Winslow anxious to prove his worth

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,” Winslow 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 in Berea, Ohio, 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; and that he recently married his longtime girlfriend, Janelle.

Winslow, the sixth pick in the 2004 draft broke his leg during his rookie season and missed all of last year after the motorcycle accident.

Saban turns down President

When the White House extended an invitation to dine with President Bush, Dan Marino accepted, but Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban said no.

Saban said his obligations at training camp took priority over the chance to spend an evening with the president. Politics weren’t a factor, he said.

“It was really a tough decision,” Saban said. “I feel like my first responsibility is our team. That in no way disrespects the importance of the opportunity I would have loved to have had to spend dinner with the president.”

The dinner took place at Joe’s Stone Crabs, a landmark Miami Beach restaurant. Among those joining President Bush were Marino, a former Dolphins quarterback and an NFL Hall of Famer, and Nick Buoniconti and Jim Mandich, members of the 1972 Dolphins team that achieved the only perfect season in league history. Their wives were also present.

How did Saban’s wife react to his decision to decline?

“I’d rather this not become a public issue, because I don’t think I even told her, to be honest with you,” he said. “Now that you mention it, maybe I should wear a helmet home tonight.”

Brady’s absence unexplained

Tom Brady missed his third straight practice, but New England coach Bill Belichick didn’t say why his quarterback was absent from Patriots training camp.

“Guys that aren’t out here, it’s either because of their practice routine or they are day to day,” he said.

He wouldn’t reveal which reason applied to Brady.

Roman criticizes Packers

Mark Roman won’t forget the way the Green Bay Packers treated him.

The veteran safety participated in his first practice since signing a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. After two years as a starter in Green Bay, he was cut by the Packers on Thursday, just one day before the club opened training camp – and more than four months after he requested his release.

“They handled the situation bad, the way they did it, and not letting me go to camp,” Roman said. “I wish they had handled it differently.”

Around the league

The Atlanta Falcons got the bad news they expected: receiver Brian Finneran is out for the season after tearing up his left knee in practice on Sunday. … Quarterback Matt Leinart missed the Arizona Cardinals’ first day of workouts as contract negotiations between the team and their first-round draft pick dragged on. …Talks between the Buffalo Bills and first-round draft pick Donte Whitner have stalled general manager Marv Levy said. … New Orleans Saints first-round draft pick Reggie Bush has arrived in Jackson, Miss., where he is expected to sign his contract and practice today.