Now that the 2007 season gets smaller and smaller in the Cleveland Browns rearview mirror, we here at www.DawgBones.com want to start looking ahead. In a weekly feature we are calling Browns Spotlight, we are going to take a look at the Browns current positional situations and whether or not they need to be upgraded or left alone. We will also explore whether or not we feel that the team would be best suited to fill their needs via the NFL Draft or free agency. We hope you all enjoy and look forward to hearing all your comments and concerns in The Bone Yard forums.

For the past couple of years the tight end position has been a position of strength for the Cleveland Browns. Since Kellen Winslow Jr.'s return from a broken leg his rookie year and a motorcycle accident in year two he has been one of the best tight end's in the NFL. This year he was awarded for his play by being named to the AFC's Pro Bowl squad, it was his first time being selected.

Winslow's back up, Steve Heiden is in no way a slouch. Known more for his blocking then his receiving abilities, Heiden has shown time and again he can be very affective in the passing game. Though he only caught 12 balls in 2008, the lowest since 2001 for Heiden, he was very instrumental in the teams resurgent running game. Along with veteran tight end Darnell Dinkins, they may be the best set of blocking tight ends in the AFC, even in all the NFL. For his part Dinkins recorded just 1 catch in 2008, but was a very big part of the teams short yardage package and special teams where he recorded 7 tackles and forced a fumble.

So the obvious question is can Winslow keep playing at such a high level? In 2007 he was coming off of a risky micro-fracture surgery to his knee. It's a procedure that fails more then it succeeds and Winslow has stated that his knee will be something he has to deal with the rest of his career. If we were to look at Winslow's body of work over the past 2 seasons, 171 receptions, 1,981 yards and 8 TD's you would never guess he has been hampered with injuries. It just makes you wonder how dominant he really could have been had he not gotten hurt. The only positive to come from the injuries, Winslow seems to have matured beyond his years. A game he once took for granted, due to his natural ability and how easy it was, has now become his profession. Nothing is taken for granted now, just savored. Winslow is heading into year 5 of his NFL life, but only his 3rd year of actual play. Many think his career will be short, just for the record we are not among them. Winslow will play as long as he wants, not a down less or a down more and no injury will dictate to him when that will be.

So will the Browns be tempted to go and get a veteran tight end in free agency with Winslow's future health an issue? Not likely. Winslow has played through the worst part of his injuries and the team felt Heiden would be more then enough as a replacement. Unless the team wants to upgrade their 3rd tight end position which is currently held by Dinkins, nothing should change in 2008. The team did sign veteran tight end Brad Cieslak this off-season, but we would assume he is just camp fodder.

Now if Alge Crumpler, who was recently released, wanted to sign in Cleveland for a discount the Browns would probably act on it, but he doesn't.

As for the draft in 2008 the Browns will not be using any of their picks on a tight end. The fact that the draft is not deep at the position per se will dictate that, but really the Browns are just not in the market for another tight end.

The tight end position is the one position that the Cleveland Browns can sleep easy about at night. Sure Winslow is one play a way from being hurt badly, but every NFL player can say that. Winslow has also shown that he can be productive and play with pain at a high level, something not all NFL players can say. The Browns will be stand pat with the hand they have in 2008 at the tight end position.

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