CORTLAND — Kellen Winslow Jr. is still bitter about how his tenure with the Seahawks ended last year. But he absolved one of Seattle’s old executives — John Idzik, now the Jets general manager.
“That wasn’t him at all,” Winslow said yesterday. “There was another GM there [John Schneider]. … John gave me a chance to come here and do my thing.
“Much props to John, and he knows what I can do and I’m going to do it for him.”
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Winslow is Idzik’s new tight end, signing with the Jets in June and preparing to replace Dustin Keller. Winslow, who turned 30 last week, ranks as one of the roster’s most intriguing players. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, he’s a former Pro Bowler and he has caught at least 75 passes fn a season four times.
Winslow, however, is coming off a campaign in which he played only one game and caught one pass. He was released by the Seahawks four days before the 2012 NFL season started and played just one game with the Patriots before requesting his release.
Winslow, who spent time with the Browns and Buccaneers before being dealt to the Seahawks before last season, admitted to being upset with Seattle. The Seahawks released him Sept. 1. Winslow said “they cut me over money.” According to the Seattle Times, Winslow wouldn’t take a pay cut.
“You just don’t do a vet like that,” Winslow said yesterday.
Schneider did not respond to an email regarding Winslow’s comments. The Jets and Seahawks don’t play this season, so Winslow’s only shot for revenge would be if — by some miracle, in the Jets’ case — the two teams make the Super Bowl.
Winslow has had health issues in his career, but most came years ago. He played two games total in 2004 and 2005 thanks to a broken leg and a motorcycle accident, but played 16 games in five of the next six seasons from 2006-11 (he played 10 games in 2008). Winslow said he believes he can play 16 for the Jets, citing his past experience.
“My will takes over for my pain,” he said.
In the five seasons in which he played 16 games, Winslow averaged 77.8 catches. So when he plays, he is productive. Is it possible he could reemerge as a valuable player for the Jets?
“My goal is to have 100 catches,” Winslow said, reiterating a comment he made a few weeks ago. “Will I have 100? I don’t know. I might have 20. But that’s my goal.”
The Jets are limiting Winslow’s work in camp. Winslow called it “frustrating, but … smart.
“I’ll be ready for the season,” he added.
Tight ends coach Steve Hagen praised Winslow’s passion.
“He’s like a thoroughbred horse that you hold in the gate,” Hagen said. “I’ve got to hold him in the gate or he’d just run, run, run, run, run.”
Winslow said the Seahawks “put me in a bad situation.” And when he joined the Patriots, he said, he didn’t have sufficient time to familiarize himself with New England’s playbook. Either way, Winslow said he believes being with the Jets — and Idzik — works.
“Last year I don’t know what happened in Seattle. That was on [coach] Pete [Carroll],” he said. “But I’m here now and this is a great opportunity for me.”