Kellen Winslow shows off moves during Seahawks practice

RENTON — Looking for some instant offense, the Seattle Seahawks hope they added some explosiveness to the passing game with the addition of Kellen Winslow.

"He's a wide receiver in a tight end's body," Seattle head coach Pete Carroll said. "He's got all of that ability and route-running like I mentioned, but more than that he makes plays. As well as — the thing that I love about the guy the most — is that he's a great competitor. He just loves to play the game and we can't have enough of that around here."

Winslow talked to reporters for the first time on Thursday since Seattle traded a conditional, seventh-round pick to Tampa Bay for the University of Miami product's services.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound athlete looked smooth running routes and catching the ball during practice.

The Seahawks plan to pair Winslow with tight end Zach Miller, using them both in two-tight end situations to force defenses to choose between running more heavy fronts to stop bruising running back Marshawn Lynch, or use more defensive backs to deal with Winslow and Miller in the passing game.

Seattle used two tight-end formations nearly 40 percent of the time last season.

Winslow averaged 73 receptions and 792 yards for the past three years in Tampa Bay. Miller finished with a career-low 25 catches last season, but Winslow believes the two tight ends can create a dynamic similar to New England's two tight-end sets.

New England's Rob Gronkowski finished with 90 receptions for a tight-end record 1,327 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in 2011, while teammate tight end Aaron Hernandez totaled 79 receptions for 910 yards and seven touchdowns.

"Zach Miller is a proven veteran here," Winslow said. "Hopefully we'll be able to do something like the Patriots are doing, with Gronkowski and Hernandez. We kind of fit that mold, so I'm sure we'll be fine."

However, Winslow, who turns 29 on July 21, could be losing a step. He's had six knee surgeries since he's been in the league, including reconstructive knee surgery after he tore his ACL in the motorcycle crash in 2005 while with Cleveland, and microfracture knee surgery in 2007.
Winslow also had the most penalty yards of any Tampa Bay player last season, 76 total yards on seven accepted penalties, including three for offensive pass interference.

Winslow also finished in the top 25 in the league in drops with five.

Carroll said the team is aware of Winslow's knee issues, and the team will manage the situation.

"He's got some health issues that we're going to deal with to make sure we monitor them really well, so he can play his best," Carroll said. "We're absolutely tuned into it, and we know a lot about the history. We'll learn a lot more.

"But we think it's such a fantastic addition because he can make things happen. He can make plays. He should be a big factor on third down and in the red zone."

Winslow said he's developed an understanding of how to take care of his injury situation.

"I will have to manage my practice time but ever since the accident, I do have to live with what I have," Winslow said. "But I've been playing the last three years 16 games and the last five out of six years, I've been five years healthy. So I'll be okay. Just be smart with it and I'll be there on Sunday."


(kitsapsun.com)