“Always In Anticipation Mode”

August 19th, 2020

Rookie safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Two big practice plays by rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. caught the eyes of head coach Bucco Bruce Arians.

The first came Tuesday, when Winfield created fumble and recovered it, Arians told SiriusXM NFL Radio today. The next was this morning, when Winfield “had a nice interception in the red zone today.”

“He kind of plays a lot of positions. We love his skill set. He is a baller. He gets the game mentally. So he’s always in anticipation mode,” Arians said.

The comparison to Pro Bowl safeties and former Arians draft picks in Arizona, Tyrann Mathieu and Budda Baker, were repeated by the head coach.

Joe’s getting extra excited. Just imagine if Winfield can find a way to be a real-deal rookie ballhawk behind this Bucs pass rush.

17 Responses to ““Always In Anticipation Mode””

  1. yeah Says:

    Didnt B.A. compare MJ Stewart and Mike Edwards to Tyrann Mathieu as well?

  2. 813bucboi Says:

    he did compare their “skill set”….

    but he never mentioned their mentality….

    GO BUCS!!!!

  3. james west Says:

    who did he pick off? which QB?

  4. BucEmUp Says:

    Been saying for years that the safeties are always left out to dry and expected to pickup the coverage when the qb and was have had it timed to hit that sweet spot in the zone coverage for years. Now that the corners are responsible for the war’s it allows the safeties to read the entire field and go where the feel the play is rather than worry about their responsibility from the coverage rolling over too them . Never understood why it took so long to get away from that soft zone garbage. It was great when it was new ad offenses didn’t know what was going on, but that’s old news now. Play old school cover your guy football and let our guys beat their guys with a little good coaching and veteran leadership this team will be a blast to watch.

  5. Clean House Says:

    I’m liking Whitehead, Winfield, Adams and Edwards

    I think Licht made a really dumb mistake not recognizing what we had in Bradley McDougald

    Also on a related Licht blunder although an offensive one, I think we should have found a way to keep Adam Humphreys. I know, I know Godwin was great in the slot, but I think he’d be just fine outside as well. And Humph was a special dependable possession receiver.

  6. Mrs. Entertainment Says:

    Yeah, james west — I’d love to learn too. Was it 12? !!? or 4?

  7. Clean House Says:

    And let these guys be their own guy-
    coach BS- there is only one Tyron Matthieu

  8. DoooshLaRue Says:

    Well damn Clean Trailer, I was just about to compare you to some of the great minds on here…… ndog, big racist, O’Neill, webster, db55, Rod anywho and nosbos (RIP)

    But you’re right…. everyone should be judged on their own merits, and you’re doing a heck of a job.

    Keep up the great work.

  9. Alvin Scissors Harper Says:

    Winfield is gonna impress when the real bullets start flying. I’m feeling good about this pick now, even though I wanted a RB in round 2.

  10. m0j0 Says:

    I too am excited to see Winfield and Wirfs starting and making plays for the Bucs!

  11. Hodad Says:

    Kid was literally born ready.

  12. SB Says:

    Get ready guys!!!!

  13. VABucsfan Says:

    Could def be our best Safety since Lynch! Not saying a whole lot as we have been pretty bad there, I don’t consider Barber a safety even though I think he played there his last year. Barron, Evans(because of injury), pischitelli, Tanard Jackson(he was actually real good, just couldn’t stay off the broccoli). Mcdougle was ok, not great. It makes my head hurt at the horrible play in that area since 2004!!

  14. JimmyJack Says:

    I was so stoked when we drafted this kid. You gotta remember Bowles took over for a historically bad defense. He did a fine job turning it around in a year(especially at the end of the year)…..But you dont just call it a day on defense and ignore it. Give Bowles what he needs to keep building it up.

    I know yall wanted a RB and for good reason. But it would of been a greedy pick to me. Our offense will be just fine.

    Oh and there’s the added bonus of Bowles having great success with young safety’s. No reason to think he cant get Winfield to be a good, maybe even great, player for us.

  15. VABucsfan Says:

    Almost forgot about the wasted money on Dashon Goldson, one of the last of Dominicks brilliant moves.

  16. Bucsfan81 Says:

    Haha I remember when the Glazer boys sent the private plane to get Dashon Goldson. Then the dude eventually ended up on the redskins and helped them beat us by telling them the plays we were running. It’s a Bucs life.

  17. DanBucsFan Says:

    I said it the night we drafted him, and most on here were upset with the pick. But I will just sit back and say it again, HE WILL BE A TOP 5 SAFETY IN THE NFL. By no means am I claiming to be an expert or say that I am always right.. but this kid is no joke!! GO BUCS!