Tampa trying to trade TE Kellen Winslow

[The Excellector]

Guaranteed Doug Martin is the opening day starter.

...and Josh Freeman will be better from it, by mid-season.

[Florida Art]

Is this the part where we talk about how Ray Lewis can mentor him and get him on the right track?

LOL ...at least one dipshit will.

[TheJoeFlaccoShow]

...and Josh Freeman will be better from it, by mid-season.

So losing a 60/700 vet guy at TE in favor of a rookie is going to somehow make Freeman better? LOL.

I was quite shocked to look at Winslows health, age and production recently. Not at all what I thought it was.

If he gets released he will have his choice of teams, and I would be shocked if TB couldn't get something for him. (Although I haven't seen the contract so that could be a factor)

[GOTA]

Who, when healthy, is also one of the best receiving TE's in the NFL...even at 33 years old.



I agree with everyone for the most part, but just to play devil's advocate:

Last year our most athletic TE (Dickson) had some major inconsistencies in catching the ball and throughout that entire process Cam insisted on keeping him as the #1 TE.

Now, Winslow isn't an amazing TE by any stretch of the imagination, but he is way more athletic and way more of a natural receiver and say what you want, but I've never really seen him drop passes like Dickson does.

Would that be worth the #3 TE spot or in certain packages? They're obviously tinkering around with some other TE's on the roster and aren't real stoked about Davon Drew as the #3.

Truthfully, Dallas Clark might not even make their squad except for depth. Tampa has some nice young talent at TE.

Luke Stocker (whom many compared to Jason Witten), Chase Coffman, Zach Pianalto (very underrated TE out of UNC), and 2 rookie TE's.

You really think Winslow would be content to sit behind anyone? I don't see it. If he's not starting he's going to be complaining.

[Ravenswintitle]

I would rather sign Ricky Proehl and convert him to the TE position

[Corey]

I would agree with you, but it always seemed to me that not only did Dickson manage to get separation most of the time, he could also run the very deep routes. Dickson's problem was holding onto the ball, completing the catch.
Pitta is so dependable, it's great. But if Dickson gets his drops taken care of, which is a hard thing to do, he would help create some real problems for the defenses.

I like them both. They both bring something different to the team. I don't really understand the dislike for Dickson. He made a lot of plays for the team last year, just like Pitta did. Both these guys are young players that were adjusting to more involved roles in a season where they had no offseason. Under the circumstances they both had tremendous seasons. And I expect both of them to improve this year.

[wickedsolo]

You really think Winslow would be content to sit behind anyone? I don't see it. If he's not starting he's going to be complaining.

No, not at all, which is why this is purely speculative and an off-season topic.

[wickedsolo]

I like them both. They both bring something different to the team. I don't really understand the dislike for Dickson. He made a lot of plays for the team last year, just like Pitta did. Both these guys are young players that were adjusting to more involved roles in a season where they had no offseason. Under the circumstances they both had tremendous seasons. And I expect both of them to improve this year.

Dickson did make a lot of outstanding catches...but he dropped wide open passes and passes that hit him right in the hands.

Consistency is something that is very valuable in the NFL. There is a reason why Pitta was Flacco's favorite target whenever he was on the field.

[GOTA]

The place where Winslow really should go is Pittsburgh. Ben is very good at spreading the ball around. Miller has become more of a blocker anyway. You put Winslow in a 2 TE set and he's going to get open with those speedy receivers taking DBs down the field. That would be a good fit and something I hope we don't see.

[TheJoeFlaccoShow]

The place where Winslow really should go is Pittsburgh. Ben is very good at spreading the ball around. Miller has become more of a blocker anyway. You put Winslow in a 2 TE set and he's going to get open with those speedy receivers taking DBs down the field. That would be a good fit and something I hope we don't see.

They have no money and are paying Miller a ton of money, no way they are allocating 10-11 million at the TE position on two guys.

Winslow plus Miller would put them around 10 million this year and 11 for the next 2 after that between 2 TE cap wise. Not happening.

[wickedsolo]

Oakland might be a landing spot. They don't have much at the TE position and I'm sure they'd like to give Carson Palmer another receiving option. The Bears or Bills could be another option.

[BcRaven]

I would rather sign Ricky Proehl and convert him to the TE position

Isn't Ricky Proehl the "Paul Kruger" of offense? ... Bc

[GOTA]

They have no money and are paying Miller a ton of money, no way they are allocating 10-11 million at the TE position on two guys.

Winslow plus Miller would put them around 10 million this year and 11 for the next 2 after that between 2 TE cap wise. Not happening.

Once Winslow gets cut he's not getting a big contract. He's going to end up signing a 1 year prove it type deal. The Steelers love restructuring. If they wanted to they could easily find the money.

[HoustonRaven]

Once Winslow gets cut he's not getting a big contract. He's going to end up signing a 1 year prove it type deal. The Steelers love restructuring. If they wanted to they could easily find the money.

They love restructuring for proven and healthy players.

I don't see them moving cap money around to sign someone like Winslow.

[Corey]

Dickson did make a lot of outstanding catches...but he dropped wide open passes and passes that hit him right in the hands.

Consistency is something that is very valuable in the NFL. There is a reason why Pitta was Flacco's favorite target whenever he was on the field.

It's also not something that is developed overnight. Young players drop passes that they should catch. It happens. I just don't think it's a big enough problem to dismiss his positive contributions over. I don't think Pitta is as far ahead of Dickson as people here believe.

[mdduckman]

This is the first thing I think of when I think of the Ravens and Winslow...

http://mdduckman.smugmug.com/Other/M...630019&k=dpVrs

Ah...memories...

[wickedsolo]

It's also not something that is developed overnight. Young players drop passes that they should catch. It happens. I just don't think it's a big enough problem to dismiss his positive contributions over. I don't think Pitta is as far ahead of Dickson as people here believe.

It doesn't matter what people here think. It was obvious to anyone watching last year that Flacco has a connection with Pitta more than some of the other receivers. It even looked like he started to develop better chemistry with Torrey over Boldin as the season went on and frankly, it never really looked like Boldin and Flacco had that tight bond that you see from a lot of QB's and WR's.

Pitta may not be the athlete or have the upside that Dickson has, but if he's Flacco's favorite target (and towards the end of the season it certainly seemed that way) then they're going to be getting Pitta involved as much as possible. They're going to give Flacco the best weapons and the best probability of putting up points.

[Corey]

It doesn't matter what people here think. It was obvious to anyone watching last year that Flacco has a connection with Pitta more than some of the other receivers. It even looked like he started to develop better chemistry with Torrey over Boldin as the season went on and frankly, it never really looked like Boldin and Flacco had that tight bond that you see from a lot of QB's and WR's.

Pitta may not be the athlete or have the upside that Dickson has, but if he's Flacco's favorite target (and towards the end of the season it certainly seemed that way) then they're going to be getting Pitta involved as much as possible. They're going to give Flacco the best weapons and the best probability of putting up points.

You don't think Flacco is developing a connection with Dickson as well? I'd beg to differ. I think outside of his initial comfort level with Mason, I don't think I've ever seen Flacco as comfortable with his supporting cast as he is now. I attribute that largely to Flacco being able to groom the younger receivers himself and teach them what he wants them to be, as opposed to having to having that adjustment period that comes with a veteran receiver and veteran quarterback.

Pitta had his moments where it looked like he and Flacco had been playing together forever but I think Dickson had several of those moments as well.

[wickedsolo]

You don't think Flacco is developing a connection with Dickson as well? I'd beg to differ. I think outside of his initial comfort level with Mason, I don't think I've ever seen Flacco as comfortable with his supporting cast as he is now. I attribute that largely to Flacco being able to groom the younger receivers himself and teach them what he wants them to be, as opposed to having to having that adjustment period that comes with a veteran receiver and veteran quarterback.

Pitta had his moments where it looked like he and Flacco had been playing together forever but I think Dickson had several of those moments as well.

The relationship transcends the field though.

Pitta and Flacco are really tight on and off the field. That's what I'm saying. That's a major reason why Flacco looks to Pitta first come game time. He trusts him and knows he has his back. Dickson dropping those passes last year doesn't give a QB warm & fuzzies come game time. The QB wants the guys out on the field that he knows are going to catch the ball.

Totally agree with you that another year under their belt and an actual off-season to work out with mini camps and OTA's will probably do wonders for Flacco and the rest of the receivers, but at this point I think Dickson would have to be really impressive as a blocker and as a receiver to hands down beat out Pitta for the #1 TE spot.

[Dirt1]

I could see the Bears being interested in Winslow. They added Brandon Marshal, but could still use more weapons for Cutler.