Position Recap: WRs/TEs

01.14.2008

Overview: What a season it was for the Browns pass-catching options.

Receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow became only the ninth receiver/tight end tandem in NFL history to each go over 1,000 yards in a season.

It was both players' first 1,000-yard campaign.

Edwards set team records with 1,289 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 80 receptions, while Winslow set the Browns' record for receiving yardage by a tight end at 1,106 to go with his team-high 82 catches and 6 touchdowns.

Together they were the NFL's second-most prolific receiver-tight end tandem in the league in '07 behind only Terrell Owens and Jason Witten of the Cowboys.

They were a dynamic duo in its truest sense, constantly giving team's matchup problems: concentrate on Winslow, leave Edwards one-on-one with a cornerback. Concentrate on Edwards, allow Winslow space to get open and make big catches.

Edwards marked four 100-yard games, while Winslow had three. Edwards marked a touchdown in 11 of the team's 16 games, recording two or more scores in four games.

Against Seattle on Nov. 4, Winslow tied a career-high with 11 receptions. He had 10 three weeks later vs. Houston.

For their efforts, Edwards was named to the 2008 Pro Bowl roster, while Winslow was named a first alternate.

The team's next receiving option, Joe Jurevicius, hit the 50-reception mark for only the third time in his 10-year NFL career, allotting 614 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Tim Carter and Joshua Cribbs split time as the third receiver. Carter finished the year with 117 yards on 8 catches with a touchdown, while Pro Bowl returnman Cribbs had 3 catches for 37 yards doing most of his damage on special teams.

2006 third-round pick Travis Wilson prepped all year but didn't see any playing time.

On the tight end front, Steve Heiden was solid again as a backup and primary blocker. He also found time to make 12 catches for 104 yards. Darnell Dinkins played on special teams and in limited scrimmage situations, making 1 catch for 8 yards.

MVP: It's too hard to name one so we'll split it up by position. For receivers, it's Edwards. For tight ends, it's Winslow. There. That was easy.

Key Stat: With 2,395 total receiving yards, Edwards and Winslow were the fourth-most productive receiving tandem in the NFL in '07 behind Randy Moss and Wes Welker of the Patriots, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson of the Bengals and Owens and Witten.

High point: Against the Bengals on Sept. 16, Edwards and Winslow became the first Browns receiving tandem to both go over 100 yards in a game since Edwards and Heiden did it against the Packers on Sept. 18, 2005. Edwards finished with 146 yards and 2 touchdowns on 8 catches, while Winslow had 100 yards and a score on 6 receptions.

Areas of concern: Jurevicius has said he'll likely retire following the '08 season. Therefore, either Carter, Cribbs or Wilson will need to prove they can produce on a regular basis and start in the NFL or the club will have to add a player through free agency or the draft. At tight end, Winslow might be facing yet another offseason surgery this year on his knee, shoulder, or both. His health is a continual concern and probably will be for the remainder of the young star's career.

What's ahead: Things are bright and sunny for Edwards and Winslow, who are each just 24 years old. But with Jurevicius possibly on his way out and no one seemingly poised to step in, the team will be on the lookout for its next great playmaker.