BEREA Despite negotiations, Winslow still missing

Cleveland will open training camp on Friday.
By KURT SNYDER
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BEREA -- All Butch Davis said he can do after a disappointing 5-11 season is look to the future.
That future begins Friday for the Browns coach and his team with the opening of training camp. In camp will be new quarterback Jeff Garcia, previously suspended running back William Green and new offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie.
But the man who may garner the most attention likely will not be present Friday. The Browns' first-round pick, Kellen Winslow Jr., is expected to hold out.
How long will the tight end hold out? Nobody is certain.
Davis was non-committal about progress in negotiations Wednesday. He said he was not directly involved in the negotiations and stressed they would not be done through the media.
"It's a process," he said. "Everybody would like a snap-quick immediate thing, but we're still in the process of laying the groundwork."
Winslow has hinted at the possibility of a long holdout since he was drafted in April, but Davis said everyone is on the same page.
"Kellen would be disappointed if he's not here for the beginning of training camp," he said.
Agent in town
Winslow's agent spent four hours Wednesday meeting with the Browns. Kevin Poston, the tight end's representative, visited with Browns president John Collins at the team's headquarters, a possible sign the sides want a deal finalized by Friday.
Poston's arrival in Cleveland came on a day when three more first-round draft choices signed with their NFL teams.
However, none of the first-round picks represented by Poston and his brother, Carl, have signed. In addition to Winslow, the Postons represent Jacksonville wide receiver Reggie Williams and Carolina cornerback Chris Gamble.
Washington's signing of cornerback Sean Taylor, taken one spot ahead of Winslow at No. 5, could have a direct effect on the Browns' negotiations.
It was assumed Kevin Poston would base his asking price for Winslow on whatever this year's higher picks received, and possibly demand that the Browns give his client comparable money to a No. 1 overall pick.
Tough negotiators
The Postons have a reputation for being tough negotiators, who have held their clients out of camps in the past. Last year, though, they delivered Charles Rogers on time to the Detroit Lions, who gave the wide receiver a league-high $14.4 million signing bonus.
The best on-the-field story of camp could be the competition at running back where Green would like to win his job back after missing the final nine games of 2003 because of a variety of reasons. But second-year running back Lee Suggs rushed for 186 yards in a season-ending win at Cincinnati to make a clear statement.
Davis would not say if he had a starter in mind.
"That's what training camp is for," he said. "It will be settled in the four preseason games and in our work against Buffalo."
The Browns scrimmage the Bills Aug. 7 in Rochester, N.Y.
With the sudden retirement of Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, Davis was asked if either might be used in a trade. Davis said nothing has been discussed and then said depth is too important. He said improving players 22-53 is crucial to having a successful season, and one of those players will be the backup running back.
"You can never have too many talented players."
Running game priority
Regardless of who is running the ball, Davis said a better running game is a priority. Conversely on defense, stopping the run is also a priority with Baltimore's Jamal Lewis looming Sept. 12.
"In my heart, I know stopping the run and running the football is a crusade," Davis said. "It's a mindset with our coaches, and it's a mindset with our players."
Meanwhile, the Browns are close to an agreement with quarterback Luke McCown, their fourth-round pick.
McCown, who starred at Louisiana Tech, is expected to be Cleveland's third-stringer this season behind Jeff Garcia and Kelly Holcomb.
Offensive tackle Kirk Chambers, the club's sixth-round selection, is the only Browns 2004 draft pick to sign so far.
XThe Associated Press contributed to this report.