Antoine Winfield Having Helluva Start To 2022 Season
September 21st, 2022
Gets props.
Last year Bucs safety Antoine Winfield made his first Pro Bowl. And despite the 2022 season being very young, it appears Winfield will be making another trip to Las Vegas in January, unless the Bucs are playing in the Super Bowl.
Let’s hope the Bucs ruin Winfield’s winter vacation plans.
Winfield is playing damn good ball and when you factor in he’s playing a new position at times, nickel corner, that’s saying a lot.
Winfield is 61st in tackles and he’s one of a handful of safeties that also has a pick in the first two games, including Derwin Jameis — Derwin James!
Former long-time Steelers free safety and Pro Bowler Ryan Clark, now yapping for BSPN, has been paying attention to Winfield. And Clark loves what he sees in the third-year safety.
Of course, Clark posted this after the Bucs slapped around the slimy Saints on Sunday.
Now to read this from Clark means something to Joe. Clark came from the Dick LeBeau school of defense. Joe remembers John Madden when he was still working a broadcast booth and specifically when he was working a Bucs game during the glory days; he spoke glowingly how he loved to watch the Bucs play defense.
Why? Because then-defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin wouldn’t put a guy on the field who couldn’t tackle.
Madden went on to say there were two teams he enjoyed watching, the Bucs and the Steelers, because they stressed tackling. That’s why he considered Kiffin and LeBeau the best defensive coordinators in the game, Madden said. And Clark had proper tacking drilled into his head by LeBeau.
Yeah, when Joe watches Winfield play, he sees shades of Rondé Barber. Winfield is just so damn fundamentally sound. And smart.
September 21st, 2022 at 4:57 am
I, and certainly others, said very very early on that he just reminds you so much of Ronde Barber. Just the way he plays, reacts, is such a fantastic tackler. The Bucs just need to blitz him a bit more to get his sack numbers up. Pretty amazing you get David, who is basically a modern Brooks, and you got Winfield, the modern Barber. Now he need a modern Sapp and we’re set (and no, fat a– only plays part time Vita is not a modern Sapp).
September 21st, 2022 at 5:18 am
Winfield is such versatile player that you have to wonder what else he can do.
September 21st, 2022 at 6:07 am
Winfield is very, very good. He’s going to be very expensive when his rookie contract is up. And you can’t use the fifth-year option on a non-first rounder.
That said, him having to make so many tackles is problematic. I watched the NFL YouTube review of the game, and Mark Ingram–a backup at this point in his career–and HIS backup were ripping off consistent seven to ten yard gains. This is not getting the press it deserves. Hopefully Bowles fixes it and I look like an old man yelling at the sky.
But you don’t win in the playoffs if you can’t stop the run.
September 21st, 2022 at 6:42 am
He saved two long runs Sunday with textbook tackle form filling from the FS spot
He is absolutely top notch and versatile- a great pick
September 21st, 2022 at 6:51 am
I can’t remember him ever missing a tackle.
September 21st, 2022 at 6:51 am
Best tackling techniques in the game. The more he matures the better he gets, and a pretty good cover guy to. BIG FAN! Please teach White how to tackle!
September 21st, 2022 at 7:00 am
Winfield is terrific. He is savvy, extremely quick, and a sure tackler.
September 21st, 2022 at 7:20 am
His tackling in that game Sunday against the Saints was superb. I wish White would take a few lessons from him. I know White had a lot of tackles in the game, but I also saw him whiff on a couple he could have made.
September 21st, 2022 at 7:25 am
Great player I think he’s the best defensive player on the team other than LVD.
September 21st, 2022 at 7:44 am
Agreed Oneilbuc,
Also, Ryan pretty much saved the game with that forced fumble he created, with the aints driving deep into our territory. Our DBs in general are the reason we are 2-0.
September 21st, 2022 at 7:58 am
I almost agree with O’Neill. I simply would not rank LVD above Winfield at this point in time. Maybe in LVD’s 3rd year? But right now Winfield is special.
And the heck with the Pro Bowl…Winfield should be All Pro this season.
September 21st, 2022 at 8:01 am
Been saying it all along and here since the draft. Offense puts people in the seats but DEFENSE wins Championships. BUCS Defensence playing at a high level right now and Winfield is a big part of that. GO BUCS!!!!!
September 21st, 2022 at 8:31 am
If he keeps pace he is a first ballot HOF’er. Hopefully a Buc for life. I love watching this guy play. Despite the blown coverage in the playoffs last year 😉
September 21st, 2022 at 9:44 am
To be honest he might be our best punt returner as well
September 21st, 2022 at 10:02 am
I agree Joe. Really reminds me of Ronde with his football instincts and football intelligence. I think Ronde was the smartest defensive player in the league for a number of years and Winfield is on the same path.
September 21st, 2022 at 10:37 am
Good coverage and instints, takes good angles, sheds blocks, wraps up, can blitz, forces turnovers, etc. What else can you ask for? Dude is a great football player!
September 21st, 2022 at 11:08 am
The sky is the limit for this dude.
September 21st, 2022 at 12:11 pm
Kudos to his family including AW Sr for raising a class act both on and OFF the field.
September 21st, 2022 at 12:17 pm
When My Momma watches Winfield play, she wonders if he can play receiver.