Player Spotlight: Kellen Winslow (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2007 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Kellen Winslow, TE, Cleveland Browns

Player Page Link: Kellen Winslow Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 

[nxmehta]

Winslow came up huge for the Browns last year (89/875/3) despite almost never practicing every week because of his knee. With the improvements the Browns have made in offensive talent (revamped line + running back), the passing game should improve. Additionally, new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, former TE coach at SD, will be looking to utilize Winslow all over the field. I don't quite see him making 90 recs this year because the offense won't be so much dink and dunk, but I do see him being utilized in the red zone even more, and racking up more yards due to a higher yards per reception and being great at making YAC.

The main concerns for Winslow remains the play of his QBs (which was pretty bad last year too) and the status of his knee from coming off of microfracture surgery. While recovering from microfracture surgery is certainly more difficult than what he had to deal with last year, I think he'll be able to tough it out. After all, the guy is a SOLDIER!

Receptions: 83

Yards: 970

TDs: 5

 

[shadyridr]

Assuming he is "healthy" (as healthy as last year) I expect similar numbers to last year. He is a receptions monster but not much of a scoring threat because Cleveland basically is a horrible offensive team. A solid TE1.

75 rec, 800 yds, 4 tds

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Winslow came up huge for the Browns last year (89/875/3) despite almost never practicing every week because of his knee. With the improvements the Browns have made in offensive talent (revamped line + running back), the passing game should improve. Additionally, new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, former TE coach at SD, will be looking to utilize Winslow all over the field. I don't quite see him making 90 recs this year because the offense won't be so much dink and dunk, but I do see him being utilized in the red zone even more, and racking up more yards due to a higher yards per reception and being great at making YAC.

The main concerns for Winslow remains the play of his QBs (which was pretty bad last year too) and the status of his knee from coming off of microfracture surgery. While recovering from microfracture surgery is certainly more difficult than what he had to deal with last year, I think he'll be able to tough it out. After all, the guy is a SOLDIER!

Receptions: 83

Yards: 970

TDs: 5

The unique factors of Winslow:1. His health - This is the biggest factor concerning KWII's production this year. The microfracture surgery is a big deal and he still hasn't been cleared to practice so this is the over riding issue with Winslow. If the knee checks out, good nuff, then he proved last year that he can play thru pain and will start each week if at all possible. I don't think he missed a single game last year and he was in significant pain.

2. The quarterback situation. Last year proved he can play without a top notch QB so this isn't as big of a deal but if their is a QB switch during the year, count on it, then it will more than likely have some effect on his production even if it is temporary.

3. The new offense being installed by Chudzinski. Nobody knows how it will turn out but progress has been made from early camp reports of the entire offense being lost to recent blurbs by players that everyone is picking up the new offense. The impact will more than likely be kinks the first few weeks and typically defenses are ahead of offenses for the first few weeks of any NFL season but teams installing new offenses, especially with young unproven QBs, tend to struggle more. So the first few weeks of the year could go either way with KWII as he could be used much more as a safety valve/bail out option or things could just be a scrambled mess.

4. The improvement on the offensive line. This won't take from the first game but gradually as the season goes along KWII will be freed from chipping DEs and this will allow him to go out on longer routes and he has the speed/atheleticism and ability to bust open the seem in zones. I see more big plays down the stretch as the line and overall offense gels.

- I think Winslow will battle back from microfracture surgery.

- Early in the year he'll be the primary safety valve and get an early boost.

- Their will be a QB change and for a brief time his stats will take a hit as the change takes place.

- As the offensive live comes together he'll be used on longer routes meaning more big plays down the stretch.

Projection

80 receptions

750 yards

6 TDs

 

[sholditch]

75 for 900 and 6

 

[Billymac24]

80-857-5

 

[rzrback77]

Winslow, isn't that an appropriate name for a Cleveland Browns' player?

The first major concern for Kellen Winslow is that he had arthoscopic surgery January 31st. He was still on crutches in late February. He still wasn't running in late April. He is expected back at or near full speed by training camp, but don't hold your breath.

The second concern for me is that the Browns running game has been poor, bad, and worse in the past three seasons, yet has reasons for some optimism in 07. They had significant injury problems last year and have acquired some offensive lineman that should improve their running game. They acquired Jamal Lewis who should be better than what they have had recently, when their RBs ran for 1444 yards and 4 TDs in 04, decreasing to 1361 yards and 3 TDs in 05, and to an abysmal 1023 yards and 4 TDs last year. I think that their running game numbers improve significantly in 07.

I also believe that their defense improves and they will be closer on the score board and not be forced to pass as often. While their running game deteriorated, their pass attempts climbed from 437 in 04 to 497 in 05 and finally to 510 last year. I think that their is a real possibility that they start with Frye or Anderson and switch to Quinn mid-season, with the passing attempts dropping back to the 460 range.

Combine the defensive improvement with the running game improvement and looking at the lack of QB continuity, I see a rather poor season for all Brown receivers, especially those recovering from knee surgeries. I actually think that Winslow will miss some games early in the season and gradually build up time as the year goes on.

Winslow 55 catches 545 yards and 4 TDs