Browns TE eager about season

By TONY GROSSI

Kellen Winslow Jr. has put his contract dispute and his injuries behind him.

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 last 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.”