Browns deal for Winslow

& lt;a href=mailto:scalzo@vindy.com & gt;By JOE SCALZO & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BEREA -- Kellen Winslow Jr. grew up in San Diego and went to school in Miami, so you'll have to forgive him if he doesn't know a lot about the Cleveland Browns.
But he does know a little.
"I just know about the Dawg Pound," said Winslow. "I've seen them on TV going crazy. They're the greatest fans in the world. And I know about Ozzie Newsome. That's all I really know."
Not a bad start.
The Browns traded up one slot in Saturday's NFL draft to choose the University of Miami tight end, sacrificing their second round pick for what they hope will be an impact player for years to come.
"I'm happy as I can be," Winslow said. "I've been waiting for this day my whole life. It's a goal I've had since I was 5. I'm ready.
"I think this was the best fit for me."
Recruited by Davis
Winslow, who left school after his junior season, was a member of Browns coach Butch Davis' final recruiting class at Miami. Tight ends coach Rod Chudzinski, who was hired by the Browns in January, coached Winslow the past three seasons at Miami.
"Familiarity with him certainly played a little bit of a role, but more important was the way that kid played," Davis said. "He brings a tremendous amount of energy, passion and play-making ability.
"There's no denying that this kid brings some dimensions that certainly give you a chance to be very special."
The Browns gave up their second-round pick, the 37th overall, to swap spots with Detroit. Davis talked with Detroit GM Matt Millen several times over the past two days and Millen told Davis that the Lions planned to take Winslow with the sixth pick.
"That's why the compensation was maybe a little bit higher than people would have thought," Davis said. "But at that point, to get the guy that we want, that fits our offense and fits our specific needs, it was worth the compensation."
The Lions chose Texas wideout Roy Williams with the seventh pick, fueling speculation that Detroit had planned to take him all along and used Winslow as a bargaining chip. But Davis said several teams were also talking to the Lions about acquiring Winslow.
When asked what the Browns would have done if Winslow was taken sixth, Davis smiled.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" he said.
Talked to Raiders
Davis said he talked with the other five teams about moving up to get either Iowa tackle Robert Gallery or Miami safety Sean Taylor. Oakland chose Gallery with the second pick after Davis decided the Raiders' price was too high.
"[They] wanted the entire Cleveland Browns franchise," Davis said.
Several teams contacted the Browns about acquiring the seventh pick, but Davis had no interest in moving down.
Winslow set Miami's all-time receiving mark for tight ends, catching 119 passes for 1,365 yards and nine touchdowns with the Hurricanes. He's often been called a tight end in a wide receiver's body.
Excellent bloodlines
Winslow also has excellent bloodlines. His father, Kellen Sr., was a Hall of Fame tight end for the San Diego Chargers.
The younger Winslow thinks he can be even better.
"I'm not going to lie -- I think I can be," Winslow said. "I'm still a baby at the position, but I have the talent."
He also has the personality, although his fiery disposition has gotten him in trouble in the past. Winslow came under fire last season for his remarks after a loss to Tennessee in which he called himself a "soldier."
Winslow apologized afterward and thinks his personality can be an asset to the Browns.
"I'm an easy guy to get along with," he said. "I'm cool. I'm funny. I like to have a good time. But when it's time to get down to business, I get serious."
If Davis was worried about Winslow's personality, he certainly didn't show it on Saturday.
"When you cut this kid open, he's all about competition," Davis said. "He has passion. He wants to play and he wants to be good. He certainly is driven to be good.
"In this game, you need lightning-rod type guys. This game is full of emotion and that emotion is contagious. Kellen can certainly bring that."
& lt;a href=mailto:scalzok@vindy.com & gt;scalzo@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;