Antoine Winfield Racking Up Numbers
September 13th, 2023
Franchise record holder.
Joe got into a back-and-forth with a loyal reader over the summer about Antoine Winfield.
Joe noted the Bucs 2020 draft may be a historic haul someday. The reader scoffed at Joe.
So Joe pointed out that several different media outlets believe the Bucs’ draft of 1995 was a top-10 draft in NFL history. Why? Because the Bucs selected two future Hall of Famers with their first two picks, Warren Sapp and Derrick Brooks.
While the reader didn’t dispute Tristan Wirfs ought to be in the Hall of Fame if he continues his top-shelf play, the reader referred to Joe’s glossing of Winfield as “hyperbole.”
Joe suggested that Winfield was already one of the game’s best safeties and now that he was moving back to safety, it’s not crazy to think he will play even better.
Well, the move of Winfield back to safety already paid off on Sunday. He was all over the field and had a huge sack-fumble-recovery.
NextGen Stats tracked Winfield’s blitz as the third-fastest sack in the league in Week 1. Remember, Winfield is a safety. The other 19 fastest sacks came from defensive linemen, linebackers or edge rushers.
That’s how damn quick Winfield is. Winfield buried Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins in just 2.84 seconds after the snap.
Further, it was Winfield’s 10th career sack. So just one game into his fourth season, Winfield already owns the Bucs’ franchise record for sacks by safeties with 10.
Those 10 sacks are also the most sacks by any safety since the 2020 NFL draft.
Joe still maintains it’s not crazy to think that the 2020 Bucs draft could go down in history like it did in 1995.
Joe’s last fun nugget about Winfield. As he left the Bucs’ postgame locker room Sunday, Joe heard him say out loud, “I hope people lost a lot of money on us.”
Oh, the sportsbooks did. The Bucs were 5.5-point underdogs. (Joe profited dropping cash on the Bucs getting 6.5 points, and some nice scratch from the moneyline.)
September 13th, 2023 at 2:54 am
winfield was straight flying around out there on sunday…
if he doesn’t get concussed this year, he should have a terrific season…
it’s only one game, but it looks like he’s hitting his prime right about now
September 13th, 2023 at 3:19 am
Gambling is for suckers.
Winfield played like he always has. Like an All Pro.
Go AWJ!
Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2023 at 4:58 am
If I’m not mistaken we had DW45 and JTS right behind Antoine. No way Cousins was gonna recover that fumble.
September 13th, 2023 at 5:54 am
Geeez…tracking fastest sack times now!
Next it’ll be how fast a player goes from the sideline to the huddle!
September 13th, 2023 at 6:29 am
Nice!
I made money with my bet as well!
September 13th, 2023 at 6:42 am
Moving a player back to his natural position and he balls. What a concept.
September 13th, 2023 at 7:26 am
I just hope they can keep him. Not enough money next year to keep him Wirfs, white and Evans. We could definitely see some talent leave this team next year.
September 13th, 2023 at 7:46 am
What ‘don’t ‘ they keep stats on?
September 13th, 2023 at 7:52 am
What ‘don’t ‘ they keep stats on?
—–
havent seen one on who has the fastest “turd to water” time….
yet
September 13th, 2023 at 8:03 am
“So just one game into his fourth season, Winfield already owns the Bucs’ franchise record for sacks by safeties with 10.” Pretty impressive. I would have guessed Mark Cotney would be the leader in the club house.
September 13th, 2023 at 8:37 am
I loved the gang tackling of the Bucs this past week. It seems like there were always 3 to 5 players around the ball. Three on the ball and two or three closing in. We should be 2-0 after the bears. I hope we don’t play down to their level
September 13th, 2023 at 8:37 am
Not sure why everyone wants to hate on bucs . Winfield is a dawg period……..
September 13th, 2023 at 8:48 am
Winfield played a helluva game as did Devin White. Glad to see Winfield back at Safety. Also loved the defensive adjutments made at halftime. If the secondary stays healthy Winfield will have a tremendousl season.
September 13th, 2023 at 9:11 am
He must have knew about antonio browns 100k bet against the bucs on Sunday lol…maybe he didn’t like him lol
September 13th, 2023 at 9:35 am
Mark Cotney? Guess I’m not the only ancient fan on here. 🙂 Loved Winfield’s smartazzed crack and I don’t gamble. His Dad was a whale of a player. Those genes definitely transferred to his son.
September 13th, 2023 at 9:39 am
Don’t get too cocky about Bears game. Big letdown spot and Bears were embarrassed at home. This game worries me.
September 13th, 2023 at 9:43 am
Mark Cotney had five sacks but remember that before 1982, sacks was not an official stat. So the stats before 1982 are guesstimates.
September 13th, 2023 at 9:51 am
Devin White had a great game too ! I hope they continue to play at this level , Bucs should win the division title if so . Winfield is definitely a great draft pick by the Bucs.
September 13th, 2023 at 9:52 am
1. Pro Bowlers at every level. Vea-Shaq-White/LVD-Win
2. Lock down cornersx2
3. Emerging DL: Hall, CK
Give Licht props!
September 13th, 2023 at 11:31 am
Winfield is yet another Buc with the “dawg” in him.
I’ve always been biased to children of famous successful athletes. I think watching his father succeed and hanging out from childhood at NFL practices and games have given Winfield a sense of no big deal.
I think guys like Christian McCaffery, Barry Bonds and many others also benefit from growing up in their respective games.
September 13th, 2023 at 12:25 pm
I heard A. Brown lost $120,000 on the Bucs. Winfield should be happy. I know I smiled.
September 13th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
I’m counting my $$ Joe, I took the 6.5 as well. AWJ31 is a beast and we will have to pay him and Wirfs and White this offseason if they maintain. I pray we have enough for a solid offer to ME13.
Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2023 at 1:56 pm
Ive always felt Winfield is a special player. Hes small, quick, instinctive, and smart. He reminds me alot of another HOF Buc drafted in 1997.
September 14th, 2023 at 1:55 am
BF81’: Joe had me feeling pretty jolly talking about Sapp and Brooks and top ten drafts of all time and you had to come along and throw a piss soaked blanket on it.
Jk, if it comes down to Winfield, Wirfs, White or Evans? I’m letting Evans test the market and offer him mid level WR money. Gotta keep these young studs.