Bucs/NFL

Winslow back and confident as ever

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published August 1, 2006

Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio - Kellen Winslow's serious leg injuries and nearly two years of watching from the sideline robbed him of speed and perhaps a touch of talent.

There isn't an ounce of bravado missing, though. Cleveland's gifted receiver still believes there is no one quite like him.

"I hate to be brash," he said with a smile. "But I think my 90 percent is still better than every tight end out there."

Relaxed, mature and eager to get back on the field for the Browns, Winslow spoke openly and candidly on Monday about his comeback from a 2005 motorcycle accident that nearly ended his promising NFL career.

During a 15-minute interview, the 23-year-old revealed that his medical setbacks were much more severe than were ever disclosed; that he'll never be completely recovered from his knee injury; that he recently married his longtime girlfriend, Janelle; and that the public's perception of him - mostly based on his infamous "I'm a soldier" comment after a loss in college at Miami - is inaccurate.

His two-year ordeal has strengthened Winslow physically and spiritually. He better appreciates the blessings around him. There has never been any doubt about his wondrous athletic ability, now the versatile 6-foot-4, 248-pounder appears to truly be a complete package.

Despite the missed time, Winslow remains confident he'll approach the star status projected for him when Cleveland selected him with the No. 6 overall pick in 2004.

"There is no mystery in my mind. I know what I can do out there," he said. "I've watched film of myself, I haven't lost a step. I'm just tired of hearing what potential I have. I know what I can do, and I'm ready to get on the field and do it."

FALCONS: Receiver Brian Finneran is out for the season after tearing up his left knee in practice Sunday night. An MRI exam confirmed that Finneran, one of quarterback Michael Vick's favorite targets, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in addition to sustaining cartilage damage and a slight displacement of the knee cap.

PATRIOTS: Tom Brady missed his third straight practice, but coach Bill Belichick didn't say why his quarterback was absent.

TITANS: Tennessee released running back Damien Nash, finally losing patience with its fifth-round pick of 2005. Coaches said he was out of shape.

VIKINGS: The team placed nose tackle Pat Williams on the physically unable to perform list, apparently concerned about his weight and conditioning levels on the first day of full-squad workouts. He is listed at 317 pounds.

holdouts: Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley's holdout reached 12 days as the 14th overall pick missed his 19th and 20th practices. His agent, Gary Wichard, continued to ignore phone messages from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Attempts to reach the former Florida State standout also failed. ... Quarterback Matt Leinart missed the Cardinals' first day of workouts as negotiations dragged on.

[Last modified August 1, 2006, 02:36:46]