BEREA — Phil Savage called Missouri tight end Martin Rucker a value pick and the top remaining player on the Browns’ draft board after trading for him in the fourth round Sunday.
But the Cleveland general manager admitted the somewhat uncertain status of veteran tight ends Kellen Winslow and Steve Heiden played a factor in the selection.
“We really like Martin Rucker, but that always has to be in the backdrop,” Savage said.
Winslow played 16 games each of the last two years, but had microfracture surgery after 2006 and an arthroscopic procedure following the Pro Bowl on Feb. 10. It was at least the fourth surgery on his right knee since a motorcycle accident in 2005.
He’s also looking for a new contract, despite having three years and $13.25 million left on his deal. Heiden had minor back surgery this month.
“We feel both are going to be ready to go for the season,” Savage said. “Tight end may not be a need today. But as we found out a few years ago, it could be a need in a week or two or two months. You can’t have enough good players at different positions.
“We didn’t really expect him to be there in the fourth round. It wasn’t a need pick. We felt it was a value pick for us.”
Savage doesn’t know the status of Winslow and Heiden for minicamp in June, but expects them to be ready for training camp in July. In the meantime, Rucker will get a lot of practice time.
“He’ll get real good experience right off the top,” Savage said.
Winslow is represented by Drew Rosenhaus, who has a history of contentious contract talks and holdouts. Savage said he doesn’t know if a holdout is a consideration if the deal isn’t restructured.
“We’ve kept open lines of communication, but realistically I can’t answer that question,” Savage said. “We’re talking about a player that’s got three years left on his contract. One year was added after the motorcycle accident, so I guess that would be up for discussion.
“We’re several months away from the real season, and we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Rucker, who caught 84 passes for 834 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, didn’t lack for confidence during a conference call with Cleveland media.
“To be up there competing with two guys of that caliber,” he said of Winslow and Heiden, “that’s awesome. It’s amazing.
“I’m definitely up to that challenge. That’s why we play the game. Kellen Winslow is probably a lot better than some (tight ends in the NFL), but at the same time it doesn’t matter. When your name is called, you’re a football player and that’s what you’re expected to do.”

Let’s make a deal

Savage said his contract extension, which has been close for weeks, will happen soon.
“Officially it will take place in the next week or so,” he said. “We have a handshake and a wink, but nothing on paper yet.”
Savage has two years left on his original five-year deal. The extension would take him through at least 2011. Coach Romeo Crennel signed a two-year extension through 2011 after the season.

Cornering the market

The Browns entered the draft with the intention of adding a cornerback for depth behind Eric Wright, Daven Holly and Brandon McDonald, but it didn’t happen. The Browns’ favorites were off the board by the time they traded up to No. 104 and took linebacker Beau Bell.
“Beau and Martin were in a group of players that were above the next level of corners in our mind,” Savage said.
Savage mentioned LSU’s Chevis Jackson, Eastern Kentucky’s Antwaun Molden, Penn State’s Justin King and Connecticut’s Tyvon Branch as corners they would’ve considered but were already taken.
The Ravens traded a fourth-round pick for veteran Raiders cornerback Fabian Washington. Savage said the front office discussed a deal for him, but “we didn’t want to get involved with that situation.”
Eagles cornerback Lito Shepard was also available, but Philadelphia was asking too much, Savage said.
“We’ll continue to monitor the corner situation and see what develops over the next few months prior to training camp,” Savage said.

Trading places

The Browns and Cowboys have become quite the trading partners. They made two deals in the fourth round Sunday, after two in the first two rounds last year.
“There are not a lot of negotiations with it,” Savage said. “You can cut to the chase more quickly with them than some other teams.”
Extra points
Bell was the second UNLV Runnin’ Rebel drafted by the Browns in two seasons (cornerback Eric Wright). “If we picked Beau Bell, the scouting staff was told we’d get a week’s stay on the Las Vegas strip,” Savage said.
• Detroit used the No. 87 overall pick on Florida State defensive tackle Andre Fluellen. The Lions got the pick in a trade with the Browns for defensive lineman .

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---