The Browns need to cut ties with Stallworth.

Fryingpan Sports

The Browns need to cut ties with Stallworth.

By Bill Smith

Donte Stallworth is a problem and it is time that the Browns take a stand and cut the player. On the morning of March 14^th in Miami, Stallworth was driving under the influence of alcohol. He hit and killed a pedestrian. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter. Yesterday, he surrendered to the police and was granted bail. While there are a number of questions around this tragedy, there is little doubt that the receiver was driving and was tested by police and found to be well over the legal limit.

The accident happened the day after the Browns honored a $4.875 million roster bonus for Stallworth.

There is usually a reason that a player that has some skills like Stallworth ends up playing for 4 teams in 4 years. Stallworth has never been known as a great locker room guy. However, it would not matter if he was the best WR in the NFL, he has to go.

The NFL is now holding franchises responsible for the bad acts of their players. The Commissioner is cracking down on player’s that fail to respect the league enough to act responsibly. It is critical that players and other team personnel realize that being part of the NFL is a privilege not a right.

Last year, Stallworth hurt the team more than he helped it. Starting 11 games, he had only 17 passes. It was Stallworth that was horsing around in training camp with Braylon Edwards. He was chasing Edwards and stepped on Edwards’ stocking foot causing a gash. That was a contributing factor to Edwards’ very slow start. Stallworth was supposed to start the 08 season opener but hurt himself in the pre-game warm-ups. He missed the first 3 games with that injury.

Cutting Stallworth would send a message to both the other players and to the fans. It would tell other players that even a starter in a position of need on the team is subject to the laws of the people and that the team will not put up with irresponsible actions like driving drunk. It would send a very important message to the fans that the days of horse play and total lack of team discipline permitted under the far too lenient previous administration are over.

Head coach Eric Mangini has talked a good deal about running a tight ship. It is now time for him to fish or cut bait.

That’s what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer forand editshttps://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on and edits.

My email is[email protected].