Can we all take a moment and applaud Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie safety Antoine Winfield Jr. for earning a starting job?
Ok, but now it gets real. As impressive it is for Winfield to have beaten out both Andrew Adams and Mike Edwards for the number one spot without a rookie camp, without OTAs, and without a pre-season, it doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is how the second-round pick performs in the regular season.
This next step of course, starts on Sunday. Against the New Orleans Saints. And Drew Brees. Not a small task. Funny enough, the rookie now tasked with helping Tom Brady get his first win - even though wins and losses aren’t quarterback stats - with the Bucs, is using a familiar New England Patriots mantra to prepare for the game.