Winfield can make a lot of & in the coming weeks

[dead_poet]

Mostly a piece about Winfield's contract, but I thought it was a nice take overall.

A first-round draft pick (23rd overall) by Buffalo in 1999, Winfield has told those close to him for some time he hoped to play 15 years. There's little question he plans to get there next season, particularly since he's healthy.

The Vikings need him, too, at a position where you can never have enough quality players and they've struggled to fill for years through the draft.

Chris Cook hasn't proven able to stay on the field. A.J. Jefferson and Josh Robinson still are developing. Winfield no longer is an ideal cover man outside but remains better than all of them in run support, which is crucial in the Vikings' scheme.

The website ProFootballFocus.com, which breaks down tape of every NFL game, has Winfield atop its rankings of all cornerbacks this season in large part because of his ability to make plays in the run game, particularly when manning the slot in nickel.

Winfield also commands respect in the locker room, as evidenced by the weight with which players took his rare speech after the Vikings' Sept. 16 loss at Indianapolis.

He played in the season opener four days after his brother was shot and killed in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and continues to fight through a knee issue that has nagged him for a couple months.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Peli ... eeks113012

[losperros]

I agree. Winfield has been one of my favorite players since he joined the Vikings and I'd love to see him finish out his career with them.

I'd hate to think what the D secondary currently be like without both Winfield and Cook. We got a glimpse of that last year.

[Arma]

Easily one of my top players of all time up there K-Sasse

[Sutsgold]

I wish they all played with his heart and passion. A great Viking.

[VikingPaul73]

I love Winfield also and from a sentimental view, would love to see him retire as a Viking.

But from a business perspective, it really doesn't make sense. He's got another year left in the tank, and the Vikings will be nowhere near competing with Ponder at QB. This is still a 3 year project, at minimum.

[PurpleMustReign]

A lot of "&"? Did you mean "$"?

I love Winfield!! I think it is the name because my favorite all time baseball player was Dave Winfield.

[mondry]

I love Winfield also and from a sentimental view, would love to see him retire as a Viking.

But from a business perspective, it really doesn't make sense. He's got another year left in the tank, and the Vikings will be nowhere near competing with Ponder at QB. This is still a 3 year project, at minimum.

Even so they could still make use of winfield for next year, unless they want to replace him via FA and he has some kind of bonus due or whatever.

[thatguy]

He's worth every penny.