Rookie Honors
December 25th, 2020
Hall of Famer notices.
This is one helluva shoutout for a rookie from Minnesota.
Hall of Fame personnel executive Gil Brandt typed up a column for NFL.com where he selected an All-Rookie team of defenders. And a Bucs player caught his eye.
And that would be Bucs safety Antoine Winfield.
The Buccaneers have had mixed results with defensive back prospects in recent years, whiffing on a string selected in the first four rounds stretching back to 2016. Winfield, drafted in the second round this year, is the type of boom pick who can compensate for Tampa’s many busts. Winfield Jr. is a do-it-all DB who, like his father, former multi-time Pro Bowler Antoine Winfield Sr., boasts great defensive instincts. One of Winfield Jr.’s biggest plays of the season came in last Sunday’s 31-27 win over Atlanta, when he hustled over to a wide-open Calvin Ridley to break up what would have been a touchdown pass in the end zone, forcing the Falcons to settle for a field goal and opening the door for Tom Brady’s game-winning touchdown pass to Antonio Brown.
Winfield is doing for the Bucs what he showed on film at Minnesota; he was a friggin’ baller. Always around the ball. Always making an impact.
Yeah, that play on Ridley was sweet. So too was the game-winning pass breakup he had at the Giants. And damn if he doesn’t look like Rondé Barber on the blitz.
Joe sure would like to see Winfield blitz more. He seems like he has a nose for getting to the quarterback.
December 25th, 2020 at 12:09 pm
He was a steal. I think when needed in the future, his teammate from Minnesota, Tyler Johnson will be special also.
December 25th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
@cometowin2 you’re 100% right. Winfield is a baller, but Tyler Johnson will prove to be a great pick too. These boys are special.
Adding Tristan Wirfs to the mix and this draft was amazing (still have hopes that Vaughn can be a good RB).
December 25th, 2020 at 12:26 pm
Harsh criticism of the other DBs by Brandt. VH3 was the only safe label of a bust so far. Davis streaks hot and cold but averages out, well average. Dean flashes too, probably an average cb as well. Bunting certainly has regressed, his career will be at a crossroads in 2021 but any label is premature. I like Whitehead, he’s far from a bust at safety though certainly not special.
If this team can figure out how to stop covering just grass when in zone, it’d be a rising tide to lift all boats in the secondary.
December 25th, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Against Atlanta it felt like Winfield was feeding of the momentum White had on the field. Just felt like White was flashing more and more as the game progressed and Winfield was feeding off the same momentum.
Im really lookkng forward to Winfields career. He has made a few little plays in coverage……but we arent really getting much overall from the safetys defending the pass. I dont have much to go on except a few highlights in college but I think pass coverage skills are a big reason why we drafted Winfield……Plus Bowles has a pretty good history developing safetys.
Very early to say but Winfield looks lkke one of the better draft picks the Bucs have made……At least in a long time.
December 25th, 2020 at 1:56 pm
If he can learn some pass rush moves he definitely make an impact you can easily run around a big guy being a little guy
December 25th, 2020 at 4:16 pm
Getting Vea back is adding another first round draft pick to our DL.
Here is what I’d like…a true cover corner. Davis is decent but we can do better.
SMB may not even be decent backup material but we have a couple of other guys as well to fill out the roster.
Imagine if we got a true stud like Patrick Surtain II. I really like guys whose fathers have starred in the league….just like Winfield..Surtain’s father was a star DB.
Winfield and Surtain in the same defensive backfield could be a dynamic duo.
December 25th, 2020 at 5:02 pm
Did Wirfs make the all rookie team.
December 25th, 2020 at 5:29 pm
St. Pete. Good point about Vita.
But I say Carlton Davis is better then you givd credit. He held Ridley in check yesterday. Stoned M. Thomas earlier in the year. Stoned D. Adams. Stoned that rookie with Minnesota(or maybe he matched up on Thieland)…….You go back to last year he stoned quite a few more great recievers……Hopkins and J.Jones come to mind……Yes he did get destroyed by Tyrek Hill. And it was historically bad to makd matters worse.
Point is one game doesnt make a guys career. Carlton is more then been battle tested. Hes got a great track record despite one awful game.
I think if you really put a microscope of the full body of work. Davis is for sure in the conversation for our MVP moving forward. In my mind Davis is the most important player we have when you look to the future.
Really looking forward to seeing Carlton get into a big game where he can really make a name for himself.
December 25th, 2020 at 5:46 pm
JJ
I certainly accept your point. I’m a Davis fan and trust me I blame Bowles for that Tyreek Hill debacle.
I think Davis is good…perhaps even very good.
I think Winfield is game changing good…IE Excellent.
I think Surtain II has the same potential at his spot as Winfield at his.
Having one of the top 2 or 3 at their position at both safety and cover corner would be awesome.
I like Davis but I’m not sure I have him all the way in my top ten yet although he’s certainly close if not in it.
December 25th, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Jim Payne: man, if only Joe included a hyperlink to answer your question…..
December 25th, 2020 at 6:17 pm
Jimmy jack: 10 catches for 163 yards and a TD is holding Ridley in check?