When Braylon Edwards dropped what would have been a game-winning (and outcry-inducing, thanks to a fourth timeout) touchdown against the Cardinals, the first thing that came to mind was whether Terrell Owens would have made the catch. (He has made slightly tougher and more clutch catches at the goal line.)
But there’s another name that should be added to the “what if?” exercise that the outcome invites: Kellen Winslow.
The Seattle media has been raising that question in the wake of Sunday’s loss. Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times took a compelling look at the long-haul decision that arguably hampered the team’s short-term fate, especially since the team’s three tight ends had three total catches on the day. And Brady Henderson of MyNorthwest.com points out that the absence of Winslow may have contributed to the team’s failure to convert seven red-zone snaps on the final drive into a go-ahead score.
Winslow has had one visit since being released (he reportedly failed a physical in New England), and now that the season has started he can be signed without having his full base salary guaranteed. With receiver Golden Tate nursing a bad knee and receiver Doug Baldwin dealing with busted teeth and receiver Charly Martin battling a bruised lung, maybe the Seahawks should be finding a way to bring back both T.O. and Winslow.