Winfield not at OTAs
June 2nd, 2009 – 6:22 PM by Chip ScogginsVeteran cornerback Antoine Winfield was not in attendance Tuesday as the Vikings began another round of practices that are part of Organized Team Activities, according to people with knowledge of the situation.Winfield’s absence came after he missed the team’s mandatory three-day minicamp this past weekend because he was attending the funeral for a mother of a close friend, according to coach Brad Childress. Winfield’s decision to stay away from Winter Park also could be tied into the fact he is entering the last season of his contract and negotiations on an extension broke down early last month.
OTA practices are not mandatory but many veterans attend when their presence is requested. Childress made it clear the first four OTAs two weeks ago were only for selected veterans. However, Childress said on Sunday the four OTAs this week would be “an open-arms-all-invited” situation, and many veterans are expected to attend.
Winfield’s agent, Ashanti Webb, declined comment in a text message to Judd on Tuesday afternoon. Winfield took part in at least a portion of the Vikings’ offseason conditioning program when it began in April but that was before the contract talks broke down.
We have our only media access to OTAs this week on Thursday.
9 Responses to "Winfield not at OTAs"
You ain’t bigger than the team, antoine. You are under contract, get in there and practice. If you want to be a cry baby, go join the cheese.
Go Vikes!!!
[…] Access Vikings: – […]
[…] [Vikings] Vikings CB Antoine Winfield Not Present At OTAs Veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield was not in attendance Tuesday as the Vikings began another round of practices that are part of Organized Team Activities, according to people with knowledge of the situation.Winfield’s absence came after he missed the team’s mandatory three-day minicamp this past weekend because he was attending the funeral for a mother of a close friend, according to coach Brad Childress. Winfield’s decision to stay away from Winter Park also could be tied into the fact he is entering the last season of his contract and negotiations on an extension broke down early last month. Source: Chip Scoggins, Minneapolis Star Tribune […]
Just when you think we have a good locker room full of players who don’t piss and moan ovef contracts like other team do Winfield goes and pulls some doo doo like this and it’s just ridiculous! He’s been paid handsomely by the Vikings since he signed here and he should show some appreciation by showing up to workouts, voluntary or not. We all saw what happened to him the last time he chose to work out on his own!
I agree Idle. Antoine is one of my favorite players. His play is inspiring. That being said, get to work man! If you will get out there and do what you always do, Good Lord willing, things will work out.
Here’s how I see it, Winfield is backing the Vikings into a corner and the fans will see that, and probably side with the Vikings instead of him. Here’s the options:
1. Extend the Contract - It’s obvious Antoine wants some big money and many years. If the Vikings do this, then they’ll be almost certain to end up with an over-the-hill, over paid, nickle back in a couple years.
2. Let him Leave Next Year - The Vikings could get one more year out of Winfield and let him walk next year. They’d have to cut one of their younger corners, and the most they’d get in compensatory picks is a 5th rounder.
3. Franchise Him Next Year - If they don’t extend his contract then the Winfield will be uber-motivated to succeed this year. If he does, then the Vikings could place the franchise tag on him to get yet another year of motivated play out of him or to try and churn up some trade interest next offseason.
4. Trade Him - The Vikings are probably evaluating their younger corners very carefully. Guys like Asher Allen, Karl Paymah, and Charles Gordon cannot be expected to be as good as Winfield, but if one of these guys really impresses, then don’t be surprised to see the Vikings entertain trade offers for Winfield.
Personally, I’d take a close look at option #4 if I were the Vikes. Next year is set up to be a fantastic draft, so the more picks the better. Also, there are some pretty good players on other teams that could be swapped for in a trade right now.
I like Winfield, but like I said, he’s forcing the Vikings to take a close look at this situation and treat it like business… How about Sheldon Brown and a late draft pick from the Eagles for Winfield??? Just a thought.
Remember 2 yrs. ago when he didn’t attend OTA’s and he was hurt (and burned) a good portion of the season? He said that the decision to not attend OTA’s was a mistake, so he was at most (if not all) of last off-season’s workouts. What was the result? His best season and a Pro Bowl.
I look for Winfield to be injured and toasted often again this year, in spite of the fact that he will be auditioning for a 2010 free agency contract.
Antoine, I hope you read these blogs, but I’m pretty sure you dont. If you do, it seems a lot of people really like your talent and what you bring to the team, I know I do. But those same people, myself included, think you need to lose your ego and play ball. You are under contract.
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Join Vikings beat writers Judd Zulgad and Chip Scoggins on a usually informative and often irreverent journey inside the Vikings.
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