Winslow Jr. has yet to play a game, but he's already got plenty of hype

Tackle Ross Verba called the rookie the "best tight end in NFL history."
BEREA (AP) -- Kellen Winslow Jr. ended his second NFL holdout Friday.
Winslow, who missed 12 days of training camp while trying to work out a contract with the Cleveland Browns, spoke to local reporters for the first time in more than three weeks as he prepared to make his pro debut today against Baltimore.
"Hey," said tight end Aaron Shea as Winslow was surrounded at his locker. "He speaks."
Winslow does much more than that. The tight end with a Hall of Fame father has yet catch his first pass in the regular season, but he's already being tabbed for greatness.
"He's the best tight end in the history of the NFL," declared tackle Ross Verba, stunning everyone within earshot. "I'm serious. Who's better than him? Don't even say [Mark] Bavaro."
Tony Gonzalez?
"Gonzalez is good, but this guy is in a different world," Verba said. "There is no sense in hiding it."
Big talent
The Browns seemed to do just that during the exhibition season as Winslow caught only three passes. But watch him during practice, and the chiseled 6-foot-4, 250-pounder who didn't play football until he was 14, appears to be the best player on the field.
Winslow can run as fast as defensive backs. He hits like a linebacker. He snares passes with one hand. He backs down from no one. He may one day join his dad in the Hall of Fame.
But there's a career to start first.
"It's an honor," Winslow said when told of Verba's comments. "I have been taught by the best. My dad, [Jeremy] Shockey and Tony Gonzalez have all helped me, but I have a long way to go. It's my first game."
And what an opener it is.
Pro baptism
Winslow's pro baptism will come against a Ravens defense led by all-world linebacker Ray Lewis, who has already promised to flatten another former Miami Hurricane.
"Why wouldn't I?" Lewis said this week. "Anybody who puts on a different color uniform I'm looking to hit. He's nothing special."
Winslow is aware of Lewis' intentions, but he's not frightened by them.
"He's a really great player, but he has to worry about all 11 guys not just me," Winslow said.
Browns coach Butch Davis traded up a spot on draft day to select Winslow, and except for his tardy arrival at camp (he got a six-year, $40 million deal), Winslow has been everything the Browns expected -- and more.
"Kellen is above and beyond what you expect from a rookie," tackle Ryan Tucker said. "The average rookie is in shock, awe. They're happy to be getting free Gatorade and water. This kid is football 24/7."
Learning the ropes
A knee injury to Steve Heiden thrust Winslow immediately into the starting lineup and forced him to quickly catch up after missing part of training camp. It hasn't been easy.
"My head is spinning a little bit," he said. "But I am just taking it slow. I'm comfortable with what I have to do. I'm just not comfortable with what everyone else has to do yet."
Winslow, the No. 6 overall pick, explained that his reluctance to speak with the media the past few weeks was because he wanted to concentrate on being ready for the Ravens.
He spent extra time studying film so that when he runs out of the tunnel for the first time and 73,000 fans focus on No. 80 in the white jersey, he won't look like a rookie.
Winslow probably won't play like one, either.
"I've been waiting for this my whole life," he said.
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