• Please be aware we've switched the forums to their own URL. (again) You'll find the new website address to be www.steelernationforum.com Thanks
  • Please clear your private messages. Your inbox is close to being full.

Wilfork Available...

S

Stoney

Regular Member
Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
2,055
Reaction score
2,007
Points
113
http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150305/SPORTS/150309600/13936/SPORTS


Over the salary cap, Patriots make surprise move by declining Vince Wilfork's 2015 option
The Patriots have declined to pick up Vince Wilfork's 2015 option and the longtime defensive tackle will be an unrestricted free agent on March 10. Wilfork announced the news with a lengthy statement on Twitter.

Posted Mar. 5, 2015 at 2:11 PM
Updated at 2:35 PM

The first shoe has dropped.
The Patriots have declined to pick up Vince Wilfork's 2015 option and the longtime defensive tackle will be an unrestricted free agent on March 10. Wilfork announced the news with a lengthy statement on Twitter.

"I want to take this time to just let everyone know that I was informed on Tuesday that the Patriots will not be picking up my option. I’m in a good place I have a great relationship with the Patriots organization. Please know how blessed my family and I have been to be able to play 11 years in New England for an amazing organization. The love you guys as fans have shown me have been my inspiration year in and year out.

"Your messages, your stories, your conversations and support always touch my heart. New England has been and always will be my home. I have played 11 years for the greatest head coach ever! I've played next to men that I now have as brothers for a lifetime, a first class organization. I came back from a season ending injury when most doubted me and then won the Super Bowl in my comeback year.
"New England has been great to me and my family … Can I still play football? Hell yea! Do I still love football? Hell yea! One thing for sure is I will always be a fixture in New England forever… This will always be my home!! I won a Super Bowl my rookie year, I won one this year!! 11 years with one great organization, 11 years married to the love of my life, 3 beautiful healthy kids… One major injury, lots of gas still left in the tank.

"All I can say is I’m blessed, I’m thankful, I’m grateful… I will take my time think things through, take into consideration many things but mainly my family and see where life goes from there… But regardless remember I will always remain a New Englander, a Patriot forever.

This move is all about money. The Patriots started this week well over the NFL's 2015 salary cap - estimated anywhere between $10-15 million. They have to get at or below the $143.28 million mark by March 10 at 4 p.m. By not picking up Wilfork's option, the Patriots will save $8 million.

Although Wilfork's been a vital part of the Patriots' success, at this point Darrelle Revis remains the team's No. 1 priority. Revis, whose $25 million option isn't expected to be picked up, single-handily changes the defense. Devin McCourty, also a free agent, is another priority for the Patriots.

Wilfork's option had to be either picked up or declined by March 9. The same goes for Revis and cornerback Brandon Browner. Nate Solder's $7.4 million option becomes full guaranteed on March 10, so the Pats have several choices to make.

The 33-year-old Wilfork was a Patriots' first-round pick in 2004. The longtime captain and five-time Pro Bower has been a part of two Super Bowls with the Pats, turning into one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the NFL. Although he's past his prime, Wilfork showed last season that he could still anchor a team's run defense. After suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in 2013, he made a full recovery and played in every game last season.

At this rate, Wilfork will be one of the top defensive linemen available when free agency starts next week. Although Wilfork didnt rule out a return to the Patriots, if he doesn't return to Foxboro, the Pats will have to rebuild their defensive line. Right now, Sealver Siliga and Chris Jones are the Patriots best true defensive tackles on the team. The team's 2014 first-round pick, Dominique Easley could also figure into the situation although he is a bit undersized for the interior of a defensive line. Veteran defensive tackle Alan Branch is also a free agent.

If Wilfork's career with the Patriots is over, they could be expected to try to fill his spot in either free agency or the NFL Draft. In free agency, the position is headlined by Ndamukong Suh along with Terrance Knighton, Nick Fairley, Jared Odrick, Henry Melton and B.J. Raji.

The Patriots' run defense was up and down last season, but Wilfork was certainly apart of the solution, not the problem. At this point, you can add defensive tackle to the list of priorities for the Patriots this offseason.
Click to expand...
 
He'll be back with the pats**.
 
I will pass on Vince. I think we need an infusion of youth not a 33 year old whose better days are behind him. I'm ok with McClendon and Big Dan for now. It will be interesting to see how Big Dan develops in year 2.
 
steelhurt said:
I will pass on Vince. I think we need an infusion of youth not a 33 year old whose better days are behind him. I'm ok with McClendon and Big Dan for now. It will be interesting to see how Big Dan develops in year 2.
Click to expand...

Not applying to this to Wilfork specifically, but Good Players >>>>>>>> Young Players.
 
ITS A TRICK! We sign him, lose cap space and then he disrupts the team. He then resigns with them after we release him. Sound familiar?
 
****.... If I know the Pats, they just dropped Wilfork to make a run at Suh.

Plus I wouldn't touch anyone from that **** team anymore. **** Wilfork, **** Blount, **** Brady and his non-earned 2 INT SBMVP, and **** that cheating **** of a coach Bellycheck.
 
Cope said:
****.... If I know the Pats, they just dropped Wilfork to make a run at Suh.

Plus I wouldn't touch anyone from that **** team anymore. **** Wilfork, **** Blount, **** Brady and his non-earned 2 INT SBMVP, and **** that cheating **** of a coach Bellycheck.
Click to expand...


Come on man, you just don't get it............ Quit being one, of EVERYONE, who doesn't understand the pat**** way. Deep breath



Salute the nnation
 
He's a piece of **** person, but he had a really nice season last year. idk, I'd rather nab 31-year-old Ngata, but Wilfork cheap would be an asset to our team not seen since Hampton's twilight.
 
No, he smells like Pat ****...
 
He will test the free agent waters, then resign with the P**** for a well below market rate with Kraft paying him the rest under the table.
 
McCullers is going to take over the starting DT spot. No reason to go grab someone else there. OLB, DB, S, TE, OT, RB. Focus on where we need bodies first.
 
No interest. Steve McClendon is, despite this boards' opinion, doing a great job.
 
milkman dan said:
No interest. Steve McClendon is, despite this boards' opinion, doing a great job.
Click to expand...
McClendon is a JAG but at this point in his career so is Wilfork. I don't see an upside.
 
Ron Burgundy said:
McClendon is a JAG but at this point in his career so is Wilfork. I don't see an upside.
Click to expand...

He always grades high in PFF's eyes, a few games as the best player on D last season. I know he's no Hampton, but few are or ever will be. He more than JAG.
 
milkman dan said:
He always grades high in PFF's eyes, a few games as the best player on D last season. I know he's no Hampton, but few are or ever will be. He more than JAG.
Click to expand...

I can't see paying a lot of money when he only has a year or two left. Hoodie usually lets his players go at the right time.
 
Ron Burgundy said:
I can't see paying a lot of money when he only has a year or two left. Hoodie usually lets his players go at the right time.
Click to expand...

Oh, I'm talking McLendon. No way on Wilfolk. I agree with you there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top