Antoine Winfield will be cheap next year

by Purpledork on Dec 12, 2011 2:51 PM CST

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Clause_triggered_in_Antoine_Winfields_contract_reducing_2012_salary121211

Pretty good news, in my opinion. I love Antoine, but it would have been hard to swallow 7 million for his services. Hopefully we can use that extra 4 million for some more secondary help.

If Antoine Winfield returns with the Minnesota Vikings next season, he'll do so at a bargain rate.

Winfield confirmed on Monday the injuries that limited him to five games this season triggered a playing time-based clause in his contract that will significantly reduce his base salary in 2012.

Originially on the books for $7 million, Winfield's scheduled base salary next season is now $3 million -- a more team-friendly figure for a 13-year veteran who will turn 35 in June.

"My agent discussed that," Winfield said. "Being 34 years old and starting is rare. That's why we put it in there."

Winfield's contract runs through 2013, which his scheduled base salary is $7.25 million. That number could be reduced, too, depending what role he ends up claiming once he recovers from his latest injury.

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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That was about 3rd on my off-season to do list

So why put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

"Winning isn't everything but losing is nothing" - Ace Bricka coach of the Galaxy Aces

by FFXVIKE on Dec 12, 2011 3:10 PM CST reply actions

Much needed good news.

Now they don’t have to discuss about it, it’ll just happen. Now he doesn’t have to leave which is good because he can still play.

by christian220896 on Dec 12, 2011 3:19 PM CST reply actions

Good news. I love WInfield and was really hoping this clause would come into play.

I was worried that staying at that 7 million salary would’ve forced the Vikings to part ways. This is a big relief.

by CanadianViking on Dec 12, 2011 4:07 PM CST reply actions

I would still replace him

He is going to be 35 years old. He is not going to get better and is likely to get hurt again since he plays so physical. I love him as a Viking but here comes a time when you have to do what is right for the future of the team.

If, and only if, they can sign a Brandon Carr or Cortland Finnegan in free agency and if they allow Cook to remain on the team then I would pull the trigger. They have Allen, Sherels, & Burton already and

They may draft another CB too. I like Leonard Johnson myself and hopefully around round 4.

I think 3 mil is too much for Winfield especially when he can make back the 4 mil if he meets certain playing time benchmarks. That means they have to leave another 4 mil available just in case.

The Vikings need to get younger across the board. Considering the number of free agents available I would hope they try to add one this year. Perhaps they can trade Winfield but I doubt it with that contract?

by MarkSP18 on Dec 12, 2011 4:16 PM CST up reply actions

If we are a playoff team next year

this is a good move if we are not not it is bad.

"Winning isn't everything but losing is nothing" - Ace Bricka coach of the Galaxy Aces

by FFXVIKE on Dec 12, 2011 4:19 PM CST up reply actions

I thought they didn't have to account for escalators in a contract when looking at the cap.

I was under the impression that if he makes more in a year than expected, the extra money goes towards the next year’s cap.

by Purpledork on Dec 12, 2011 4:32 PM CST up reply actions

If we get those better players in free agency first, I'd be okay with letting him go.

I’d hold on to him until we have some replacement’s in place though, because it’s pretty thin at CB right now with Cook’s situation.

by CanadianViking on Dec 12, 2011 4:53 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed 100%

That is what I would try to do first. Get one of the really good corners in free agency, bring back Cook, and then wish Winfield well in his future endeavors. He deserves the opportunity to go to a team to try and win a title.

I would sign one top CB like Brandon Carr because he defends a lot of passes and then sign one top strong safety like LaRon Landry or Tyvon Branch and one free safety like Thomas DeCoud or Michael Griffen. The Vikings MUST get TWO safeties in free agency!

If they end up keeping Winfield then that is fine but he does not have much time left.

by MarkSP18 on Dec 12, 2011 6:08 PM CST up reply actions

I'm on board with the two FA safeties. I'd also like a better coverage MLB in draft or FA.

Oh, and congrats for knocking me out of the playoffs in my fantasy league! Detroit’s defense was the difference with all the points they scored off of turnovers. AD and Forte on my bench in the playoffs is a recipe for suck : )

by CanadianViking on Dec 12, 2011 6:38 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry about that but I have to give thanks to Ponder for my victory

Without his INTs and fumbles and pick 6 it could have been different. I think I like Ponder after all.

by MarkSP18 on Dec 12, 2011 11:32 PM CST up reply actions

one top ranked Safety via the draft would work, too...

…i’m hoping McDonald will forego his senior season at USC. but that’s just me.

"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."

Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.

by rj-b on Dec 12, 2011 6:46 PM CST up reply actions

All I want for Christmas is....

Two new safeties, a coverage MLB, a deep threat WR, a non-incarcerated CB, and a couple O-lineman that can knock over a Pear tree : )

by CanadianViking on Dec 12, 2011 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

amen to that...!!

though i’m still holding out that Mistral could be a starting Safety for us… gotta see what happens over the next three games.

"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."

Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.

by rj-b on Dec 12, 2011 7:05 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed on Raymond.

He hasn’t made any great plays since he’s been in but he hasn’t gotten burned badly or looked as lost as Sanford or Johnson. Hopefully he can become a starting safety for us, cause I’ve given up on Sanford, Johnson, and Abdullah.

by CanadianViking on Dec 12, 2011 7:58 PM CST up reply actions

as have i

Sanford and Abdullah should stick around for (deep) depth and ST, but Johnson needs to go.

"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."

Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.

by rj-b on Dec 12, 2011 8:02 PM CST up reply actions

I like Sanford and Frampton on special teams. They both tackle with force.

Abdullah has regressed this year but I’d be fine with him as a backup/depth guy.

by CanadianViking on Dec 12, 2011 8:10 PM CST up reply actions

good news

keep him around. a veteran presence in what will still be a young, inexperienced secondary will be much needed.

"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."

Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.

by rj-b on Dec 12, 2011 4:44 PM CST reply actions

That is good news.

I really like what Winfield brings to the Vikings in terms of grit and on-field heroics. I don’t like him in coverage. $7M was way, way, way too much for what he brings to the table these days… particularly given his growing number of injuries in recent years. At $3M, I just don’t know. Tough call. I guess it depends on the other available options. We’ll see what happens when training camp opens and the pre-season games get going.

BTW, the secondary toughened up in the second half yesterday. What was up with that?

"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

by kcskol on Dec 12, 2011 4:47 PM CST reply actions

Believe it or not, the secondary got better when Griffin was benched and Allen and Sapp became our outside CBs.

Is there hope that Allen is becoming an okay CB late in his third season?

by CanadianViking on Dec 12, 2011 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

Imagine that..

A QB couldn’t just look at what side of the field #23 was on and throw there. Crazy.

by REVENGE4KLUWE on Dec 12, 2011 5:52 PM CST up reply actions

Ha. Agreed ; )

I was just pleasantly surprised that Allen and Sapp stepped up and played pretty solid games. The linebackers still couldn’t cover Pettigrew at all but aside from Young’s big TD against Griffin the secondary actually did pretty good against Megatron and Detroit’s other wide outs.

by CanadianViking on Dec 12, 2011 6:41 PM CST up reply actions

i don't think so...

…Asher is still slow, still can’t defend passes, etc.

a couple things…

1) it might show how much Ced has deteriorated — the fact that Asher looked better is pretty sad.

2) don’t forget Ced was only 50% of the problem — Sanford wasn’t covering deep, either. was Asher combined with Sanford??

"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."

Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.

by rj-b on Dec 12, 2011 7:04 PM CST up reply actions

You're probably right, but I do think Allen is a decent option in nickle/dime back role.

As for your two points.
1) Agreed, Ced is done and it’s also sad that Allen is one of the two best healthy options at CB right now.
2)Agreed again. Safety help has been missing all year and our CBs have been hung out to dry many times when they expected help. Not sure if Asher was combined with Sanford or not for the rest of the game, but in the base scheme they should’ve played on the same side of the field the majority of the time with Raymond and Sapp holding down the opposite side.

by CanadianViking on Dec 12, 2011 8:07 PM CST up reply actions

See Jshore's comment below.

"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

by kcskol on Dec 13, 2011 12:53 PM CST up reply actions

#2 depends on what coverage they were in...

In cover-2 Ced has to hit the WR on the line and ideally force an inside release. This is because the safety has to be in position to react to either the corner or the slot/post. If Griffin allows the WR a pass he can blow the top off the D before the safety has a prayer of covering the route. That makes it look like the safety was sleeping when it was actually the corner’s fault. Given the fact they pulled Griffin so early, after the TD that was basically a replay of the Denver game, I’m betting it wasn’t on Sanford.

by Jshore on Dec 12, 2011 11:18 PM CST up reply actions

100% correct.

Frazier said as much after the game. While he didn’t elaborate on it, I think Cedric was pulled because it wasn’t the first time he’d done that… or the second for that matter.

"Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain." - Lily Tomlin

by kcskol on Dec 13, 2011 12:52 PM CST up reply actions

good explanation, thanks

that being said, though, Sanford and Abdullah should still be backups and ST’ers. we need a starting caliber Safety either through the draft or FA, and i’d like to see if Mistral can hold down the other starting spot — i’m still of the opinion that he has the ability to do so.

"Th_r_'s n_ h_p_ f_r _ssh_l_ f_ckw_ts."

Can I buy a vowel...?? +1, Kluwe.

by rj-b on Dec 13, 2011 8:37 PM CST up reply actions