ago, he'll never realize what he's got and continue to blow it.

i mean, who holds out on the cusp of a SB run?!? just play fuknut. the rest will fall in place.

the Browns are nothing if not absolutely fair.

I alluded to possibly trading KII a few months ago and it was like I kicked an infant (which no one has witnessed me doing).

I think even mentioning other TE`s in the same breath as Winslow, talent and intensity wise he is one of a kind. That said he is not an all around TE. We used him as a mismatched receiver and now with the addition of Donte, we have a second speedy threat on the outside.Players like JJ, Cribbs, Hubbard, Harrison are all threats out of the slot. The combinations of threats this team boasts is phenominal.

Can Winslow be replaced, no, he is unique. Can the yards he contributed to the offense be replaced, I think so. Is his distraction detrimental, not yet but if it goes on long it will become a problem. Could we get some help for the team by trading him. Hell yeah!

Don`t get me wrong, I would prefer to have him on the team, he is a huge part of our success. He is not going to play for three more years at this level. He is maxxed out in value right now and if he is going to be a bitch then get what we can for him while the market is hot.