Tampa Bay Buccaneers Trade TE Kellen Winslow Jr To Seattle; Sign Dallas Clark

Just hours after it was announced that Kellen Winslow Jr expected to be leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers via trade it happened as the veteran tight end was tonight traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional 2013 draft pick.

Rumors were rife recently when former Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark worked out for the Buccaneers that Winslow was set for the chop. There was some truth to these rumors as in the same announcement of Winslow’s trade the Buccaneers declared they were signing Clark as his replacement.

Tampa Bay General Manager Marc Dominik had high praise when speaking of Clark:

"“Dallas Clark is a consummate pro and proven playmaker. He will be another asset, on and off the field, for our team. In addition to Luke Stocker’s continued improvement in his ability as an every-down tight end, we feel we have both talent and depth at the tight end position.”"

Clark was both an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 2009 when the Colts last went to the Super Bowl and holds many tight end records for his former team. He is also part of an exclusive club alongside Todd Christensen and Tony Gonzalez as having had a season of 90+ receptions, 1000+ yards and 10+ touchdowns in a single season as a tight end.

In contrast, Winslow’s eight year career has also featured a number of highs. He achieved Pro Bowl status whilst playing for the Cleveland Browns in 2007 and that year achieved 1000 yards in a season. His career was marred by two crucial injuries early as he broke his leg in his rookie year and then the following year suffered a torn ACL after a motorcycle accident that nearly cost him his career. However, after returning to the Browns and performing well in 2007 he was traded to Tampa Bay and given what was the biggest contract ever given to a tight end in NFL history.

Two tight ends, two terrific legacies – whilst the Buccaneers have lost a great leader in Kellen Winslow Jr they have gained another in Dallas Clark.

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