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21 May 2012

Dallas Clark Signs with Bucs; Winslow Traded to Seahawks

According to multiple reports, the Buccaneers have reached an agreement with former Colts tight end Dallas Clark and will look to jettison Kellen Winslow.

Winslow did slow mightily by our metrics last season, but it's still kind of surprising to see him replaced by Clark, who managed to look even more washed up in Indianapolis. Apparently Winslow's absence at a few of the Bucs OTA's helped grease the wheels on the decision.

Edit: The Seahawks dealt a conditional seventh-rounder, that could elevate up to a sixth-rounder, to the Bucs to acquire Winslow. Certainly an interesting play for Seattle, and it should give them some formation diversity as well as a replacement for the departed John Carlson.

Posted by: Rivers McCown on 21 May 2012

12 comments, Last at 24 May 2012, 1:54pm by bigfoot

Comments

1
by Dan :: Mon, 05/21/2012 - 10:23pm

It's odd timing for ditching Winslow, since he was only scheduled to make $3.3M this year and $4.5M next year. Tampa has already paid out the big bucks on his contract; now they've reached the years where they can have him for well under his $6-7M per year average and they let him go.

6
by Dan :: Tue, 05/22/2012 - 3:41pm

It's $2.7M for Clark, which means that the move is saving TB only $0.6M this year.

8
by justanothersteve :: Tue, 05/22/2012 - 7:38pm

I guess trading a not very productive guy to move the signing bonus all to this year is a valid salary cap strategy for the Bucs. IIRC, they were one of the teams with the most available cap money when free agency started.

2
by Eggwasp (not verified) :: Tue, 05/22/2012 - 3:17am

where does this move leave Zach Miller and his $54m contract in Seattle? prime candidate for training camp release?

3
by mschuttke :: Tue, 05/22/2012 - 9:32am

My guess is that Miller will be retained. At this point, I see more gained for their offense if he is retained and gives the previously mentioned formation flexibility to their offense, especially with a likely new starting QB in either Flynn or Russell, than if he is let go. Really, even if he is overpaid, who else gets the money at this juncture? Assuming there are no other bonuses that come into effect this year for Miller's contract, generally, it's best to keep a guy so as to reduce any signing bonus acceleration cap hits from occurring as well.

5
by Insancipitory :: Tue, 05/22/2012 - 3:07pm

Winslow replaces John Carlson who signed with the Vikings.

7
by Intropy :: Tue, 05/22/2012 - 4:57pm

I think that leaves Miller as still the clear #1 TE on the Seahawks.

12
by bigfoot (not verified) :: Thu, 05/24/2012 - 1:54pm

Miller is more of an inline tight end with great blocking skills. I believe Seattle plans to use both of them in 2 tight end sets with Winslow splitting out. Seattle ran 2 tight end formations a lot last year (more than 35% of the time I beleive), but without a legitimate target at the second tight end position. Don't expect to see Winslow on the field every play

4
by MilkmanDanimal :: Tue, 05/22/2012 - 10:05am

I'm less than disappointed as a Bucs fan, mainly because Winslow whined for the ball a lot last year. Instead of telling him to shut the hell up and deal with it, Freeman continually forced the ball his way, and at least my impression is that a significant number of his INTs last year were balls thrown to K2 that never should have been thrown. Winslow's had repeated knee issues that have really slowed him down, and it seems like there are times when he can easily get open and there are times he just can't cut cleanly, and you never know which it is, no real consistency (again, I blame the knees).

Yes, I worry that Clark is injury-prone and that beyond him is Luke Stocker who had like a dozen catches last year and nothing else, but this entire year is about getting rid of anyone who doesn't fit the "team first" concept. My assumption is missing OTAs is just an excuse and I expected him not to be back next year prior to that even happening.

9
by cisforcookie (not verified) :: Tue, 05/22/2012 - 8:13pm

interesting. I wonder whether being released, along with his age and history of playing for crap teams, might persuade him to take a deal with a contender where he'd share time and be able to rest his knees. the list of good teams that could really use a good backup tight end/possession receiver who can contribute in 8-10 games is pretty long.

10
by cisforcookie (not verified) :: Tue, 05/22/2012 - 8:15pm

ah, i didn't see that he was traded to the hawks. bizarre. still, i'm guessing there's a decent chance he doesn't make the team at that salary.

11
by commissionerleaf :: Wed, 05/23/2012 - 1:13pm

Do we know what Clark is getting paid? I mean, it can't matter too much to him after the Colts overpaid him so drastically for so long, but it matters for cap purposes. $3.3 is a lot for a backup TE, although I could see the Hawks playing 2 TE sets a lot this year, given the question marks they have at receiver.