To Donte, Or Not To Donte

Something lost in the shuffle of Josh Cribbs’ “Pay the Man” movement, the retention of Mangenius, and Holmgren as President is that Donte Stallworth is only 30 days away from reinstatement. Thus, a new question for president Holmgren has arisen:

To keep Donte, or not to keep Donte.

I say, bring him back.

I was harsh on Stallworth when he cut a deal that let him serve 24 days for killing a man with his car while under the influence of alcohol (and allegedly marijuana).  I still believe that he should have served a much longer amount of time, and applauded Commissioner Goodell for suspending Stallworth for a year.  But since the only punishment he will ever have (besides, ya know, the whole after-life thing) is over, perhaps it is time to forgive and forget.  Besides, it’s not like he electrocuted dogs or anything…

And, not to sound callous over the loss of a man’s life, and the eternal redemption Stallworth may be seeking, but the Browns could really use Stallworth.

We have seen what the Browns are like without an experienced wide receiver.  While Mike Furrey could have fit that bill, he was too busy playing safety after Brodney Pool’s injury (23 receptions, 170 yards, 0 TDs, 16 tackles, 2 passes defended).  Thus, the Browns were left with Massaquoi, Robiskie, Cribbs, and Stuckey as WR’s.   If Stallworth stays healthy, he could be a nice “addition” to the WR ranks.  In 2008, an injury riddled year in which he only played 11 games, he had 17 receptions for 170 yards an 1 TD, very similar to Furrey’s stats.

Plus, the Browns could use an experienced WR to tutor the young’ins, as long as its not how to celebrate a bonus check with Braylon Edwards.  And Massaquoi could use a receiver to take heat off of him.

Plus, according to PFT, his salary for 2010 is “only” 1.5 million.

Somewhere, Josh Cribbs is insulted by that statement.

Browns fans, as well as Americans in general, are a forgiving bunch.  Stallworth has already apologized, and will do so again.  He has a lot to live with, and if he can contribute to the Browns’ rebuilding while finding forgiveness and playing the game he loves, then I will not stand in his way.

~Nichiren