Winslow traded from Browns to Bucs

Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr. has been traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for "undisclosed" draft picks.

Those undisclosed picks appear to be a 2nd-round pick in this years draft and a 5th-rounder next year.

Good move by the Browns. 2007 was a fluke, and like-it-or-not this team needs to add talent at almost every single position. A good way to do that is to grab extra draft picks by dealing some of their quality players. It helps that Winslow was a disgruntled and wanted out anyway.

I don't know why the Bucs made the move though. After cleaning house and releasing so many integral veterans I really thought the Bucs were heading into full-blown rebuilding mode. That's why I'm confused that they'd give up draft picks to acquire anyone. Let's hope they know what they're doing.

Reserve Carolina Guard Arrested

Reserve Carolina Panthers Guard Jeremy Bridges was arrested late Sunday evening on assault charges.

Apparently he ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon at a North Carolina restaurant and then proceeded to shake it up and spray it all over the place. He was asked to leave by the management and agreed, but a female patron who took exception to her unwanted champagne shower followed him "complaining loudly."

Bridges took offense and was restrained by the bouncer. He then shoved the bouncer, but did not strike anyone else. Bridges was expected to be released after posting $2,500 bail. His attorney, George Laughrun, expects him to plead not guilty.

It is unclear what disciplinary action - if any - Carolina is likely to take before their Monday Night game against Tampa Bay.

If this were an isolated incident it wouldn't be anything to worry about, but Bridges was also arrested about a year-and-a-half ago for pulling a gun on a woman outside of a strip club. This is the beginning of a disturbing pattern of violence against women.

I'm sick of the growing prevalence of "thug culture" in professional sports, whether it's Bridges hosing a restaurant full of people with champagne, Plaxico carrying an unlicensed firearm in a club, Michael Vick dogfighting or the myriad of strip club shootings (or weapon brandishings) we've witnessed the last two or three years. I sense an upcoming article.

Bucs Earnest Graham Out For Season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost their leading rusher to an ankle injury the same week they welcomed back former star Cadillac Williams.

Earnest Graham limped off the field after his first carry against the Vikings and never returned. The Buccaneers placed him in Injured Reserve this week.

Graham was the team's leading rusher, but he was by no means their featured back. He had 563 yards and 4 TDs to this point in the season. Warrick Dunn is expected to assume a larger role, Cadillac might see 10 or 12 carries a game, and recently signed 4th-year man Noah Herron might work into the action a bit too.

The Bucs have employed the running back by committee strategy so far this season, so it's not like they're losing their only offensive weapon. The team should be able to cope for the loss by spreading carries out amongst a different cadre of backs. Look for them to stay strong in the playoff hunt.

I wonder if the Bucs regret releasing Michael Bennet?

Chargers Claim Bennett Off Waivers

The San Diego Chargers claimed ex-Tampa Bay running back Michael Bennett off waivers. Bennett was released by the Buccaneers yesterday, to clear a roster spot for Cadillac Williams.

The biggest killer is that the Chargers stole Bennett right from under the desperate, division leading Denver Broncos nose. Denver - who has had to place their top 4 running backs on IR - was the only other team to put in a claim for the back.

L.T. has been unimpressive this season, but I didn't think the Chargers were in need of help. I'm wondering if they didn't claim Bennett just to spit their AFC West rivals.

Buccaneers Upgrading to a Cadillac?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers activated Carnell "Cadillac" Williams off the Physically Unable to Perform list today.

Cadillac had an outstanding rookie season in 2005, rushing for almost 1200 yards and 6 TDs, on his way to an AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. His sophomore season was less impressive as he managed only one TD in 14 games. Williams suffered a torn Patellar Tendon early in 2007. The injury required surgery and prematurely ended his season.

Williams is not likely to be a major contributor in Tampa Bay, at least not immediately. There are serious doubts about him being able to return to previous form after such a devastating injury. Even if he does return to form he hasn't played football in over a year, so there's going to be plenty of rust to knock off. The addition of Cadillac doesn't automatically raise the Bucs' chances of challenging Carolina for the NFC South crown.

The Bucs released running back Michael Bennet to clear space to park Cadillac in their garage.

How Will the Eagles Fair Down the Stretch?

The Eagles lost a big game at home to the New York Giants last night, sending them into a tie with Dallas for last place in the NFC East. New York, meanwhile, extended their lead and seems to be running away with the division.

Preseason prognisticators were claiming that both NFC wildcard teams would come from the NFC East, but with the resurgence of the NFC South, with Carolina at 7-2 and Tampa Bay and Atlanta both tied at 6-3 the chances of two wildcard teams coming from the East are slim.

What are the Eagles' chances of making the Playoffs?

With a 5-4 record there are five other NFC teams with a better record.

Let's get down to the likely division winners:
New York Giants: 13-3
Carolina Panthers: 11-5
Chicago Bears: 10-6
Arizona Cardinals: 10-6

Teams in the wildcard hunt:
Washington Redskins: 10-6
Tampa Bay: 10-6
Atlanta: 9-7

And the Eagles:
Eagles at Bengals: W - The Bengals are in turmoil and the Eagles should cruise to a win.
Eagles at Ravens: W - This was a tough one to call, because the Ravens have a second ranked defense, but the Eagles managed to put 15 points on the Steelers' first ranked defense and 31 on the Giants' third ranked defense, so I think they'll be okay.
Cardinals at Eagles: W - Arizona is tough, but they're not going to catch the Eagles napping. Jim Johnson's blitzes are going to obliterate Kurt Warner.
Eagles at Giants: L - The Eagles couldn't prevail at home. They're probably not going to fare any better on the road.
Browns at Eagles: W - Cleveland did manage to beat the Giants, but it was a fluke. The Eagles win without too much trouble.
Eagles at Redskins: L - Washington is a tough team. This is certainly a winnable game for the Eagles, but again, if they couldn't get it done at home against this team they probably won't be able to do it on the road.
Cowboys at Eagles: W - Dallas is spiraling, even with a healthy Romo they just don't have enough chemistry to put it together. The Eagles give the fans a late Christmas present by winning at home against the 'Boys.

So the Eagles end up with a 10-6 record too. The Redskins win out because of head-to-head play. The Buccaneers get the nod over the Eagles because of division record. So, by my not-at-all official calculations the Eagles are going to end the season 10-6 and miss the playoffs.

What do you think?