Report: Season-ending torn Achilles for Wilfork

[Joker]

Beau Allen, Louis Nix...2014 draft...take one and move on...

 

[Sciz]

If he comes back from the injury a shell of himself (60% as good or something like that) and looks less explosive, do you think the Patriots are going to keep him around for sentimental value at his current contract?

Factoring his reported injury, if his play declines rapidly then you cannot seriously expect a coaching staff as rigid as Belichick's wouldn't plan to move on from him if they have a better option in place. There's no room sentiments in a cut-throat business like the NFL. One serious injury is all it takes to effectively end a guy's career. That could happen to anyone on any play.

The thing to keep in mind is that anyone is replaceable, even first ballot HOFers can be replaced. Wilfork's not immune to this reality. His age is definitely a factor at this point and he's closer to the end than the beginning. Now add in a serious injury like this, it's not a rosy outlook.

Not trying to be a downer here, but just stating the facts as they are.

I think Wilfork would rather retire than become a minimum salary journeyman at 60% of his previous level of play. Playing nose tackle has to suck, and he's involved enough that he would find ways to spend his time.

I also have a feeling that he's looking forward to cutting off a lot of his football weight as soon as possible, considering his father's death due to diabetes. Wilfork has never been afraid of working out and his conditioning is impeccable for a guy his size, so I think it'd just be a matter of maintaining his exercise regimen while vastly adjusting his diet.


But to answer the original question, I don't think they bring him back at his current contract regardless of how well he recovers. That's a huge chunk of cap for a guy coming off an extremely serious injury.

 

[RI Patriots fan]

Yes he's getting that money, but they could offset it with lower salaries. If we make the assumption that they'd be converting $6.5M of salary to a signing bonus over 5 seasons, that's $1.3M in signing bonus proration per year against the cap, which could be offset by something like a $3M salary. If you think a $4.3M average is too much, then adjust the salary to whatever makes you happy. In my hypothetical example, he has cap hits of $6.4M in 2014 (down from $11.6M) and then $4.3M for however much longer he plays. That's far easier to swallow for the team than $11.6M next year alone.

Wilfork still gets his $8M in new money next season (which wouldn't happen if he were to be released), and the Pats get him under contract for a reasonable price for the rest of his career.

Again, whether its 1 season or 5 seasons (which will never happen) the Patriots will have to take the full cap hit. Teams that "spread out" their cap hits with these "long term" contracts eventually pay the price. It catches up to them.

The Patriots will never pay a guy and spread it out just to keep him on the team. Again, all the things I said are still true. He will be much less effective next year. They won't pay a guy $8 million dollars over 5 years for 1 year of poor play. There's no reason to do that for an ineffective player and at 33 years old, with a very difficult injury to overcome, and a weight issue, the odds are hugely against him.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

As trusted a source it may be, it still is merely a "source". Nothing is certain as far as I am concerned until the official Patriots' report is given. Media is too unreliable to do otherwise.

If it is true and he is out for the rest of the year? Next man up. The Patriots are not unique in this regard. Fact of the NFL: teams lose extremely critical pieces to their gameplans as the season progresses. Buck up and have some faith that BB and staff will make the necessary personnel and scheme adjustments to keep the rush D competitive. There is more than one way to skin a cat (as the saying goes).

 

[supafly]

While the speculation that he may never play here again makes sense on some level, let's wait to see before rushing to any conclusions.

This injury happened early on in the season, so there's a good chance that he may end up being just fine by the time next summer rolls around.

If any one player is going to give every ounce of dedication and strong rehab to their team, it's going to be Vince Wilfork. The man reeks of team leadership, pride, and ability to draw attention no matter what.

Too many people getting ahead of themselves here. By tomorrow 90% of the forum will be talking about how he'll never see another down here. That isn't likely to be the case. There are plenty of things that can be worked out between now and then, and he does have an excellent medical staff behind him.

 

[Joker]

I smell a Rat troll...

 

[supafly]

While the speculation that he may never play here again makes sense on some level, let's wait to see before rushing to any conclusions.

This injury happened early on in the season, so there's a good chance that he may end up being just fine by the time next summer rolls around.

If any one player is going to give every ounce of dedication and strong rehab to their team, it's going to be Vince Wilfork. The man reeks of team leadership, pride, and ability to draw attention no matter what.

Too many people getting ahead of themselves here. By tomorrow 90% of the forum will be talking about how he'll never see another down here. That isn't likely to be the case. There are plenty of things that can be worked out between now and then, and he does have an excellent medical staff behind him.

This all said, the problem is in the immediate sense for the 2013 season.

Many here spoke of their disgust for the inadequate depth on the DL, and now we may see that problem coming to a head with Chris Jones and Joe Vellano as the replacements who will be attempting to fill the void.

Either way you look at it, a move or two will have to be made--but most of us are relatively confident that Belichick will have some kind of plan to lessen the blow. Let's hope he can pull it off, b/c it's a big task.

 

[Sciz]

Again, whether its 1 season or 5 seasons (which will never happen) the Patriots will have to take the full cap hit. Teams that "spread out" their cap hits with these "long term" contracts eventually pay the price. It catches up to them.

The Patriots will never pay a guy and spread it out just to keep him on the team. Again, all the things I said are still true. He will be much less effective next year. They won't pay a guy $8 million dollars over 5 years for 1 year of poor play. There's no reason to do that for an ineffective player and at 33 years old, with a very difficult injury to overcome, and a weight issue, the odds are hugely against him.

Well you seem to have this whole situation all figured out and have no intention of having any beneficial conversation on it. No, Wilfork is not likely playing next season under his current contract. Yes, you're being awfully close-minded by asserting that he'll never be a good player again or that the Patriots can't figure out some way to keep him into the future.


Heck, I wouldn't even rule out him just taking a straight pay cut. He's not getting $8M anywhere next season, so he might as well take a discount for the team that he's comfortable with.

 

[Joker]

yeah...to hell with Wilfork..and while we're at it...screw Brady too...we can weasel Matt Schaub away from Houston RIGHT NOW for a bag of clam cakes...

 

[RI Patriots fan]

This all said, the problem is in the immediate sense for the 2013 season.

Many here spoke of their disgust for the inadequate depth on the DL, and now we may see that problem coming to a head with Chris Jones and Joe Vellano as the replacements who will be attempting to fill the void.

Either way you look at it, a move or two will have to be made--but most of us are relatively confident that Belichick will have some kind of plan to lessen the blow. Let's hope he can pull it off, b/c it's a big task.

Well, let's be honest......will we really see a downturn in play?

Wilfork was dominated by Ducasse. Would anyone else do any worse?

I didn't see the Wilfork of old this season. I think we've already seen "the void".

 

[supafly]

Well, let's be honest......will we really see a downturn in play?

Wilfork was dominated by Ducasse. Would anyone else do any worse?

I didn't see the Wilfork of old this season. I think we've already seen "the void".

I could be wrong, but he wasn't being listed on the injury report at that time and had to start off the season with 2 games in a four day period. That may have contributed to the poor play vs Ducasse.

I felt that he bounced back rather nicely last week vs Tampa Bay myself, and I thought that the majority of the media agreed.

Yes, I believe that we see a fall in play. Wilfork is a monster to deal with, even if injured and not himself. He's still taking up 2 men on any given play as a space eater--even if it's not in a 3-4 scheme he's still effective in that role.

Let's hope that we can bring someone else in, along with continuing to get the most out of Vellano/Chris Jones/practice squader.

 

[RI Patriots fan]

Well you seem to have this whole situation all figured out and have no intention of having any beneficial conversation on it. No, Wilfork is not likely playing next season under his current contract. Yes, you're being awfully close-minded by asserting that he'll never be a good player again or that the Patriots can't figure out some way to keep him into the future.


Heck, I wouldn't even rule out him just taking a straight pay cut. He's not getting $8M anywhere next season, so he might as well take a discount for the team that he's comfortable with.

Well yes, I do have it figured out....thanks. But you're creating strawmen by saying that I said he'll never be a good player again. I think I've been clear that I'm looking at this analytically and not emotionally. Could Wilfork be a good player next year? Of course he could, but I'm looking at the odds based upon his age, the nature of his injury (assuming the report is true), and his physical health and the odds, IMO say that he will be worse...not better. Do I want that.....heck, no but I'm not one to bury my head in the sand with so many facts that tell me just the opposite of what I want.

As you have mentioned, maybe he takes a paycut. Fine by me as long as he can play and help the team.

My heart's desire is that Wilfork comes back stronger and healthier and plays like a monster. My head tells me that he won't be worth anywhere near $8 million and decisions will have to be made on both sides.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Dangit, this is terrible news!! The Pats are 4-0 and haven't even played their best football yet! Vince would have been a key cog on a contending team!

Umm, so we fleeced Tampa out of Talib (4th), Blount (Demps + 7th). Can we steal anybody else from them for a cheap draft pick??

 

[Ozymandias]

Even though he wasn't listed on the injury report until this week, you have to wonder just how healthy he was coming into this season. Something was just off about him since week 1.

This injury might have been a direct result of that, if he was truly dealing with something unknown to the public.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Is the Vince Wilfork of next year at 33 years old worth $8 million???

You're neglecting two points, though:

(1) 2014 is a contract year for Wilfork. He has an incentive to get back in game shape.

(2) Mrs. Wilfork is not stupid.

 

[RI Patriots fan]

I could be wrong, but he wasn't being listed on the injury report at that time and had to start off the season with 2 games in a four day period. That may have contributed to the poor play vs Ducasse.

I felt that he bounced back rather nicely last week vs Tampa Bay myself, and I thought that the majority of the media agreed.

Yes, I believe that we see a fall in play. Wilfork is a monster to deal with, even if injured and not himself. He's still taking up 2 men on any given play as a space eater--even if it's not in a 3-4 scheme he's still effective in that role.

Let's hope that we can bring someone else in, along with continuing to get the most out of Vellano/Chris Jones/practice squader.

"There have been moments through this season's first three weeks, however, when Wilfork hasn't looked like his normally-dominant self.

Wilfork played well in Week 1 but watched the Bills rush for 136 yards, the most by any New England opponent this season. Against the Jets in Week 2, Wilfork was at times held in check single-handedly by guard Vladimir Ducasse.


Wilfork confident he'll play better going forward | Comcast SportsNet - CSNNE.com

 

[supafly]

Dangit, this is terrible news!! The Pats are 4-0 and haven't even played their best football yet! Vince would have been a key cog on a contending team!

Umm, so we fleeced Tampa out of Talib (4th), Blount (Demps + 7th). Can we steal anybody else from them for a cheap draft pick??

Maybe not Tampa, but the potential is there for someone else--although Belichick will likely be scanning a cheaper alternative in my opinion, possibly from current players without a team and/or practice squad players.

 

[Sticky Caulk]

Well, let's be honest......will we really see a downturn in play?

Wilfork was dominated by Ducasse. Would anyone else do any worse?

I didn't see the Wilfork of old this season. I think we've already seen "the void".

Wilfork had a bad game against the Jets. The entire defensive unit played incredibly conservative defense against the Bills. Other than that, he has been doing well to very well. Three games isn't enough time to discount a player with that much track record.

The Patriots could work a new salary out with Wilfork. I am sure they will have a plan B in place too. If the Pats strike gold on a replacement, of course a cut could come. That has to happen before bothering with the topic of cutting him though.

 

[supafly]

"There have been moments through this season's first three weeks, however, when Wilfork hasn't looked like his normally-dominant self.

Wilfork played well in Week 1 but watched the Bills rush for 136 yards, the most by any New England opponent this season. Against the Jets in Week 2, Wilfork was at times held in check single-handedly by guard Vladimir Ducasse.


Wilfork confident he'll play better going forward | Comcast SportsNet - CSNNE.com

I agree with you entirely, but my theory (right or wrong) is that the 2 games in the four day period to start the season may have had some negative effect on his play. He did mention prior to game 1 that he had circled all of the games on the schedule vs higher paced teams due to their posing a problem for a big man like himself, so it was a problem in his mind before he even took the field vs BUF.

I thought he bounced back pretty well vs TB last week.

All in all, I still tend to think that a Wilfork at 75% is fairly effective and better than a lot of other players.

 

[RI Patriots fan]

You're neglecting two points, though:

(1) 2014 is a contract year for Wilfork. He has an incentive to get back in game shape.

(2) Mrs. Wilfork is not stupid.

I'm not neglecting that at all. But an achilles injury is one of the worst injuries you can have for an athlete. He may have the desire to get better but at his age will he be able to both recover and improve? I think the odds are very much against him and lets be honest, during the 2015 season Wilfork will be 34 years old. What kind of contract will he get as a 34 year old? So I'm not exactly sure there is much "incentive" there as there was when he signed his last deal when he was younger.