NextGen Stats: Antoine Winfield Deserves His Belt
January 11th, 2024
More accolades.
So yesterday at One Buc Palace, Bucs safety Antoine Winfield got his belt.
In the wake of Winfield getting shafted by the Pro Bowl selection process, Jason McCourty of NFL Network selected his five best defensive backs in the game. The former cornerback believes Winfield is the best among all cornerbacks and safeties.
As a result, McCourty made sure Winfield got a belt. It was shipped to One Buc Palace and Winfield displayed it for the local pen and mic club to admire.
Now, add props from the gang at NextGen Stats.
The official NFL stats outfit decided to come up with its own All-Pro team based solely on the stats it cobbles together via technology in game equipment.
Per NextGen Stats, Winfield is one of the two best safeties in the league. Why? Because, per the mysterious, unnamed person who typed the article, Winfield is a rare player who weekly makes impact plays all over the field.
Winfield gets his due following a ruthless snubbing from the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster. Taking the ball away from the offense is the name of the game for modern NFL defenses. Winfield did just that on Sunday when he saved a touchdown by forcing a D.J. Chark fumble that fell through the end zone. His 12 passes defensed this season tied Kyle Hamilton for most among safeties, and his 27.9 percent ballhawk rate was the fourth highest among all defenders (minimum 30 targets). If stopping offenses in their tracks all season long isn’t good enough for the Pro Bowl, then what is?
Now this is what Joe calls NFL on NFL crime! NextGen Stats, owned by the NFL, has a spokesperson unloading on another NFL property, the Pro Bowl.
Beautiful!
It is just sad to Joe that it is an unconscionable decision to leave Winfield out of the Pro Bowl, but it somehow has made him a deserving celebrity of sorts. Almost like Winfield has become an NFL martyr.
How cool would it be to see Winfield get a strip-sack that turns the game on Monday Night Football as the Bucs beat the Eagles?
#Bucs Antoine Winfield Jr. showing off his @gmfb Best DB in the #NFL Belt courtesy @JasonMcCourty Antoine was very proud!@nflnetwork
(I asked him to hold it up. He obliged) pic.twitter.com/Tyu3pbEJgd— rock riley (@realrockriley) January 11, 2024
January 11th, 2024 at 10:05 am
Winfield has been amazing from his first year as a rookie. We knew he was special and hopefully he will get more respect and accolades from everyone. I believe he will be HOF one day. Bucs need to pay him so he doesn’t leave.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:09 am
Leaving a player out of the “Pro Bowl” is no longer a dishonour. The “Pro Bowl” is a joke. It is the Combine, for existing players. I no longer watch it and will not ever again, unless we get a new commissioner and real football returns.
The Belt – that’s a reward.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:12 am
Well deserving and I’m happy that he is recognized by people that matter.
January 11th, 2024 at 10:16 am
He needs to put on the belt and flash a peace sign at the Pro Bowl
January 11th, 2024 at 10:21 am
Seems like a fine young man. Mad props!
January 11th, 2024 at 11:33 am
We need him to play with a chip on his shoulder in the playoffs, kinda like Ronde did back in the day!
January 11th, 2024 at 11:41 am
Congratulations to a most deserving player, and class act of a young man. He’s level headed and a lot of that comes from very good parenting. His parents, including his Dad, deserve major kudos. Bring your A++ game AWJ, and kick the Eagles back to the Delaware River!!
January 11th, 2024 at 11:49 am
It was a great play to save a TD. Don’t understand why a defensive back would just let a receiver run by and come up as run support with White and Davis on the field. Whether he expected support from the Safety or not it was a blown coverage and is something that you can’t have unless playing against a team like the Panthers.
Now that he has a belt maybe he can get the secondary to tighten up theirs.
January 11th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
PAY.THE.MAN
January 11th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
The apple didn’t fall far from that tree for sure! Great job!
January 11th, 2024 at 1:50 pm
Pay this man! He’s elite. Don’t pay market value for average play.
January 11th, 2024 at 2:31 pm
A pick 6 to seal the win Monday seems fitting.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:40 pm
Winfield should be in the running for DPOY
January 11th, 2024 at 4:09 pm
He better make 1st team all pro
January 11th, 2024 at 9:34 pm
At least he has a belt no one can snub him for, Championship Belt.
January 12th, 2024 at 5:24 am
Fix the Pro Bowl Roger or do away with the cherade!
Go Bucs!