Miami's tight end makes the spectacular seem common, doing whatever it takes to win, and he makes sure everyone knows about it.
By BOB HARIG
Published October 10, 2003
CORAL GABLES - What others view as remarkable, he sees as routine. What others take as brash, he says is candor. Kellen Winslow Jr. can talk with the best of them, upholding a long University of Miami tradition. He can back it up, too.
The latest catch to make the highlight reel was his leaping, twisting 18-yard reception against West Virginia, a snag made on fourth and 13 with 1:05 to play and the Hurricanes staring at their first regular-season defeat in three years.
It led to the winning points in a 22-20 victory, but not even that amazed Winslow.
"I know what I can do, and I've been doing it my whole life," Winslow said. "I dream about those catches. It really wasn't a hard catch. I just went to go get it."
Amazingly, Winslow is a 250-pound tight end, not a sleek receiver. Last season he led the team in receptions with 57 for 726 yards and eight touchdowns. And he's not afraid to let you know about it.
"I've always been a trash talker," said Winslow, who anointed himself the Chosen One in the preseason. "That's just the way I play."
Winslow claimed this week that he is unstoppable against single coverage, even if it is coming against one of the best defenses in the country Saturday against fifth-ranked Florida State in Tallahassee.
He lets opponents know, too, as he did last week against West Virginia, barking at WVU players during a 10-catch, 104-yard performance that was his best game of the season. That also caught the eye of the ESPN crew doing the telecast.
"I know he's very competitive," ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said. "But sometimes he needs to look at himself in the mirror and realize he's one of the best players in the nation. He's an elite player, and when you catch a 10-yard out against a 1-3 West Virginia team, that's probably not the best time to beat on your chest and show the world how tough you are."
UM coach Larry Coker has counseled Winslow to tone it down during games, wanting him to keep up his competitive fire while being careful not to draw the wrath of officials and opponents. Coker, for example, was not pleased when Winslow gave a Heisman pose after a touchdown reception in the opener against Louisiana Tech.
And yet Coker has a hard time arguing with the production.
"You watch Michael Jordan at the end of the game. When you have to have it, people are all over him, he hits a jump shot and you win the NBA title," Coker said. "I think Winslow is that type of person. It doesn't even amaze you that much anymore. Winslow plays with such passion and such energy, he's just phenomenal to watch."
Winslow might have played his best game in the only one the Hurricanes have lost in his three seasons at the school, in double overtime to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
He had 11 receptions for 122 yards, including a spectacular overtime touchdown.
"Nobody is going to make that catch but him," Coker said. "You lose Jeremy Shockey - a phenomenal, tough, talented kid - and to have someone like Kellen Winslow come along ... those players don't come along once in a lifetime, and we've had them back to back."
Winslow, the son of former San Diego Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow, an NFL Hall of Famer, came to UM as a receiver but moved to tight end after he added size and bulk and when Shockey left early for the NFL.
"This guy needs seven guys covering him, and he would beat all seven and taunt them if he could," UM offensive line coach Art Kehoe said. "He knows that. He's a fierce competitor, just like his dad. I'm guaranteeing FSU is going to give him a lot of attention."
No doubt.
"There's probably not a better tight end in the country - maybe in the NFL," FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews said.
"He's a great athlete," said UM offensive tackle Eric Winston, who moved from tight end to the line this season. "He put on some weight and is a fantastic player. He's a great competitor. He wants to win all the time at whatever he is doing. He doesn't settle for anything less. He's a good guy to have on your team.
"He definitely has that Miami swagger about him. He understands his role, understands what he can do. If it came down to winning the game and not catching any balls, he'd do it. He wants to win and knows the bottom line is winning."
That's what the Hurricanes have done this season, but that doesn't mean Winslow wasn't bothered at times. Although he leads the team with 25 catches for 242 yards, nearly half came against West Virginia. Until that game teams were doing their best to keep Winslow from beating them.
"It was a little frustrating, but I understand," Winslow said. "I can also block. I can get tougher on the line. Take away the defense, be a team player and let Ryan (Moore) get catches, let KB (Kevin Beard) get catches. As long as the team wins, that's what matters."
- Times staff writers Bruce Lowitt and Brian Landman contributed to this report.
