Browns Trade Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Soldier is moving on.

The trade that has been in the making for the past season has finally come true: the Browns have traded TE Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for undisclosed draft picks.  It is believed that the picks will end up being the Bucs’ second-round pick in the 2009 draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2010 draft.

There is going to be some outcries over this move, but it was the right one to make.  The most telling statistic of Winslow’s career is this: he has played in 44 games and has missed 36.  With each passing year, his reconstructed knees will get weaker and weaker, and the amount of games he could miss would make it seem like he wouldn’t be on the team anyway.  So why not get something out of this?  If the reports are true, and the Browns do receive a second-round pick, it should be a trade that is hailed as a major success.  There were also grumblings from Winslow that he was ready for a new contract.  A storm was potentially on the horizon and the Browns were actually able to get out of this relationship with something in return.

Eric Mangini and George Kokinis are apparently following their plan that would place an emphasis on the draft by acquiring as many draft picks as possible.  With Winslow gone, it is obvious they have no problem parting with fan favorites for the good of the team.  Now, it should be time to start placing bets on where Derek Anderson is heading, but don’t be surprised if we have to gear up for another one of those beloved quarterback battles.  I do, however, believe Braylon Edwards will stay right where he is.