A Look Back at John Idzik’s Inaugural New York Jets’ Season: Kellen Winslow

Dec 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets tight end

(81) runs after a catch against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of the game at Sun Life Stadium. The Jets defeated Miami 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Over the last several days, we have been going over John Idzik’s first season as the general manager of the New York Jets. Despite having limited resources due to the Jets’ salary cap situation, he made quite a few moves. We have been through his draft choices, talked about Chris Ivory, Mike Goodson, and every other major move John made.

We have one more move to take a look at and give a grade, that move is:

KELLEN WINSLOW:

Now, here is a move that I personally had been begging for since the 2012 season. Prior to coming to New York, Kellen had posted two seasons of over 80 receptions, two of over 70 receptions, and one of over 60 receptions. In 2013, Winslow was only two seasons removed from a 75 reception season with the Tampa Bay Bucs.

However, he had some well-documented problems in his other stops around the league. He had a problem with Phil Savage, then the GM of the Browns, regarding an infection that he had. He felt it wasn’t handled properly and called out the general manager to the media.

With the Bucs, he insisted on being traded or released after the 2011, despite his 75 reception performance in 2011.

Yet, the Jets brought him for a tryout during a three-day minicamp, and he signed a one year deal.

To his credit, he became a reliable weapon for Geno Smith. Kellen caught 31 passes out of 43 targets, a catch percentage of 72.1%. It was just outside the top 20, but just three percentage points from being in the top ten. Browns’ highly touted tight end Jordan Cameron, for example, posted a catch percentage of 73.4%, and we all heard about how impressive Cameron was.

Winslow posted 388 yards and two touchdowns to go along with his 31 receptions. The one hang up in his season is the fact that he missed four games. He was suspended four games for violating the NFL’s PED policy. He had posted 17 receptions prior to his suspension, and only 14 over the final seven weeks. The four weeks off the field did seem to take Kellen out of the flow of the offense a little bit.

Here is a guy that could prove to be valuable if they bring him back. Some have argued they would like to see Winslow stay ahead of Jeff Cumberland. I cannot hold the drug suspension against Idzik, nothing was in his history about it. I give the move a…..B+.

OK, you have heard my grades for John Idzik’s moves over the last several days. What do you guys think? Feel free to sound off below.