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

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Vikings' Antoine Winfield hopes finger injury won't keep him sidelined
By Ben Goessling
[email protected]
Posted: 12/30/2012

20121224__12-24%20Vikings%20Winfield_300.jpg

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)

Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield wasn't able to finish the team's game with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Dec. 30, after his broken index finger swelled up in the second quarter of the Vikings' 37-34 win.

When the Vikings head to Green Bay for their wild card game with the Packers on Saturday, Jan. 5, though, Winfield hopes he'll be able to play.

"(It's looking) a lot better, I'll tell you that," Winfield said after the game. "A couple days' rest and we'll see what happens."

Winfield played with a pad on his right hand underneath his glove, and coach Leslie Frazier said the 35-year-old cornerback had been able to squeeze a football. Every time he'd have contact with a receiver, though, Winfield was racked with pain. He finished the game wearing a baseball cap and watching from the sideline.

"It was just every time a receiver would grab me, I couldn't get off," Winfield said. "Even coming up for tackles, I was thinking about it too much."
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http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22285710/vikings-antoine-winfield-hopes-finger-injury-wont-keep
 
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Vikings CB Antoine Winfield could miss Packers game
By Joe Oberle | CBSSports.com
December 31, 2012

In the post-game locker room on Sunday, Vikings CB Antoine Winfield held out his injured hand for reporters to see. The back of it was so swollen it looked like he was wearing a pad. He re-injured the hand he had broke a week before in Houston and looked to be in some pain.

Winfield has not been ruled out for next Saturday's wild-card game at Lambeau Field, but he will have to make a lot of progress in this short week.

?We don't know what's going to happen with Antoine,? coach Leslie Frazier said on Monday. ?We'll see how he does throughout the week. He was in quite a bit of pain [Sunday], so we'll have to see how he does throughout the week, and make a decision, maybe, later on.?

Winfield said his hand was pushed backward when he ran into a Packers tight end. It bent awkwardly and hurt so badly that he had to leave the game.

?It was too painful; I knew I wasn't as effective as I could be,? Winfield said. "It was hard for me to get off blocks. Just didn't have too much power in it.?

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http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/n...s-cb-antoine-winfield-could-miss-packers-game
 
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Vikings' Antoine Winfield: With harder cast, 'I'll definitely play'
By Brian Murphy
[email protected]
Posted: 01/03/2013

20121224__12-24%20Vikings%20Winfield_300.jpg

"I have the offseason to heal up," says Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield. "I'll definitely be out there Saturday night." (Pioneer Press file photo: Chris Polydoroff)

Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield said a harder cast on his broken right hand gives him greater peace of mind that he will be able to start and finish the game this time against the Green Bay Packers.

Any doubt that he will play Saturday, Jan. 5, at Lambeau Field when Minnesota and Green Bay square off again in the NFC wild-card playoffs?

"Not at all," he said Thursday. "I have the offseason to heal up. I'll definitely be out there Saturday night."

Winfield did not practice all week and spent most of his time Thursday jamming a tackling dummy on the sideline to determine whether his hand could hold up to the rigors of defending one of the NFL's most dangerous passing attacks.

"I feel pretty good. Tried to go last Sunday, played two quarters, but the pain was a little bit too much," he said. "This week I have a little more protection so I should be able to make it all four."

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http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci...oine-winfield-harder-cast-ill-definitely-play
 
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Vikings' Antoine Winfield's finger cast caused no major troubles
By Ben Goessling
[email protected]
Updated: 01/06/2013

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield made it through the team's wild card loss to the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, Jan. 5, playing with a hard cast on his broken right index finger. Winfield said the injury made it hard for him to jam receivers, in part because a harder cast cost him some flexibility, but he never aggravated the injury.

And after one of the best seasons of his 14-year career, Winfield said he has no plans to hang it up now.

"Without a doubt," he said, when asked if he will play in 2013. "I've got to get 15 in. That's a good number."
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http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22320312/vikings-antoine-winfields-finger-cast-caused-no-major
 
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Antoine Winfield (B): Healthy again for most of his 14th NFL season, Winfield showed he still can do things fewer cornerbacks can, at least against the run. Played 1,076 snaps (89.8%) over 17 games, starting 16 despite practicing sparingly because of his age and knee trouble. Pulled after conceding an out to Brandon Gibson on fourth-and-1 at St. Louis. Finished the following week at Houston despite breaking his right hand, which forced him to drop out the following week against Green Bay and limited him in the playoff game. Otherwise played a full-time role, save for being limited to nickel duty against Tennessee. Continued to play outside in the base defense and the slot in nickel, hiding his declining outside cover skills and keeping him close to the action. Allowed 67 completions in 97 targets (69.1%) for 660 yards and a 75.1 rating. Tied for the team lead with three interceptions, including a diving pick of Griffin in his best game at Washington. Still can compete in zone but increasingly is a liability in deep man coverage. Recovered a fumble to seal the decision at Detroit. Ranked fourth on the team with 114 tackles (83 solo, 12 for loss). Missed nine. Took two pass-interference penalties. Got a half-sack on fourth down against Arizona and set up another with a slot blitz that got home in 2.6 seconds against Houston. Had five total QB pressures. Played in the opener four days after his brother was shot and killed in Akron, Ohio. Showed leadership by making a rare speech to teammates in the days leading up to the upset of San Francisco. Played enough snaps to earn $2.5 million in incentives and keep his base salary at $7.25 million for 2013. That's a lot to pay a player the Vikings want to move into a part-time role sooner than later. But if they approach Winfield about restructuring, he might feel he has played well enough to call their bluff, even with his 36th birthday coming up.
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http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...y_Robison_among_defenses_top_performers012913
 
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Vikings CB Antoine Winfield is in line to earn a $7.25 million base salary for 2013.
Winfield's salary would have "de-escalated" to $3 million for 2013 if he didn't participate in at least 80 percent of the defensive snaps in 2012. Winfield, 36 in June, played on a tick over 94 percent of the defensive snaps. Coach Leslie Frazier stated after the season that he hopes to have Winfield back for the final year of his deal. Winfield is still one of the premier slot corners in the NFL. Jan 30
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http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1165/antoine-winfield
 
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Updated: February 22nd, 2013
Notebook: Coach expects Antoine Winfield, Kevin Williams to return
by Tom Pelissero
1500ESPN.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- Antoine Winfield and Kevin Williams are the two oldest players on the Minnesota Vikings' roster, and both are due a lot of money in 2013.

But coach Leslie Frazier said on Friday at the NFL scouting combine he has spoken with both veterans about their future and expects them to return for another season.

"Both of those guys were valuable to our success as a team this past year, with their leadership and also their play," Frazier said. "I'm looking forward to having both of them back."

Winfield, 35, bounced back from a season derailed by injuries to play 89.8% of the snaps and was productive before a broken hand hampered him down the stretch.

Williams, 32, played 71.1% of the snaps and remains the Vikings' best player at the three-technique defensive tackle position despite finishing with a career-low 45 tackles (23 solo).

Both players are in decline -- especially Williams, who is scheduled to make $7 million in each of the two remaining years on his deal and likely will be approached about a pay cut. Winfield is due $7.25 million in the last year of his deal and could be approached, too.

There is no rush, though, with the Vikings comfortably under the salary cap. And to hear Frazier tell it, the belief is they'll be back one way or another.

"Antoine had a terrific season for us," Frazier said. "I know I couldn't have predicted he would play as well as he did or stay as healthy as he did, which was great for our team. He's indicated to me that he wants to come back next season. We're expecting that to happen. Kevin has indicated he wants to play again next season. We're expecting that to happen."
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http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...toine_Winfield_Kevin_Williams_to_return022213
 
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Updated: February 25th, 2013
Vikings want to move Antoine Winfield into part-time role, coach says
by Tom Pelissero
1500ESPN.com

Leslie Frazier has made clear he wants Antoine Winfield to play a 14th NFL season for the Minnesota Vikings. But the veteran cornerback's days as a full-time starter may finally be over as the team tries to preserve its oldest player.

"I hope going forward that's not the case, that he doesn't need to be playing 60, 70 snaps (a game)," Frazier said of Winfield last week at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

"It's not good for him. I don't think it's the best thing for our team. 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."

Frazier hinted at a similar plan one year ago, when Winfield -- approaching his 36th birthday this summer -- was coming off a 2011 season derailed by a neck strain and a broken collarbone.

The Vikings selected Josh Robinson in the third round out of Central Florida in last year's draft, hoping he'd take over as the starter opposite Chris Cook sooner than later and allow Winfield to play strictly in the slot with the nickel defense.

Then, Cook broke an arm, Robinson progressed more slowly than expected and Winfield ended up playing 89.8% of the snaps (1,076 total) -- a number that would've been even higher if he hadn't broken his right hand on Dec. 23 and been limited the last two games.

"I think he and the kid down in Tampa (Ronde Barber, who turns 38 in April) are the oldest defensive backs in the league," Frazier said. "Playing corner at his age and doing what he did -- pretty impressive."

Winfield was productive, too, despite practicing sparingly most of the season to his body and a balky knee. He tied for the team lead with three interceptions and recorded 114 tackles (83 solo, 12 for loss), starting every game except the win over Tennessee on Oct. 7.

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http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/..._Winfield_into_parttime_role_coach_says022513
 
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Wiederer: Winfield surprised to learn of his release
Article by: DAN WIEDERER
Updated: March 13, 2013
The cornerback was let go and didn?t seem to expect he would be brought back at a cheaper price.

In the middle of a hectic Tuesday, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman came down from his Winter Park office and marched to a podium to debrief the media on a week that already had been wild and was only growing busier.

Yes, Spielman had clearance to officially announce the Percy Harvin trade. But that was Monday?s news, ancient history in a league where the news cycle spins faster than a super-tornado.

And sure, the Vikings? ability to re-sign right tackle Phil Loadholt minutes before free agency opened Tuesday provided a major boost to the offense.

But unquestionably, the biggest news surrounded the release of cornerback Antoine Winfield, a surprising move that left one of the most respected players in the organization feeling confused and disappointed.

The transaction itself, with Winfield due $7.25 million in 2013, wasn?t a total shock. The Vikings saw that as too much to invest in a soon-to-be 36-year-old cornerback. And creating additional salary cap room might have allowed the organization to better work their plans for re-signing players and exploring the rest of the free agent market.

But, according to an NFL source, the way Winfield?s dismissal unfolded proved incredibly awkward. Cold even. And those are the nice ways of putting it.

Winfield was at Winter Park on Tuesday routinely working out. Approximately an hour before the NFL?s free-agency period opened at 3 p.m., he was summoned upstairs and told he had been cut.

The discussion was brief and unceremonious, the kind of sobering transaction players always are bracing for but never ready for.

?It was a business decision as we move forward,? Spielman explained later.

But then the Vikings GM hinted he wanted to ?keep the door open on [Winfield?s] possible return.? And he echoed that sentiment six times during a

Yet that ?door could still be open? rhetoric felt like a hollow formality to Winfield and his agent, neither of whom had received any contingency plans when communicating with the team 90 minutes earlier.

They were simply led to believe this was likely the end ? harsh but necessary.

Winfield, the source said, initially felt confused and blindsided, never led to believe this might be a possibility, without negotiation, in the 11th hour before free agency. The 87-hour window that agents for free agents had for negotiating had passed. Winfield was suddenly out of a job and also playing from way behind in finding a new team.

After nine years in the organization, the cornerback believed he deserved better, that he was owed more. On top of that, the source said, contrary to other published reports, the Vikings never had formally proposed a possible restructuring of Winfield?s contract as a means of keeping him.

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http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/197707181.html?page=all&prepage=1&c=y&refer=y
 
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Free agent CB Antoine Winfield will begin visiting teams next week.
Winfield, who took time to "decompress" after his shocking March 12 release, has received interest from "several teams." Though Winfield is going on age 36, he remains perhaps the league's premier slot corner. Playoff-caliber teams like Seattle, Washington, and Chicago could all use Winfield at nickel back. Mar 15
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http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1165/antoine-winfield
 
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March 17th, 2013
Vikings coach reaches out to Antoine Winfield, not ruling out reunion
by Tom Pelissero
1500ESPN.com

PHOENIX -- Rick Spielman always says he won't close the door on anyone returning to the Minnesota Vikings. In the case of Antoine Winfield, it appears that's not just lip service.

Exiting a coaches meeting on Sunday afternoon at the NFL meetings in the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, coach Leslie Frazier said he has spoken with Winfield since the veteran cornerback's surprise release on Tuesday and neither side is ruling out a reunion.

"I'm hoping that we can figure out a way to get him back here," Frazier said. "So, I'm hoping that it's not goodbye yet."

According to NFL sources, there have been discussions between Winfield's agent, Ashanti Webb, and the Vikings about bringing him back. Winfield, 35, has gotten over the initial shock of the decision and apparently is willing to listen.

But the 14-year veteran has multiple visits lined up with other NFL teams and it's unclear how much money the Vikings are willing to put on the table for a player they just let go.

"Him and I talked a few days ago, before I came up here, and I don't want the door to be shut," Frazier said. "So, we're going to still try to get something worked out -- if he's amicable to coming back."

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http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...Antoine_Winfield_not_ruling_out_reunion031713
 
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