NFL: Antoine Winfield Simply The Best
July 11th, 2024
No. 1!
It’s no longer a belief just among Bucs fans. It has come to fruition: Bucs safety Antoine Winfield is the best, better than all the rest.
In Jeremy Fowler’s annual poll of the top-10 best players at each position at BSPN voted on by “almost 80” NFL suits, coaches and scouts, Winfield, the highest paid safety in the league is now also the best safety in the league.
One NFL suit summed up Winfield’s 2023 All-Pro season the result of Bucs coach Todd Bowles unleashing Winfield to play the perfect position for his skillset.
“He had more opportunities as a single-high defender to take throws away with his instincts, range and creating turnovers,” an NFC executive said. “He was already excellent in run support and as a blitzer, so it was the perfect combination.”
Quite literally, Winfield was a game-changer. Joe hasn’t seen a safety effect games like he has since Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu were in the league.
Go back and look at the play Winfield made on DJ Chark in the final game of the regular season last year. When Winfield read the play, the ground he covered to punch the ball out of Chark’s hands just as he was about to cross the goal line. That was a Reed-like play through and through.
Winfield makes an impact all over the field. Backfield, at the line, the flats, inside, deep, you name it. Just like Polamalu did.
And there’s no reason to believe Winfield can’t continue to play at this level for a few more years.
July 11th, 2024 at 9:59 am
Winfield is the Willie Mays of safeties. There can be no more higher praise than that.
July 11th, 2024 at 10:28 am
Had his best year in 2023 and should improve each season. Last ‘Big Moment Play’ I remember him being in a had a Rookie faking him out of his shoes at the 22 and not being able to recover and prevent a TD in the Divisional Round.
In his defense not may teams win Divisional games when the Quarterback TD/INT ratio is 3:2
July 11th, 2024 at 10:41 am
Tina Turner would have loved him.
July 11th, 2024 at 10:47 am
And we’ll never have to worry about him taking plays off after signing that contract. This dude comes to play.
July 11th, 2024 at 10:54 am
I really appreciate Winfield’s never-quit attitude.
July 11th, 2024 at 11:06 am
The difference between good and great players in the NFL, not to mention those with immense talent never realized, almost always comes down to effort. This kid gets an a+ on effort. Talented enough obviously, but his effort and never quit attitude is what separates him.
July 11th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
Ryan Neal was so terrible AWJ had to be the best version of himself. AWJ’s stats HOPEFULLY fall off a bit because Whitehead delivers.
July 11th, 2024 at 12:28 pm
@Sly, that’s a good thought. Hopefully this year, Winfield won’t have as many stats because the backend should play better. Yes, I said hope.
The only thing Winfield hasn’t done too much of (yet) is those bone-jarring hits Reed and Palamalu were known for. But it’s cool, we got our enforcer back this year (Whitehead) so we should see some big hits.
Go Bucs ! ! !
July 11th, 2024 at 1:22 pm
I enjoyed the upbeat article but Joe, you need to learn the difference between the words “effect” and “affect” (like so many others who post here).
July 11th, 2024 at 1:29 pm
Love me some AW2!
With Whitehead on the other side, and expected improvements in coverage now that Ryan The Stump Neal is gone, maybe Todd can do something about his 29th ranked pass defense.
July 11th, 2024 at 2:11 pm
Winfield is this generations Ronde Barber – and is on a HOF track.
Meanwhile he’s making 1st Team ALL-PRO while not even getting a pro-bowl invite, aka, Lavonte David.
July 11th, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Blast from the past Ed Reed. One of the best on and off the field. Agreed, Antoine is only 25 and will be one of the best for years.
July 11th, 2024 at 3:19 pm
AWJ doesn’t just do his job – he changes the outcome of games! Got paid & recognized!!
July 11th, 2024 at 3:33 pm
Always used to use the acronym “VANE:” Verb, affect; noun, effect.” AI spellcheck told Joe different. So Joe went with AI.
July 11th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
*FBI Agent Peanut Tillman
July 11th, 2024 at 4:32 pm
He’s got a little ways to go for an Ed Reed comp. But he WILL be on that level.
July 13th, 2024 at 10:35 am
Yes….But we all knew that. He got soo screwed by the media and the POS Pro Bowl Popularity contest folks it is pathetic.
Go Bucs!