Antoine Winfield frustrated by Minnesota Vikings' mixed signals

Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield, known for his knack of anticipating the moves of opposing receivers, didn't envision his current situation.

[Jmoy]

Why is he not signed yet? The Vikes have no other options at corner and Winfield is one of the best around. He should be our #1 priority right now. Sign him and make him happy.

[jeb]

besides that fact that he was a minnesota boy and a career viking i was not that upset that birk left. he was not cutting it in the zone blocking scheme and just got abused last year. sharper!? that guy did nothing but talk smack the last two years he was a viking and then did little to nothing to back it up. antoine is a different story. he has been solid year in and year out since he joined the league in 99. he doesn't get in trouble, he doesn't complain and he brings an enormous amount of heart to a very good defense. i don't think that cedric would be the player he is becoming without antoine opposite him. i really hope that we get a contract done with him and don't have to worry about him relocating to Huston next year.

[Michael D Walker]

Seems very obvious to me that the Vikes want to re-sign Winfield but until they know how much it's going to cost to get Favre, they're not going to
do anything on Winfield's contract.
Dont know why Winfield & his agent can't see the obviousness of this. Also dont knwo why Vikes wouldnt flat out tell him that they're waiting to see what kind of deal it's going to take to lock in Favre. One year or two year deal?
If Favre doesnt become a Viking, then there's a lot more money to offer Winfield.

[Favre]

Forget Winfield. Its all about me getting paid and failing to get the Vikings to the Super Bowl.

[George]

Trade him to the Dolphins!!! If yall dont want to pay him we will!!!

[Welter Concrete]

Does Winfield need new prescription contacts or something? Hasn't he read there's a recession going on? Can't he see that Favre is the guy required to fill up some empty seats and supply funds for future raises? If the Vikings can't get a better stadium, then they've got to make any additional money some other way. They can't just go around handing out raises without having it and still stay in business. Who'd worry first about 2010 if you might go broke in 2009?

[40for60]

Seeing that Winfield and the Vikings have had conversations, I'm sure Webb/Winfield have thrown around the money they are seeking. Maybe the Vikings are doing the right thing if Webb wants young money for his 32 year old cornerback. 3 years and 45 million may be fine for a young, top notch CB, but probably not for Winfield who is trying to cash in on his lone Pro Bowl appearance.

[Mad Dog Gus]

The Vikings are saving their cap room to pay a 40 year old over-the-hill QB because they need to fill the seats...after the season, the Vikes will buy out their lease and move to LA.

Winfield is 32, stays in shape, is one of the best corners, but the truth is, the Vikings aren't looking for long term, they're looking at one final year in Minnesota and avoiding blackouts!

Why the fans and press continue to ignore the fact that the "Metrodump" isn't good enough for college football, or major league baseball....it's certainly not good enough for the most popular sport in the country!

The press is filled with spineless writers, afraid to print what the fans refuse to believe....no stadium, no NFL franchise......

There is not one reason the Vikings are going to stay in Minnesota...NONE!

[Whiner]

play out your contract and shut the hell up.

[opTOMism]

Just sign the guy.....w.t.f.?

[Percy]

You need to extend him an offer that will enable him to retire as a Viking. He has been a cornerstone of the defense for a long time, and seems to be getter better with age.

[ffdbld]

Too bad pro sports is all greed.Their is no more love of team..Sharper jumps ship on the pack, now the Vikes...No one seems to care who they play for as long as they get the most money...ACCEPT FOR BRETT FAVRE!!!! He genuinely wants to play for the Vikes and it isnt about money..Revenge?? Probly but he also knows the Vikes are a great TEAM and Favre wants to lead the TEAM to a Super Bowl.

[ffdbld]

One more comment...Who thinks Brett Favre might have a major impact on wheather the Vikes stay In Minnesota and gets a new stadium?? Viking fans should thank their lucky stars that Favre wants to play there even with all the shitty comments directed at him. He will revive the Vikes as he did Green Bay. Yes, with the help of Peterson and a solid Offensive line.

[Shack in TX]

The Vikes have no other options at CB, Free Agency is a spending frenzy at CB. There must be a wide margin on the Money or the Years to be holding this up.
Just because Al Davis is willing to throw away that much on a CB doesn't mean that is market value for a 32 year old CB.

[Ricky]

I with post #9, you signed a contract, now play your best. the Vikings are a class act, continue to act like one. Unbelievable how he could accomplish his dream, by making it to the pro-bowl, then jump ship and miss ota's? come on.

The Vikings will always be in Minnesota. Period

Go Vikings.

[Mad Dog Gus]

Ricky wrote:

The Vikings will always be in Minnesota. Period

The press refuses to write about it, and the fans refuse to believe it...."NO STADIUM, NO NFL FRANCHISE!"

[die hard]

Just tell the man where he stands.I hate when guys holdout it messes up there whole season.

[Mad Dog Gus]

ffdbld wrote:

...Who thinks Brett Favre might have a major impact on wheather the Vikes stay In Minnesota and gets a new stadium?? Viking fans should thank their lucky stars that Favre wants to play there even with all the ****

Do you know about Minnesota's Governor Pawlenty??? There will be no new stadium for the Vikings...no chance!

Brett will play for the Vikings to keep interest up and fans in the seats...Childress and Wilf will thank their lucky stars for Favre, but the stadium issue will not go away, and the Vikings will be history in Minnesota.

As soon as next year, the LA Vikings will join the Western division, and the Rams will join the Central....

It's business...there's a better opportunity elsewhere.

[bulldog3]

they need winfield more than they need favre. Favre is a better qb than any they have but winfield is irreplacable at this point. They do not have a nother corner that can bring it like this guy. His coverage isnt the best but its he does not miss tackles and he hits hard. Favre on the other hand is improvement(if healthy) over the other qbs they have and thats no doubt. They both will be wearing purple and no one will beat the vikings this year. And this crap about moving to LA is pure sh*t. I hear the chicago bears are moving to kentucky if they dont go .500 this season. Oh and the browns are moving to montana if they dont sell out all games. The poor ravens are gonna be moving to idaho if they dont win a superbowl this year

[Mad Dog Gus]

bulldog3 wrote:

....And this crap about moving to LA is pure ****. I hear the chicago bears are moving to kentucky if they dont go .500 this season.

Chicago just finished remodeling Soldier field, and they are in a major market...if anything, Smith will get fired if they don't win the division.

As far as the Ravens, there is a chance they might be the franchise to move to LA, or the Chargers (with stadium issues like the Vikes) may be the team going to LA.

There will be a team in LA next year...Minnesota needs to start a movement in support of a new stadium...if we lose them, it will be forever!