CB Antoine Winfield (All B1G, All-American, Thorpe Award, Pro Bowl, All Pro)

[Buckskin86]

Antoine Winfield Says The Minnesota Vikings Defense Is Having Fun After Winning Third Straight Game In Convincing Fashion
October 9, 2012
by Steven Cuce

The Minnesota Vikings have shocked the NFL world so far this season. This team wasn?t supposed to be in first place this season, especially after five games with a record of 4-1. The Vikings were projected to be an afterthought, but Christian Ponder is having a sophomore renaissance.

How about this Vikings defense? It may not have the Purple People Eaters up front from the late 1960s to the late 1970s, but this unit hasn?t trailed in the last three games. Antoine Winfield isn?t boasting just yet, but the veteran corner likes what he sees so far.

Antoine Winfield joined KFAN in Minneapolis with Paul Allen to discuss Josh Robinson getting the start over him last Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings giving Robinson more reps so he can get some rest, intercepting Matt Hasselbeck, Percy Harvin being one of the best players in football, Harvin being the best run-after-the-catch receiver and the Vikings defense improving week-by-week.

You gave way to Josh Robinson on Sunday. Why?

?Yeah, the coaching staff came to me earlier in the week and were discussing things. They wanted to get Josh Robinson some more reps. So I am cool with that as long as we are winning.?

What leads to the Vikings starting Josh Robinson over you?

?They had to get him more experience and this move was to take a little off me. I am in year 14 so with these legs.?

Have you ever had an easier interception than the one you got off Matt Hasselbeck this past week?

?I really can?t remember. All I was thinking was that the ball was coming right at me and just catch it.?

Is it overstating it to say Percy Harvin is the greatest football player in the NFL?

?I wouldn?t go that far, but he is definitely up there.?

Overall though, Percy Harvin does it all offensively. No one does it like him, right?

?Yeah if you put it like that then yes I will have to agree with you. This guy is playing phenomenal. Like you said, he is returning kicks, playing tailback. He?s the best receiver I?ve seen run after the catch. One guy can?t bring him down. He?s playing really good football.?

The Vikings haven?t trailed in the last three games. What makes you guys so good?

?We are having fun. Guys are out there doing their job and not giving up big plays in the passing game and our front seven is doing great against the run. If we continue to do that, I like our chances each week.?

http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2012/10/09/antoine-winfield-minnesota-vikings-defense-nfc-north/

Winfield radio interview- 30.20 mark

 

[Buckskin86]

Antoine Winfield: Elder Statesman, Team Leader And Playmaker
October 9, 2012
By Joseph Gunther

Antoine Winfield, CB #26
Height: 5?9?
Weight: 180
Age: 35
Hometown: Akron, OH
College: Ohio State
Experience: 14 years

Antoine Winfield: Elder Statesman, Team Leader And Playmaker
(Credit, Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Winfield may be the oldest member of the Minnesota Vikings team, but he still can make plays.

He ranks second on the Vikings with 34 tackles while starting four of the team?s five games this season. That is the name of his game: tackling. He is considered to be the best tackling cornerback and one of the toughest players in the NFL. He holds the Vikings? single-season record for tackles by a cornerback with 110 set in 2010.

According to the team?s official website, Winfield entered the Vikings? Week 3 contest against the San Francisco 49ers five tackles away from 1,000 for his career. He reached the milestone by bringing down 49er receiver Kyle Williams midway through the third quarter at Mall of America Field.

Winfield also provides the Vikings? defense with good coverage skills. He used those skills well to deflect two passes in the Vikings? Week 4 victory over the Detroit Lions. In his career, he has forced 108 incomplete passes, including a season-high of 14 in 2006. Sunday, he recorded his 25 career interception.

He has battled through injuries and has played more than 10 games just twice in the last five seasons. In the three prior seasons, he missed just two games.

cont...

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/10/09/antoine-winfield-elder-statesman-team-leader-and-playmaker/

 

[Buckskin86]

Vikings GIF: Antoine Winfield Interception Against Robert Griffin III
Oct 14th, 2012
by Dan ZinskiVikings

The Vikings got a big play on defense in the first quarter. Antoine Winfield came underneath an out route and intercepted Robert Griffen III?s pass. Winfield showed sweet Cris Carter-like footwork on the sideline to bring the ball in. Vikes got a short field but were only able to get a field goal. The defense looked very good in the first quarter against Washington and their young stud QB. Let?s see if the Vikes can keep it up. The offense has been good except in the red zone where it has bogged down.

http://thevikingage.com/2012/10/14/...ield-interception-against-robert-griffin-iii/

 

[Buckskin86]

Minnesota Vikings' Antoine Winfield: No need to address team again
Pioneer Press
Posted: 10/15/2012

Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield reacts to a Washington Redskins touchdown in the second quarter at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, Sunday, October 11, 2012. (Pioneer Press: Chris Polydoroff)

TWO THINGS

After the Vikings' Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts -- their first loss of the season -- veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield spoke to teammates about study habits and working harder. Here is Winfield ...

On whether he will address teammates now that the Vikings have lost their second game of the season: "No, no, not at all. Guys know it's one game. We fought hard. It just didn't go our way."

On the impact of his talk after the loss to Indianapolis: "I think it helped a little bit. Guys studied more, prepared better. We played a lot better. It helped in that situation."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_21777778/minnesota-vikings-antoine-winfield-no-need-address-team

 

[Buckskin86]

Vikings on veteran Antoine Winfield: 'As good as I've seen anyone play in a long, long time'
By Bruce Brothers
[email protected]
Posted: 10/18/2012

Not only his presence but the level of play this season from veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield this season is worth a ton to younger Vikings players, according to defensive coordinator Alan Williams.

Winfield, 35, who has 50 tackles including seven for loss through six games, draws raves from Williams as an example to others on the team.

"I would say wow -- capital W, capitol O, capital W ... wow," Williams said at practice on Thursday, Oct. 18. "It has a huge impact. That's as good as I've seen anyone play in a long, long time.

"It's good because he's an older guy that comes out to practice, the way he prepares, the way he practices, the way he goes about his business. You look at him and say, 'That's what a professional looks like. That's how a professional prepares, and these are the results of the way a guy prepares.'

"So I think it has an impact not just on the younger guys, but the older guys, too."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_21802688/vikings-veteran-antoine-winfield-good-ive-seen-anyone

Williams on Winfield: `Wow'
Posted by: Mark Craig under Vikings, NFC, Antoine Winfield
Updated: October 18, 2012

Upon further review, defensive coordinator Alan Williams couldn't contain himself when it came time to talk about the game Antoine Winfield played last Sunday at Washington.

"I would say, `Wow,'" Williams said today. "Captial `W.' Capital `O.' Capital `W.' Wow."

Winfield had a team-high 10 tackles, three of them for losses, and an interception in Redskins' territory during the 38-26 loss. On the pick, Winfield read quarterback Robert Griffin III's eyes, jumped the route and got his feet down quickly as he was going out of bounds. Had the Vikings turned that play into seven points instead of three, it might have been an entirely different game.

Williams was asked what kind of impact it has on a defense when the team's oldest player -- Winfield, 35 -- has himself prepared to play as well as he's been playing this year.

"It has a huge impact," Williams said. "That's as good as I've seen anyone play in a long, long time. I thnk it's good because he's an older guy who comes out to practice. The way he prepares, the way he practices, the way he goes about his business, you look at him and you say, `That's what a professional looks like. That's how a professional prepares.' And these are the results of the way a guy prepares. So I think it has an impact, not only on the young guys but the older guys as well."

Winfield is second on the team in tackles with 50. He also leads the team in tackles for loss (seven), which is unheard of for a cornerback.

Williams was asked if he'll continue searching for ways to take some snaps off of Winfield to keep him fresher throughout the season. The team already has done some of that as they've tried to use rookie Josh Robinson more.

"It really depends on Antoine," Williams said. "We want to make sure we have Antione for the long haul. The way he played last week, again, wow, in terms of how he played.

" We want to make sure we have him for the long haul. So whatever the staff, [defensive backs] coach [Joe] Woods, the head coach thinks in terms of pitch count, we just want to make sure that we have him for the long haul. It just depends on how he feels from week to week, how he's playing and how his body is holding up. That will answer those questions moreso than what Josh is doing."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/174816391.html

 

[Buckskin86]

Vikings' Winfield still worth watching
Article by: DAN WIEDERER , Star Tribune
Updated: October 20, 2012

PLAYER IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Now seems like a good time to shine some spotlight on the Vikings' oldest player, 35-year-old Antoine Winfield, playing with a ton of youthful spirit these days.

Winfield recorded his second interception of the season Sunday in Washington, delivering an impressive break on the ball in coverage against Josh Morgan.

He also continues to lower the boom in run support and has a team-best seven tackles for loss.

No wonder defensive coordinator Alan Williams continues to come away with his eyes bulging as he reviews Winfield's performance.

"Wow," Williams said this week "Capital W, capital O, capital W. Wow. It has a huge impact. That's as good as I've seen anyone play in a long, long time."

It's been well-documented that Winfield's passionate pep talk after a Week 2 loss in Indianapolis refocused and enlivened these Vikings. This week, the 14th-year vet acknowledged that no such sermon was necessary.

But that doesn't diminish how Winfield's focus and dedication are rubbing off on his younger teammates.

"The way he prepares, the way that he practices, the way he goes about his business, you look at him and you say, 'You know what, that's what a professional looks like,' " Williams said.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/175033671.html?refer=y

 

[Buckskin86]

Charley Walters: Minnesota Vikings' Antoine Winfield says his body will tell him when it's time to quit
Pioneer Press
Posted: 10/20/2012

Washington Redskins wide receiver Brandon Banks is pushed out of bounds by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Cornerback Antoine Winfield is in his 14th season in the NFL, his ninth with the Vikings. At age 35, the 5-foot-9, 180-pounder continues to play well.

Winfield, who is playing for $3 million this season and is signed for $3 million next year, was asked how long he plans to play.

"That's a great question," he said. "At this point, I'm taking it year to year. Right now, my body feels good. I'm still productive. So I'll continue to play as long as I can."

Winfield said he will decide on his NFL future during the offseason.

"Whether I can put my body through another season," he said. "I love to compete. It depends on how the body feels. We still have 10 games left."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci...s-minnesota-vikings-antoine-winfield-says-his

 

[Steve19]

In case receivers were wondering: this is Daddy.

 

[Buckskin86]

Winfield again packs a lot of punch per pound
Article by: MARK CRAIG , Star Tribune
Updated: October 22, 2012

Antoine Winfield made yet another strong case that he might be packing the hardest-hitting 180 pounds the NFL has ever seen.

And it couldn't have come at a better time for a Vikings team that needed all the big defensive plays it could muster in Sunday's offensively lackluster 21-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at Mall of America Field.

The 5-9, 35-year-old Winfield had a game-high 11 tackles, 10 of them solo, and none bigger than a sack for no gain when the Cardinals went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Vikings' 18-yard line midway through the third quarter.

Winfield was covering fullback Reagan Maul'a in the right flat when quarterback John Skelton started to roll to his right.

"You could tell by the look in his eyes that he had committed to running the ball," linebacker Chad Greenway said. "Even though he had shown run and flipped the ball forward before in the game, you knew he was going to run."

Skelton is 6-6, 244 pounds. He probably figured he could get 2 yards heading toward Winfield.

"We thought by the way we were running the ball, we'd be able to catch the corner," Skelton said. "But they made a good play there."

Before Skelton could react, Winfield left the fullback and dropped Skelton. Hard.

"He comes quick, he comes low and he comes hard," Greenway said of Winfield. "So I'm sure it was a surprise to Skelton to be hit like that. Especially by a cornerback."

Winfield shrugged. After all, he's been making that tackle in the NFL for 14 years now. He went into Sunday's game leading the team in tackles for loss with seven.

"I just came up and made a play," Winfield said. "I just had to take my chances [leaving the fullback]. I didn't think he was going to throw it to the fullback. It looked like he was going to take off, like it was already programmed in his mind. And I just made a play."

cont...

http://www.startribune.com/sports/175173401.html?refer=y

 

[Buckskin86]

Published October 24, 2012
Winfield still major asset for Vikings' defense
Healthy again, the 35-year-old Antoine Winfield is defying his age. Minnesota's defense is all the better because of it.
By: Dave Campbell, Associated Press

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. ? Antoine Winfield raced to cover the receiver running toward the sideline, sliding parallel with John Skelton as the Arizona quarterback rolled out right with the Cardinals facing fourth-and-2 at the Minnesota 18-yard line.

Skelton decided to keep the ball and run for the first down, and Winfield read the play perfectly. He left his man, fullback Reagan Maui'a, at just the right time, burst forward and delivered a jarring hit to stop Skelton short of the marker. Teammate Brian Robison arrived next to help finish the tackle, and the Vikings got the ball back after Winfield was credited with the sack.

?That's an incredible play by a great pro,? coach Leslie Frazier said.

Healthy again, the 35-year-old Winfield is defying his age. Minnesota's defense is all the better because of it.

?It's good to see him play at this level,? defensive end Jared Allen said. ?We give him a hard time that he's still old, but obviously you see how he plays. He is a staple of this defense. There are things we cannot do unless he's on the field. It's a privilege to play with him. Since I got here, he's been a guy I've looked up to as far as the intensity he brings to the playing field. It shows up on tape week in and week out.?

Winfield has two of the team's four interceptions this season and is second on the Vikings in three other categories with 61 total tackles, seven passes defended and seven tackles for loss. Those big hits in the backfield have long been his hallmark, and this year has only brought more.

cont...

http://www.kare11.com/sports/article/995740/24/Winfield-still-a-major-asset-for-Minnesota-defense

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated: October 24th, 2012
Zulgad: Healthy Antoine Winfield is big part of Vikings' success
by Judd Zulgad
1500ESPN.com

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Antoine Winfield has gotten plenty of credit for standing up in front of his teammates following a disappointing Week 2 loss at Indianapolis and informing them that they had to play tougher football and be better prepared or it was going to be another long season for the Minnesota Vikings.

Winfield is far from the most boisterous guy in the locker room, so when the 14-year veteran spoke, his message did carry plenty of meaning. But what Winfield's speech shouldn't overshadow is the fact that at age 35, the hard-hitting cornerback is again playing at a high level.

In fact, Winfield laughed this week when asked how old he would guess he was if he watched film of himself from the Vikings' first seven games this season.

"I was just talking to (NFL Network analyst) Mike Mayock," Winfield said. "He was like, 'Man, you look like you're 27, 28 years old running around out there.' I was like, 'I feel good. The coaches are taking care of me during the week.' That's the time that usually the legs feel a little heavy but I feel great. They're cutting off my reps in practice and letting me play on Sundays."

Winfield has rewarded coach Leslie Frazier and first-year defensive coordinator Alan Williams for how they have treated him. He will enter Thursday night's game against Tampa Bay, second on the Vikings with 61 tackles. That puts him 18 behind team-leader Chad Greenway.

Winfield leads the Vikings with two interceptions and is second to defensive end Jared Allen with seven tackles for loss. He also has broken up seven passes. Winfield recorded his first sack of the season last Sunday when he brought down Arizona quarterback John Skelton on a fourth-and-2 play in the third quarter of the Vikings' 21-14 victory.

cont...

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...Winfield_is_big_part_of_Vikings_success102412

 

[Buckskin86]

Vikings: Resurgent Antoine Winfield returns to Green Bay
By Ben Goessling
[email protected]
Posted: 11/30/2012

In his last trip to Green Bay, Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield suffered a season-ending broken collarbone in a 45-7 loss to the Packers. As Winfield returns to Lambeau Field this weekend, he is back to being one of the top players on the defense.

The 35-year-old is in the middle of a resurgent season that might earn him Pro Bowl consideration. He is second on the team with 81 tackles, is tied for the team lead with eight pass breakups and has half of the Vikings' six interceptions.

Winfield's typically strong tackling has been a big part of the Vikings' run defense this season, and he has played 95.7 percent of the team's' defensive snaps as he continues to be reliable in pass coverage.

Partly as a result of Winfield's presence, a Vikings defense that ranked 26th against the pass last season has improved to 13th this season.

"He's made a lot of plays for us this season, stayed healthy," coach Leslie Frazier said. "But the way he has rallied the young guys has really helped our secondary to improve. His presence in the meeting room, the locker room, it's a big deal for our football team. ... (The young players) gravitate to him. He has so much knowledge in the way he prepares, whether it's film study or taking notes in the classroom. He's a good example for our young players."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22100107/vikings-resurgent-antoine-winfield-returns-green-bay

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated: December 14th, 2012
Notebook: Antoine Winfield says not practicing has kept him fresh
by Judd Zulgad
1500ESPN.com

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Cornerback Antoine Winfield did not participate in Friday's practice for the Minnesota Vikings, and afterward coach Leslie Frazier said the veteran's knee was "still little bit sore."

The Vikings listed Winfield as questionable on their injury report. That means there is a 50 percent chance he will play on Sunday at St. Louis.

So is Winfield concerned he might miss a game for the first time this season?

Absolutely not.

Winfield was smiling Friday as he explained that he hasn't practiced for the past three or four weeks. The reality is the Vikings long ago devised a plan to get Winfield rest late in the season. That plan revolved around taking care of a guy who is in his 14th season.

Certainly Winfield has aches and pains - every player has those by December -- but clearly he isn't worried about his knee. "It's just rest," Winfield said when asked how his knee felt. "Getting me ready to go so I can run around all 60, 70 plays or however many we have."

Winfield, who is tied with safety Harrison Smith for the team lead with three interceptions and is third on the Vikings with 100 tackles, has played in all 13 games this season. That comes a year after he was limited to five games because of injury.

"It's lovely, it's lovely," Winfield said of getting time off from practice. "I couldn't have asked for anything more. Everything feels good. ... I don't think I've felt this good in my entire career. I know my assignments. Haven't busted coverage, know my technique and what I'm supposed to do. So it's working."

Winfield said after Alan Williams was named the Vikings' defensive coordinator this offseason, the two began talking about the best plan to get Winfield additional rest and keep him fresh.

"(Williams) said, 'We're going to try to do something during the season where we keep you fresh for Sunday,'" Winfield said. "Like the last month, this is the best I've felt for my entire career."

Winfield plays the left corner in the Vikings' base defense and moves inside when a fifth defensive back is added to the mix. He said it hasn't been an issue that all of his reps of late have been mental.

"Some people need (to practice), some people don't," Winfield said. "I don't want to say I don't need it. There's some looks that I need to see that I will get when I see it on film and I'll go talk to (defensive backs coach) Joe Woods. But I don't need to take every rep. The grind during the week is what usually wears you down. But me going into Sundays, I'm 100 percent ready to go."

Winfield, 35, has been with the Vikings for nine seasons and will be entering the final season of his contract in 2013. He said he would "love" to return to the Vikings to play out his contract.

And if that doesn't happen?

"I will definitely be playing football next year," he said.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...gs_practice_Antoine_Winfield_sits_again121412

 

[Buckskin86]

Antoine Winfield fractured hand Sunday, will try to play this week
Posted by Josh Alper on December 24, 2012

The Vikings have already said that running back Adrian Peterson will play through any abdominal problems this week and cornerback Antoine Winfield is also going to try to power through injury.

Winfield hurt his hand in Sunday?s victory over the Texans, but was able to finish the game before heading for an MRI on Monday. That test revealed a fracture, although it isn?t severe enough to knock Winfield out of the lineup. Coach Leslie Frazier said, via 1500ESPN.com, that Winfield would attempt to play while wearing a soft cast on the injured hand.

Winfield?s turned in a strong season for the Vikings and the Packers like to throw the ball, which would make his presence a big plus for Minnesota in Week 17.

A win against Green Bay would secure the Vikings a playoff spot, so it?s no surprise that it will be all hands on deck against the Packers. Even the fractured ones.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ld-fractured-hand-will-try-to-play-this-week/

 

[Buckskin86]

Vikings: Antoine Winfield's resurgence pays off ... maybe too much
By Brian Murphy
[email protected]
Posted: 12/25/2012

Minnesota Vikings Antoine Winfield reacts to a Washington Redskins touchdown in second quarter action at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, Sunday, October 11, 2012. (Pioneer Press: Chris Polydoroff)

Antoine Winfield aspired to play 15 NFL seasons. He once vowed to retire a Minnesota Viking. Those goals might be mutually exclusive.

The resurgent cornerback, arguably the league's most complete defensive back, has willed himself into the national conversation again with a virtuoso season in production and leadership for a young team heavily reliant on both.

Neither Winfield nor the Vikings had banked on this from him, at age 35, when they negotiated a flexible contract extension in 2009. The five-year, $36 million deal saved the team money this year -- and likely spared him from a roster purge after injuries limited him to five games in 2011 -- because a playing-time clause reduced his base salary to $3 million for 2012. But because he has played more than 80 percent of the team's defensive snaps this season, his base salary will re-escalate to $7.2 million for 2013, the final year of the deal.

But can the transitioning Vikings afford that to secure the return of their oldest player?

General manager Rick Spielman deferred comment on Winfield's status until offseason evaluations as the team focuses on trying to secure a playoff berth by beating Green Bay in Sunday's season finale. Still, it seems unlikely the Vikings would sever ties with Winfield after perhaps the finest of his nine seasons with Minnesota. More intriguing is whether the club approaches Winfield about restructuring his contract to relieve their salary-cap hit.

cont...

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22259391/vikings-antoine-winfields-resurgence-pays-off-maybe-too