CB Antoine Winfield (Vikings pro-bowler)

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Winfield missing as Vikings hold minicamp

Vikings coach Brad Childress said Antoine Winfield didn't attend the start of the team's mandatory three-day minicamp Friday because the veteran cornerback plans to attend the funeral of a close friend's mother.

Childress declined to say whether Winfield's absence is excused or whether he will be disciplined. Winfield is expected to miss the rest of the minicamp. The funeral is today. "We kind of deal with that internally," Childress said.

Winfield's absence could be an indication he's not happy with the lack of a contract extension. He is entering the final season of a six-year contract and is seeking a new deal. His agent, Ashanti Webb, said this month that talks for an extension had broken down. He couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

Childress said he doesn't read anything else into Winfield's absence. "I actually had lunch with him on Wednesday," Childress said. Childress said he spoke to Webb this week but declined to elaborate, saying the organization doesn't comment on contract negotiations.

In March at the NFL owners meetings, Childress had said he was involved in "a pretty good dialogue" with Webb regarding an extension.

Winfield turns 32 on June 24, and his age might be a factor in the negotiations. But Winfield is coming off perhaps the best season of his career, including his first Pro Bowl appearance. Winfield is a tough tackler and a leader in the locker room, which adds to his value.

Last summer, the Vikings didn't reach contract extensions with veterans Matt Birk (center) and Darren Sharper (safety). Both became free agents after the season and signed with other teams, Birk with Baltimore and Sharper with New Orleans. Winfield, however, bounced back well from an injury-plagued 2007 season. He flourished as one of the team's biggest playmakers ? on either side of the ball ? in 2008. He was a second-team all-pro selection after making 96 tackles with two interceptions, two touchdowns and four forced fumbles.

Without Winfield on the field, Marcus McCauley stepped in Friday and played with the first-team defense.

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In this Sept. 16, 2007, photo, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield celebrates a play against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game in Detroit. Winfield is not participating in the team's offseason practices this week, a decision coinciding with stalled negotiations on a contract extension. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Winfield's absence continues at OTAs
By CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune
Last update: June 3, 2009

Veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield was not in attendance Tuesday as the Vikings began their latest 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 last 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.

The OTA practices are not mandatory, but many veterans do attend when their presence is requested. Childress made it clear the first four OTAs two weeks ago were only for selected veterans. Winfield was not among them, but Childress said on Sunday the four OTAs this week would be "an open-arms-all-invited" situation.

Winfield's agent, Ashanti Webb, declined comment in a text message on Tuesday and Winfield also hasn't responded to several requests for comment. 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 came to a halt.

Winfield's absence continues at OTAs

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Winfield absent but deflects blame
By JUDD ZULGAD, Star Tribune
Last update: June 5, 2009

Vikings cornerback Winfield continues to stay away

Antoine Winfield continued to stay away from the Vikings' offseason workouts Thursday, and there now appears to be little doubt the overriding reason is that negotiations on a contract extension broke down early last month. The veteran cornerback is entering the final season of six-year, $34.8 million deal.

"I would not speak for him," coach Brad Childress said when asked if this could be termed a contract situation. "I'd say you have to ask him. I'm not coloring it any way. You would have to check his reasons."

Winfield did not specifically address his contract situation but in a statement issued late Thursday said: "I want all to know that I'm not at OTA's because I don't want to be there. I do want to be there! As I have stated before, I want to finish my career a Viking."

Winfield absent but deflects blame

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Childress says the door remains open to Winfield
By JUDD ZULGAD and CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune staff writers
Last update: June 6, 2009

Contract negotiations between the Vikings and Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield broke off a few weeks ago, but coach Brad Childress indicated Friday that talks could heat up again at any time.

"I just think that [the word] negotiations [are] just what that means," Childress said. "It's ups and downs and flat and people walking away, people getting back together. Nothing says that it's 24 hours a day like it is in Congress when the government shuts down or the state shuts down. It's negotiations."

Winfield is entering the final season on his six-year deal. Though their talks stalled, the two sides have not shown any public hostility through the media.

Winfield missed the three-day mandatory minicamp last weekend to attend the funeral of his close friend's mother. Childress declined to say whether his absence was excused. Winfield did not participate in the OTAs this week. The workouts are not mandatory but only a handful of veterans were not present.

Winfield issued a statement through his agent late Thursday night that read: "I want all to know that I'm not at OTAs because I don't want to be there. I do want to be there! As I have stated before, I want to finish my career a Viking."

Asked about the statement, Childress said: "I wouldn't know how to characterize that. I would just let his words stand. He wants to be there. There is certainly not a bar across the door. As a matter of fact, I told you guys it was a welcome invite with open arms to all."

Childress says the door remains open to Winfield

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Cornerback Antoine Winfield did not attend any offseason practices after contract talks with the team broke down last month. "It's an ongoing process, it's an ongoing negotiation and it's all part of the business," Spielman said. "We're going to do everything we can because Antoine is such an important part of our defense, important part of our team."

Wilf: The ball's in Favre's court

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Antoine Winfield frustrated by Minnesota Vikings' mixed signals
Viking frustrated by mixed signals
By Sean Jensen
sjensen@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/05/2009

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

"I didn't expect to be in July without a deal," Winfield said. "Personally, I'm a little disappointed. They consider me a core player, but they're not showing me that."

Breaking his months-long silence, Winfield told the Pioneer Press he had been hearing privately the same positive comments team officials had been saying about him publicly. Winfield has avoided commenting on his contract status, but he felt compelled to speak after several statements from team officials. Most recently, at the team's first State of the Vikings meeting with season-ticket holders on June 17, player personnel vice president Rick Spielman said Winfield is "an important part of our defense" and that the club was going to do "everything we can to keep" him.

Winfield said Spielman's comments were "surprising," because team officials have had "very minimal" discussions with his agent Ashanti Webb, who did not respond to several interview requests from the Pioneer Press. Winfield said he still wants to get a deal done but has been disappointed by the slow pace of negotiations.

As a result, Winfield's frustrations seem to be coming to a head.

"If they want me here, they should be able to get a deal done. There shouldn't be a problem," Winfield said hours before boarding a cruise with his family this weekend. "If they don't, then they need to say that and let's work toward a resolution that works out good for everyone."

Asked if that meant requesting a trade, Winfield declined to comment.

The Vikings declined comment through a spokesman Sunday night.

Winfield said his feelings stem from talks with key Viking coaches and executives.

Namely, he had two encouraging conversations over lunch with Vikings coach Brad Childress in April.

"He wanted things to get done," Winfield recalled. "He told me, 'You're one of my guys.' He said he doesn't do numbers, but he was going to fight for me."

Rob Brzezinski, the team's chief contract negotiator, and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier also separately expressed similar sentiments while Winfield was working out at Winter Park in early April.

"They all said I was 'their guy,' and that we would try to get you done," he said. "That's all I was hearing. My goal was to get something done so I could end my career as a Viking. But, for some reason, we can't get the deal done.

"I'm unhappy," Winfield said, "but I'm going to be professional."

CONTEMPLATING MOVE

Now, Winfield is actively working on an auxiliary plan: He might move his family to Houston.

He and his wife, Erniece, have family in Houston, and they have spent more than a month there. While Antoine has been working out five days a week at a training facility, he and his wife also have been looking at land on which to possibly build.

"I know where I want to play," Winfield said. "I want to be in Minnesota. I love the defense. I love my teammates. I love the city. My kids are comfortable there. But, I understand the business."

Winfield's eldest son, Antoine Jr., will be in the sixth grade next school year, and his youngest son, Ethan, will start kindergarten. Without a long-term contract, Winfield said his three boys might start school in Minnesota, then transfer to Houston after the NFL season, when Winfield will become an unrestricted free agent.

"It's too much uncertainly for me," Winfield said. "One day, I'm hearing 'He's a core player, and we're going to do everything to get him signed.' Next day, I'm hearing (from Webb), 'We're not close.' "

Antoine Winfield frustrated by Minnesota Vikings' mixed signals - TwinCities.com

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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

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Minnesota Vikings' Antoine Winfield ranks high with rival receivers
Viking seeking contract extension
By Sean Jensen
sjensen@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/21/2009

Two of the NFL's top young wide receivers know one thing about Antoine Winfield, who hopes the Vikings give him a contract extension: He is one of the NFL's top five cornerbacks.

"Every time you play against him, you got to bring your A game," said Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald, a three-time Pro Bowl receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. "He's such an intelligent football player. He knows how to use leverage.

"He's a physical specimen out there. For a guy his size, he doesn't back down, and he's got good ball skills."

The 5-foot-9 Winfield is coming off his first Pro Bowl berth, but he just turned 32. He will earn $6 million in 2009, the final season of his six-year, $34.8 million contract.

"He's the No. 1 most underrated DB in the league, hands down," Green Bay Packers receiver Greg Jennings said, "and probably the top underrated defensive player. Because when you talk about Antoine Winfield, you get more than a cornerback. You get a cornerback, a mini-linebacker, a safety. I mean, you get everything in one package because he brings that to the game."

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Minnesota Vikings might be close to deal with Antoine Winfield
By Sean Jensen
sjensen@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/22/2009


MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 25: Antoine Winfield #26 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the sidelines against the Baltimore Ravens on August 25, 2006 at the H.H.H. Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
(Photo by David Sherman/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings might be nearing a contract extension with Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield.

Winfield's agent, Ashanti Webb, is coming to Minnesota to close the deal.

Asked in a text message Wednesday afternoon how negotiations were going, Webb responded, "On my way to the Twin Cities now."

Webb did not reply to further questions.

Winfield is heading into the final season of his six-year, $34.8 million contract, which was set to pay him $6 million.

Despite his age (32), Winfield remains a key player for a Vikings defense that ranked sixth last season.

Earlier this month, Winfield expressed his frustration in an interview with the Pioneer Press.

"I didn't expect to be in July without a deal," Winfield said. "Personally, I'm a little disappointed. They consider me a core player, but they're not showing me that."

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_...nclick_check=1

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Link

Winfield talks limp ahead

The team and the cornerback's agent inched closer to negotiating an extension as training camp draws near.
By JUDD ZULGADand CHIP SCOGGINS, Star Tribune staff writers
Last update: July 23, 2009 - 12:30 AM

With Brett Favre possibly set to announce his decision by the end of the week, the Vikings were working to take care of another important piece of business Wednesday as they negotiated with the agent for Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield on a contract extension.
Winfield's agent, Ashanti Webb, flew to the Twin Cities on Wednesday evening to meet with Vikings officials and attempt the finalize a deal. The meeting comes one week before players report to training camp in Mankato.
The two sides are believed to be close on a deal but need to work out a few more details before reaching an agreement. Discussions are expected to continue early this morning.
Cont...

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Winfield talks continue
July 23rd, 2009
by Judd Zulgad

It would not be surprising if Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield and the Vikings reach an agreement on a contract extension today, but as of late Wednesday there apparently were a few details that still needed to be worked out.

Nonetheless, for all those who were concerned that Winfield was going to end up playing out the final year of his contract and then move on to another franchise, Wednesday?s developments had to be considered good news. Remember, contract talks between the Vikings and Winfield broke down in May and he stayed away from all of the team?s offseason practices.

Assuming this deal gets done, and it?s highly unlikely that Winfield?s agent, Ashanti Webb, would have traveled to the Twin Cities on Wednesday if he didn?t think this was going to be completed, it will be interesting to see the finished contract. Winfield turned 32 years old last month and there is little doubt the Vikings? main concern was paying a cornerback who might be 36 or 37 when this contract expires.

Access Vikings: ? Blog Archive ? Winfield talks continue

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Winfield signs contract extension
July 23rd, 2009
by Chip Scoggins

Antoine Winfield has signed a contract extension. Judd is on the phone with Winfield as I type. He signed a five-year extension (they basically ripped up his final season).

Here?s the contract details from Judd: It?s a five-year contract worth $36 million, including $16.1 in guarantees and a few likely to be earned incentives that will push up the value the first few seasons. He is scheduled to make $6.1 million this season but with likely incentives he should make around $7.5 million.

?It actually happened at the perfect time,? Winfield said. ?I was telling [agent] Ashanti Webb, ?Let?s try and get something done before camp.? I?m definitely glad to get it done and now will go in and play like I?ve been playing ? 100 miles per hour and not have to worry.?

Access Vikings: ? Blog Archive ? Winfield signs contract extension

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Antoine Winfield a Viking to the core
With a new five-year, $36 million deal, Winfield likely will get his wish: Retire in purple
By Sean Jensen
sjensen@pioneerpress.com
Updated: 07/23/2009

Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield likely will retire a Viking.

After months of sometimes testy negotiations, Winfield and the Vikings agreed to an unusual five-year, $36 million contract on Thursday that includes $16 million in guarantees.

"It's a great feeling," Winfield said. "It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. A player of my age doesn't want to go into a season without a deal done."

Winfield, who turned 32 in June, was scheduled to make $6 million in 2009, the last year of a six-year, $34.8 million contract. He insisted earlier in the offseason that he wanted to retire a Viking, and he was assured by team officials, including coach Brad Childress, that they shared the same desire.

But earlier this month, after negotiations slowed to a near halt, Winfield told the Pioneer Press that he was "a little disappointed" because the team's actions didn't mesh with its collective words.

"They consider me a core player," he said at the time, "but they're not showing me that."

With his contract finalized a week before players are to report to training camp in Mankato, Winfield said the atmosphere at Winter Park was jovial Thursday.

"It's all love," he said. "We're all smiles. Everyone is in great spirits.

"We're looking forward to a great year."

Antoine Winfield a Viking to the core - TwinCities.com

Tom Powers: Winfield, the Teflon CB, strikes again
Tom Powers
Updated: 07/23/2009

To get an idea of how important Antoine Winfield is to the Vikings, consider this: He continually has challenged authority, been outspoken, and rubbed against the grain. And yet he has just agreed to another long-term contract from an organization that loathes all of the above.

You have to love Winfield. He's one of those guys who smiles innocently while poking the bear with a stick. Eventually, to everyone's amazement, the bear just gets up and walks away.

The Vikings did a very smart thing in locking up Winfield. He is their best defender and a dynamic player. Furthermore, he is highly respected among his teammates. The organization, recognizing all these things, agreed to a very fair contract, even though it needed a couple of kicks in the butt before doing so.

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_12902573

Winfield contract a unique one
July 23rd, 2009
by Judd Zulgad

Antoine Winfield and the Vikings both had a common goal. They wanted the cornerback to finish his career in Minnesota. But Winfield and the Vikings also wanted to protect themselves.

Winfield, coming off the first Pro Bowl appearance of his 10-year career, wanted to be paid like a starter as long as he was in that role. The Vikings wanted assurances that if Winfield wasn?t a starter they didn?t have to pay him like a front-line corner. Keep in mind with Winfield having just turned 32 years old, the Vikings were justified to have some concerns about this issue.

The compromise they came to in announcing Winfield?s five-year, $36 million ($16.1 million guaranteed) deal on Thursday is an interesting one and could be termed a de-esclator and potentially esclator clause. The verbiage states that if Winfield loses his starting job in 2011 and moves to the nickel role, the following season his salary of $7 million will be cut in half, meaning he will be paid as a top nickel corner rather than a top starting corner. But if Winfield eventually gets the starting job back his salary will jump back up to its previous terms.

What this means is that if Winfield loses his job, the Vikings won?t be tempted to cut him because he?s making way too much money. And Winfield won?t be looking for a raise in either situation because he would be well compenstated for the position he plays. Of course, if Winfield keep the starting spot his salary won?t change.

?I haven?t seen anybody else with it,? Winfield?s agent, Ashanti Webb, said when asked about the unique deal.

Said Winfield: ?Of course, I?d love to play all five years at cornerback but we?ll just see.?

Access Vikings: ? Blog Archive ? Winfield contract a unique one

Vikings sign Winfield to 5-year contract
By JUDD ZULGAD, jzulgad@startribune.com
Last update: July 24, 2009

After months of stops and starts in negotiations, Antoine Winfield wasn?t sure a contract extension with the Vikings would happen.

He still was holding out hope recently when he told his agent to get an agreement in place before training camp.

On Thursday, Winfield?s representative and the Vikings delivered as the veteran cornerback signed a $36 million, five-year contract that contains $16.1 million in guarantees, with a few likely to be earned incentives that will push up the value in the first few seasons. The unique deal means Winfield, 32, will receive $30 million in new money.

?It was important for me because I wanted to finish my career here,? said Winfield, who made his first Pro Bowl appearance last season, his 10th in the NFL. ?This will be my last stop. Usually you see a lot of players when they get up in age go to different teams.

Vikings sign Winfield to 5-year contract

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Vikings' Winfield, Griffin a dynamic duo
August 11, 2009



MANKATO (AP) ? Antoine Winfield said he considers Green Bay?s Charles Woodson and Al Harris to be one of the NFL?s top cornerback tandems. Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown in Philadelphia and Quentin Jammer and Antonio Cromartie in San Diego are pretty good, too.

But Winfield said he and Cedric Griffin also give the Minnesota Vikings an elite duo.

?We?re definitely up there,? he said. ?We?re real aggressive, we try to make a lot of plays on the ball. We really feed off each other.?
The Vikings locked up Winfield and Griffin with five-year contracts during the offseason, giving the team some stability at the position, and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said Monday that he is thankful.

?Most people don?t let their good corners get on the free-agent market so it?s hard to find top-notch corners unless you draft them very high,? Frazier said. ?To have corners that can cover and tackle, we?re fortunate that we have two that will be around for a while.?

Winfield, 32, is coming off his first Pro Bowl season, ranking second on the team with 95 tackles. He also made two sacks and two interceptions, and he scored a pair of touchdowns, one on a fumble recovery and another on a blocked field goal.

?He?s very knowledgeable, he?s always taking notes and staying after practice to work on little things,? Griffin said. ?I watch him on the field and off the field. He?s taken his game to a new level, and I definitely want to do that, too.?

Vikings' Winfield, Griffin a dynamic duo | sctimes.com | St. Cloud Times

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08/11/2009 10:35 PM
With Future Secure, Winfield Amped For '09


AP File

It was an achievement 10 years in the making, but Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield was finally selected to his first Pro Bowl last season.

The offseason had much fewer smiles, as Winfield fought to get his contract extended. But the only people frowning now are Minnesota's rivals.

Winfield learned something last season. When it comes to getting picked for the Pro Bowl, it's not just what you do that matters. It's when you do it.

"I think I made some plays in some key games last season," Winfield said. "The Monday night game in New Orleans, the Sunday game at Carolina, made some big plays. So it kind of got my name out there, got that exposure."

Coming off the Pro Bowl season, the 32-year-old Winfield made it clear he wanted an extension. After months of negotiations, his agent said talks had reached an impasse, and it led to Winfield skipping the team's optional offseason workouts. But finally, after a tense several months, the two sides reached an agreement a week before the start of training camp.

"That's a great feeling, to be wanted," Winfield said. "Of course, that's what every player in this league wants. But after coming off of five seasons here, I think I'm still playing at a high level. So I'm glad it worked out."

KELOLAND.com | Sports for Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa

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