Bucs Ship Winslow to Seahawks

Added on May 22, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

Kellen Winslow read the writing on the wall. The new regime in Tampa Bay led by head coach Greg Schiano was going in a different direction at the tight end position. Late yesterday the team pulled the trigger and sent Winslow to Seattle in exchange for a conditional pick in the 2013 draft, reportedly a seventh-round selection. To help fill the void, the Bucs inked ex-Colt Dallas Clark to a one-year deal.

Winslow skipped the team’s offseason conditioning program, which apparently drew the ire of Schiano and the front office. The 28-year-old joins the third team in his career after spending the last three seasons in Tampa and the previous five in Cleveland, who selected him 6th overall in the 2004 draft.

For now, Seattle will absorb Winslow’s hefty contract that has three years and nearly $16 million remaining. They will likely look to restructure the deal in order to lessen the $4.8 million cap hit in 2012.

Winslow’s first two years in Cleveland were plagued by leg and knee injuries that limited him to just two starts. He broke out in 2006 catching a career best 89 passes, then earned his only Pro Bowl berth the following season when he snagged 82 receptions for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns.

The Seahawks will pair their new addition with Zach Miller, who inked a lucrative $34 million last summer. The hope is Miller will improve on his dreadful first season in Seattle that saw him catch 25 balls for 233 yards and zero scores, all career worsts.

Both Winslow and Miller are excellent receiving threats, but for either to be effective the Seahawks must stabilize their sketchy quarterback situation. Incumbent Tarvaris Jackson, free agent Matt Flynn and rookie Russell Wilson are all expected to compete for the starting nod once training camp opens.

Meanwhile, Dallas Clark joins Vincent Jackson and rookie running back Doug Martin as part of the Bucs new look offense.

Source: NFL.com