[Hammock Parties]

Reading this made me pull the trigger on a tight end early:

At some point this preseason, I’ll project a breakout player in the NFC South. This guy doesn’t qualify because he’s already a big name, but I’m expecting a huge season.

The guy I’m talking about is Tampa Bay tight end Kellen Winslow.

As Joe Henderson points out, this is a rare August for Winslow. For the first time in a long time, he’s not recovering from knee surgery. Winslow reportedly has had seven knee surgeries and the Buccaneers were very cautious with his practice time last season. He played on Sundays, but frequently didn’t practice on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

When I talked to Winslow at a players-only workout at the University of South Florida back in May, he said his knee was feeling better than it has in years. He also was in a vibrant mood and talked glowingly about the rapport he’s building with quarterback Josh Freeman. Winslow, who usually spends much of his offseason in San Diego, spent a lot of time in Tampa, working out with Freeman this year.

Winslow often was portrayed as a malcontent during his time in Cleveland. In Tampa Bay, he’s stayed quiet, often avoiding the locker room during the period it’s open to the media.

But Winslow was talking -- very pleasantly -- back in May. Since camp has opened, he’s talked to the media several times. It seems like the lack of knee pain has lifted his spirits.

I think it also will lift his play to a new level this season.