Effect Of Status Of Wilfork

[mgteich]

In discussing drafting a NT, many don't want to do so if they that means that Wilfork goes. The problem is that WIlfork may have no intention of playing for the patriots without a long-term contract. I think he genuinely wants to stay long term.

However, I am NOT at all sure Wilfork would play under a franchise. And even if he signs the tag, he might skip all of the camps and hold out during the preseason and a couple fo games.

Yes, we want Wilfork. But Wilfork is a valuable commodity. IMHO, he will need to be treated that way if he is to play for patriots in 2010. And no, there is no proof that he would sit out. There is also no proof that he would calmly accept being a franchisee foe the next two years.

So, when we discuss drafting NT's, we would love to have both a NT and Wilfork. However, we also understand that Wilfork might not play. If there is still a tag on him by the time the draft comes, I would expect us even more strongly consider a first round NT.

 

[upstater1]

One big problem is that the franchise tag for DTs is not that much, and that Wilfork's deal will likely exceed the franchise tag, so it would really be bad for him to be franchised. For CBs and DEs and QBs and WRs, I have no sympathy when they complain about being tagged, but for those interior positions where players are often injured, I can totally see holding out when they are franchised, because they risk injuries and the compensation seems to have lagged the salary growth at other positions. I think it's because the shelf life of good DTs is minimal. There's so much movement with DTs from team to team, and you have to be concerned about Wilfork's longevity as well.

 

[mgteich]

I well understnad why 2 years under a DT franchise tag may be unacceptable fro Wilfork.

One big problem is that the franchise tag for DTs is not that much, and that Wilfork's deal will likely exceed the franchise tag, so it would really be bad for him to be franchised. For CBs and DEs and QBs and WRs, I have no sympathy when they complain about being tagged, but for those interior positions where players are often injured, I can totally see holding out when they are franchised, because they risk injuries and the compensation seems to have lagged the salary growth at other positions. I think it's because the shelf life of good DTs is minimal. There's so much movement with DTs from team to team, and you have to be concerned about Wilfork's longevity as well.

 

[BelichickFan]

How often to Franchised players whine and moan; and then how often to they play ?

Wilfork will be Franchised. And he'll play. They'll probably "Samuel" him and promise not to do it again.

He'll play, it's a non issue for 2010.

 

[mgteich]

OK, let us presume that you are correct. Then Wilfork will play for one year and we will need a NT to start the 2011 season. NT's need at least a half-year to develop, unless we are very lucky.

It would seem that unless WIlfork signs an extension before the draft, we need to draft a top NT, unless Belichick is planning to give up on the 3-4, certainly a possibility.

How often to Franchised players whine and moan; and then how often to they play ?

Wilfork will be Franchised. And he'll play. They'll probably "Samuel" him and promise not to do it again.

He'll play, it's a non issue for 2010.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

In discussing drafting a NT, many don't want to do so if they that means that Wilfork goes. The problem is that WIlfork may have no intention of playing for the patriots without a long-term contract. I think he genuinely wants to stay long term.

However, I am NOT at all sure Wilfork would play under a franchise. And even if he signs the tag, he might skip all of the camps and hold out during the preseason and a couple fo games.

Yes, we want Wilfork. But Wilfork is a valuable commodity. IMHO, he will need to be treated that way if he is to play for patriots in 2010. And no, there is no proof that he would sit out. There is also no proof that he would calmly accept being a franchisee foe the next two years.

So, when we discuss drafting NT's, we would love to have both a NT and Wilfork. However, we also understand that Wilfork might not play. If there is still a tag on him by the time the draft comes, I would expect us even more strongly consider a first round NT.

I would expect Wilfork to hold out if we put the tag on him, if Miami does not sign him with the tag on him.

So either he signs somewhere else or he holds out, either way we need a NT.

 

[BelichickFan]

OK, let us presume that you are correct. Then Wilfork will play for one year and we will need a NT to start the 2011 season. NT's need at least a half-year to develop, unless we are very lucky.

It would seem that unless WIlfork signs an extension before the draft, we need to draft a top NT, unless Belichick is planning to give up on the 3-4, certainly a possibility.

It just makes it a need not a desperate need. We kick the can down the road a year. We can see how the DT draftees from last year (Brace, Pryor, Richard) look. We can take another mid round run stuffer type. And if it still looks bad we still have FA after 2010 or the options of whimpering up to Vince and re-signing him.

 

[BelichickFan]

So either he signs somewhere else or he holds out, either way we need a NT.

While possible, that's a bad conclusion. Most unhappy Franchisees do not sign elsewhere not do they hold out.

BTW, if Miami wanted to pay the price of signing him as a Franchised player, I'd take the two #1s and run. You could get Cody with their #1 this year (although I probably wouldn't) and have yet another #1 next year.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Vince will be franchised if he does not sign an extension. They might not even offer him a decent contract knowing that they can keep him on the cheap for a year or two (douchebaggerish, yes, but it is a business). Either way, Vince will be playing NT next year, count on it.

 

[BelichickFan]

Vince will be franchised if he does not sign an extension. They might not even offer him a decent contract knowing that they can keep him on the cheap for a year or two (douchebaggerish, yes, but it is a business). Either way, Vince will be playing NT next year, count on it.

I don't see why it's "douchebaggerish" to Franchise him. IIRC the number is about $7M in 2010 and would be over $8M in 2011. $15M for two years isn't bad at all, the only downer is the second year isn't guaranteed. It's part of the current CBA, it's not some sneaky trick they'd be pulling.

 

[dryheat44]

I don't see why it's "douchebaggerish" to Franchise him. IIRC the number is about $7M in 2010 and would be over $8M in 2011. $15M for two years isn't bad at all, the only downer is the second year isn't guaranteed. It's part of the current CBA, it's not some sneaky trick they'd be pulling.

The current CBA probably won't be relevant, so nobody knows how this will play out. I would expect the Patriots to tag him, and then extend him. Besides Brady, I don't think there's another player on the team as valuable as Wilfork, and I would expect Belichick to acknowledge that contractually once the operating rules are apparent.

 

[mgteich]

And since it is a business, Wilfork could sit out til Game 2 since he is worth more than the tag at DT.

It is one thing for Julius Peppers to play for ONLZY $14M for one year. It is quite another for Wilfork to play of half that and to simply accept being underpaid for the next two years. As I said, in the end , he will play, but with no offseason practices, no Training Camp, and no preseason. He asaid he would be upset with the franchise tag. I would suggest that you all believe him. The patriots can certainly play ahrd ball. In the end he'll play, but that doesn't mean that he'll make it easy for the team or a young defense.

Vince will be franchised if he does not sign an extension. They might not even offer him a decent contract knowing that they can keep him on the cheap for a year or two (douchebaggerish, yes, but it is a business). Either way, Vince will be playing NT next year, count on it.

 

[BelichickFan]

And since it is a business, Wilfork could sit out til Game 2 since he is worth more than the tag at DT.

At about half a million per game it's very unlikely. Could he ? Sure. Will he ? Well every Franchised players moans and whines but they almost never actually miss a game. The chance of Wilfork doing it is non zero . . . but not much bigger than zero.

 

[Jimke]

The Patriots may do the same thing with Wilfork as Asante Samuel.

Franchise him and promise him, in writing, that they will not franchise

him a second time.

 

[mgteich]

Again, if you're right, the patriots can franchise Wilfork, expecting him to play and win their bet, not extend him, ending up with a team and media distraction up until the Wednesday before the first game when Wilfork would show up for practice. Even if you are right about him not turning down even $1M to make his point and try to be traded, this is still an poor option for the patriots. But then, why not have yet another offseason in the center of media attention?

At about half a million per game it's very unlikely. Could he ? Sure. Will he ? Well every Franchised players moans and whines but they almost never actually miss a game. The chance of Wilfork doing it is non zero . . . but not much bigger than zero.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

While possible, that's a bad conclusion. Most unhappy Franchisees do not sign elsewhere not do they hold out.

BTW, if Miami wanted to pay the price of signing him as a Franchised player, I'd take the two #1s and run. You could get Cody with their #1 this year (although I probably wouldn't) and have yet another #1 next year.

Reiss and a couple of others have already brought up that they think Wilfork will hold out and I can not blame him in the least.

The guaranteed money on a big contract will be 10 million plus or minus vs. what 3 or 4 million on a one year tender, then you have to sweat not getting injured. If I were Big Vince's agent I would advise him to hold out while I worked the phone line to Dolphin headquarters.

 

[mgteich]

Wilfork would get $7M under a franchise tag, not 2 or 3.

Reiss and a couple of others have already brought up that they think Wilfork will hold out and I can not blame him in the least.

The guaranteed money on a big contract will be 10 million plus or minus vs. what 3 or 4 million on a one year tender, then you have to sweat not getting injured. If I were Big Vince's agent I would advise him to hold out while I worked the phone line to Dolphin headquarters.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Wilfork would get $7M under a franchise tag, not 2 or 3.

Ouch! that would make his guaranteed money plus or minus 20 million on a long term deal. Still that is enough for me to want to hold out.

 

[WhiZa]

Ouch! that would make his guaranteed money plus or minus 20 million on a long term deal. Still that is enough for me to want to hold out.

Hanyesworth got 41 million guaranteed. 20 would be a steal.

 

[Metaphors]

The current CBA probably won't be relevant, so nobody knows how this will play out. I would expect the Patriots to tag him, and then extend him. Besides Brady, I don't think there's another player on the team as valuable as Wilfork, and I would expect Belichick to acknowledge that contractually once the operating rules are apparent.

Totally agree with you. Belichick has shown signs that he loves the guy. Wilfork has shown signs that he loves playing in NE. The only issue is dollars and years...both of which are numbers. If both sides are motivated, numbers tend to get worked out. In addition, I believe Kraft, Belichick and Wilfork are on the same page. Once the rules going forward are clear, Wilfork will be a happy Patriot for the next few years.

That was my one Xmas wish. It will be so.