Jets appear on the verge of signing Winslow, Jr.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Indications were the New York Jets would sign Kellen Winslow II if he made it through minicamp healthy.

The veteran tight end did just that, so it's seemingly only a matter of time before he joins a team that could use a playmaker at that position after the loss of Dustin Keller to the Miami Dolphins via free agency.

If and when Winslow signs, he believes it will be a nice end to a recent run of bad news.

"It's been a rough go-round, I guess," said the former sixth-overall pick, who appeared in only one game for the New England Patriots last year after the Seattle Seahawks released him. "This last year, when you can't control it, you get cut, you get traded, you just can't control it.

"But I'll tell you I'm very hungry. I've always been hungry. Whenever I step out on the football field, I want to beat my opponent. I just want to help this team and make plays for them."

Jets general manager John Idzik said he appreciated the chance to see Winslow over a three-day period rather than taking a quick look at him during a standard workout.

"We'll talk about (signing Winslow)," he said. "What's nice about minicamp environments, you get three days, unlike when you bring street guys in for free-agent workouts, you may get them on the field for 45 minutes to an hour.

"In minicamps, we get three days with them to teach them some things and see how they apply it. We thought Kellen did a nice job given the fact he got off the plane, got into a meeting and a couple hours later, he got out on the field. All things considered, he did a pretty good job."

Some players and agents prefer to have a player work out individually rather than participate in a full minicamp. Winslow's agent Drew Rosenhaus also encouraged Donte' Stallworth to do the full minicamp with the Washington Redskins.

Stallworth signed and now Winslow, who took a blood test just before talking to reporters, seems to be next.

"I am a dynamic player. I'm more of a receiver type," Winslow, who has five seasons of 66 catches or more, said when asked if he sees a chance to get back to making plays. "We have bigger bodies (on the roster) and I'm more of a receiver type. Everybody's a playmaker on this team."

Well, that last part is an exaggeration. The Jets need all the help they can get. And should he indeed sign with the Jets, Winslow needs to prove he can stay healthy after a few knee surgeries in his career.

"You just get smarter, do smarter things for your body," Winslow said. "Live in the ice tub, take care of your legs and be OK."


(usatoday.com)