(My Sportsbook) - Kellen Winslow Sr. was among the most revered players in San Diego Chargers history, not to mention one of the greatest tight ends the NFL has ever seen. His son appears to be quickly approaching that same legendary status.

Playing for the first time on the field where his father established his Hall of Fame credentials, Kellen Winslow II was the shining star for the Cleveland Browns in Sunday's 32-25 loss to the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. The brash 23-year-old hauled in a career-high 11 Charlie Frye passes for 78 yards, backing up the considerable amount of self-promoting he did in the days leading up to his homecoming.

The younger Winslow, who'll never draw comparisons to his father in terms of class, drew a great deal of media attention when he anointed himself as the league's best tight end, ahead of Chargers' All-Pro Antonio Gates, and would prove his point during the game. That's quite a bold statement from a guy whose most notable career accomplishment heading into this season was wrecking a motorcycle (and his entire 2005 season) in a Cleveland-area parking lot.

Winslow clearly won the self-proclaimed "heavyweight fight" between himself and Gates, who finished with just two catches for 22 yards, but not the adulation of his hometown fans, who showered the third-year pro with a chorus of boos every time he touched the ball.

"They're great fans, and that's part of it," Winslow said afterward. "They wanted to get after me. They were loud, it was a great atmosphere."

Winslow also has a leg up on Gates, as well as just about the rest of the tight ends around the league, when it comes to season statistics. The former first-round pick leads all NFL tight ends with 51 catches this year, while his 471 receiving yards trail only Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez (504 yards) for the most at the position.

The 11 receptions on Sunday also matched the second-most in Browns' history for a single game. The franchise record of 14 is held by Ozzie Newsome, who's still regarded as the greatest tight end in Cleveland annals. Although Winslow may beg to differ.

JUST FOR KICKS

Cleveland's other offensive star on Sunday turned out to be Phil Dawson, who booted a franchise-record six field goals in the loss. It was a rather bittersweet accomplishment for the reliable veteran, considering the Browns could have won the game if they had turned some of those field-goal tries into touchdowns.

"I felt better last week," said Dawson in reference to the team's 20-13 victory over the Jets. "I missed a 26-yarder, but we won."

Dawson's day underscores Cleveland's recent struggles within the red zone. In the two games in which new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson has called plays, the Browns have scored just two touchdowns in nine trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Cleveland crossed the goal line only once in six red- zone chances against San Diego.

BANGED UP BROWNS

Cleveland played without three defensive starters versus the Chargers in defensive end Orpheus Roye, outside linebacker Willie McGinest and cornerback Daven Holly. Roye pulled a hamstring in last week's win over the Jets, McGinest has an injured ankle and Holly is battling from an undisclosed illness which left him briefly hospitalized last week.

Holly is expected to be available for this Sunday's game at Atlanta, a good thing considering the Browns are so shorthanded in the secondary. The unit, which has already lost veterans Gary Baxter and Daylon McCutheon to season- ending knee injuries, suffered another blow when starting corner Leigh Bodden suffered a high left ankle sprain in the San Diego game. The injury occurred when teammate D'Qwell Jackson rolled on his ankle as he was making a tackle.

Bodden, who had missed two consecutive games with a sprained right ankle before returning to action last week, is expected to miss a couple of weeks.

"The cornerbacks and safeties on this team, we're all hurting," Bodden said. "We've been able to overcome it with all the young guys playing well, and all of the coaches doing a good job of coaching them."

Ralph Brown started in Holly's place on Sunday and is the likely candidate to take over Bodden's spot.

STAYING IN THE CRIBBS

The Browns rewarded return specialist Joshua Cribbs for his outstanding special teams play by giving the undrafted free agent a six-year contract extension last week. Cribbs, a former college quarterback at nearby Kent State, currently ranks third in the NFL with a 27.7 yards per return average on kickoffs.

The 23-year-old worked his way onto the Browns' roster last season and emerged as one of the league's better kick returners. Cribbs averaged 24.3 yards per runback and had a 90-yard return for a touchdown against Detroit. He also finished second among Cleveland players with 19 special teams tackles.

"This is a dream come true for me," Cribbs said. "I love the city of Cleveland, our fans and I'm excited to have the longevity of being here for the future."

DRIVE SOUTH

The Browns head down to the Georgia Dome this Sunday for an interconference battle with the Atlanta Falcons, who will attempt to shake off a disappointing 30-14 loss at lowly Detroit over the weekend. Cleveland will be looking for its first victory over an NFC opponent this season, having previously suffered defeats to New Orleans and Carolina over the course of the year.

Cleveland hasn't played in Atlanta since the 1993 season, when the Falcons posted a 17-14 decision at the Georgia Dome. The Browns have won nine of the 11 lifetime meetings between the teams, however.