MANKATO —
Minnesota Vikings defensive back Antoine Winfield doesn’t need to be reminded of the numbers.
He’s well aware this is his 14th season, that’s he 35 years old and that he played in only five of the team’s 16 games last year. He realizes the end of his career is closing in but he also thinks he has something left to offer the rebuilding Minnesota franchise.
“I can hear the clock ticking,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ll be out there for 60-70 snaps for 16 games like I used to but I still believe I can contribute to this team.
“There are a lot of cornerbacks who don’t last 14 years in this league but I still love the game; I still love to go out there and compete.”
The ideal plan right now is to use Winfield mostly as a slot/nickel back in 2012. That would keep him fairly well rested and provide the club with a quality player in pass defense.
That plan is contingent upon third-year player Chris Cook performing well at the outside spot and either rookie Josh Robinson (thirrd-round draft pick) or veteran Zack Bowman (free-agent acquisition) manning the other outside position.
“I’m excited about the new guys in camp,” he said. “They’re very athletic, very fast. Fourteen years ago I was running like that, too.
“It’s all about competition. We have some young guys who are hungry to play and that will make everyone better.
Winfield may have lost a step from his prime but still brings an impressive resume to camp. His best year was back in 2003 when he was in on 107 tackles.
As recently as 2010, however, he made 91 tackles, including 73 solos and two sacks. He has 24 career interceptions and has recovered 10 fumbles.
If the new guys don’t step up, it’s likely the veteran Winfield will have to play more than planned.
“I’ll do what they ask me to do,” he said. “Last year we had a problem with giving up big plays; we gave up way too many of them.
“The third-and-longs hurt us. We just didn’t play the proper techniques but I’m confident we can fix it. I’m healthy and Chris Cook is back; that gives us more experience than we had last year.”
Speaking of health, Winfield said he’s ready to go. His broken collarbone, which forced him to miss most of last year, is all healed up.
“I’m 100 percent,” he said. “I think I was cleared at the end of March.
“The last couple of months I’m running around, getting into shape and getting ready for training camp.
“My goal is to play 16 games. I’m not sure if I’ll be outside all 16 but I’ll do what the team needs.”
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Antoine Winfield will be among the Vikings players reporting for training camp at Minnesota State University in Mankato on Thursday. Pat Christman
July 25, 2012
'Clock ticking' for Vikings' Winfield
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