Free Agent Additions May Help Spike Antoine Winfield’s Big Play Ability
May 18th, 2022
Safety Antoine Winfield.
Two weeks ago, Bucs safeties coach Nick Rapone said the entire NFL knows Bucs third-year safety Antoine Winfield is a good player. But Rapone wants Winfield to be thought of as a great player.
Winfield made his first Pro Bowl last season. So how does he make a name for himself as a great player? Simple, Rapone said. Get more picks.
Winfield agrees. It is a personal goal of Winfield’s to make more interceptions. And the foundation for a jump in picks by Winfield may have happened in recent weeks. The signings of Keanu Neal and Logan Ryan will allow Winfield to be more versatile and therefore have more chances for more picks, he believes.
“Yeah, I’m glad to have those guys on our team,” Winfield said yesterday at One Buc Palace after underwear football practice. “It allows me to be versatile, and allows our secondary to be more versatile, because they can come in and fill those roles immediately that we need as far as having them in the box or having them in the post.
They’re an extra addition to our team, so it’s great to have those guys’ versatility.”
Four career picks is Winfield’s total through two seasons. He had two picks last year and two as a rookie, including one in the Super Bowl.
Just for fun, Joe checked to see how John Lynch fared in his first two seasons. Lynch played in 31 games but was not a starter, and he didn’t have one pick. So Joe thinks it is fair to say Winfield has had a nice start.
May 18th, 2022 at 6:28 am
A very nice start and a memory that will last for ever. Thru up the duces 🤞
May 18th, 2022 at 7:13 am
The Logan Ryan signing I think is going to be the most underrated signing of the offseason. I get it, he was on the Giants last year but he lead the team in tackles and the guy will challenge SMB, Dean, and Davis some. Hopefully teach them a thing or two about studying film as well.
May 18th, 2022 at 8:14 am
Love that kid. He’s a baller!!
May 18th, 2022 at 8:48 am
His pick against Carson Wentz and the Colts was a sick thing of beauty. Certainly he’s got more in him, but has to have people around him that know what they’re doing.
Todd – think you can teach your DBs to actually know their assignments this year?
May 18th, 2022 at 9:18 am
Neal and Ryan are both excellent additions with the loss of Whitehead. But neither is an upgrade from Whitehead.
May 18th, 2022 at 10:14 am
Winfield reminds me of Ronde after he switched to safety, just younger, maybe not as experienced, but you can tell he’s one of the smartest and fundamentally sound players on the field/roster.
May 18th, 2022 at 11:49 am
Winfield is an absolute stud what a draft pick that turned out to be wild he was available in the second round
May 18th, 2022 at 6:55 pm
Winfield couldn’t cover Cooper Kupp I’m that vital last play in the Rams game. Bucs need to make him better or give him help.
May 18th, 2022 at 8:27 pm
Steve – a safety wouldn’t be the primary cover for Kupp unless Bowles is truly deranged instead of having a one-off brain fart. He was covering someone else’s blown assignment.
If you are right, we are in way bigger trouble with Bowles than anyone has been willing to admit.
May 18th, 2022 at 9:07 pm
Winfield’s lack of speed was exposed on that last play of Rams game. He was more of a ballhawk in college. Didn’t take that big step forward in his second year. Maybe a sophomore slump but he should be better in year 3. Still kind of slow though, atleast compared to Cooper Krupp.
May 18th, 2022 at 10:17 pm
Winfield would be bone crunching in Lynch’s time. Might have to go 31 for the new creamsicle.