ESPN Metrics make Winfield and D. Smith look bad

**LongtimeVikesfan** · 09-05-2006, 09:50 PM

"The Vikings' secondary could be a sieve waiting to happen. Antoine Winfield had one of the worst success percentages of any cornerback last year. Winfield stopped only 33.7 percent of the 89 passes thrown his way, which is a much lower success percentage than would be expected from a player of his talent level.

If Winfield's metrics weren't enough of a concern, the Vikings also added one of the worst coverage safeties in the league in Dwight Smith. Smith was signed as a backup, but he will start at free safety in place of the injured Tank Williams. Smith ranked dead last among strong safeties in seven different major coverage metrics in 2005. Smith also did very poorly in the coverage metrics in 2004, so his numbers last season were not an aberration.

The rest of the Vikings' corners and safeties can all hold their own in coverage, so Winfield and Smith likely will be tested early and often this year".

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview06/news/story?page=Vikings/06

I thought he looked pretty damn good last year, with a few interceptions. There is much more to a corner than just pass coverage. I don't think receivers want Winfield to cover because of the severity of his hits.

**NodakPaul** · 09-05-2006, 09:54 PM

It is just metrics.
You can interpret metrics and statistics anyway you want to get your point across.

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

**thevikingfan** · 09-05-2006, 10:02 PM

they did this shit last year and you know what they came up with?
they said ashlei lelie was the best overall reciever in the league.....i dont think so!
just dont read into it too much

**gregair13** · 09-05-2006, 11:17 PM

good old stats. they can tell any story.

**thanatoschristou** · 09-05-2006, 11:27 PM

You can give up 600 yards and have a pick every time when the othe team gets in the red sone, so yes; these stats are nothing really.

**vikingbill50** · 09-05-2006, 11:31 PM

i wouldnt worry about that they say on the stats either, watch the games and you judge for
your self

**Vikes_King** · 09-06-2006, 01:43 AM

fuck that god damn shit, those people dont know what the fuck they're talkin about, did u not watch winfeild last yar and in the preasoneaon? he's been doning wreally well, and he should hav gone to the probowl last yuear had he been one of hte big name guys uin the league.

he's a talentled guy, and im glad to have him as our |#1 guy

**digital420** · 09-06-2006, 04:07 AM

I really don't see a problem with A.w..

he's up there and doin just what we've asked of him.

they can whipe their backsides with the printed out garbage stats.

DiGiTaL

**skum** · 09-06-2006, 04:33 AM

I think that Winfield has it stats against him, because instead of going for the pick, he plays he's opponent to bring him down after the catch, especially if he dosnt have the first down.. Thats also why he had the high amount of tackles..

**Zeus** · 09-06-2006, 07:58 AM

"LongtimeVikesfan" wrote:

"The Vikings' secondary could be a sieve waiting to happen. Antoine Winfield had one of the worst success percentages of any cornerback last year. Winfield stopped only 33.7 percent of the 89 passes thrown his way, which is a much lower success percentage than would be expected from a player of his talent level.

Winfield's one of my favorite current Vikes - I have his new road jersey in my collection.

That said, I think this is fairly accurate.
He DOESN'T break up a lot of passes.
What he does do is, once the catch is made, the WR goes down.
Best tackler on the team.
WRs against him get no YAC, and that's why he's a top10 CB.

=Z=