Buccaneers Acquire Kellen Winslow

While teams such as the Redskins and Jets have been making bold moves in free agency, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have acquired tight end Kellen Winslow via trade from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for undisclosed draft picks, as reported by ESPN and NFL.com

The Browns selected Winslow with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft, and his five years in Cleveland were never short on bizarre moments. After suffering a season-ending leg injury in his rookie season, Winslow tore his ACL in a motorcycle accident prior to the 2005 season.

Winslow was finally able to be a regular contributor in 2006 and caught 89 passes for 875 yards. In 2007, he caught 82 passes for 1,106 yards for a surprising Cleveland team that won 10 games.

The 2008 season was not quite as successful for Winslow or the Browns, as he missed time with a staph infection which set off a public feud between the all-pro tight end and the team.

The Browns released the following statement on the trade:

"The Cleveland Browns thank Kellen for his contributions to this organization over the past five years, said Browns general manager George Kokinis. "We appreciate his passion for the game and wish him success in Tampa Bay. The draft picks we have obtained through this deal will give us greater flexibility as we look to infuse more talent and create competition and depth on this football team."

Tampa Bay entered this offseason with the most cap space in the NFL after cutting five veterans earlier in the week. The Buccaneers were considered to be a favorite to land defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, but lost out to Dan Snyder's bottomless pit of money.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

2-27-2009 @ 1:08PM

Mr.G said...

Good riddance.Talented?Yes,very.But another injury prone malcontent this team does not need.

2-27-2009 @ 1:12PM

Fred Carmen said...

If we didn't get a 1st round pick (and I'm sure we didn't) this move hurts more than it helps.

2-27-2009 @ 1:22PM

M said...

I'm pissed off. Winslow had the best hands on the team. The new management has already managed to piss off the best defensive player on the team (Rogers) and now trades away, for no proven players, possibly our best offensive player after Thomas. Ugh.

2-27-2009 @ 7:57PM

jmm923 said...

Winslow is a head case and selfish beyond belief. He could care less about the Browns. Its all about him! Good riddance.

2-27-2009 @ 1:29PM

Juan said...

love the move...he is a top 3 tight end in this league...just stay healthy!

2-27-2009 @ 1:36PM

midiredd said...

Great move Cleveland, he was a distraction, a cry baby, who stayed on the injury list. I wonder is he still riding that motor bike...lol

2-27-2009 @ 1:50PM

DAN said...

HE PROBABLY WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITH HIS FATHER AT ATLANTA

2-27-2009 @ 2:03PM

rfrick1970 said...

Offing this injury-prone, malcontent is right for the Browns. He's a whinner not a winner.

Steelers rock !

2-27-2009 @ 2:05PM

lotzrick said...

great move, we've put up with this cry baby long enough

2-27-2009 @ 3:22PM

fcbdanka said...

Could be a good move for the Bucs if Winslow begins to mature, act grown up and stays healthy.

2-27-2009 @ 4:19PM

Hey Murph!!!!! said...

GET RID OF THAT MICHIGAN BABY, TOO!!!!!!!

2-27-2009 @ 4:28PM

rklapsley said...

I'm a Steelers fan through and through. I don't hate the Brownies though. Listen Brownies, no matter how good you think someone is, unless he's a team player and willing to do what is asked of him, the team will always suffer. Always. Let Winslow go. Do you think the Giants cared about letting Shockey go? Hell no. No one ever heard of Kevin Boss unti they did! Boss is ten times the TE than Shockey. No drop off in production. Browns will have someone to field the void, trust me

2-28-2009 @ 12:20PM

Bob said...

I have to whole heartly agree with you. I'm no Steeler fan but I'll give credit where it's due. It seems to me that out of a 4 quarter game the whole Browns team plays 1 quarter, except for maybe 3 or 4 players. When the Steelers take the field they All play the full 4 quarters winning or behind. Wish I could say the same for the Browns. I just hope the new coach puts a shoe in their a** and gets them moving!!

2-27-2009 @ 4:31PM

sanchionipa said...

Wow, Bucs gonna be looking like the ZBucs of the past what kinda deals are they making? First the coach which ok kinda understandable but then cant even get a Quaterback if their life depended on it. Hey Bucs go get Cassel it will only cost u 10 first rounders and some more!

2-27-2009 @ 6:18PM

papam11 said...

Winslow hasn't done squat since the day he signed.
In my mind, he's stolen his money.

2-27-2009 @ 8:55PM

wmjasmith6 said...

"Great move" Got rid of a another cry baby

2-27-2009 @ 9:13PM

ebslick2002 said...

I don't know how any sane browns fan can like this move. Trade away our best hands receiver and keep the league leader in dropped passes.
Nice move C-town. The begining of the Mangina era is already looking dreadful.

2-27-2009 @ 9:20PM

Mark said...

K2 is a very talentd individual who let his ego get in the way of achieving athletic greatness. Too bad, he could be one of the best.

2-27-2009 @ 10:28PM

ken sax said...

What was he making, like $238,000 per game? Pretty sure that's what I read he had to give up for his comments about the Browns. Not worth it. Let him go.