Miles
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- Mar 18, 2019
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Winfree said he also employed a private chef to help enhance his diet and improve his body. He enters training camp down about eight pounds from the 2019 season.
"I just want to be more reliable out there," Winfree said. "[I want to] be able to run all day, be able to make contested catches all day [and] be able to win against man coverage all day. You've got to be in the best shape possible; that's kind of one of the things I took [seriously]."
If Winfree can channel his new attitude into a successful training camp, he could push for a roster spot despite the crowded position group. At Colorado, Winfree displayed an innate ability to make contested catches, and he was also impressive after the catch. In the 2019 Hall of Fame game, Winfree caught a deflected fourth-down pass in the end zone to give Denver a late win.
Winfree said he also knows his special teams contributions will play a big role in his ability to make the roster. He played at least 50 percent of the team's special teams snaps in all three games in which he appeared as a rookie.
His play-making ability and versatility, though, is what Winfree thinks could earn him a spot in the team's new-look receiving corps.
"I have way more confidence this year," Winfree said. "… I know what I can bring to the table: contested catches [and] play-making ability, whether it's on the inside, outside [or] special teams. I just want to contribute making plays, because I feel I can.
"… The key for me, is just showing accountability — me knowing my plays, me knowing they can count on me to be in the right place at the right time. That's what it's about this training camp. Whoever is the most accountable, whoever's making the most plays is going to stay. That's all it is."
The increased sense of competition won't bother Winfree, who said he likes the feeling of having to bring his best each day.
"I think that's helped motivate me throughout this offseason — as well as the time we've been here so far — just knowing that I'm overlooked," Winfree said. "I thrive off that."
The competition behind Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy will unfold over the coming weeks, but Winfree said he's grateful for the opportunity simply to compete. A year removed from his rookie season, he's gained that bit of perspective.
"Knowing that your spot is not 100 percent guaranteed even going into Year 2 and even being a draft pick, that helped me appreciate it," Winfree said. "Me being on the edge of the roster, that motivates me and it's something I appreciate. It can go one of two ways, but at the end of the day, I'm going to give it all I got, and I know God has me. I try not to worry about it."