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Absence underscores desire to redo contract
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Thursday, May 15, 2008
BEREA: Offseason training activities are supposedly voluntary, but Browns tight end Kellen Winslow appears to be sending a message with his absence.
Winslow is reportedly in San Diego rehabbing his right knee, which underwent its fourth surgery to clean out scar tissue. It is the same knee that needed reconstruction after a May 2005 motorcycle accident.
But Winslow said while at the Pro Bowl that he wanted to restructure his contract that has three years remaining. His base salary is $4 million in 2008, $4.5 million in 2009 and $4.75 million in 2010. He hired a new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who has encouraged other clients to hold out during training camp.
Browns coach Romeo Crennel doesn't know what to make of Winslow's failure to participate in OTAs, which began Tuesday and run three days a week for a month. He said he hasn't spoken to Winslow since February.
Asked if Winslow's absence was health-related, Crennel said, ''When he gets here, we'll find out for sure exactly what that is.''
Winslow isn't required to practice until the full-squad minicamp June 10-12. It was hard to tell if Crennel was irritated by the situation.
''Something happens every year with somebody. It's part of football,'' Crennel said.
One of last year's captains, linebacker Willie McGinest, said he will talk to Winslow, if asked.
''I don't know what the situation is with Kellen, but if they needed me to speak to him, I'm like a big brother to him,'' McGinest said. ''We're all supposed to be brothers and family around here, so everybody should be able to talk to each other.''
Wright cut
The contract of defensive back Kenny Wright was terminated, and Jereme Perry was signed to a one-year deal. Perry played for the Browns in 2006, first making the practice squad as a rookie free-agent invitee. The Eastern Michigan product was waived Sept. 8.
Wright, a nine-year veteran who had two years remaining on his contract, has been arrested twice this year in Pearland, Texas. On March 1, he was pulled over for speeding, and a small bag of marijuana was found in his trunk. On April 3, he was charged with evading arrest, unlawful restraint and possession of marijuana after a quarter-mile foot chase.
Perry had a tryout Monday with the Kansas City Chiefs. His agent, Ron Todd, was on the phone with the Browns when the Chiefs tried to call.
Others missing
Rookies are not allowed to participate in OTAs until next week. Also missing were linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (honeymoon) and center LeCharles Bentley (torn patellar tendon in 2006). Tight end Steve Heiden (back surgery) and receiver Joe Jurevicius (knee surgery, staph infection) are attending, but unable to work out. Defensive back Gary Baxter (two torn patellar tendons in 2006) was jogging on the side.
Whether Bentley will practice again with the Browns seems uncertain. He has been training in Phoenix.
''I've spoken to LeCharles and he's got one or two things that he's got to try to work through as far as his treating physician and then be able to come and pass our physical,'' Crennel said. ''He might not be here until the minicamp.''
McGinest's farewell
McGinest told SI.com last week that his 15th season in the NFL will be his last. He won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots before joining the Browns in 2006.
''I played with some of the best players, played against some of the best players, was coached (by) some great coaches and accomplished a lot. I just felt it was time,'' he said. ''I want to leave the game in good shape, I want to leave productive. I don't want to be one of those guys who's still trying to hang on year to year.
''The reason I came back this year was I knew Cleveland was doing some special things, they were bringing a lot of guys in to help and they were making a big push to try to be competitive and win.''
Brownies
Right tackle Ryan Tucker limped off the field early in practice with what Crennel called ''a little uncomfortableness in the hip area.'' . . . The most eye-catching player was receiver Kevin Kasper, a five-year veteran free agent who spent last season with the Detroit Lions. He showed some quickness and made impressive catches over the middle, even drawing mention from quarterback Derek Anderson. . . . Some things never change. Receiver Travis Wilson, a third-round pick in 2006, dropped back-to-back passes and was tutored by Jerry Butler afterward. Butler, the director of player development, played receiver for the Buffalo Bills for nine years.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
BEREA: Offseason training activities are supposedly voluntary, but Browns tight end Kellen Winslow appears to be sending a message with his absence.
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