FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Written by Daniel Wolf
Article originally posted on Dawg Scooper: An Unofficial Cleveland Browns News Source

Over the last several years, there has been only one name associated with the Cleveland Browns tight end position, and that name was Kellen Winslow, Jr.

Last February, the Browns' new front office saw Winslow as a talented player, but his injury history and bad attitude overshadowed that talent and he was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A fitting end to a love-hate relationship between Winslow, the Browns, and the fans.

Fast-forward four months to the end of June, and the Browns are looking like they will not be relying as heavily on the tight end position for their offense.

The Cleveland roster features three tight ends, including free agent pick-up Robert Royal, Steve Heiden, and second-year player Martin Rucker.

Royal is the new guy on the block, and while most of his strength as a tight end lies in blocking, he can catch the ball when called upon.

Heiden has been a solid tight end for years with the Browns, but he is coming off an injury that required offseason surgery and may not be 100 percent by training camp.

Rucker is the unknown player in the group, and will gain the most due to Heiden's extended recovery time.

A pass-catching stud at Missouri with 203 receptions for 2,175 yards and 18 touchdowns, Rucker is a very promising player in the Browns' collection of tight ends.

Here is a link that shows some of Rucker's touchdowns in college.

Standing at 6'4" and weighing in at 260 pounds, Rucker is a tremendous physical specimen at tight end and can cause problems to defensive coverages like he did in college.

Sounds familiar?

Almost like the last guy who played tight end for the Browns.

That's not to say Rucker is a carbon copy of Winslow, because Winslow is a freak of nature???It's just a shame he had that motorcycle accident that hindered the rest of his career.

But Rucker has some similar tools to Winslow that new head coach Eric Mangini needs to take a good look at.

Even though the Browns want to play a more ball control-style of football, there is the saying that the quarterback's best friend is his tight end, and Rucker can definitely catch the ball.

Mangini knows what kind of players he has on his current roster and he seems to know how to harness his players' talents more than the last regime did.

Rucker may just be one of those guys who benefits from Mangini rotating his players more throughout games, to keep them fresh and to show defenses different personnel packages.

When No. 86 steps onto the field this season, watch out because he has very soft hands and Mangini will find ways to get him the ball.