Kellen Winslow plans to report for the Bucs' voluntary workouts on May 26. (Tony Dejak / Associated Press)

Buccaneers TE Kellen Winslow drew criticism from NFL Network analyst and former Tampa Bay great Warren Sapp when he didn’t report to voluntary offseason workouts last week.

Sapp didn’t hold back when talking about Winslow’s absence.

“It shows your dedication to your team,” Sapp said. “More than anything, that’s what OTAs (organized team activities) show. Are you ready to forge the foundation that will carry us through the season? Because that’s what’s going on right now. That’s why Winslow needs to be here.” …

“So when your team fires up OTAs and you’re not here, I guess you’re being misunderstood again, right?” Sapp said. “Your past doesn’t equal your future, but it will give me some reflection of what you might do.”

Winslow told the St. Petersburg Times that he called Sapp and explained himself. Winslow also said that he has been training hard and that he will join the Bucs’ voluntary workouts on May 26, according to the Times:

“Fans are going to have opinions, but if you know me, you know I’m working my butt off,” Winslow said. “I live in San Diego. I want to be there and I will be there.”

Winslow was hoping for a fresh start in Tampa Bay after being acquired in a Feb. 27 trade with the Browns for two draft picks (a 2009 second-round selection, No. 50 overall, which was used on Georgia WR Mohamed Massaquoi, and a 2010 fifth-round choice).

Winslow started eight games and saw action in 10 contests with Cleveland in 2008. He had 43 catches for 428 yards and three touchdowns — his lowest totals in the last three seasons.

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