Agent: Winfield talks continue
July 6th, 2009 – 5:02 PM by Judd ZulgadThe agent for Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield made it clear this afternoon that contract negotiations with the Vikings are continuing and that while his client might be frustrated by the pace of talks no doors have been closed. Agent Ashanti Webb also refused to put any kind of deadline on when talks could be cut off if a new deal isn’t reached for Winfield, who is entering the final season of a six-year, $34.8 million.
“At this point right now, the Vikings and I have had talks,” said agent Ashanti Webb, who in May told reporters that negotiations had broken off. ”There have been discussions. It would be disingenuous or inappropriate for me to say there is any kind of hard [deadline]. Where are we at? July 6. I’m an optimist. They have not said to me, ‘We’re not doing something.’ I’m not saying, ‘We’re at such a grave differences that I’m telling them to forget it.’ We’re talking. Not talking that much but there are discussions. You haven’t heard any [verbal] jabs from either one of us. … I think in the realm of these situations this has been hospitable.”
Winfield made his feelings about not having a new contract known by failing to take part in the Vikings’ offseason practices but that is not all that unusual. Center Matt Birk stayed away from the Vikings’ offseason program a year ago after it became clear the team was going to let him enter the final season of his contract.
Winfield, who turned 32 on June 24, was named to the Pro Bowl last year for the first time after 10 seasons. His desire to get a new contract is understandable given that he wants to remain in Minnesota and also is looking to capitalize on his performance of last season.
Webb refused to go into detail about what the exact sticking points in negotiations might be, but it’s logical to assume the Vikings are concerned about how much longer Winfield will be a starting corner in the NFL. The interesting point to me is that veterans often play out the final year of their contract. Safety Darren Sharper did it last season and ended up signing with New Orleans. Birk was in the same boat and is now with Baltimore.
The frustation from the Winfield camp seems to be the fact the Vikings have said they want to get something done yet that hasn’t yet happened. “Antoine is a big guy and knows this is a business,” Webb said. “He’s fully aware of where the situation is and the different situations that can play out. We can come to a resolution. … There’s more than one way that these things can be resolved. There’s nothing being said or seen or done to say any of the ways this situation could be resolved are off the table. It’s not to that point. It’s getting there. The time for this situation [to get resolved] is getting close. But if you hold to what the organization says or has been saying they want the thing to get done and hopefully it will get done.”
If it doesn’t get done, don’t expect Winfield to miss any time in training camp. He is scheduled to make $6 million in 2009 and skipping practices would get very expensive. “There is way too much time for me or Antoine to even think of anything like that,” Webb said. “As of right now that option has not been discussed at all. The thing that needs to be crystal clear is Antoine is not making any demands or threats or anything like that.”
35 Responses to "Agent: Winfield talks continue"
Hey Judd,
Is this delay tied to Favre and how much cap money it will take to sign him? I just can’t figure any other reason?
take less, AW, and it’s a done deal…
GO VIKES!!!!!
6 million Winfield will make in 2009, poor poor poor guy. Wow, that is real rough.
Must be real tough out there for him to even guy groceries at this time.
I feel so horrible for this guy and his family. I just cannot even imagine how he makes it day to day with such horrid plight. I have a lump in my throat!
Vikes-R-Us,
I’m working on a blog on that very subject but need to do some more fact checking. The agent said he has not been told that Winfield not being signed is Favre related but I do believe your statement might be on the right track.
Judd, since when has fact checking had any bearing on Favre related news?
Ed Werder would be so ashamed of you right now.
6 Million for one year???? I make 2% of that in a F!@# 8 to 5:30 job!!!!
Pinche lloron!!! Just play the game.
I just wonder how this will play out..The Vikes have Winfield for this year..With it being the final year of his contract..If they needed to the following year they could put the franchise tag on him for a year…That would give the Vikes 2 april drafts to find some talented corners for a team that doesn’t have a lot of needs to fill over the next 2 years…Plus they will most likely want to extend Peterson after this year ??…
Not to mention contract talks between owners and the players union for next year might go sour ??…I can’t blame Winfield for wanting some guaranteed money…
Freds believes it is an age issue. Tony Winfield is getting old, he showed signs of getting burned by quick receivers last year. This will only get worse (and perhaps soon). Still great against the run. Fred isn’t suggesting the Vikes cut him, but they need to be careful not to throw too much up front money at him, so if he begins to look like Darryl Sharper of last year, we can cut him and not take a financial beatings.
Bleeds,
If the purple use the franchise tag it would mean the purples would have to Tony the average of the top 5 corners salary….or about 10 million for the one year. Doubt it!!!
[…] Agent: Winfield talks continue July 6th, 2009 ? 5:02 PM by Judd Zulgad The agent for Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield made it clear this afternoon that contract negotiations with the Vikings are continuing and that while his client might be frustrated by the pace of talks no doors have been closed. Agent Ashanti Webb also refused to put any kind of deadline on when talks could be cut off if a new deal isn?t reached for Winfield, who is entering the final season of a six-year, $34.8 million. ?At this point right now, the Vikings and I have had talks,? said agent Ashanti Webb, who in May told reporters that negotiations had broken off. ?There have been discussions. It would be disingenuous or inappropriate for me to say there is any kind of hard [deadline]. Where are we at? July 6. I?m an optimist. They have not said to me, ?We?re not doing something.? I?m not saying, ?We?re at such a grave differences that I?m telling them to forget it.? We?re talking. Not talking that much but there are discussions. You haven?t heard any [verbal] jabs from either one of us. ? I think in the realm of these situations this has been hospitable.? Winfield made his feelings about not having a new contract known by failing to take part in the Vikings? offseason practices but that is not all that unusual. Center Matt Birk stayed away from the Vikings? offseason program a year ago after it became clear the team was going to let him enter the final season of his contract. Winfield, who turned 32 on June 24, was named to the Pro Bowl last year for the first time after 10 seasons. His desire to get a new contract is understandable given that he wants to remain in Minnesota and also is looking to capitalize on his performance of last season. Webb refused to go into detail about what the exact sticking points in negotiations might be, but it?s logical to assume the Vikings are concerned about how much longer Winfield will be a starting corner in the NFL. The interesting point to me is that veterans often play out the final year of their contract. Safety Darren Sharper did it last season and ended up signing with New Orleans. Birk was in the same boat and is now with Baltimore. Access Vikings: ? Blog Archive ? Agent: Winfield talks continue […]
With the talent on the team this year..I think Winfield hurt himself not showing up at the OTA’s…He should have been out there to show up the young guys…Just to let the coaches know they still can’t survive without him being out on the field…When your age comes into play…You should be at mini camps to show you still have that burst…Just taking a physical doesn’t prove that…Being out on the field does…
bleed’s right though, if the Vikes don’t want to extend the contract, and the guy has a banner year, franchising him is an option.
Though I tend to agree with Smooter ON THIS POINT that Winfield’s getting a little long in the tooth…and will likely fade this year.
I figure Winfield has already made something like 25-28 million over the past 5 years. Shouldnt a guy be able to live comfortably for the rest of his life on that alone? If he still has gas in his tank after this year, then we can do a new contract. If he no longer has game, then it would be a smart move on the Vikes,to wait and see. In the meantime, 6 million for this season? Or are we looking at another hardship case of ” I got a family to feed” If that wont cover his family for a year, then i reckon we all wont be invited to his house for dinner anytime soon eh?
Fregile Freds,
I nearly fell out of my chair laughing the other night at one of your posts about 2009 being a rough and tumble year etc etc etc. Loved the way you refer to “Brent.” with renewed admiration.
Me thinks if Brent signs with Purple Pride Incorporated there will be a frenzy unlike anything we have ever seen round these parts.
Another aspect of this Tony Winfield story is the Asher Allen rookie pick in the 3rd round. They way I hear it is Fraizer and the DB coach think this guy has the potential to be solid. He went up against Harvin, Bowe and all of the top notch SEC receivers for 3 or 4 years. Georgia is a top notch program and top notch defense. Allen if he works hard, could be a solid CB.
Also lets not forget Karl Paymah from the Broncos, Chuck Gordon, and others.
While not as good as Tony Wingrass, these guys can play CB solidly. Paymah is very raw. But talented. Me thinks Antoine Wingrass should be happy with hsi 6 mil for now and shut the ***k up and just play in these tough economic times.
As for Daryl Sharper, boy I bet he wishes he could have stayed here and taken a pay cut to play with Brent, if Brent signs. Sharper, Longwell and Brent would have been like 3 peas in a f**king pod on the sidelines as they collectively thrash the Cheesewhiz.
Fred ~ I don’t think the Vikes would go frachise tag either unless they had too…The draft or free agents most likely would be the route there…
I just wonder what will happen with the “no cap” next year…And the contract negotiations with the owners and players union will go ??…If the Star Caps case is any indication of how stupid the lawyers are on both sides ??…It might end up in a long strike coming up after this year yet ??
Isn’t it GREAT !!…The Vikes actually have solid depth on the roster…It does open some options for them…
Well I hope with the “Continuity” of the roster & coaching staff, that it means something and going alot further this year. The thing about Favre possibly signing is that I was actually looking forward to how well the Vikes do, expanding off last year. With him, we’ll never know how well we would have done, but, in the end..it’s all about what makes the team better, and if signing him does, we can’t go wrong…. ‘cept for the play calling!! Ha, ha….
A blogger on PFT did make a keen observation. It’s like a catch 22. In signing Favre, and we lose a game or two, then the naysayers we be chanting, “Told you so, Told you so.” If we went ahead with the QB’s currently on the roster, and we lose a game or two, Some will be saying, that we should have signed Favre, we would have won those games. What the hey, roll the dice with Favre. least ways we wont be looking back wondering, ‘what if?…’
Didn’t I just hear an echo of what 4ever just said? Need to get the accoustics in this barn here fixed
Freds thinks that measuring really if this Brent thing works or not will have to wait until the play offs. If the Vikes win the division, and lose in the first round, it would be hard to call that a success. As we all know, that is what happened with TJ and the Statue last year. So all the “I told you so” comments will just have to wait until year end. For the record, Freds will not be one of those guys who waits in the weeds for a “Fred told you so” moment. Freds doesn’t want Brent on his team, not because it might not work out, rather because Fred is extrememly shallow and can’t get over his deep deep deep hatred for this banjo playing, wrangler wearing, interception tossing, retirement mind changing, flip pass throwing, playoff choking, Hovan hating, Lambeau loser. Freds is melting down again!
So, what you are trying to say, is that you dont care for Favre? There is something tarnished in the thought that we could win the SB, but with someone elses QB. But then he would be wearing purple, not green. so that would technicaly make him our own. so glad i dont flip flop like Favre. cuz if so, then i’d have to learn to play the banjo. The worse case scenerio of all, would be that he does get us to the NC Championship and then… Favre’s it. One game short. So much for our chances of getting a Tebow or such in the next draft. What if, What if, What if…
Farsides,
Tebow, really? Fred thinks he will be there for everyone to pass on in round 1. We’ve seen so many really good QBs have great college careers, then soil themselves in the NFL. You think this guys got it though huh?
Bleed: Yes the Vikes have some solid depth now but, they need to execute the play calling that will use the talent we’ve acquired to move the ball on every down.
The question is: Are they capable of doing that?
And sign Winfield, he’s a valuable player!
Am a victim of speculation. Some early predictions have him pegged for the vikes. If the spread offense is the wave of the future in the NFL, then we would be the trendsetters.
I’m a big Winfield fan and don’t want to see him leave. I think he’s far and above better than Griffin. However, if he thinks he’s worth a ton of money and refuses to sign a contract that is already too big for him to begin with, then let him walk.
After a moment of common sense,I retract that statement of spread offense. ya think about it {as i just did}, the spread, the wildcat, the run & shoot, are basically all gimmic offenses that are designed to catch the defenses off-guard. plus our strenth is in the running of AD not 5 and outs to anyone who doesnt block. {excuse me while i go and sit in the corner and learn to play the theme to Beverly Hillbillies}
No need for that Farside. It’s DDS who should apologize. He’s got to remember that not ALL players make $34.8 million every six years. Some have to squeak by on $34.7 million, or $34.6 million. Maybe less. If Dave Winfield thinks he’s worth that for another six years, well…………….he might be the only one.
Well, I for one never agreed with the fact that if the Vikes do go all the way & win the SB, that we did it with the Packers QB. Bull crap…he ain’t the Packers, QB…he ain’t anybody’s but the Vikes QB. (if he signs)
Favre is a free agent and that’s that. It’d be the same with Cutler, if we had went after him, or Cassell. If we’d win with either of those two, it isn’t with Denver’s or NE QB….
I don’t know how or why in the hell the possible Favre signing got looked at that way…’cept from some sore a**ed loser GB fan or some jaded Viking fan that can’t get over the fact that’d he was with Minnesota.
Bottom line, no doubt, it’ll make for an interesting year and at the end of it, no matter how it ends, it will be talked about , blogged about and disected every which way but loose…ESPECIALLY, if we sweep the Pack and go all the way.
As far as Whine-Field goes..play your last year like you WANT a contract renewal….PROVE IT!! Get another Pro Bowl selection…. Otherwise…you’ll end up like Matt Birk and be offered a chance to test the waters or be franchised (if you’re that good still)
Fragile Freds,
Get a grip man, it gonna be alright.
The Wrangler jean wearin, banjo playing, tobacoo spitting, former drug popping,hillbilly from Kiln, Miss. is exactly what we need round here.
If you need some medicine to accept it, look no further than the Eagles game footage where Tardvaris was afraid to throw a pass of more than 7 yards or when he threw that ridiculous INT against the Lions 2 years ago to a guy 3 feet in front of him (Shaun Cody)
If that does not help, try footage of the Titans game and “statue” laying on the ground with hand bleeding as clock runs out. This will never happen with Brent. But yes, let’s save the I told you so’s until Jan 2010 and see where we is at then with Brent.
Like my old pal Fred, I am not on this bandwagon. Signing Favre is more of a distraction than any sort of “answer”. QB’s don’t just get plugged into a team like a AA battery in a clock. My biggest concern is that we will be no further ahead in the QB search one year from now than we are today.
Kenny, I dated (and married) a cheerleader. Don’t recall any of your cheers in our conversations.
Thanks Judd!
There are a lot of smart people on this blog and all have opinions about Brett, but this article is about Antoine. I hope your research finds that the front office is just being cautious with the Favre aspect and we have enough for both players. This could really be the year for the “big game”!
Even though you are not a Viking fan per se, I look forward to, and enjoy your articles! From a fan standpoint, your reporting has really improved over the past year. Thank you for your hard work…..
lift ~ I would like to see Winfield back too..
But I hate player “hold outs”..Players rarely seem to preform well after missing time holding out on any level..Rookies or veterans…
I must agree with DDS on the issue of Favre coming in…Jackson had his chances to prove himself and he proved he is an average quarterback that is better suited in a backup role. He cannot, to date, read a defense with any consistency and doesn’t seem to understand that you can’t always throw a “bullet” pass.
On the other hand Favre, love him or hate him, has proven he is a more than capable passer who can make proper reads and throw a catchable ball. His completion percentage has been over 60% for a number of years, which is not a norm for Viking passers in recent history. If you still have doubts about him, which I still do from time to time, ask yourself this: if you are down 4 points with 1:40 left in the game and no timeouts, who do you want as your QB - Tavaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels, or Brett Favre?? A sane person would say Favre everytime.
As far as Winfield goes, I understand both sides of the argument. Winfield has done very well in purple and is much better than Griffin. However, Griffin’s new pay only puts him at roughly $5mil per year, less than Winfield is currently making. Additionally, he is 32 and won’t be getting any younger. How many CB’s in the league do well at 34 or 35? Not many at all. Most, if they have good size, move to safety. Probably a two year deal is all the more the Vikes are willing to go with at this point and you can’t really blame them…
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