Kellen Winslow hopes to return to the Browns next season, despite his midseason feud with the team and his contract issues.

"I do want to be back here," Winslow said. "I love being here and playing here. The fans have stuck by me, so yeah."

Winslow, who will sit out the Eagles game Monday night with his high ankle sprain, said none of the players are sure of their futures because of coach Romeo Crennel and General Manager Phil Savage being on the hot seat.

"Whatever happens, happens," he said. "I love being a Cleveland Brown. The guys here, we don't know who's going to be here next year. It's tough. You just have to focus on this year."

He said he didn't know if his status would be affected by that of Savage. Winslow's beef during the staph infection saga was mostly directed toward the general manager. "I'm not going to say," said Winslow.

He made it clear, however, that he has a very good relationship with Browns owner Randy Lerner. "I'm very happy with him," he said.

As for the new contract, he said, "I hired Drew Rosenhaus for that. That's his job." Then he added with a laugh, "I might just want to go and reach free agency [laughs]. Who knows?"

Winslow is under contract for the next two years at $4.5 million and $4.75 million. His request for a new deal has not been met and Savage said recently that no contracts will be renegotiated before the end of the season.

Winslow acknowledged that it's been a tough year for him, beginning with the staph infection and suspension. He also suffered a bruised right shoulder and then the high ankle sprain against the Colts Nov. 30. He sat out the Titans game last week and could miss the rest of this season.

"It just hasn't gone my way," he said. "I'm going to continue to fight."

Despite the ankle being a 3- to 6-week injury, Winslow is resisting injured reserve. The best-case scenario would have him back for the Bengals game Dec. 21 and the worst would be missing the remaining three games.

"I can come back, but I want to be healthy enough to help my team win," he said.

He said it would be easy to shut it down with the Browns at 4-9, "but my teammates are out there and it's hard to watch. I want to be out there with them."

One of the main reasons he wants to return is Ken Dorsey, his former University of Miami quarterback. The last game they played together was the Hurricanes' loss to Ohio State in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. Winslow caught 11 passes for 122 yards and a TD in that 31-24 double-overtime loss.

"I'd love to be out there with him again," said Winslow. "We always talk about it. But we've got to do a better job of protecting him. It was tough to watch on Sunday."

He said the two are so in sync "that we don't even have to say anything. It's there."

With Pro Bowl voting by the players and coaches this week, Winslow wasn't expecting a cameo appearance. He's caught only 43 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns. Last year, he had 82 catches for 1,106 yards and five TDs. "It's been disappointing," he said.

On the bright side, he said his oft-surgically repaired right knee won't need another procedure in the off-season. He revealed that his last scope was performed by noted orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews, the same surgeon who repaired Brady Quinn's finger and scoped Joe Jurevicius' knee Thursday.

"He did a phenomenal job," said Winslow. "He's the best."

(cleveland.com)

Starting tight end Kellen Winslow at least for their next game against the Tennessee Titans. The team released the following statement in regards to the his injury:

Winslow’s results revealed a high left ankle sprain. He will be in a walking boot for up to a week and is out for this Sunday’s game at Tennessee.

(clevelandleader.com)

Tight end Kellen Winslow's suffered a sprained right shoulder against the Bills and will probably be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Texans.

He sat out Wednesday's practice, but declined to comment. Coach Romeo Crennel said an MRI exam showed the current injury isn't worse than last season's separated left shoulder that bothered Winslow much of the season.

"If he can get his arm above his head and catch the football, then he'll play," he said. "If he can't or doesn't have the strength, then we're fooling ourselves if we think he'll be effective. It all depends on his strength and range of motion."

Receiver Braylon Edwards says he's never worried about Winslow's availability.

"No matter what kind of injury it seems like he has or if he misses a practice, that guy is going to play on Sunday," he said.

If Winslow can't play, Steve Heiden will replace him. The Browns are 2-0 with Heiden starting in place of Winslow this season.

Winslow suffered the injury on a 16-yard catch on the drive that led to Phil Dawson's game-winning 56-yard field goal. Winslow was tackled by linebacker Paul Posluszny, came down hard on his shoulder and came up wincing. But he continued to play and downplayed the injury after the game.

Winslow caught three passes for 40 yards, but the clutch, 16-yard sideline grab on second down to the Bills' 39 was pivotal in the victory. Brady Quinn threw three straight incompletions thereafter and Winslow's catch was enough to set Dawson up for the spectacular game-winner.

(cleveland.com)

BEREA -- Browns tight end Kellen Winslow will undergo an MRI on his right shoulder after injuring it in Monday night's 29-27 victory over the Bills.

Winslow suffered the injury on a 16-yard catch on the game-winning drive. He came up wincing after getting tackled near the right sideline.

"We'll check him out and see if he'll be able to do much this week,'' Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said during his weekly briefing. Crennel said it wasn't the same shoulder that bothered Winslow for much of last season.

Crennel also said that defensive lineman Shaun Smith suffered a calf muscle injury, running back Jerome Harrison pulled a hamstring, and Sean Jones sprained his ankle. All are questionable for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

(blog.cleveland.com)

Who's hot?

1. Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Ray Lewis put together arguably his best game of the season in a 41-13 blowout victory over the Houston Texans. Lewis was dominant against the run--leading the team in tackles with eight--and jumping the passing lanes with two interceptions of Houston quarterback Sage Rosenfels. Throughout his career, Lewis has always had an uncanny knack for finding the football and did so again Sunday with another performance that was vintage Lewis. It's been apparent all year that the 13-year veteran can still bring it.

2. Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens
Is it us, or does Baltimore seem to have a different 100-yard rusher every week? Last week rookie Ray Rice had the hot hand. This week it was veteran Willis McGahee, who returned from a knee injury and rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns. No matter who is getting the carries, it all equals success for the Ravens. Baltimore has a four-game winning streak and is averaging 33.5 points per game during that span. The consistent running game and ability to control the clock against opponents are major reasons why.

3. Kellen Winslow Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns
A major reason for new Browns quarterback Brady Quinn's success last week were the numbers put up by tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. He had a season-high 10 catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort against Denver. It marked the first multi-touchdown game for Winslow since high school. It's clear that Cleveland's offense under Quinn will take on a much different look and will focus more on short passes to the tight ends and running backs. So Winslow could be in for a big second half of the season with the quarterback change.

(espn.com)

Eagles inquired about TE Winslow before deadline

Whether the Eagles really would have pulled the trigger on tight end Kellen Winslow before the trade deadline had the price tag not been prohibitive, which quietly is the word, or whether it was just a smokescreen is open to debate.

On the other hand that wasn’t the first time the Eagles inquired about Winslow and as long as Andy Reid is head coach it almost certainly won’t be the last.

The Cleveland Browns wanted a second-rounder and multiple picks, according to a source, the Eagles obviously less. Winslow was preferred over Tony Gonzalez, the other high-profile tight end dangled before the trade deadline.

The Eagles quietly don’t think Winslow would behave as he did with the Browns, his outbursts and decision to bypass the voluntary camps not helping his popularity. On the other hand those antics have made the Browns wonder if he’s worth all of the trouble. Under pressure from the NFL Players Association, they recently rescinded a one-game suspension of Winslow for conduct detrimental to the team

A change of scenery might be best for both sides although Winslow has said he would prefer to stay in Cleveland — if, that is, the Browns redo his contract. Winslow has two more years remaining.

Unless tight end L.J. Smith starts playing like Winslow — or Eagles teammate Brent Celek, for that matter — it would seem a foregone conclusion he won’t be back at anything close to the $4.55 million base he’s earning this season. With Celek on the rise, veteran Matt Schobel likely is on the way out as well.

With 36 receptions for 362 yards and three touchdowns, Winslow isn’t having another Pro Bowl season. The same can be said of his teammates as the Browns are 3-6, their second starting quarterback in Brady Quinn and in need of a miracle to make the playoffs.

That said Winslow contributed 10 catches for 111 yards and two TD’s in a 34-30 loss to the Denver Broncos Thursday night.

If the up-and-coming Celek could haul in six passes for 131 yards against the Seahawks, imagine what Winslow could do in the Eagles’ offense.

(theporteronline.com)

CLEVELAND -- Kellen Winslow blamed himself for letting the last pass of the game slip right through his Pro Bowl hands.

"I can't get that last play out of my head," he said. "The great ones make that catch and that's what I want to be. I let my team down."

With 54 seconds remaining, the Browns trailing, 34-30, and facing a fourth and 1 at their 42, Brady Quinn fired a pass to Winslow in the left flat and it sailed right through his hands. End of game.

Never mind that Winslow caught 10 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, a 5-yarder and a 16-yarder. He also fumbled in the fourth quarter to set up a Denver touchdown that put the Broncos up, 27-23, with 9:50 remaining.

"Dre Bly just made a great play on the ball," said Winslow. "I was trying to protect the ball and get extra yardage. I knew it was going to cost us, and it did."

Winslow redeemed himself some on the next drive when his 30-yard catch and run took the ball to the Denver 24. The catch led to a Jamal Lewis touchdown run that put the Browns back up, 30-27.

But the drop at the end was the only thing that mattered to Winslow.

"It was a routine catch. I love it when the ball comes to me in clutch situations," he said. "That's what I live for and I missed the shot. I let my team down and it was the first time that's happened. I won't let it happen again. I'm going to take it as a lesson and it will make me stronger."

Despite the loss, Winslow praised Quinn, who had instant chemistry with the tight end.

"He's a gamer," said Winslow. "He's real calm in the huddle. He calmed me down when I was excited. He's a good quarterback."

Winslow also committed offensive pass interference that wiped out a 15-yard catch by Braylon Edwards in the fourth quarter.

"They call one every week," said Winslow. "It's pretty frustrating. I don't know what they want me to do."

Winslow's first TD catch was a five-yarder in the first quarter on a post route in which Quinn split two defenders just before getting drilled for a 7-0 lead. His second was a 16-yard catch at the left side in which he shook off safety Marquand Manuel at the 6 and scampered in.

"I just didn't make enough plays," he said.

(blog.cleveland.com)

BEREA, Ohio -- Kellen Winslow didn't utter a word about staph infections or suspensions. After a contentious, confusing week laced with suspicion, innuendo and dueling statements, the Pro Bowl tight end returned to the Cleveland Browns on Monday eager to restart his disrupted season.

"I'm ready to move on and just play football," he said.

Kellen Winslow returned to practice Monday after missing two of the Browns' past three games.

Winslow and the Browns appear to have made a truce, albeit a tenuous one.

Suspended one game last week by the club, which later rescinded its penalty, Winslow rejoined his teammates one day after the Browns won for the second time this season without him.

Winslow spoke briefly in front of his locker before heading to a team meeting. The 25-year-old said he has worked out his differences with Browns general manager Phil Savage and owner Randy Lerner.

"They knew where I was coming from and I understood where they were coming from, so it is all worked out," he said. "I am just excited to get back to playing football, doing what I love to do. I just really see this as a challenge, so I am going to meet it."

Winslow was banned from the team's facility last week by the Browns, who suspended him for criticizing the team's handling of his three-day hospitalization at the Cleveland Clinic with a staph infection. After initially agreeing with the team to keep his illness concealed, Winslow revealed he had staph following a loss at Washington last week.

Two days later, the Browns suspended the outspoken Winslow one game without pay for disparaging comments and behavior toward the organization. Winslow insists he was coming forward to protect the health of his teammates. He has had staph twice and is one of at least six known Cleveland players to contract staph since 2005.

Winslow appealed the suspension, which was dropped late Saturday night after the Browns reportedly learned Winslow had received text messages from a member of Cleveland's media relations staff who told him not to reveal he had staph.

GM Phil Savage confirmed Kellen Winslow's second staph infection Monday after having deferred questions to the tight end.

After Sunday's 23-17 win in Jacksonville, Savage downplayed the importance of the text messages and said he and Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had been working toward a settlement since Thursday.

Savage also suggested Winslow had been hospitalized for something other than staph and the club was trying to protect the player's privacy.

"If there's going to be disclosure, there's got to be full disclosure," Savage said outside Cleveland's locker room in Jacksonville. "We were trying to do the right thing by him and his family."

Savage was asked why Winslow had been hospitalized.

"I don't know," said Savage. "I think it's all in a gray area right now. You can ask him [Winslow]."

Before coach Romeo Crennel's news conference Monday, an agitated Savage came into the team's media room to discuss his postgame comments.

"Once and for all, Kellen's illness was determined to be a staph infection," Savage said tersely. "He had been in the hospital for two or three days; it takes a couple days to figure out what something is. Secondly, there was no secondary illness. Thirdly, he is in the building, he has worked out and the team meets at 1 o'clock.

"That's the end of the story. It is over with, OK? There is no secondary illness. Staph infection. Everybody's got it, right?"

Later, Crennel said he was happy to have Winslow back and the star had returned with a good attitude.

"I've spoken with him and he wants to be a Brown," Crennel said. "I think that he's going to come out and he's going to give us a good effort and a good performance."

The Browns are 2-0 without Winslow, who was released from the hospital the day before their Oct. 13 upset of the New York Giants. On Sunday, backup tight end Steve Heiden led the club with 73 yards receiving, picking up 51 on a fourth-and-1 catch to set up Cleveland's second touchdown.

Heiden also played well in the win over New York, making five catches for 59 yards as the Browns stunned the defending Super Bowl champions 35-14.

Crennel was effusive in praising Heiden, who had a career-high 43 receptions in 2005 when Winslow missed the season following a motorcycle accident.

"He is an all-around tight end, tremendous teammate and when you call on him to do something, he does whatever you call on him to do," Crennel said. "If that is to be the starter, he is the starter. If that's to be the No. 2 guy, then he's the No. 2 guy and he's always for the team, always for the Browns.

"That is the kind of attitude a coach likes on his team. We have to build on that and move forward with that."

Crennel chuckled when asked if Heiden would take Winslow's starting spot.

"We're going to work Kellen in and I'll say this: Don't be surprised if Kellen is the starter," Crennel said. "I'm not saying he's the starter, but don't be surprised if he's the starter."

At this point in the Winslow saga, nothing would be surprising.

(espn.com)

JACKSONVILLE, FLA.: Kellen Winslow will rejoin the Browns this morning and be welcomed back, General Manager Phil Savage said Sunday after a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

''I spoke to Kellen [Saturday] night,'' Savage said. ''I made a couple points to him in regards to he and the team and he and I's relationship. . . . I understand some of the points he made and we had a good conversation.''

The Browns rescinded Winslow's suspension Saturday night and converted it to a $25,000 fine.

Savage said any information about Winslow's illness, which Winslow said was a staph infection, had to come from Winslow. The GM said the team never has decreed a player should keep medical information private.

''That's not our decision,'' Savage said.

Savage was asked whether he could say why Winslow initially was hospitalized.

''I don't know. Bill, has it been disclosed or is it still a private matter?'' Savage asked Bill Bonsiewicz, the Browns' vice president of communications. ''I think it's all in a gray area right now. I think the best thing to say is, 'No, you can ask him.' ''

Savage maintained his disappointment with Winslow's remarks after a loss to the Washington Redskins, and said discussions to settle the suspension began Thursday, when Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, called to see whether one were possible.

''I think there are always things you could do differently,'' Savage said. ''But we felt strongly that some of the comments that were made did disparage our team and our organization.

''And they were unwarranted from the way we saw things and way we've handled scenarios and situations with not only Kellen, but a lot of other players here.''

Winslow spent the past few days in San Diego and did not play Sunday because he did not travel with the team.

''We're going to try to go forward and make it work and have a winning team,'' Savage said.

(ohio.com)

In a copy of Kellen Winslow's suspension letter obtained by The Plain Dealer, it's revealed Winslow was not only suspended by the Browns for statements they felt were disparaging to the club, but also for what the team described as "profane verbal abuse of a Club's public relations member in the locker room" following the game at Washington.

While Winslow was sitting at his locker last Sunday preparing to be interviewed, he asked director of communications Amy Palcic to leave so he could speak to a reporter. It was clear he wanted to speak his mind without a member of the public relations staff listening. It's common practice for one of them to be there when big-name players such as Winslow and Braylon Edwards are interviewed.

Neither Winslow nor Palcic raised their voices during the exchange, which went like this, according to The Plain Dealer's audiotape, which can be heard on cleveland.com.

Winslow: "Amy, I'm good. Can you please stop playing big sis and leave? Seeing what I'm going to say and sh-?"

Palcic, who was standing a few feet away, remained where she was.

Winslow: "Um, Amy, can you please leave?"

Palcic: "Talk if you want to talk."

Winslow: "What?"

Palcic: "Talk. I'm not going to cut you off."

Winslow then answered questions for about four minutes, telling reporters he was upset with General Manager Phil Savage for not calling him while he was in the Cleveland Clinic with a staph infection and that he felt like "a piece of meat." He also admitted during that portion of the interview that he thought about asking to be traded before last week's deadline and informed Savage.

Palcic attempted to end the session midway through, but Winslow continued. Then, in the middle of a question about his contract, Winslow was beckoned by running back Jamal Lewis. Winslow told him: "I'm good. Let me get one more." But Lewis persisted and Winslow walked away and joined him.

Palcic declined to comment Friday, but Browns spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz, when asked if another exchange took place with a member of the PR staff, said, "Yes, I was made aware of another exchange, but due to the fact there's a pending grievance, I'd prefer not to comment beyond that."

After Winslow spent about 10 minutes away from his locker, he returned, sat back down and spoke to a reporter for a few minutes. Then he motioned The Plain Dealer over for a one-on-one interview. During that session, Winslow revealed his previously undisclosed illness was a staph infection and said "there's obviously a problem [with staph] and we have to fix it."

"Just look at the history around here. It's unfortunate, because it happens time and time again," Winslow said.

During that interview, Edwards, who was a few lockers away, waved his arms back and forth at Winslow to try to get him to stop talking. Winslow gave him the thumbs up and said he was good. Another member of the Browns PR staff, Reagan Berube, listened in. When Winslow finished, the locker room period was over.

In the suspension letter, which was on Browns letterhead, hand-delivered to Winslow and signed only by coach Romeo Crennel, it says "you made public statements that were inappropriate, inaccurate, portrayed the Club in a false light, and diminished the Club's reputation. In addition, you engaged in profane verbal abuse of a Club's public relations member in the locker room following the Redskins game."

It tells Winslow his actions "significantly disrupted and adversely affected the Cleveland Browns team and organization, and cannot be tolerated."
Winslow has appealed his suspension for Sunday's game in Jacksonville and the hearing is set for Tuesday in Cleveland in front of arbitrator Rosemary Townley. Winslow's attorney, Adam Kaiser, said he insisted the hearing take place Friday or today so Winslow would be eligible to play in the game if it was overturned.

Because Kaiser requested the hearing be expedited, the arbitrator had seven days in which to hear it and chose Tuesday, according to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. If Winslow loses the appeal, he will forfeit his $235,294 game check. If he wins, he will recoup the money. The two sides can also agree on a settlement beforehand.

Also, in response to Savage's remarks in an interview on WTAM AM/1100 on Thursday regarding Winslow's illness, a source with knowledge of the situation said: "It's just staph. It was a bad staph infection."

Savage said during the interview: "Due to the nature of this particular situation, it seemed that the people involved wouldn't want it out there. So our hands are tied in certain situations. And it was all agreed upon. It's a nonfootball illness. It occurred during the bye week."

(cleveland.com)

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow appealed his one-game suspension for critical comments he made about the Cleveland Browns' handling of his hospitalization with a staph infection, the latest development in a bizarre back-and-forth squabble.

Winslow was suspended without pay by general manager Phil Savage on Tuesday for comments and behavior disparaging to the organization. Winslow was critical of Savage and said he only came forward to reveal he had staph — for the second time — out of concern for his teammates' health.

Denise White, a publicist with EAG Sports Management, said Winslow appealed the suspension and filed the appropriate paperwork with the NFL Players Association.

Union attorney Adam Kaiser will represent Winslow in an expedited grievance proceeding before an arbitrator in Cleveland on Friday or Saturday. If Winslow loses, he will sit out Sunday's game in Jacksonville and forfeit $235,294, his one-game paycheck. If Winslow wins, he could keep his money and Kaiser said it's possible the 25-year-old could be reinstated in time to play against the Jaguars.

Whatever the outcome, Browns coach Romeo Crennel feels Winslow's rift with the team can be fixed.

"I think it is repairable," he said. "Kellen is not a bad kid. I have a pretty decent relationship with Kellen. With me personally, I feel that relations are repairable and we will go forward."

The unusual case pitting star player and struggling franchise began on Oct. 9 when Winslow was admitted to the Cleveland Clinic with an undisclosed illness.

According to Crennel and Savage, the team and Winslow made a joint decision to keep the player's medical condition confidential. However, when he returned to practice last week after missing Cleveland's 35-14 upset over the New York Giants, Winslow said it was the Browns who didn't want to disclose his illness. He said he agreed with their stance.

But Winslow broke the apparent pact following Sunday's loss in Washington, revealing he had staph and saying the team, which has had at least six known cases of staph since 2005, asked him to conceal it. He also lashed out at Savage for not calling him during his three-day stay in the hospital and said he felt he was being treated "like a piece of meat" by the team.

Savage responded by suspending Winslow and called the fiery player's comments and behavior "unwarranted, inappropriate, and unnecessarily disparaging to our organization."

Winslow countered with his own statement, saying he spoke out because of a health concern and not because he's seeking a new contract from the Browns.

Despite the disturbingly high number of staph cases, Crennel said he abided by the team's understanding with Winslow and did not inform Cleveland's other players that the tight end had staph again.

"He was in the hospital and it was a personal issue," Crennel said in explaining the team's decision to keep Winslow's illness from his teammates.

This was Winslow's second bout with staph. He first contracted an infection following surgery on his right knee, which he severely injured in a near-fatal motorcycle crash three years ago. Winslow has had at least three other surgeries on the knee, which was most recently scoped during the past offseason.

While his suspension is in effect, Winslow is not allowed to attend practices, team meetings or be at the Browns' training facility.
Surprisingly, there was little reaction inside Cleveland's locker room to Winslow's suspension and not one player interviewed seemed alarmed by a new case of staph.

A few players, including center Hank Fraley and linebacker Andra Davis — two team captains — as well as tight end Steve Heiden were reluctant to address Winslow's situation.

"I don't even want to talk about it," said Heiden, who will likely start in place of Winslow. "We're trying to beat the Jaguars, that's all I'm worried about. I can't wait to have Kellen back, and when he gets back we'll go to work with Kellen."

Quarterback Derek Anderson admitted he was somewhat surprised by the team's decision to suspend Winslow, who has a team-high 21 receptions and has been one of the Browns' best players the past three seasons.

"A little bit," Anderson said. "Obviously, they made a decision and went with it. I just play here."

As for the team's problems with staph, kicker Phil Dawson said the Browns have been proactive in educating their players about how to protect themselves from becoming infected. During training camp, infectious control experts from the clinic visited the team and explained the risks of staph and how to combat the virus, which has become more common in the NFL.

"This thing is everywhere," Dawson said. "All the information was given to us, literature we could take home. With all that said, you still feel for a fellow player who gets it. Your heart goes out to them and it's a scary thing, but I don't think it's isolated to the Cleveland Browns."

(ap.com)

In the days and hours leading up to last Tuesday’s trade deadline, players such as tight end Tony Gonzalez and wide receiver Roy Williams constantly were tracked.

The one player who went overlooked publicly, but not privately, was Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow, who was dangled before the deadline.

The Browns explored the possibility of trading Winslow, according to multiple league sources, but never could get enough in return to consummate a deal. Cleveland declined to comment on the proposed trade –- Browns general manager Phil Savage emailed Tuesday that “a number of calls are made ahead of the trade deadline regarding different players … those conversations are confidential in nature” -– but it is easy enough to figure out why Cleveland would have considered dealing Winslow.

For starters, he is seeking a new contract that could be difficult for the Browns to squeeze under their salary cap. Also, Cleveland traded its third-round pick in the 2009 draft for a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, which it used on tight end Martin Rucker -– and now is looking to add more picks. Plus, there is the public dispute the team has gotten into with Winslow over his staph infection.

So it’s not overly surprising that the Browns explored a deal. It’s just surprising that they were able to keep it so quiet.

(nfl.com)

Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow drew a one-game suspension for his angry comments concerning his treatment by Browns general manager Phil Savage following Sunday's 14-11 loss at Washington.

Starting Wednesday, Winslow will not be able to practice or attend meetings. After missing Sunday's game at Jacksonville, he can return to the team Monday.

Unless he appeals, the suspension will cost Winslow one game check, which amounts to $235,294, 1/17th of his $4 million base salary.

The Browns announced the decision in a statement from general manager Phil Savage today. Winslow is the first Browns player suspended since Savage and coach Romeo Crennel took over in 2005.

''Kellen has expressed his desire to be a productive member of the Cleveland Browns,'' Savage said in the statement. ''His comments and behavior on Sunday evening, however, were unwarranted, inappropriate, and unnecessarily disparaging to our organization. His statements brought unjustified negative attention to our organization, and violated the team-first concept of our football squad. Therefore, disciplinary action will be taken in the form of a one-game suspension without pay for conduct detrimental to the club.''

Drew Rosenhaus, Winslow's agent, did not respond to requests for comment.

Winslow was upset that Savage did not call him while he was hospitalized for three days in the Cleveland Clinic earlier this month. Winslow revealed Sunday he was being treated a staph infection, the second of his four-year career. Winslow and Savage had a heated confrontation outside the locker room in Washington and later Winslow said, ''Sometimes you just feel like a piece of meat.''

The sixth-overall pick in the 2004 draft is also seeking a renegotiated contract. His current deal has three years remaining and will pay him $4.75 million in 2009 and $4.75 million in 2010. Savage has repeatedly said a new contract for Winslow, who has undergone at least four surgeries on his right knee since a 2005 motorcycle accident, is not a high priority.

Winslow was also unhappy that the Browns chose not to reveal the nature of his undisclosed illness. He told ESPN.com he felt his teammates needed to know. Savage addressed that subject in Tuesday's statement.

''The Cleveland Browns are committed to winning and taking care of our players,'' Savage said. ''We are also committed to protecting the privacy of our players, particularly with regard to medical issues. To that end, following discussions with Kellen Winslow and his representation, the Browns agreed to make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of his recent medical condition.''

Savage said the Browns conducted an ''extensive presentation by experts in the field of infectious diseases'' during training camp and that Winslow attended the session.

(ohio.com)

Browns coach Romeo Crennel confirmed Monday that Kellen Winslow suffered a staph infection and also chastised him for going to the media with his complaints about Browns General Manager Phil Savage.

"If he has an issue, he should address it with the organization and not to the media," said Crennel. "I don't know how much you gain by that. He should come to the organization first and try to reach some kind of agreement. Then, if he's not satisfied, he can go elsewhere."

Crennel, who spoke to Winslow on the plane ride home from the game, indicated that he could fine or suspend him for conduct detrimental to the team.

"We'll investigate it, and then we'll determine if anything needs to be done," said Crennel. "My policy is to keep family business in the family. Whatever I do, I'm not going to broadcast it. It's the organization's call. I will consult with everybody."

Winslow revealed to The Plain Dealer on Sunday night that his previously undisclosed illness was a staph infection and that he was upset that he didn't hear from Savage during his three-day stay in the Cleveland Clinic last week. He also was miffed the Browns said it was Winslow who wanted to keep it private when, according to Winslow, the team wanted to hide the fact it was staph.

Savage said in an e-mail response that he probably will comment today.

In an interview with espn.com early Monday, Winslow said, "Nobody knew that I had staph on the team because the Browns didn't want it to get out. But it's my teammates' right to know what's going on at the facility to protect them. Their safety is at risk, too."

Winslow's second bout with the infection over the past two weeks was the sixth known staph infection by a Browns player since 2005 and seventh since 2004. Still, Crennel said Winslow going public was a distraction for the 2-4 team.

"Not only is it a distraction for the organization, but it's a distraction for Kellen, and it'll be a distraction for the players in the locker room because they'll get asked a lot of questions," said Crennel. "All of those things are taking away from football and their focus and concentration on the next game."

Crennel said the fact it came after a loss -- 14-11 to the Redskins -- made it a little more difficult to take, but win or lose, "if you've got an issue, let's come and put it on the table."

Winslow, who's also upset that the Browns aren't acting on his request for a new contract, said he told Savage how he felt before talking to the media in what was described by observers as a heated discussion outside the locker room. Crennel surmised that Winslow's unproductive game, coupled with the confrontation, caused him to vent. He caught two of the seven passes thrown his way, and he and Derek Anderson were way off on most of the others.

"Kellen is a very emotional player," said Crennel. "He's competitive and wants to win. He was coming off an injury situation and didn't probably play as much as he wanted to. Sometimes the emotions of the game and your personal situation overflow."

Asked if Winslow and the Browns can co-exist after the outburst, Crennel said: "Sure, yes. Kellen has a good relationship with the organization and likes the players on this team. I think he'll play for the Cleveland Browns."

Crennel said he represented the Browns when he called Winslow at the Clinic. "We value all our players, and when they're injured, we check to find out how they're doing, give them encouragement and tell them we want them to get better as soon as they can. . . . They're my guys. I'm with them every day. That's part of showing them that you care."

Crennel also said the Browns are doing everything they can to keep staph in check, including sanitizing the building regularly, having it coated with an anti-bacterial agent, and educating the players about prevention.

"We're doing everything we can to try to keep our players safe," said Crennel. "No [player] has come to me and said we aren't doing enough. If we knew [where they were picking it up], we could pinpoint it and address it. Some of them have been pre-op, some have been post-op, some of them have been after the guy's left the hospital and gone home. There are a lot of different circumstances."

Tight end Darnell Dinkins, the players' union rep, said he's certain the team is taking every precaution.

"Anybody who has staph, you're talking about your life," said Dinkins. "It's bigger than football. It's bigger than a game. Kellen's a good friend of mine. Anyone who has a condition or issue like that, you want to make sure he's protected and he's healthy."

Linebacker Andra Davis supported Winslow but said: "This is something we definitely don't need right now because we're 2-4. We need to focus on winning games. All this other stuff will take care of itself. If we don't focus on the Jaguars, they're going to beat our heads in. They don't care what we're going through."

(blog.cleveland.com)

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow confirmed a staph infection caused his recent hospitalization and criticized the team Sunday for treating him "like a piece of meat."

After the Browns' 14-11 loss to Washington, Winslow said he was upset the team wanted to keep the infection quiet and blamed him for not wanting it revealed.

Winslow was hospitalized for three days last week, and Browns coach Romeo Crennel refused to discuss his condition, citing privacy laws and Winslow's preference not to disclose any medical information.

Winslow said he was upset general manager Phil Savage did not call him while he was hospitalized.

"I heard from Romeo Crennel and I heard from my position coach (Alfredo Roberts) when I was in the Clinic. I heard from my teammates,"
Winslow told the (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. "But I never heard from the main man — Phil Savage — and that really disappoints me. Sometimes I don't even feel a part of this team."

Winslow said he considered asking for a trade before last Tuesday's deadline. He said he spoke to Savage on Sunday and voiced his frustration.

"I feel I've done a lot for this team, played through a lot of pain and given it my all," Winslow said. "I just thought there'd be a little more 'How are you doing?' by him."

It was Winslow's second staph infection and the sixth by a Browns player since 2005.

"There's obviously a problem (with staph) and we have to fix it," he said. "Just look at the history around here. It's unfortunate, because it happens time and time again."

Winslow's NFL career has been hindered by injuries, with at least four surgeries on his right knee, which he severely injured during a near-fatal motorcycle crash in 2005. His knee was later infected with staph, which had to be cleaned out and delayed his comeback.

"I'm just frustrated with a lot of things," he said. "I feel it's been going on for a while. I don't get treated right and it's not fair. Sometimes I just feel under-appreciated. I felt it was time to say something."

(ap.com)

A league source tells us that the talk among the Browns is that tight end Kellen Winslow landed in the Cleveland Clinic because his balls swelled to the size of grapefruits.

(We think that technical term is testiculus coconutus.)

Actually, one explanation for the situation is a condition known as hyrdocele.  And while the condition in itself isn’t serious, it could be a symptom of testicular cancer.

(pfw.com)

BEREA, Ohio – Cleveland Browns tight end Kellen Winslow, hospitalized last week with an undisclosed illness, remains at home under doctors' orders and coach Romeo Crennel on Wednesday offered no definitive timetable for the Pro Bowler's return.

Winslow spent three nights at the Cleveland Clinic before he was discharged last Sunday. The 25-year-old, who has battled injuries throughout his NFL career and contracted a staph infection following knee surgery in 2005, missed Cleveland's win on Monday night over the New York Giants.

Winslow practiced early last week before he began feeling ill. He went to the hospital for an examination last Thursday and was admitted.

The Browns have provided little information on Winslow's condition, citing health laws and the player's privacy.

Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has not returned phone calls or e-mails seeking comment.

During his news conference on Wednesday, Crennel said Winslow is being treated at home.

“He is doing well, I spoke with him,” Crennel said. “I am hoping that he can play this weekend (Sunday, at Washington). He is questionable for the game and questionable is 50-50. If things keep progressing, because he is making progress, then he will be there and be able to help us try to win the game.”

Crennel said the decision to keep Winslow away from the team facility was made by medical personnel.

“He is being treated by the doctors and they are telling him to stay at home and he is checking in at the Clinic,” Crennel said. “When they tell him to come, he will come.”

Winslow, one of Cleveland's top offensive stars, was replaced in the starting lineup against the Giants by Steve Heiden, who caught five passes for 59 yards. Backup tight end Darnell Dinkins also caught a 22-yard touchdown pass as the Browns shocked the Super Bowl champions and won their first Monday night game since 1993.

If Winslow can't play against the Redskins, Crennel hopes his teammates will step up again.

“If he (Winslow) is not here I am going to try to get those tight ends to do what they did on Monday night,” Crennel said.

Winslow has had a star-crossed pro career.

The former first-round pick and son of Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow Sr. broke his leg trying to recover an onsides kick during his second game as a rookie in 2004 and missed the remainder of the season.

While he was rehabbing during the following offseason, Winslow suffered near-fatal injuries when he crashed his motorcycle while doing stunts in a parking lot. He underwent surgery on his right knee, which was later infected with staph and had to be cleaned out. Winslow had at least two more surgeries on the knee.

The Browns have had numerous players infected with staph in recent years.

Winslow tied a franchise record with 89 catches in 2006, and last season he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after recording 82 receptions for 1,106 yards.

Following the Pro Bowl, he had arthroscopic knee surgery and Rosenhaus announced that he intended to get Winslow a contract extension from the Browns, who have already restructured the tight end's contract to help him recoup some of the money he lost while he missed time in his first two years.

Winslow skipped the team's voluntary practices during the spring, and there was speculation that he might hold out of training camp. However, Winslow reported on time and entered last week's game with 19 catches for 170 yards.

(signonsandiego.com)

Barring any setbacks, Kellen Winslow Jr. should be back on the practice field today when the Browns begin their preparation for the game against the Redskins on Sunday.

Players were off Tuesday. Crennel said Winslow spent the day resting at home after missing the game Monday with an illness that kept him hospitalized three nights last week.

Crennel said he expects Winslow to play against the Redskins, although Winslow might be limited in practice today and Thursday.

Steve Heiden caught five passes against the Giants. When Winslow returns, though, Heiden is expected to go back to his role as a blocker.

“Heiden, ever since I’ve been here, has been a tremendous player for this team,” Crennel said. “In 2005, he caught (43) balls and when Kellen got back, he took a back seat and became a good team player. He still is a good team player, and when we go to him he usually produces.

“When we’ve got both of them, now we’ve got two guys that we can go to. That’s a good problem to have.”

Heiden caught 12 passes last year. Winslow caught 82.

Browns tight end Kellen Winslow will remain in the Cleveland Clinic for a second night tonight with an undisclosed illness, according to a Browns spokesperson.

Winslow is still listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the New York Giants, meaning there is a 50 percent chance he will play.
The Browns had hoped he would be released on Friday and possibly return to practice on Saturday.

Returning from the bye week Winslow had appeared healthy at Monday's workout, but missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, then was hospitalized Thursday evening.

(blog.cleveland.com)

BEREA, Ohio (AP) -- The Cleveland Browns sent tight end Kellen Winslow to the doctor for tests after he missed his second straight day of practice with an unspecified "illness."

Browns coach Romeo Crennel said Winslow, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his NFL career, has been sick for two days. Crennel would not say if Winslow would play in Monday night's game against the New York Giants.

"He's a valuable piece to the puzzle we have," Crennel said Thursday. "I know that he'll want to play, so he'll do everything he can to be able to play."

Crennel would not elaborate on Winslow's condition or disclose any medical problems.

"Not until after doctors take look at him and see if they can know what it is," he said.

Team spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said the team would have no further update on Winslow until Friday, when Crennel holds his daily news conference.

Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Winslow caught 82 passes and made the Pro Bowl last season, his fourth as a pro. So far this year, he has 19 catches and one touchdown for the Browns (1-3).

Winslow was kept out of practice last week when the Browns had a bye. He practiced on Monday and was at the team's training facility on Wednesday but did not participate in the club's workout. This past offseason, Winslow had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

He has had other procedures on the knee, including one to clean out a staph infection he got while recovering from injuries sustained in a near-fatal motorcycle accident that caused him to miss the entire 2005 season.

(cnnsi.com)

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Browns GM Phil Savage said "there really hasn't been" much in the way of new contract talks for TE Kellen Winslow II. "As I've said all along, we've kept talks open," Savage said. "We've kept an open communication, but for the most part, those kinds of things are on the back burner. The first priority is to try to win a football game, and those kinds of things tend to sort themselves out over time. You have to have some patience with it, and that's really what we're trying to do in some of these contract situations."

(ffmastermind.com)

CLEVELAND — The Dallas Cowboys’ defense had a game plan centered heavily on one Cleveland Brown — Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow.

Tight ends had been known to tear apart Cowboys defenses in the past. They found coverage advantages and took advantage. But the Browns couldn’t do so against the Cowboys’ defense Sunday.

Dallas kept Winslow and all his big-play Browns teammates from changing the game in a relatively easy-looking season-opening 28-10 victory at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Winslow scored Cleveland’s lone touchdown but was mostly harmless the rest of the game and finished with five catches for 47 yards.

"In the past tight ends have been our Achilles’ heel," linebacker Bradie James said. "Once you stop the run and stop Kellen Winslow, you can pin your ears back and try to make some plays after that."

In the second half, Winslow had only one catch for 9 yards and was the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ strategy of slowing the Browns’ stars. Dallas held Cleveland (eighth in total offense in 2007) to 205 yards of offense, Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson to 114 passing yards and running back Jamal Lewis to a quiet 62 rushing yards.

Also, Pro Bowl receiver Braylon Edwards had just two catches for 14 yards and never got in sync with Anderson.

It was all about game planning to stop the son of legendary Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow. When the Cowboys went to their new dime formation, Winslow was covered by cornerback Anthony Henry. That’s a change from last year, when safety Roy Williams covered tight ends.

The Cowboys also gave Williams help on first and second down with, get this, outside linebacker Greg Ellis in coverage keeping Winslow from a free release off the line.

"At times we showed what kind of defense we can be, but we can play better," Pro Bowl safety Ken Hamlin said.

Cowboys coach Wade Phillips believes his defense can be better this year after having another year in his 3-4 system with talent upgrades. Now, the Cowboys feel much better about their depth. Last year when cornerback Terence Newman was out, the rest of the Cowboys’ defense didn’t know what would happen.

"In the off-season we went out and got talent," James said. "Like, last year when T-New was out, it was like a panic. We have enough people to hold it down until he gets back, and that showed up today."

Adam "Pacman" Jones, starting in place of Newman, didn’t give up any big plays as he fought off the rust, and the Cowboys applied pressure despite only one sack, by DeMarcus Ware.

The Cowboys’ only real flaw was giving up a 16-play, 78-yard touchdown drive in the first half that consumed 8 minutes, 57 seconds.

Nose tackle Tank Johnson, who expects to make an impact on the improved unit this season, was already looking ahead to next week. He had more of a glass-half-empty look at the game.

"We’re not dominant; we’re not the best," Johnson said. "We were good and we won. A win is a win. We’re not putting too much stock into beating a team in Week 1."

(star-telegram.com)

Wade Phillips mixed in a not-so-subtle message to Sunday's officiating crew while gushing about how good Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr. is as a receiver.

"One-on-one, he's very adept at pushing off ... I mean, getting open," Phillips said with a wry smile. "I hope the officials note that."

For the record, Phillips said Jason Witten never, ever pushes off.

(cowboysblog.dallasnews.com)

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Browns HC Romeo Crennel said reports that he yelled at TE Kellen Winslow II on the sideline after a penalty and then benched him in the Giants game were exaggerated. "Because I talk to a guy, I'm not happy with him?" said Crennel. "No, I'm happy with Winslow. I'm glad he's on my team. If I had about 10 more like him, I might have a chance to win more games. I coach all of them and tell them what they need to hear at the time."

(ffmastermind.com)

BEREA — Kellen Winslow Jr. treats every Browns practice as if it were a regular-season contest.

The Pro Bowl tight end wears his full uniform and pads — even when the rest of the team is running around in shorts — and visualizes game situations on every play.

Winslow’s attention to detail served him well Wednesday, when he was the recipient of a helmet-to-helmet hit by cornerback Travis Key on a crossing pattern. The collision was clean and unintentional, but it certainly put a charge into an otherwise staid afternoon session.

“I’m a Hurricane, that’s how I play,” the University of Miami product said. “I try and simulate as much of a game as I can. It’s nothing personal what happened, but it got my teammates going, so that’s a good thing.”

While Winslow made the catch, the 5-foot-10 Key bounced off him like a rubber ball, then got an earful from the tight end as a group of defensive players chanted the rookie’s last name.

“I broke a little too fast trying to make a play because I wasn’t trying to do that,” Key said. “Obviously, he thought I was trying to hit him, but I was just flying around. We did talk after practice and cleared it up.”

Making amends with one of Cleveland’s top players was a smart move by Key, who only joined the club five days ago as an undrafted free agent.
It also was a necessary gesture after what transpired one play later.

Quarterback Derek Anderson called the same pass pattern to Winslow, who caught it without a problem. Key, however, snuck up behind him and prepared to swipe at the football as the action was winding down.

But Winslow anticipated the move, forcing the ex-Michigan State walk-on to, in Key’s words, “tuck and roll” out of the way to avoid a potentially major issue.

“I realized it wouldn’t be a good idea to do that,” Key said, laughing. “Everything is good now, though.”

The sequence brought back some good memories for Browns quarterback Ken Dorsey, who played with Winslow in college and has grown to appreciate his intensity.

Though Winslow did not begin wearing a full uniform in practice until last year, the backup signal caller said his temperament and attitude have always been the same.

“Kellen has his quirks, but he’s the most loyal teammate and the most trusted target you can have,” Dorsey said. “From his first day at Miami, everything he did was full speed, full go.

“It might not always be right, but it sets a tone. Having a guy like that makes everyone better, offense and defense, because they feed off how competitive he is.”

That was the case with the Hurricanes, where Winslow faced off against All-American DBs Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, Phillip Buchanan, Antrel Rolle, Kelly Jennings, Mike Rumph and others in the South Florida sun.

It also has played out that way in Cleveland, where Winslow provides daily lessons for the team’s defensive players.

“Those Miami guys were always chirping at each other, especially when we got down to the end of practice, but it made them better,” Dorsey said. “You can see the same is true here. When Kellen is going against (linebacker) Willie McGinest, that helps Kellen and Willie because they’re not going to go up against anyone tougher on other teams.”

If that competition means more lively scenes like what happened Wednesday, all involved say so be it.

“I want to be great, I don’t want to be good,” Winslow said. “I don’t want to be like everyone else. I want to be the best.”

(medinagazette.com)

TE Kellen Winslow II might have actually had a better week catching the ball than Edwards did. There's little reason to believe these guys won't pick up where they left off and even raise that bar this fall.



(ffmastermind.com)

BEREA Sometime this year, cool-talking, hot-blooded Kellen Winslow Jr. will say something that turns heads.

Or will he?

Winslow's outrageous "I'm a soldier" rant came down more than five years ago.

His infamous trip to Canton for a StarBoyz demonstration and subsequent motorcycle crash is three years in the rearview.

He has racked back-to-back years of 875 and 1,106 yards, is coming off a Pro Bowl and is acting like model-employee, establishment material.

"Coming out of college, I was probably viewed in a different light," Winslow said between training camp practices Thursday. "But I'm growing up. I'm 25 now. That stuff was a long time ago."

"Just like everybody else ... you have to grow up. I'm older and married now. I'm just ... grown up."

Even if he did turn 25 Monday, though, it'll be 25 years before he can get an AARP card. He's still young, ornery and outrageous, as in outrageously good.

Part of him still wants to say no other tight end can hang with him, although the grown-up part resists.

After he looked sleek and dangerous in practice, someone asked whether he sees the Sept. 7 opener in light of proving he's better than Cowboys Pro Bowler Jason Witten. After all, it was mentioned, Witten is the premier tight end in the NFC. Winslow is ranked third in the AFC by The Sporting News, behind Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez.

"You're trying to get me, man," Winslow said.

Giving the writer a friendly chuck on the arm, Winslow added, "I'm just trying to be the best player I can be. I'm giving you the politically correct answer on that one."

All grown up.

Winslow's contract issue, which factored into his staying away from voluntary spring practice, seems to be a non-issue as camp breaks a sweat.

"I just want to be a Cleveland Brown for a longer period of time," said Winslow, who is signed through 2010. "My agent (Drew Rosenhaus) and the organization are in talks. My job is to be out here playing football.

"If they do it, they do it. If they don't, they don't."

Coming off an 82-catch, Pro Bowl year in which he played all 16 games despite injury issues, did he consider holding out?

"I'm not that type of guy," Winslow said. "I don't want to be a distraction. My job's just to come out here and help this team win."

Winslow's 1,981 yards in back-to-back years is a club record. Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome's best tandem years were 1983 and 1984, when he delivered 1,971 yards.

Predictably, Winslow wants the moon.

"I left a lot on the field last year," he said. "I watched the film and saw things I could have done better.

"I probably could have caught 100 balls. That's 18 more than I caught. Touchdowns ... I only had five. I can get a lot better in each category."

The Browns offense is hard to predict, since it has had just one breakout year.

"Charlie (Frye) was our quarterback last year," Winslow said. "It hasn't happened ever in history, but he was gone after one game. He was a good friend of mine.

"It's a cut-throat league. It's tough."

Not that Winslow isn't fired up about an offense coordinated by Rob Chudzinski, who was with him in his Miami (Fla.) days.

"Chud lives here at the facility," Winslow said in a reverent tone. "I don't know how he stays married.

"He's here all day, and he's the hardest-working coach I've ever seen. He's our captain, with Romeo. He's off the boards, man."

Meanwhile, the formerly troubled No. 6 overall pick of the 2004 draft now has two solid years on the NFL board.

He says his latest knee surgery was "just a minor scope." He's running free in practice, no longer a wild card as much as a reason for the other guys to worry.

(cantonrep.com)

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Kellen Winslow could be home resting or relaxing on a beach in California with a cold drink as his teammates sweat through grueling two-a-day practices.

If he desired, the Pro Bowl tight end, who wants the Cleveland Browns to tear up his contract that still has three years left on it, could be just about anywhere but training camp.

Instead, Winslow is where he's happiest — on the field.

"My job," Winslow said Thursday following the team's first workout in full pads, "is to just be out here and play football. I don't want to be a distraction."

For a while, that's all he was.

Winslow, who came to the NFL with a fiery reputation, missed 14 games as a rookie in 2004 after breaking his leg. He was then sidelined for all the next season following a near-fatal motorcycle accident. But in the past two years, the 25-year-old has become one of the game's top tight ends, fulfilling the promise that the Hall of Famer's son always had.

However, until he arrived at camp this week, there was concern that Winslow would have a negative impact on the Browns even before their 2008 season kicked off.

Not long after making the Pro Bowl, Winslow hired super agent Drew Rosenhaus and made it known he wanted to be the league's highest paid tight end. Then, Winslow had surgery — at least his fourth procedure — on his right knee, which he wrecked in the crash and later became infected with staph.

In April, the Browns traded a future draft pick to select a tight end as a possible successor for Winslow, who then missed the Browns' voluntary practices in May and June. A contract holdout seemed imminent. Trouble, it seemed, was brewing.

This time, Winslow stiff-armed it. He's a happy camper.

"I'm sure (the media) thought I wasn't coming, but I'm not that type of guy," Winslow said. "I don't want to be a distraction. My job is to just help this team win and come out here and play to the best of my ability."

Rosenhaus has engaged in negotiations with the Browns. He characterized the talks as a "dialogue with the team. Nothing is imminent and we're at a very preliminary point." He has spoken with general manager Phil Savage and plans to visit Cleveland soon.

In the past, Rosenhaus has kept clients out of camp until they got paid. But he and Winslow decided not to use a contract holdout as leverage with the Browns.

"There is a sense of urgency on our end," Rosenhaus told The Associated Press. "Kellen and I have discussed it and we decided to take the high road and handle it professionally. There will be no holding out and there will be nothing that will keep Kellen off the field."

While not providing specifics on what he's seeking from the team, Rosenhaus did describe Winslow's rookie contract as "outdated."

The Browns, who initially withheld some bonuses from Winslow following his accident, have already reworked his contract once. Before his third season, they changed some of his performance clauses, allowing him to recoup some of the financial hit he took by missing most of his first two seasons.

Winslow said it's easy for him to separate off-the-field business from what he has do to between the hash marks.

"You can't focus on the contract. I am under contract. I just want to be a Cleveland Brown for a long time, so my agent and the organization are in talks," he said.

Winslow said he wouldn't be upset if the sides didn't agree to a new deal this year.

"It is up to them. If they don't do it, they don't do it. If they do it, they do it. My job is to just get out here and play," he said.

Getting ready to play each Sunday has been a challenge for Winslow. Last season, he often lugged around some type of medical apparatus to help his body recover from the pounding he'd take in games. If his shoulder wasn't aching, it was his knee.

But despite the bumps and bruises, Winslow caught 82 passes for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns to earn his first trip to Honolulu. He intends to go back.

"I left a lot on the field last year," he said. "I watched the film from last year, and saw things that I can do better. I probably could have caught 100 balls. Touchdowns, I only had five, so I can get a lot better in each category."

While his game has matured, Winslow has grown as a person. At the University of Miami, his infamous "I'm a soldier" rant during a postgame locker room tirade painted him as a hothead. And although he can still get edgy, Winslow has calmed down considerably.

"We all go through that maturation process and he's in the middle of it," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "We've seen him settle down from the first year I was here and he can manage himself better than he used to. He has a better understanding of how the team works and how he fits in the team and what is expected and required of him."

Winslow concedes he has changed — for the better.

"Coming out of college, I was probably viewed in a different light," he said. "I'm growing up. I'm 25 now. That stuff was a long time ago, and just like everyone else you have to grow up. I'm older now, married, and just grown up."

(cleveland.com)

With Cleveland Browns training camp opening today, there’s already a strong sense of anticipation for the upcoming season and the success many hope will come with it.

Last weekend at North Olmsted High School, nearly 120 youngsters got a taste of what it takes to get ready for the season as the Browns’ All-Pro tight end Kellen Winslow ran his first Kellen Winslow Football Camp. Boys from throughout the Cleveland area got to run drills and play actual games with Winslow and other pro players, including Browns backup quarterback Ken Dorsey and former Browns defensive back Leigh Bodden.

A number of local high school and college coaches ran various skill stations which specialized in the game’s basic fundamentals. The seven-on-seven games were a favorite part of the day, not only for the players but for the parents watching on the sidelines as well.

With Winslow being a receiver, a big emphasis of the camp was the passing game. Each youngster not only received two T-shirts, but a pair of receiver gloves as well.

The camp was run by ProCamps out of Cincinnati, which runs similar camps featuring professional players throughout the United States.
“We’ve been running these camps for about eight years now,” said Tim Boesken of ProCamps. “This year, we’ve got 22 camps like this, and it’s split around 50-50 between football and basketball. Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat just finished a camp in Florida last week.

“We’ve also done a camp down in Cincinnati as a fund-raiser for the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, but mostly its football and basketball. We’re basically a one-stop shop for pro athletes who want to run camps like this. One thing we won’t do, though, is run a camp for an athlete who won’t be there to participate. This is our first camp in the Cleveland area,” he said.

Winslow’s camp also partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland. “We offer up to 50 scholarships at our camps,” said Boesken. “We always want to make sure that kids who want to participate can do so, and they get all of the things the other children get, the T-shirts, the gloves, lunch, the whole thing.

“We’re able to do that through our sponsorships, and there are times that we get additional sponsors and can offer more than 50 spots,” he added.

Later in the morning, there was also a training session on one of the side fields for high school players. Most of the players were from Lakewood, John Marshall and Rhodes. Instructors from Ignition Athletics Performance Group of Cincinnati ran players through a number of conditioning drills, showing various dynamic stretches and putting them through a plyometrics workout.

“We think it’s important to help develop the youth of our community, to develop their potential,” said Sgt. Joshua Nitz of the Lakewood recruiting office of the U.S. Army. The Army sponsored the conditioning event, along with the National Football League.

“Whether they wind up joining the Army or not isn’t the big thing here,” said Sgt. Nitz, who along with fellow soldiers were dressed in full fatigues despite the hot, humid conditions. “We know that the same principals used to be successful on the football field are the same ones you need to be successful in life.

“This is one of our favorite things to do. Our slogan is now ‘Army Strong. Family Strong. Community Strong,’ and we enjoy getting out of the office and away from the paper work and doing things like this to make our community better,” he added.

But the big star of the day was Winslow, who was there from beginning to end. He and Dorsey, who led the University of Miami to the National Championship game against Ohio State, showed campers how to run a variety of pass routes, along with little tips on how to get their feet in bounds on the sidelines and how to catch the ball with their fingertips.

“I use these gloves because I like to catch the ball on my fingertips,” he explained to the campers. “I practice over and over, and that’s one of the reasons I have soft hands. You don’t ever want to see the palm of your hand on the football.

“You want to have soft hands, but you have to have strong hands as well. I think that’s the most important thing to work on,” he added.

Dorsey threw a number of passes to the young players during the drills, but so did Winslow. When the seven-on-seven games got underway, Winslow quarterbacked both teams on his field. Youngsters had the thrill of catching a Winslow pass, some of them for touchdowns.

Some of them went for interceptions as well, but a smiling Winslow didn’t seem to mind.

He even brushed off a botched play as he slipped to the turf when he rolled out of the pocket. Everyone simply went on to the next play with the anticipation of catching Winslow’s next aerial.

At the end of the day, Winslow talked to the players about working together as a team, that football is a team game.

“It’s all about being unselfish,” Winslow told them. “There are going to be times when your number isn’t called. We’ve got guys like Braylon Edwards and Joe Jurevicius. Maybe I have to run a route to clear out a defensive back so Braylon can make the play. I’m a tight end, so maybe I have to make a block for Jamal Lewis.

“It’s all about helping the team win,” said Winslow. “You’re going to get the ball, but you’re not going to get it all the time because it’s a team game.”

(westlifenews.com)

3. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns. With 171 receptions over the past two seasons, Winslow has finally become the star everyone projected him to be. His rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism makes him a matchup nightmare, and his ability to align just about anywhere on the field opens up several options for the Browns' offense.

5. Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants. Shockey's greatest weaknesses are his head and his mouth. If he would just stop complaining long enough, he would be recognized for the outstanding receiving threat he is. He is also a better blocker than most think -- he just doesn't like to block.

Click here to see the rest of the rankings.

There were times in the Browns' off-season when it appeared Kellen Winslow might be a negative issue in 2008.

He started talking about wanting a new contract at the Super Bowl. He had another knee surgery -- his fourth, at least -- after the Pro Bowl.

In April, the Browns traded a future draft choice to pick a tight end, Winslow's possible successor. Then Winslow missed all of the team's voluntary off-season practices in May and June.

But on Saturday, Winslow sounded very much like the football "warrior" beloved by his teammates.

"We have a lot to prove. I can't wait. I wish the [first] game was tomorrow," he said.

Winslow is so eager to get back to work, he jump-started his season by hosting a youth football camp this weekend at North Olmsted High School. Quarterback Ken Dorsey joined him.

In an interview at the camp, Winslow left no doubt about his dedication to his team and his career.

• On the health of his right knee, severely injured in his 2005 motorcycle accident:
"It's been a long [time] since the accident. I still have to rehab. It's tough, but nothing's going to stop me from my dream. I'm ready.

"I think I've put in the time, the hard work, this season. My first year back, I couldn't run as much as I'd like. But last year I was in pretty good shape coming back to training camp and I think I'm in good shape now.

"I've had [so many] operations, I don't even remember what I had. The point is, I'm ready. Nothing's going to stop me from being ready for the season and stopping my dream."

• On pacing himself during training camp:
"I'll take it day by day. Training camp is a grind. You have to be smart, take care of your body. I have to get better and get ready for the season."

• On the status of his request for a new contract, with three years remaining on his current one:
"It's not up to me. It's up to the Browns and my agent. They're talking. My job is to play football to the best of my ability. The only reason I want an extension, I want to be a Cleveland Brown for a long time.

"I want to be here with Romeo [Crennel, head coach] and [offensive coordinator Rob] Chudzinski and our quarterbacks and Braylon [Edwards], the whole team. I love this town."

• On his reaction to the Browns drafting tight end Martin Rucker:
"We're playing for now. It's all about now. Martin Rucker's a young guy I'm going to try to take under my wing, show him the ropes. He's got a lot of talent. He can help us win."

• On the difference this year in knowing Derek Anderson is the starting quarterback instead of having a "competition" in camp:
"Well, all three quarterbacks are competing. Obviously, Derek did a fine job last season. I think the big thing is that we protected him. The five offensive linemen, even the guys behind the five starters, did a great job. It helps a lot from previous years.

"Whoever's in there, we support. Nobody talks about Dorsey. Dorsey does so much for this team. He helps out Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson so much, and Chudzinski. He does a lot for the team he doesn't get a lot of credit for."

• On staying in San Diego and skipping voluntary team practices:
"Do you think I wasn't working out? You know what, when I got hurt my first year, I was there the whole year at the Cleveland Browns training facility. When I got hurt my second year in the accident, I was there the whole year. Third year, I was there the whole year. And the fourth year, I was there. So I needed a break. And my wife needed a break. We wanted to go back to our hometown and just get away from the facility because it does wear down on you a little bit. We just wanted to get away."

• On handling lofty expectations and a marquee schedule, including five prime-time network games:
"I hope we rise to the challenge. We didn't meet the challenge last year. We have a lot to prove. I can't wait to get started. I wish the [first] game was tomorrow. We have to get our minds right. The first game against the Cowboys, that's going to be the biggest game of the year, I think."

(blog.cleveland.com)

NORTH OLMSTED: Browns Mini Camp is less than a week away and one player is getting an early start.

Kellen Winslow Jr. is one of many pro's that are taking part in a youth football camp being held at North Olmsted High School Friday.

The Browns tight end threw the ball around, huddled, ran and gave the kids some football tips.

The football camp runs from July 18-20 and is for all football players between 7 and 14 years old. The other pro's that will take part throughout the weekend: Browns' Braylon Edwards, Ken Dorsey and Detroit Lions' Leigh Bodden.

Our Channel 3 News crews say there could be some future Browns stars in the making.

(wkyc.com)

22. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts: When Marvin Harrison was out last season, Wayne emerged as the team's go-to receiver. The guess here is that is that it stays that way. He's a true star now.

23. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens: He is the prototype modern safety: rangy and can still tackle. He is what safeties like Roy Williams wish they could be.

26. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans: Injuries limited him last season, but Johnson is one of the best when he's on the field. The Texans were a different team without him last season.

41. Vince Wilfork, DT, New England Patriots: He was the best front-seven player on the Pats defense last season. He's a load in the middle. Moving him off the ball is tough for any center.

44. Kellen Winslow, TE, Cleveland Browns: He has emerged as one of the rising stars for a rising team. His ability to stretch the defense is vital to the Cleveland offense.

50. Devin Hester, KR, Chicago Bears: I don't normally put return men on these lists, but this guy has earned it. It will be interesting to see how long he can maintain it.

(cbs.sportsline.com)

BEREA Kellen Winslow Jr. suited up for Tuesday's practice but declined to talk to reporters.

Instead, he showed off for them.

At least, it was clear Winslow was trying extremely hard to impress someone, if only himself, during Tuesday afternoon's minicamp practice.

Nobody ran harder or ripped off cuts more sharply than the 24-year-old Pro Bowl tight end.

He was a sight to behold, serving notice he's preparing for a career year.

One drill was particularly interesting. Receivers had to run behind two props the size of a tall cornerback. Assistant coach Frank Verducci fired passes that in some cases got through the props and in some cases took crazy bounces, making it a good idea to have one's helmet strapped on tight.

On one trip through, Winslow failed to make a catch, let out a little curse, then immediately hustled back in line to take an extra throw. After Verducci gave him that throw, too wide to catch, the chippy Winslow said, "That was unrealistic."

Winslow hasn't been around for most of the offseason program. He told public-relations people he won't talk to media today or Thursday, either.

"He wasn't here during the OTAs, so we have to see where he is," Head Coach Romeo Crennel said. "The more he can do, then the more we will let him do. So that's what the medical staff is for."

Winslow had minor knee surgery in the offseason and made noise about getting paid more.

Edwards and Winslow seem to enjoy standing out in a crowd. Edwards wore brown sweatpants. Winslow wore white football pants. Almost every other player was dressed in orange shorts.

One gets the idea Winslow and Edwards are motivated in part by outdoing each other.

(cantonrep.com)

Kellen Winslow (knee) and DB Gary Baxter (knee) will participate at Browns minicamp on a "limited" basis, according to GM Phil Savage.
Baxter needs to get healthy to have any chance of making the roster. Winslow had his surgery in mid-February, so it's surprising that he's not at full strength roughly four months later. The procedure was originally reported as a scope, and the recovery time for those can be as brief as two to four weeks.

The Browns are in no hurry to sign tight end Kellen Winslow to the big new contract that he's seeking.

"We don't have a lot of wiggle room right now at this particular time," said Browns General Manager Phil Savage Tuesday night at a civic event at the Ohio Theatre. "Only time will tell if it goes one direction or the other, but I think we've let it be known kind of where we are."

Savage said he expects Winslow to show up for minicamp next Tuesday through Thursday. "Of course, it's a mandatory camp, so the expectation is he'll be here," said Savage.

Winslow has been absent from the four weeks of organized team activities, but agent Drew Rosenhaus said last week on YouTube that his client only stayed away because he was rehabbing his scoped right knee at home in San Diego. He said Winslow will attend minicamp.

But Rosenhaus and Winslow have made it clear that they want to re-do the deal, which has three years remaining at $4 million, $4.5 million and $4.75 million. The reference point for Winslow's camp is believed to be the 6-year, $42 million deal signed recently by tight end Dallas Clark.

"Drew and I are very friendly and we get along well," said Savage. "We've had the lines of communication open throughout this whole thing."

Even if Winslow does attend the minicamp, he might be limited because of the knee, which was scoped in February. Coach Romeo Crennel, who also spoke at the conference, said he still hasn't talked to Winslow.

(blog.cleveland.com)

Player, position, injury: Kellen Winslow Jr., TE, arthroscopic right knee surgery.

Rehab status: Winslow had a cleanout procedure this offseason and is rehabbing in his hometown of San Diego. His absence from organized team activities has caused a bigger stir than necessary in Cleveland because Winslow expressed displeasure with his contract at the Pro Bowl. But agent Drew Rosenhaus cleared the air last week, saying Winslow will be in mandatory minicamp beginning June 10.

Next step: When Winslow arrives, he probably will watch from the sideline until training camp. Cleveland has suffered enough injuries as it is this spring (cornerback Daven Holly, receiver Braylon Edwards, tight end Steve Heiden and offensive lineman Ryan Tucker. All were injured during "voluntary" workouts.

Fantasy spin: There's no question Winslow's knee issues figure into his fantasy value, making him a high-risk, high-reward guy for '08. He has 100-catch upside as basically another wide receiver down the middle of the field, and it wouldn't be shocking to see him top last season's five touchdowns. But if Winslow misses significant time, it's hard to say that any other tight end in Cleveland will have much fantasy impact, since Heiden is recovering from disk surgery. In fact, the biggest beneficiaries would probably be Donte' Stallworth and Joe Jurevicius, who would surely see more targets.

Player, Position, Injury: Andre Johnson, WR, injured left knee.

Rehab status: A knee problem forced Johnson to miss seven games last season, but team doctors didn't see a need to perform surgery at first. The injury knee flared up during a recent minicamp and Johnson had arthroscopic surgery to "clean up" the joint in mid-May. The rehab process is just beginning.

Next step: Johnson is missing an entire month of organized team activities, but the team and Johnson remain optimistic he'll be ready for the start of training camp.

Fantasy Spin: The fact that Johnson went ahead and had arthroscopic knee surgery may be a good thing for his '08 value. Maybe it means he'll stay healthy this season. He showed good chemistry with Matt Schaub in the brief period when both men were healthy in '07, and upped his yards per reception by more than three, a great indication that the Texans hope to use him downfield more. Johnson is still a top-five fantasy receiver, but considering his left knee has bugged him for nine months, he's definitely an injury risk. If he gets hurt again, Andre' Davis and Jacoby Jones would be the beneficiaries.

(espn.com)

Kellen Winslow missing voluntary workouts isn’t a big deal except that the Browns keep saying they don’t know why the tight end isn’t in Berea, as if they haven’t even been in touch with him.

Also, you would think Winslow, even though he’s still rehabbing from his latest knee surgery and unable to practice, would want to be with his teammates. You know, the whole espirit de corps thing, especially with such an important season ahead.

Then again, where would you want to spend time, San Diego or Cleveland?

Anyway, at least we got to see more of celebrity agent Drew Rosenhaus, who released another of his infamous YouTube videos this week rather than return phone calls from reporters wondering whether this is the prelude to a Winslow contract holdout.

Here’s the text of Rosenhaus’ statement:

“A lot of members of the Cleveland media have been calling me wanting to know why Kellen has not been in the OTAs, meaning organized team activities.

“I always say these are voluntary activities. They are not mandatory. And a player has the right to train on his own. Kellen is coming off offseason knee surgery and he’s doing his rehab and his training with a very fine trainer in his hometown of San Diego.

“He will be at the Browns’ mandatory minicamp (June 10-12) and he will be at the mandatory training camp. So, what’s the big to do?”

Well, if there’s any “to do” whatsoever, it concerns the fact that Winslow, when interviewed on satellite radio at the Pro Bowl, made it clear in no uncertain terms that he wants his contract redone even though it has three years remaining and the Browns have been generous to a fault with him.

Will Winslow and Rosenhaus seek to use all their leverage to get this done before the start of the season? The Browns allowed for the possibility of a holdout by drafting a tight end, Missouri’s Martin Rucker, in the fourth round last month.

Rosenhaus’ smarmy smile on that YouTube video can’t put anyone at ease, although he does not raise the contract issue.

“Guys have the opportunity to choose whether or not they want to go to these voluntary functions, and there shouldn’t be so much scrutiny on players who choose to work out on their own,” Rosenhaus said. “Kellen’s going to be ready to go and everything is going to be fine with him.”

We’ll see.

(daytondailynews.com)

Kellen Winslow Jr's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, says that his client will be attending the June mini-camp in Cleveland, and will be attending training camp.

Rosenhaus, appearing on Sprint's Youtube channel, declared that Winslow would not miss any of the full camps which follow the OTAs (Organized team activities).

"These are voluntary activities.", Rosenhaus said on the short video. "They are not mandatory, and a player has a right to train on his own. Kellen is coming off of an off-season knee surgery, and he is doing his rehabilitation and his training with a very fine trainer in his hometown of San Diego.

He will be at the Browns mandatory mini-camp and he will be at the mandatory training camp."

Rosenhaus also took some of his time to lecture the Cleveland media a bit.

"What's the big to-do? Guys have the opportunity to choose whether they want to go to these voluntary functions, and there shouldn't be so much scrutiny on players who choose to work out on their own."

It should probably be noted that players missing OTAs are relatively rare, and that Rosenhaus himself created some of the confusion with his responses to questions from the News-Herald's Jeff Schudel last February.

Rosenhaus' comments should be re-assuring to Browns fans however:

"Kellen's going to be ready to go and everything should be just fine with him", the agent concluded, "We're looking forward to him getting back to Cleveland for the mandatory mini-camp later on this month".  

(cle.scout.com)

That vision General Manager Phil Savage has of tight ends Kellen Winslow Jr. and Martin Rucker splitting the defense will have to be put on hold for a while.

Both players were absent Wednesday in the second day of the Browns' Organized Team Activities, better known as OTAs.

Five veterans were missing - Winslow, tight end Steve Heiden, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley.

Heiden (back) and Jurevicius (knee) were in the complex working out after offseason surgeries. Jurevicius had additional complications from a staph infection.

The Browns claim they do not know why Winslow is rehabbing from knee surgery in San Diego rather than in Berea. Winslow has said he wants a new contract, even though he has three years remaining on his current deal. Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return messages left on his phone.

Rosenhaus declined to answer when asked in February whether he would hold Winslow out of training camp. Training camp begins the last week in July.

"When (Winslow) gets here, we'll find out for sure what that (reason) is," Coach Romeo Crennel said. "He isn't here, and I haven't spoken with him since February. When he gets here, I'll be able to answer that question."

None of the rookies are in the OTAs yet because they are not allowed to practice before their senior class graduates. The first day they can participate in the OTAs is Tuesday.

(zwire.com)

The Browns are apparently interpreting Kellen Winslow's absence from voluntary organized team activities -- and silence -- as a statement about his contract.

Asked Wednesday if it was health-related, coach Romeo Crennel said, "When he gets here we'll find out for sure exactly what that is. He's not here and I haven't spoken with him."

But Crennel didn't seem surprised by the no-show.

"There's something that happens every year with somebody," he said. "We've just got to get this team ready."

He said the last time he talked to Winslow was in January or February. Winslow has been rehabbing his surgically-repaired knee in San Diego since then, but his absence most of the off-season is believed to be related to wanting a new deal. The 12 voluntary practices lead up to a mandatory minicamp June 10-12.

"It's not a big deal," Josh Cribbs said. "If he was here, he'd be hurt."

Cribbs added, "It's not a question of his character because he plays like a soldier. When he gets here he's going to work his butt off."
Said Braylon Edwards: "Everybody goes through personal trials and tribulations. If he has something going on that the team is aware of, that's his business."

Fellow tight end Darnell Dinkins said, "We all know he's dealing with certain things. Kellen made the Pro Bowl. When he's with us, he competes. Nobody else is going to contribute more than that."

Team leader Willie McGinest said he'd talk to Winslow if the team asked him to. "I'm like a big brother to him," McGinest said. "We're all supposed to be brothers and family around here."

(blog.cleveland.com)

Hey, did you hear the one about the pro athlete who had a good season and immediately wanted to renegotiate his contract? Even after he failed to play up to his potential for the first three years of his career due?

Unfortunately, it’s no joke.

It seems like every year we are subjected to the whining of athletes who, even though they are under contract, either want to get a new and improved deal, get traded, or both.

Thus far, Kellen Winslow Jr., hasn’t issued a trade demand. But for a guy who has, in my opinion, already struck out with many Browns fans, a holdout that includes a demand to be traded would simply by the icing on the cake.

Winslow, the Browns’ first-round draft choice in 2004, had strike one on him before he ever played in a game. That’s because he chose to be a holdout from training camp his rookie season. The only thing he caught during his holdout was the wrath of then-Browns quarterback Jeff Garcia, who openly criticized the son of Hall of Famer KellenWinslow Sr.

Winslow, who had gained a reputation of being a selfish athlete while playing for the Miami Hurricanes, certainly did nothing to change those views by his untimely holdout.

Winslow’s second strike came when he once again put his own self ahead of the team by recklessly riding a super-charged motorcycle following the 2004 season, a season in which he only played in only two games due to a right fibula injury he suffered in Week 2.
 
He’s managed to come back from the extensive injuries suffered in his careless accident, but he’s admittedly not the same player he was prior to his ill-advised adventures.

Now, as the Browns approach what promises to be a very exciting season, it sounds like he’s willing to take a called third strike by putting his own selfish desires ahead of the good of the team.

If he misses any time whatsoever due to his hopes to renegotiate his contract, it will, in my opinion, be the final straw. It will show once and for all that, no matter what he has said over the past couple of years and no matter how good the team might be, that he is still a selfish, self-centered prima donna who cares more about himself than his teammates, coaches and, oh yeah, the fans.

The Browns were concerned enough that general manager Phil Savage had to mortgage a small part of the team’s future in order to move up in this year’s draft to pick tight end Martin Rucker out of the University of Missouri in the fourth round.

The trade cost the Browns a third-round pick next year. Not exactly an earth-shaking trade by any means, but one that apparently the team deemed necessary due in part of Winslow’s public announcement that he wants a new contract. To be fair, it was also in part due to the fact both Winslow and backup tight end Steve Heiden will probably be limited in upcoming camps due to off-season surgeries.

It should be noted that Winslow’s surgery was his fourth that is a direct result of his motorcycle accident. It also must be noted that he has three years remaining on his contract. And it also needs to be noted that he did play in his first Pro Bowl this past February, albeit as an alternate.

Is Winslow worth more money just because San Diego tight end Antonio Gates suffered an injury that kept him out of the Pro Bowl and opened the door for the Browns’ tight end?

There doesn’t seem to be much logic in that. Nor is there much logic in tearing up the contract of a guy who never has and likely never will live up to his potential due, as previously mentioned, to his own selfish, self-centered prima donna attitude?

Probably the best thing I can say about Kellen Winslow Jr., is that at least he’s not as openly arrogant and as much of a trouble maker as Chad Johnson … at least not yet.

(cle.scout.com)

Longevity issues with Kellen Winslow and a potential contract dispute factored into the Browns making a surprise trade in the fourth round of the draft Sunday.

They gave up their 2009 third-round pick to select pass-catching tight end Martin Rucker of Missouri.

It was the second deal in a matter of minutes for Trader Phil Savage, both times with the Dallas Cowboys, the team that provided the Browns the picks to select Brady Quinn and Eric Wright in draft-day trades last year.

But less than 30 minutes after trading for Bell, Savage hit the speed dial for Jerry Jones again and acquired the Cowboys' next pick, 111th overall, to select Rucker.

The fact Savage did not hesitate to pay the third-round price for Rucker speaks to concerns about Winslow's recurring knee problems and his stated desire for a new contract.

"We really like Martin Rucker, but I think that always has to be in the backdrop," Savage said of the Winslow issues.

Winslow had another surgical procedure on his battered right knee in February. That was at least the fourth surgery on the knee injured in his 2005 motorcycle accident. He also had surgery on a broken right fibula and torn ankle ligaments in 2004.

Winslow openly admits he's not the player he could have been. But after earning a trip to the Pro Bowl as an alternate prior to the latest surgery, he went public with his desire for a new contract. Savage and agent Drew Rosenhaus have had conversations about it, but nothing has been resolved.

"You're talking about a player who has three years left on his deal," Savage said.

Winslow has never indicated he would hold out this summer if he didn't get a new deal. But Savage made a telling comment when defending the trade for Rucker.

"It may not be a need today, but as we found out a few years ago it could be a need in a week, two weeks or two months," he said.

No. 2 tight end Steve Heiden also had surgery recently on a bulging disk, but Savage said there is no present concern that Winslow and/or Heiden would miss the start of training camp on July 23.

Beyond the Winslow factor, however, the Browns graded out Rucker as another player worthy of second-round consideration. In fact, six weeks before Savage dealt his second-round pick to Green Bay for defensive end Corey Williams, he presented his staff a list with a dozen offensive players and a dozen on defense to consider in the second round. Bell and Rucker were on the lists, he said.

Rucker, 6-5 and 251 pounds, led all collegiate tight ends with 84 catches for Missouri. Coincidentally, Winslow's father, the Hall of Famer, previously set records at Missouri, which Rucker shattered.

Savage said that he envisioned Winslow and Rucker splitting defensive seams together on opposite ends of the field. He said that offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, a former tight end as a player and position coach, would have no problem creating schemes to include both players.

"He's certainly capable of being a starting tight end in this league," Savage said.

(plaindealer.com)

A new contract for Kellen Winslow is now on the team's radar. This week at the NFL owners meetings, General Manager Phil Savage will meet with Winslow's agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Winslow hired Rosenhaus last year in anticipation of a forthcoming contract extension. Winslow made the Pro Bowl last year as an alternate and played in the game. He has three years left on his contract, which was extended by one year after the Browns restructured it in the wake of Winslow's 2005 motorcycle accident.

(blog.cleveland.com)

The Cleveland Browns now have two perennial Pro Bowl players who are looking for a new contract. Those two players are receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow. With the Browns signing Shaun Rogers to a big contract extension, this will definitely light the fire under these two players to speak even louder. In this article we will highlight Kellen Winslow and his desire to get a new contract and if he even deserves one.

Without a doubt, no one can deny the pure athletic ability that Winslow has and he definitely will have a bright future in the NFL.  However in May of 2005, Winslow who read the rules of the contract (we hope) before he signed it, showed how young he truly is when he got into a motorcycle accident that tore his ACL and brought an end to his 2005 season. Winslow who signed a six-year, $40 million dollar contract in 2004, was in jeopardy of losing a huge majority of that due to breaching a hazardous activities clause in his contract.

To be honest, the Cleveland Browns had every single right to take back the $6 million dollar signing bonus and the $4.4 million dollar option bonus that he was paid in March of 2005 just two months prior to the accident.  This would be Winslow’s second season that he would miss, with Winslow breaking his leg in game 2 of the 2004 season. Click here to continue reading...