“Moxie” Isn’t Just For Quarterbacks
December 11th, 2023
Antoine Winfield makes a mark, eclipses Bucs greats.
A fantastic point was made last night during the Buccaneers segment on the Football Night In America recap show.
That’s right, the Bucs got major league airtime on NBC. That’s what happens when you win games, and win them in thrilling fashion while capturing first place. You go from backburner to the big stage. It’s fun!
Lots of talk about Baker Mayfield and his renowned “moxie” among the panel. Joe hates that adjective for Mayfield. But then former Cowboys head coach and quarterback Jason Garrett interjected into a discussion on safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and reminded the group that “moxie” isn’t just for quarterbacks.
Winfield defines moxie, Garrett described, noting the trait is about making big plays in big moments in different ways, and just being a guy who comes through.
After yesterday’s huge strip/sack that became a safety against Atlanta, Winfield now has four forced fumbles this season. That’s tied for second in the NFL. He also has four sacks — as a safety.
Bucs Hall of Fame cornerback Rondé Barber never had four forced fumbles in a season. And only once did Barber hit four sacks (2000). That’s the kind of company Winfield is in with four games to play.
And as long as Joe is dishing out Hall of Fame comparisons, hard-hitting, bone-crushing safety John Lynch only had four forced fumbles once in his career — in 2005 with the Broncos.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:51 pm
does moxie mean feeling dangerous…?
#BakerMoxiefield
December 11th, 2023 at 12:51 pm
Best player on the team… hands down, shows up and shows out with huge plays.
December 11th, 2023 at 12:55 pm
the harder you work the luckier you get
dude is always all over the field and around the ball at the same time.
and he a little dude..or at least it seems. if he wasn’t so valuable I’d want him doing returns. he just has IT …..and a head for the game…and a dad to teach him.
he sould be D cap and wirfs O capn’
December 11th, 2023 at 1:10 pm
This is what a baller looks like. Stud. Now we need another playmaker to match with him. Go find him Jason.
December 11th, 2023 at 1:22 pm
We have him already. His name is Kancey. Had no preseason. Will get stronger is off season. Really impressive. Of course we need more. Defensive line showed up without Vea.
December 11th, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Pay this guy… dump Deva White. Winfield is a dog. We need more dogs.
December 11th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
The old saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” is spot on here.
His father, Antoine Winfield Sr., was a standout cornerback who went to three Pro Bowls.
I’ve always been partial to players with lineage to the game…think Bobby and Barry Bonds…Ed and Christian McCaffery…and my faves because Va. Tech was in my coverage area while I still worked and Dell Curry was THE MAN in Blacksburg.
He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1986 until 2002 and retired as the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time leader in points (9,839) and three-point field goals made (929).
It also seems to me that the “JR” frequently outperforms the dad. No doubt Christian is better than Ed, Barry better than Bobby and as much as I love covering Dell Curry his son Stephen is from a different freaking planet. Have you ever watched him in warmups showing off pumping shot after shot through all net from two steps inside the half court line.
Winfield Jr is also putting down tape that will exceed his father’s.
December 11th, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Winfield is a baller. But he needs to house some of them turnovers to sniff Rondes jock!
December 11th, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Could he be in play for DPOY? Should be all-pro? no doubt he is a pro bowler this year.
December 11th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Mayfield needs moxie because he misses a lot of throws / open receivers. The TD to Otton was a beauty but the rest of the game was a dink-and-dunk festival.
December 11th, 2023 at 2:19 pm
Wirfs is the heart of this team and Winfield Jr. Is the soul – 1ST PLACE BABY LETS GO BUCS!
December 11th, 2023 at 2:25 pm
You can bet his father is extremely proud of his son. Talk about NFL blue-ribbon genes and moxie being inherited—wowsers!!!!! And hats off to Mr. Licht for grabbing him in the draft!
December 11th, 2023 at 2:34 pm
Sad to learn that Winfield is not even in the top ten safeties in Pro Bowl voting. Ridiculous. Name ne safety who is having a better season than our guy.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:03 pm
They better have him at least 2nd team All Pro
December 11th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
There’s always a lot of talk about ME but Winfield is every bit and maybe even more important.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:15 pm
The guy just keeps making plays every week. He is the best Safety in the league that no one really knows about because Tampa is a small market team.
December 11th, 2023 at 3:38 pm
St. Pete
Marvin Harrison Jr. comes to mind as the most recent…
December 11th, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Problem with this team is that the individual talent is extremely high, and costly or isnabout to be. Wirfs, Winfield, Evans, Vea, David, Godwin, White, Dean and Davis (I don’t think these last three guys are consistent enough to be getting paid, but that doesn’t change that theyre getting paid, Davis is pretty good and not as inconsistent as Dean).
However, the coaching staff can’t make a consistent TEAM out of that talent. The eye rake of a defense yesterday as a whole was disheartening. Hell yeah Winfield is amazing. But watching scrub teams march up and down the field easily on the Bucs is really frustrating. Beer bottle at a tv frustrating.
Hats off, with backs against the wall, the D made unbelievable plays… against a scrub team and limited TDs. But if Young We Koo or whatever that dude’s name is doesnt have an off day, do we win?
A lot of amazing talent, looking like it’s on an island while the team looks like its gettin eaten by sharks.
December 11th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
I have him as my D player in fantasy, had 14 points yesterday. Sadly they took away his safety and just gave him the forced fumble, leaving him w 9
December 11th, 2023 at 5:38 pm
No way Trask should be playing instead if Winfield.
December 11th, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Thank God for Winfield. He changes games. Hopefully he continues to stay healthy and the Bucs find ways to continue to put him in positions to make huge plays.
December 11th, 2023 at 7:01 pm
So good we can’t afford him
December 11th, 2023 at 8:20 pm
TBBF
Agree about Marvin Harrison Jr. The Bucs have no chance to get him though.
he’s widely projected to go within the top-five picks of the 2024 NFL Draft should he enter.
I feel better about him having a long solid if not superstar career. The “QB rich” draft doesn’t have a more sure thing that Harrison Jr.
December 11th, 2023 at 11:53 pm
Thought he would be damn good coming out of college if he could stay healthy. He tore up the Big 10. Licht hit a home run getting Wirfs and Winfield same draft
December 13th, 2023 at 5:20 am
Umm…Maybe I am alone in this, but…It would not bother me even a little bit if I never ever ever heard the word “moxie” again!
Go Bucs!
December 13th, 2023 at 7:48 am
He plays at a different speed because he’s smarter than everybody else.
You can see it in his eyes. He’s bright. He’s quick.
I remember his dad as Charles Woodson’s #2. Michigan vs Ohio State.
Antoine Winfield Sr was the most fundamentally intelligent CB I’ve ever seen. He was a genius.
Winfield and Wirfs in the same draft?
They are looking like All-Pros this year.
I hope we can find a 6-3 long and rangey FS next draft.
I want a 6-3 FS who runs a 4.3 for Christmas.