Replacing Winslow with Clark - Only Time Will Tell

Many blog sites, news sites, TV reports, and talk radio heads have been on the negativity train when it comes to the Bucs former TE Kellen Winslow Jr, and their newest TE Dallas Clark.  It is true that each have had their share of difficulties, but it's also true that each are still capable of being very productive players in this league.  We're not going to talk about injuries here.  Instead, we're going to focus on who these men are when they are ready to go on the football field.

TE Kellen Winslow
scoring against his newest team
the Seattle Seahawks

Everyone has been particularly hard on Kellen Winslow Jr.  While a member of the Bucs, his numbers don't really help his cause either.  His most glaring issue was his YAC (yards after catch).  Winslow had a paltry average of 3.5 yards.  This lends credence to fans' complaints that Kellen was nothing but "three yards and a cloud of dust" when it came to his catches. 

In three seasons with Tampa Bay, he still managed to get a very respectable 218 catches.  With an average of 10.9 yards a catch, that amounted to 2,377 total yards.  Not bad at all for an NFL TE over a 3 season period.  Many of Winslow's catches extended drives by moving the chains for first downs.  He was an excellent 3rd down option and at times could be a mismatch when covered man-to-man by Linebackers. 

One glaring statistic that does not help Kellen win the popular vote here in Tampa, was that he only had 12 touchdown receptions in that three-year period.  This speaks to his inability to create separation from whoever was covering him.  It also shows that he was not much of a viable option in the red zone, where historically, TE's usually are the prime targets on passing plays there.

Kellen Winslow Jr. is a mixed bag when it comes to his current value as a productive TE in this league.  He is very outspoken in the locker room.  He has a formidable presence.  His demeanor in the locker room demands that he be involved in the offense; but the ability for his physical presence to match that has been at times, non existent.  Winslow had no more room to grow here in Tampa Bay, and with that being said, it does not hurt to respectfully part ways and try to find more production out of the Tight End position.

New Bucs TE
Dallas Clark

Dallas Clark, the newest Bucs TE, has the credentials and the pedigree as a former All-Pro, to make a difference immediately.  Understanding that he was a consistent offensive weapon of Peyton Manning, one of the most prolific passers this game has ever seen; Dallas has proven that if you can get the ball to him, positive production will follow. 

Statistically, he has not been that prolific production-wise.  On the contrary, he's matched what would be considered "average" when it comes to his certain statistics.  Dallas has collected a total 427 career regular season catches.  He's averaged 3.7 receptions per game, with an average of 42.5 yards per game.  Again, nothing to write home to Mama about. 

Where he does make a difference though, is in the most glaring statistic in his history.  He's collected 46 touchdown receptions.  Compare that to 23 touchdown receptions for Winslow over his entire career, and you can see why there is a case for optimism here in Tampa Bay.  When Clark is on his game, there are few Tight Ends who can create mismatches and get separation like Dallas does.  He is deceptively faster than he appears to be, and he has averaged an impressive 4.9 YAC average over his nine year career.  He is the rare TE that has true NFL home run ability, as he's collected multiple receptions of 50 yards or more, including two 80 yarders under his belt. 

Dallas Clark's sideline and locker room presence is in stark contrast to what Kellen Winslow Jr's is.  Clark has the reputation of letting his play speak for itself, and there have been no reports of him demanding the ball.  He has not been mentioned as a leader, but if he wants to make a truly positive mark on this team, it's time he steps up as a nine-year pro, and start having influence on this team.  He's a proven winner and he would have no problem getting these younger Bucs to follow his lead if he does indeed decide to step up. 

We have an interesting season of football coming up, and we here at BuccaneerTalk.com are curious as to who will have the better, more productive season between these two solid pros.  Regardless of who does, we appreciate the effort Kellen Winslow gave us during game days here in Tampa, and we sincerely wish him well on his future NFL endeavors.  On the flip-side, we are very happy to have the opportunity to watch Dallas Clark make his mark here in Tampa, and wish him only the best in his efforts to help bring our city another World Championship.