Vikings Message Board.Com

Antoine Winfield - DB - Vikings

Coach Leslie Frazier said he no longer wants CB Antoine Winfield to be a full-time player.

Winfield will be 36 in June. Ideally, Frazier wants to use Chris Cook and Josh Robinson as the every-down outside corners and make Winfield exclusively a slot corner in the nickel package. "I don't think it's the best thing for our team," Frazier said of Winfield playing full time. "We need him to be able to stay healthy, help us in the classroom, help us on the field. So, we definitely want him back, but we do need to reduce his snaps." The Vikings could ask the 14-year veteran to take a paycut as he's owed $7.5 million in 2013.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities

I understand the reasoning but I wonder if Winfield will go along with the reduced time and pay?
This subject has been broached many times but...I still would like to see what Winfield could do lined up with Smith as a safety.

That was supposedly the plan going into last year as well. Yeah, $7.5M makes him a very expensive nickel back.

Eli wrote:That was supposedly the plan going into last year as well. Yeah, $7.5M makes him a very expensive nickel back.

From the quote it sounds like he's playing an important role in the classroom as well. His skills + Experience + Willingness to teach younger players could make him worth something not too far off from that number.

All signs pointing to "Honey Badger"?

NextQuestion wrote:All signs pointing to "Honey Badger"?

It would shock me if the Vikings took a chance given the team culture they're attempting to build. Unless they came away convinced of his skill and maturity at the combine and interviews I can't imagine they'd gamble with anything higher than a fourth. And he likely won't last that long.

It is worth noting that two of the character risks in last year's draft ended up being standouts on their respective teams. (Janorris Jenkins I believe.) That being said, I'll leave that call to the guys who have to manage said problem child.

Frazier seems like a guy who could take him under his wing and lay it all out for him. Winfield would also be a great player mentor

Not even worth drafting. Not like without issues the guy was some bonafide shut down super star. Reports of not even being on some teams draft boards. Best thing the guy has going for him is his nick name. We don't need more scumbags. Culture of accountability and all that. (Oh, and as much as I dislike midget quarterbacks, midget corners are worse! Hopefully won't have to see Winfield flailing to knock down another pass that goes sailing over his head again! Still remember the big play in the Eagles game with his patented arm fully out stretched jumping with all his might and whiffing by a foot)

Demi wrote:Not even worth drafting. Not like without issues the guy was some bonafide shut down super star. Reports of not even being on some teams draft boards. Best thing the guy has going for him is his nick name. We don't need more scumbags. Culture of accountability and all that. (Oh, and as much as I dislike midget quarterbacks, midget corners are worse! Hopefully won't have to see Winfield flailing to knock down another pass that goes sailing over his head again! Still remember the big play in the Eagles game with his patented arm fully out stretched jumping with all his might and whiffing by a foot)

Dogging Winfield? Really?

I'm sorry. The guy is a sure fire hall of fame year in and year out pro bowler corner who is unmatched in the history of the league. Did I mention how AMAZING he was in coverage all these years? .

Point out one thing he did quite often, like the no look no coverage Brinkley/EJ drop backs. He had issues in coverage sometimes, we all saw them. Is pointing them out "dogging" him?

I can't tell if you're joking about "sure fire Hall of Famer"...?

Demi wrote:I'm sorry. The guy is a sure fire hall of fame year in and year out pro bowler corner who is unmatched in the history of the league. Did I mention how AMAZING he was in coverage all these years? .

Point out one thing he did quite often, like the no look no coverage Brinkley/EJ drop backs. He had issues in coverage sometimes, we all saw them. Is pointing them out "dogging" him?

Pretty sure there's some middle ground in there. He's been a VERY productive Viking and an extremely valuable asset in what he brings to the table. Until his injury he was one of the top corners in the league last year (coming off his first Pro Bowl), not only in tackling but in yards/TDs against. But, you're right, because he isn't Revis he's obviously awful.

Not only is he not Revis. He's not *insert 25+ corners* in terms of cover skills...even before he was injured.

Demi wrote:Not only is he not Revis. He's not *insert 25+ corners* in terms of cover skills...even before he was injured.

Ok, come on now Demi, let's be serious. If you truly believe that there have been 25 better cover corners than Winfield... Honestly, I don't even know what to say.