Lamanai

Suppose Vince goes down with an injury, say for 6 weeks or the whole season. How well are the Pats prepared for that? Of course no team is ready for a seamless transition after losing one of their cornerstone players. But I could see this being pretty devastating, so where do the Pats turn? Would we be comfortable with Kyle Love anchoring the NT spot? Deaderick? Call Ron Brace and see if he's in shape? Maybe the team has to go exclusively 4-3?

Would adding a backup NT be a luxury? I am thinking of a veteran that is near the end of the line, not ready for the rigors of a full season in the trenches, but able to limit Vince's snap count and provide quality injury insurance. There are probably going to be a few of those veteran NT players available, perhaps at a reasonable cost. Casey Hampton, Antonio Garay, Pouha just to name a few.


Again, luxury or real need?

micronin127

Pats are not prepared to play without Wilfork at all.

What other 'bigs' do they have?
1. Kyle Love (UDFA) - acceptable against the run, no push up the middle, a classic hold your ground player
2. Ron Brace (2nd rounder) - bust, cut, claimed by no one
3. Brandon Deaderick (6th or 7th rounder) - can survive alongside Vince, but probably not without Vince, doesn't get doubled and can't beat his blocker often
4. Justin Francis (UDFA) - high motor kid, he's average, a good find for an undrafted player
5. Marcus Forston - practice squad, end of the roster for last two years

At least at defensive end we have Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich who are developing, though behind them we had Trevor Scott who like Mark Anderson was a run around the corner sack specialist and not much of a hold the point of attack player.

Where is the physicality on this defense? Certainly not up front. It's the middle layer that is physical: Mayo, Spikes, and Hightower.

That's unbalanced. We need to get more physical and it could be players like Mike DeVito from the Jets who would be an upgrade over most of our list. Or Arthur Jones (RFA) from the Ravens and Chandler's brother would also be a huge upgrade.

We signed a CFL kid Anthony Armstead so maybe he is in the mix too.

Interior D-Line, #1 CB, WR, Right side of offensive line

Lots of needs, but Vinceurance is certainly a need. We need to go 3 or 4 deep with quality bigs so we can rotate them and handle injuries.

Nehalem

Given that they went 11-5 when Brady went down (and his replacement was a guy who hadn't started since HS) I think the Patriots can survive Vince going down.

Lamanai

How'd you enjoy the playoffs that year?

randomk1

Yeah becoming like one of the few 11 win teams to miss the playoffs. You gots a real weak sister case there bro.

The D is pretty mediocre to begin with. Teams still pass all over us with Vince in there. If Vince goes down it would be a loss but hardly the same as losing Brady or even Gronk imo.

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Three out of Four. Back-to-back.

JackBauer

Being a little too flip, here. If Vince goes down, then teams start running all over us, too.

Anyway, on topic, DT is definitely one of the areas of greatest need on the team. I'll be shocked if one/several aren't brought in via draft/FA.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

Just watch your back Vince.......literally


Vince Wilfork Heads Outside in Hoodie to Shovel Snow During Nor’easter (Photos) | New England Patriots | NESN.com


If I were a millionaire like Vince,I think I would call snow removal professionals to do this stuff

signbabybrady

I think there is decent vincesurance. Love can absolutely man the nose...what he can't do is be a 3 down player like Vince. Love covers the nose and you use an end like Cunningham to replace him on third down.

I think there are positions that are thinner.

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shmessy

I swear that Bianca is the toughest man on the Patriots. It's good to see her letting Vince out of the bunker for a few hours a day.

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"They (Patriots) may be the greatest team ever" - Chris Mortenson, January 18, 2005 on espn.com

Nehalem

More than I liked them the year before.

Of course Brady's 3 interceptions and strip sack might have had something to do with the loss too.