At some point this season, Kellen Winslow went from Heisman Trophy contender to problem child. On Saturday, when the Miami football team plays Syracuse at noon, he’ll pay for it with the most valuable of assets – playing time.

Miami head coach Larry Coker announced yesterday that Winslow will not start against SU. The tight end will play, though.

Coker said he benched Winslow – widely thought of as the nation’s best tight end – because of a recent string of personal-foul penalties, not the controversial comments he made after Miami’s 10-6 loss against Tennessee on Saturday.

Referees flagged Winslow for a 15-yard penalty after he took his helmet off in the fourth quarter Saturday. Two weeks ago against Virginia Tech, Winslow earned a 15-yard penalty for punching a Hokie linebacker.

‘We’ve got to understand we can’t have that,’ Coker said. ‘It hurts our football team. The most pain you can inflict on a player is playing time, so I am going to take away some playing time.’

Coker didn’t specify how much time he would take away from Winslow. But while the junior tight end sits, SU’s defensive job becomes easier. His replacement, 6-foot-6 junior Kevin Everett, dropped a sure touchdown on a fake field goal against Tech.

‘(Winslow’s) obviously one of the best tight ends – if not the best – in our league,’ SU senior linebacker Rich Scanlon said. ‘He brings a lot of athleticism to the table. He’s going to be a challenge for our defense.’

Published on November 11, 2003 at 12:00 pm