Antoine Winfield Jr.: Bucs’ Defense Is 'More Hungry'

“I think we are more hungry this year, I would say,” Winfield said about the defense’s energy level compared to last year. “Obviously, every year you want to come hungry, but we know we are so close to putting everything together. I really think it is setting the standard early, like, we can do this. We have all the tools that we need. It is just about putting all the right things together at the right time and staying healthy. I think we are just hungrier this year.”

The offense remains equipped with the talent to go far, but it was the defense that lacked the resources and struggled to play on the same page last year. With that all in the past, it is time to turn the page and focus on the work ahead.

Energetic throughout his press conference, Winfield is enjoying his time out there more than ever.

“I am feeling good, Winfield said. “Body feels good, I’m flying around, and just having fun. It is about coming out here, putting the work in, and having fun with it.”

All the energy and optimism need to translate into game-changing plays. Winfield knows that, and he is holding himself to a daily standard. The defense will only be as elite as head coach Todd Bowles’ do-it-all player makes it.

“I have to make at least one splash play a day because when it comes to game time, that is what I am going to be trying to do the whole time,” Winfield said. “So, you just have to continue to make those splash plays.”

Antoine Winfield Jr. Feels Like The Secondary Is “Doing A Great Job”

Wearing just t-shirts and shorts, the intensity during Bucs’ practice will not be fully reached until next Monday when the pads go on.

“I’m excited to see us progress to pads and see if we can put the fundamentals and technique out of pads into pads,” Todd Bowles said on Friday. “It’s always great, but we’ve got another day of practice without them. We’ll wait for Monday.”

When the pads come on is when the real football starts, ladies and gentlemen.

It will be another litmus test for how far along the secondary has come. As a whole, they have been impressive and disruptive, breaking up a handful of passes and coming away with four interceptions through the first three practices. Antoine Winfield Jr. has two of those picks, with cornerbacks Bryce Hall and Kindle Vildor each adding one as well.

The communication in the secondary has been evident, and something that Winfield is feeling good about.

“We are in the same room now, so we are able to have better communication that way,” Winfield said of the entire secondary meeting together. “Bryce [Hall] has been balling, he is the comeback [route] merchant… He has been doing a great job. The rookies are great too. They are picking up the system still, but it is just about bringing them along, and just carrying them, and letting them know they have to put that work in. They have been doing a great job coming out here and executing.”

Safety Tykee Smith chimed in and had this to say about rookie cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish.

“They are going to be able to make an impact for us,” Smith said. “I am really looking forward to the season and the ways they can make an impact for us.”

Hopefully the impact the secondary has on games is positive and felt every game this season. While still a month and half away from when the games count, Antoine Winfield Jr. is making every practice count and enjoying the opportunity to play — even in the Tampa Bay heat.

“I am just having fun,” Winfield said. “It is football for me. This is a child’s game, and I get to play it at this level. We get to have fun and play football. If I have energy, it is just because I love doing what I get to do.”