He's quietly paying off

TAMPA - At least the money and the weather are better for Kellen Winslow. Nothing else has changed for the Tampa Bay Bucs tight end, who was traded from one bad team to another in an offseason deal that brought him from the Cleveland Browns (1-4) to the bungling Buccaneers (0-5).

Winslow is the Bucs leading receiver with 26 catches for 257 yards and four touchdowns and could end up approaching 100 receptions this season.

He received a guaranteed $20.1 million, the highest guaranteed money ever for a tight end, as part of a six-year, $36.1 million contract extension.

So far this season, he has shown the maturity he promised at his introductory press conference. But mostly, Winslow seems to keep to himself.

He is being careful not to be too assertive as a newcomer.

"He has that edge about him that the special ones have," said Bucs head coach Raheem Morris. "He's responded well and that's why he's paying off and starting to make a lot of plays for us out there."

Winslow gives brief stock answers in interviews, which have been few and far between.

"Just trying to do my job and help the team win is really all I can do," Winslow said. "It's not showing, but we're trying to come together. Just keep grinding and trying to get our first win."

He saves his talking for the field.

Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Greg Olson said that Winslow will be either the first or second option on every pass play.

Since 2006, he is third among tight ends with 240 receptions. He is 284 yards shy of 3,000 career receiving yards.

"He's obviously been a productive player for us and we just have to continue to find ways to get him the football," Olson said.

"Each quarter we kind of keep track with the guys upstairs, who is the ball going to? Who is getting the carries, who is getting the ball thrown at them?

"Within our call sheet, here's the balls that go to 82 (Winslow), here's the balls that go to 89 (Antonio Bryant), here's the balls that go to 24 (Carnell Williams). Here's the balls that go to 80 (Michael Clayton)."

Last Sunday, Winslow caught several passes as the Eagles' defense sent blitzes after quarterback Josh Johnson.
"Just letting me play tight end and that's what I came here to do. I was there (Sunday)," Winslow said. "I could have done some things better. Could have had that ball up the middle. I just have to get better."

Winslow is developing confidence in Johnson, after they have played just two games together.

"Josh is going to be a good player in this league. He's starting to see things. He's going to be just fine," Winslow said. "He's continuing to grow, he's a young guy, we're a young team. We just have to stay with him."



(heraldtribune.com)