Kellen Winslow becomes quiet leader behind scenes

TAMPA - Kellen Winslow does everything his own way and everybody on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has learned to adapt to his methods of game preparation, leadership and playmaking.

Mostly, teammates and Tampa Bay head coach Raheem Morris are in awe of Winslow's playmaking, those scintillating moments when he reminds the organization why it paid him $20.1 million guaranteed, as part of a six-year, $36 million contract extension when the Bucs acquired him from Cleveland before the 2009 season.

"He brings energy to our football team, like no one else," Morris said. "He brings a different type of energy and a different type of flow and different type of playmaking ability."

That's why one of the team's top priorities is to make sure that the veteran tight end with a bad right knee is going to make it through the entire season.

Winslow is given days off from practice during the week, so as to reduce the risk to his right knee, which has been repaired six times by surgery.

When he's not around, his absence from practice is noticed by young players like linebacker Geno Hayes, who has Winslow's route-running routine down pat.

"We all joke about him a little bit," Morris said. "I saw Geno out there doing the Kellen routes today, because we missed him on the practice field."

Winslow does not like to say much about how the team regulates his practice schedule.

"It doesn't really matter," Winslow said. "The only thing that matters is what you do on Sunday. Nobody cares about practice. It's what you do when that game is on the line. Are you going to make the play or not? So it doesn't matter what you do during the week.

"I'm ready anyway, either way," Winslow said. "I'll be ready every Sunday."

Winslow, who led the team in catches last season, is Tampa Bay's second-leading receiver (11 catches) this season behind Mike Williams (12).
But he is still the player who has made two of the Bucs' most outstanding plays this season -- the one-handed stab, tip-toe inbounds catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his 40-yard grab of a dart throw by quarterback Josh Freeman in the road win against the Carolina Panthers.

Winslow is tied for second in the NFL and tied for the lead in the NFC with in third-down receptions with 10 catches for 135 yards. Nine of the catches have gained first-down yardage.

"He's a freak, there's no other way to put it," Morris said. "He makes plays that I don't coach. He makes plays that he just has that innate ability to make."

Winslow appears much more comfortable playing for the Buccaneers than he did with his original team, the Cleveland Browns.

That's because he draws inspiration from Morris.

"Man, there's so much I could say about him. He's so easy to play for. You just don't want to let him down," Winslow said about Morris. "So, when he speaks, people listen. We ride for that dude, like no other.

"It's just easy to have a relationship with that guy. He knows how to get guys going," Winslow said. "He'll tell you to your face if you're not doing good. If you're doing good, he'll pat you on the back. But he always wants you to get better and he's always going to be on your butt."

Winslow likes to stay near Morris on the sideline during games, subtly making sure he knows to remind offensive coordinator Greg Olson to feed him balls, as much as possible.

"I love him on the sideline, because usually he's talking to me, or just talking in the air. 'They can't hold me,' or 'they can't see me,' things of that nature," Morris said. "He's awesome."

Winslow said Morris is most responsible for the team's improbable 2-1 start.

"It's all him," Winslow said. "It's been a plan, Mark (Dominik, general manager) and Raheem, and these 61 guys, however many players we have. It's been planned a long time ago. We're only (2-1), we have a lot of work to do. But it's not by accident."

Behind the scenes, Winslow does try to mentor young skill-position players on offense, like second-year wide receiver Sammie Stroughter, and Williams.

"I will say he tends to attach to certain players," Morris said.

But what's most important to Morris is what Winslow does on Sundays.

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(heraldtribune.com)