BEREA — The old Kellen Winslow might’ve stayed in San Diego, stood next to agent Drew Rosenhaus and dug his heels into the sand.
But the new, older Kellen Winslow is on the practice field and in meetings, a willing participant in the Browns’ most anticipated training camp in years.
“My job is to just get out here and play,” Winslow, who turned 25 Monday, said after Thursday’s morning practice.
“He’s a talent,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “We’re glad he’s here.”
Winslow’s presence at training camp wasn’t guaranteed.
The Browns traded a third-round draft choice in 2009 for the chance to move into the fourth round in April and take Missouri tight end Martin Rucker. The move was seen as insurance if Winslow chose to hold out or wasn’t able to recover from another offseason knee surgery — at least the fourth on the right knee since a motorcycle accident in 2005.
Talk of a holdout heated up when Winslow missed the voluntary organized team activities, electing to rehab in San Diego. Meanwhile, Rosenhaus, known for his clients’ holdouts, lavish demands and big contracts, lobbied for a new deal despite three years remaining on the old one.
But Winslow quieted the speculation by showing up for the mandatory minicamp in June and appearing to be in top form. He arrived at training camp this week with little fanfare.
“I’m sure (the media) thought I wasn’t coming, but I’m not that type of guy,” he said. “I don’t want to be a distraction.”
That doesn’t mean Winslow doesn’t want a new deal. But he vows it won’t affect his performance.
“You can’t focus on the contract,” he said. “I just want to be a Cleveland Brown for a longer period of time.
“It is up to (the team). If they don’t do it, they don’t do it. If they do it, they do it.”
This mind-set is the latest sign of Winslow’s maturation.
“We’ve seen him settle down from the first year that I was here and he can manage himself better than he used to,” Crennel said. “He has a better understanding of how the team works and how he fits into the team and what’s expected and required of him.”
Rosenhaus said he remains in a dialogue with the team, which is reluctant to renegotiate with three years remaining. Winslow signed a one-year extension through 2010 in October 2005 and restructured the deal to recoup some of the bonus money he lost after the accident. He is scheduled to make $13 million over the next three seasons.
“There is a sense of urgency on our end,” Rosenhaus said Thursday, adding that the contract is outdated. “But Kellen and I have decided to take the high road and handle it professionally. There’ll be no holding out.”
Winslow has posted back-to-back stellar seasons. He followed 89 catches for 875 yards and three touchdowns in 2006 (his first full season) with 82 catches for 1,106 yards and five TDs.
He was the 14th tight end in NFL history to top 1,000 yards, set a franchise record for yards by a tight end and led the league’s tight ends with 13.5 yards per catch and 17 receptions of 20 yards or more. He was picked for his first Pro Bowl despite being slowed toward the end of the year by an aching knee and shoulder.
He said a “minor scope” took care of the knee and the shoulder healed on its own. Pain will always be a part of Winslow’s football life, so he enters the season knowing he must manage his health.
“It is a long season. You get beat up,” he said. “I’m trying to help this team get to the playoffs, so I have to keep my body healthy.”
Winslow’s value to the team would grow even higher if third receiver Joe Jurevicius is unable to return after a series of offseason knee surgeries.
“I left a lot on the field last year,” Winslow said. “I watched the film from last year and saw things that I can do better. I probably could have caught 100 balls. Touchdowns, I only had five, so I can get a lot better in each category.”
Winslow has never shied away from personal battles. He’s called himself the best tight end in the league on numerous occasions and talked boldly before a matchup with San Diego’s Antonio Gates in 2006.
But the “new” Winslow wouldn’t go down that road when a Week 1 matchup with Dallas’ Jason Witten was mentioned.
“You’re trying to get me, man,” he said. “I’m trying to be the best player I can be. I’ll give you the political answer on that one.
“I’m growing up. I’m 25 now.”
Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com. 

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