Kellen Winslow says knee will be ready for training camp

TAMPA - Making his first appearance at One Buc Place since having surgery on his right knee this offseason, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow said he'll be ready for training camp in late July.

"It feels good," Winslow said. "It's just something I deal with everyday. I'm not going to let these guys down though."

Winslow has had multiple surgeries on his right knee, which was injured in a motorcycle crash that forced him to miss the 2005 season with the Cleveland Browns. The most recent surgery was described by Bucs head coach Raheem Morris as minor, an arthroscopic procedure to clean up scar tissue.

"I'm feeling good," Winslow said. "I'll be ready for training camp. I'll be ready."

Winslow declined to go into specifics about his surgery and didn't give a timeline as to when he would be 100 percent.

"This is my sixth one, but (it) can't stop me," he said. "I'll be back.

Winslow's previous surgeries included repairing a torn ACL and microfracture surgery.

"I've been through worse," he said referring to his most recent operation. "I'll be back and I'll do my job and my thing."

Winslow was the Bucs' leading receiver last season with 77 receptions for 884 yards and five touchdowns.

The former Miami Hurricane said he's never been one to partake in voluntary offseason workouts, choosing to work out in his native San Diego with trainer Todd Durkin.

"I just want to be right when I do come back," he said. "It's important for me to rehab strong in the offseason and this is something I've done in the past."

Winslow has incentive to be healthy when the Bucs open the 2010 regular season at Raymond James Stadium. The opponent is his former team, Cleveland, which drafted Winslow sixth overall in the 2004 draft.

Winslow played five seasons with the Browns before being traded to the Bucs in 2009.

"It's going to be fun, playing with some of those guys and that organization," Winslow said. "I loved playing for Cleveland and the Browns organization. It was fun times."

Winslow is not concerned about possibly falling behind because of the work he has missed this offseason. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson has been busy teaching a revised playbook to quarterback Josh Freeman and others in attendance, but Winslow expects to catch up.

"My head is spinning right now, but I'll be fine," Winslow said.

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(tbo.com)