Minnesota Duo Shows Up

October 25th, 2020

When is the last time two guys from the University of Minnesota made two key plays in crunch time to put a dagger in a wounded opponent?

The University of Minnesota churns out hockey players, not NFL players. Outside of Belicheats running back Laurence Maroney, the only other NFL (ahem) player Joe can think of from the University of Minnesota who did anything for the Bucs was Stylez White. It was White’s practice-hating antics that produced one of the best football quotes Joe ever heard, courtesy of Raheem Morris.

“I will tolerate you until I can replace you.”

But when you have an opponent on the ropes in the NFL, you have to knock him out if you are to be considered a playoff contender. And that’s exactly what the Bucs did with Chucky’s Raiders today, thanks to two guys from the University of Minnesota.

That’s safety Antoine Winfield and receiver Tyler Johnson, both rookies.

With the Bucs up by 11 with 7:22 left in the game, Winfield intercepted a pass from Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, returning it to the 24-yard line. Two plays later Ronald Jones scored to put the wounded animal that was the Raiders out of misery.

That’s what playoff teams do. Smell blood, attack and eliminate.

Later, just in case something weird happened in this weird 2020 season, Winfield’s college teammate caught a bullet of a line drive pass from park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring, down-forgetting Bucs quarterback Tom Brady. Joe loved how Johnson used his body to help keep a defender away from the pass, like boxing out in basketball.

So two key players, who helped the Bucs score the final 14 points and urinate all over Chucky’s hopes of a comeback and revenge on Team Glazer and Brady, were guys from a hockey school.

As it stands today, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht had a helluva draft. Tristan Wirfs, you didn’t know he played today which is saying a lot for an offensive tackle, had an excellent game. Winfield sure looks like a stud. And then there is Johnson, who is sort of a Chris Godwin clone.

24 Responses to “Minnesota Duo Shows Up”

  1. 813bucboi Says:

    Think Edwards has deserved more snaps at the safety spot….

    Him and Winfield are 2 ball hawks….SMB is better suited for outside but he’ll do in the mean time

    BL IS WORKING MAGIC

    GO BUCS

  2. ©MadMax Says:

    Winfield is a star in the making! We have a true ball hawk in him….Edwards too! We’re so deep back there….im loving it!

  3. Of course Says:

    Where’s that dude that SITS DOWN TO PEEEEEE

    NDONGY

  4. Bird Says:

    Yah

    Give him a name
    You are wrong every time

  5. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Love our draft…….love, these guys……and……we didn’t hear Wirfs name called today except for a good block……
    Vaughn is getting some experience and will have fresh legs taking over from Fournette or McCoy next year because one or both of them will be gone.

  6. ModHairKen Says:

    Steve McLendon. Give the guy some press.

  7. Rod Munch Says:

    Tyler has to do a hell of a lot more before you start comparing him to Godwin. He’s looked good when he’s had the chance so far, which is great, but I’d hesitate on making him an all-pro when he’s caught like 7 passes in his career.

  8. #1bucfan Says:

    Edwards does need more playing time. If it wSnt for that penalty he would had another int. Get this kid in the game

  9. Brandon Says:

    Did Brady get knocked down today? Three sacks given up by Donovan Smith this year in seven games and most of you dunces want to run him out of town.

  10. Jason From Jamrock Says:

    Go Gophers!

  11. Jason From Jamrock Says:

    Steve Mclendon seems to have fitted in EXCEPTIONALLY well …
    … ALREADY!

  12. Ftmyersbuc Says:

    Mike Edwards is turning into a ballhawk, if not for shaqs offsides hed have number 3 this year. I noticed this game Whitehead was in on shorter yardage situations and 1st down with edwards playing 3rd down it looked like. Also noticed Smb maybe losing starter outside to dean and just becoming the nickel. What’s up with smb? Sophmore slump kickin his ass so far.

  13. rrsrq Says:

    That text from Winfield Sr. to Winfield Jr. last week must’ve paid off or whatever discipline his pops laid out for him – “I will not drop another interception” 500 times on the white board

  14. 813bucboi Says:

    SMB still adjusting to being the slot CB….unfortunately he’s a outside CB and that’s it….he’ll do for now but we have to upgrade in the draft…

    playing inside is tough

    GO BUCS

  15. Coburn Says:

    I’d like to see that call on Barrett again… Looked to me he was just about to step over right when they snapped. Feel they got bailed out on that one. Agreed that he’s really coming on lately and Edwards should play opposite Winfield more. McLendon did have a nice game too

  16. FuNkYxMuNkEy Says:

    Told yall before the draft that Winfield was the truty

  17. FuNkYxMuNkEy Says:

    truth*

  18. Rod Munch Says:

    Coburn – I agree with you, watching it live it looked like he was offside, but watching the replay I’m not so sure, he was back far enough that when he started moving it was right as the ball as being snapped and he looked like he might have still been behind the LOS. In any case he almost got a flag on this same play last week on the 2nd INT. Shaq has to better time this, because even with him trying to jump the snap he didn’t get pressure last week and didn’t get pressure today on those plays, the very marginal advantage he might get doesn’t outway the risk.

  19. Alvin Scissors Harper Says:

    Evans, Godwin, Miller, Johnson, Brown, Gronkowski and Brate. Good luck to the rest of the NFL. Barring significant injuries, we’re gonna be able to name the score by the end of the regular season. I think I need a Realist Report of how things are going in the pen with the sheep and Ndog!

  20. orlbucfan Says:

    Can we can the AB accolades? He may never play cos of all his legal/head problems. Do we really need him? NOPE!

  21. stpetebucsfan Says:

    The only player scaring me at the moment is SMB. He’s certainly a playmaker but he guesses a lot and then either gets burnt or has to grab and draw a flag to make up. Hopefully it’s just growing pains.

  22. 74 Bucs Fan Says:

    Agree about SMB. Looks like a liability out there. Lost and out of position. We yelling at tv to take him off the field.

    Solid game everyone else!

  23. unbelievable Says:

    Yea I gotta give major props to Edwards for that Winfield INT.

    Go Bucs!

  24. duvalmike Says:

    wondering if im the only one whose noticed that tristan wirfs has played so well that noone remembers us trading up to secure him? funny how success has that affect. easily the draft class of the year, that Licht is burning bright!!!