Undersized Winfield stands tall for Vikings

By Krupka  |   Tuesday, October 03, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Minnesota Vikings
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Through four games this year the Minnesota Vikings' defense has been tremendous, holding opposing offenses to just 16.2 points per game. The unit also finds itself ranked 10th in the NFL in total defense. While defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin will defer credit for the success to his players, he deserves plenty.

Without the vast improvement in scheme, positioning and overall play by the defense, the Vikings would be in plenty of trouble. There is no way the team would be 2-2. Although it has only been four games, so far the defense has shaved five points off the opponents' average (allowed 21.5 per game last year), and rose 11 spots in total defense (finished 21st last season).

Aside from Tomlin's teachings, there is one player that has truly stood out in helping the defense take the next step from being mediocre to elite - cornerback Antoine Winfield.

Three years ago the Vikings signed the feisty corner away from the Buffalo Bills, and he has been a mainstay in the secondary and on opponents ever since. Despite the fact that Winfield is only 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, he hits as hard as any corner in the league and as hard as some linebackers.

It isn't just the big-hit ability that makes the Vikings' cornerback stand out. Winfield's ability to wrap up and tackle fundamentally and take on players that are much bigger than him are unmatched by most. And even though he isn't considered a cover corner, he uses his intelligence, good positioning and angling well to allow himself to be an above-average cover corner.

In Sunday's loss against the Bills, the defense turned in another sterling performance, and again, just like last week, Winfield led all tacklers in double digits, this time with 11 stops.

If you could find any weaknesses in the defense's Week 4 performance, it would be some unnecessary penalties, and some missed tackles.

"We didn't make the plays that we needed to make. I think there were a few second- and third-and-longs that they converted on us. A lot of missed tackles," Winfield said after the game.

The biggest compliment someone can give Winfield may be that he is a sure tackler. So when he says the defense had "a lot of missed tackles," it's time for his teammates to listen up. Because if anyone knows about tackling, it's Winfield.

"That's been my game since I've played when I was 8 years old. I don't care who's running the ball. If you got it, I'm trying to get you down," said Winfield.

The Ohio State alumnus is on pace for a career-high 140 tackles, an unbelievable number for a defensive back. He is currently fourth in the NFL in solo tackles with 29, and tied for ninth in total takedowns with 35.

For years you've seen baseball's version--the Tom Emanski Defensive Drills Video endorsed by Fred McGriff in a goofy hat.

Pretty soon, you may see a football version entitled "The Antoine Winfield Defensive Drills Video," because when it comes to the art of tackling, few can match his prowess. Maybe he'll even sport an ugly-looking hat.

Fullback Tony Richardson, when asked about Winfield, said, "He's not afraid to go in there and stick it in there with the big boys. You like that. I got here, and I was like, 'Man, I'm glad this guy is on my team.' He's fierce. He's relentless. He's making plays. He's all over the place."

Eric Krupka is a senior writer for RealFootball365.com. He responds to readers email daily. You can contact him at ekrupka@realfootball365.com

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