Peter King: Pats pursued TE Kellen Winslow

[Uncle Rico]

From Peter King's MMQB:

7. I think this tells you more of what you need to know about New England's further offseason obsession with tight ends: The Patriots were interested in acquiring Kellen Winslow from Tampa Bay before the Bucs dealt him to Seattle. I'm told the relationship between Bucs coach Greg Schiano and Bill Belichick had something to do with the deal not getting made with the Patriots. Schiano knew Winslow wouldn't be Belichick's kind of player, and so the Bucs -- who would have been advantaged by sending Winslow to an AFC team instead of the NFC 'Hawks -- made a deal for a conditional seventh-round pick with Seattle.
I also hear New England might have been willing to offer a sixth-round pick for Winslow at one point. The Pats ended up signing Visanthe Shiancoe, another solid veteran. Belichick obviously is going to continue using the tight end tight to the formation, split out, set in the slot and lined up in the backfield.


Read more: Garrett Reid had key role in Eagles-Michael Vick marriage; nuggets from Week 2 of my camp tour - Peter King - SI.com

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

I find it hard to believe that for a 7th round pick BB wouldn't have taken a shot on Winslow, who, having been dumped from the Bucs for next to nothing, probably would have been out to prove the world wrong about him being a head case. Imagine Winslow on the field at the same time as Gronk, Hernandez, and Welker and Lloyd? Impossible for a team to come close to covering that. BB may respect Schiano but that doesn't mean he's stopped thinking for himself.

 

[BTTA]

It seems that the Pats are trying to build enough quality depth in the offense so that the playbook doesn't have to get changed if a star goes down (other than Brady, of course). Winslow/Schiancoe are injury insurance.

 

[mayoclinic]

I find it hard to believe that for a 7th round pick BB wouldn't have taken a shot on Winslow, who, having been dumped from the Bucs for next to nothing, probably would have been out to prove the world wrong about him being a head case. Imagine Winslow on the field at the same time as Gronk, Hernandez, and Welker and Lloyd? Impossible for a team to come close to covering that. BB may respect Schiano but that doesn't mean he's stopped thinking for himself.

Maybe you can't believe it, but when Off The Grid proposed that the Pats should pursue Winslow the suggestion was widely ridiculed on this board for being "off the grid":

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/918290-kellen-winslow.html

There's no question that BB is looking for more than just additional TE depth. He's interested in offensive sets with 3+ TEs who can be "compound multipliers" and increase the degress of freedom in which the offense can move.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Thank god Bill has built relationships with guys with the sense to talk him out of making poor decisions.

It's become increasingly clear that Bill is determined to enter this season with at least three healthy and potentially productive TE's on the roster. Which is something he should have made it a point to do last season. Graham must really be toast or still be suffering from delusions of grandeur to still be out there on the unemployment list.

 

[mayoclinic]

Thank god Bill has built relationships with guys with the sense to talk him out of making poor decisions.

It's become increasingly clear that Bill is determined to enter this season with at least three healthy and potentially productive TE's on the roster. Which is something he should have made it a point to do last season. Graham must really be toast or still be suffering from delusions of grandeur to still be out there on the unemployment list.

If the Bucs did turn down the offer of a 6th round pick from a team outside their conference then it does sound suspiciously like Schiano was trying to save BB from himself. I wasn't in favor of trading for Winslow because of all the associated baggage,personally but I'm not shocked that the Pats seriously considered it - it seems obvious that they are obsessed with playmaking TEs, and despite his injury history and personality baggage there's no doubt that Winslow had some appeal in that area.

 

[RayClay]

I find it hard to believe that for a 7th round pick BB wouldn't have taken a shot on Winslow, who, having been dumped from the Bucs for next to nothing, probably would have been out to prove the world wrong about him being a head case.

Would he be bringing a different head?

 

[borg]

If the Bucs did turn down the offer of a 6th round pick from a team outside their conference then it does sound suspiciously like Schiano was trying to save BB from himself. I wasn't in favor of trading for Winslow because of all the associated baggage,personally but I'm not shocked that the Pats seriously considered it - it seems obvious that they are obsessed with playmaking TEs, and despite his injury history and personality baggage there's no doubt that Winslow had some appeal in that area.

Bizarre to say the least. Maybe when Winslow caught wind of a possible trade to the Pats, he told Tampa no way he would play third fiddle to Gronk and AHern promising problem child displays.

But.....Who wouldn't want a "soldier" that didn't like taking orders.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Pete's really making a mess for himself in the Pacific Northwest. Today he's kicking TO's tires...

 

[patfanken]

I think King overstated when he used the word "pursued". While I'm sure the Pats "inquired" or "looked into" Winslow when the Bucs put him up for trade, but they'd do that kind of due diligence with any player.

But there are a couple of things that don't make sense in King's note. First IIRC, the Pats don't have a 6th next season, so that's a little fishy right there. Secondly, I doubt the Pats would have made an offer of any pick without FIRST talking with Schianno, as opposed to making the offer first and THEN being talked out of it by Schianno, as King reported

On the whole, I think this is just King AGAIN making more of something then there was.

 

[12ClutchFactor]

I would like to see them bring Ghrambo back in for a look. Can he have dropped off that much?

 

[Wretch]

If BB pursued Winslow and offered a conditional 6th, GS may have thought that the Bucs are more likely to actually get the conditional 7th from Seattle, a team with less depth than the Pats. Winslow would not have been a lock to make the roster with the Pats. He is FAR more likely to make Seattle's roster.

 

[BradyManny]

I would like to see them bring Ghrambo back in for a look. Can he have dropped off that much?

FWIW, Atlanta (Dmitroff) took a look at him and passed, for now. Maybe he doesn't have much in the tank.

 

[Off The Grid]

Maybe you can't believe it, but when Off The Grid proposed that the Pats should pursue Winslow the suggestion was widely ridiculed on this board for being "off the grid":

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/918290-kellen-winslow.html

There's no question that BB is looking for more than just additional TE depth.

He's interested in offensive sets with 3+ TEs who can be "compound multipliers" and increase the degress of freedom in which the offense can move.

Thanks for rememberin', man!!

I am PUMPED that Bill The Mad (Genius) has finally awoken to the explosive tactical possibilities of developing Depth of Talent at Tight End, Flex End, and Wing Back!! :rocker:

 

[Haley]

 

[SHOWTIME15]

i cant' believe belichick didn"t push harder for winslow. i mean didn't he watch the Total Gym commercials??????? Winslow can do chest and leg exercises all in one machine....

 

[Patriot Missile]

"I'm a !@%&ing soldier!"

 

[Spergon Wynn]

I doubt Schiano is calling the shots on Belichick's behalf. If we wanted him, we would have him.

 

[rookBoston]

All the interest in a top echelon TE makes me even more convinced than ever that the coaching staff doesn't read Hernandez as a TE in this offense. If it seems like carrying 4 RBs is too few, I think part of that is because we've been listing a guy as a TE. Oh, and he can also play in the slot. Or on the wing.

 

[Jackson 2]

I would like to see them bring Ghrambo back in for a look. Can he have dropped off that much?

"Grambo" sucked when he was here, sucked after he left and, I'm guessing, sucks now. He couldn't catch an effing cold if someone in an ICU sneezed into his throat.