Will Wilfork be here in 2014?

[Kontradiction]

It depends on how his achilles heals, really. He's a big man, on the other side of 30, and has one of the hardest injuries to rehab from in the NFL. Combine that with what he does, which is essentially eat up space and take on two blockers at the point of attack (something that requires a high amount of stress on the injured area), and he has a long way back. If he can't recover fully, which is a very real possibility, the team might part ways with him and target a DT either in FA or through the draft. If he can, then I'd certainly hope they would bring him back.

 

[reflexblue]

I am NOT projecting. I am simply stating that we tend to ignore the possibility that Wilfork will not be physically able to continue his career.

ALSO, BB played hard ball with VW the last time he was up for a contract when he was at the peak of he career. I thought VW was gone, the guy had to practically beg for a contract. So with that history it seems theres a very good possibility that the Pats won't give him a serious offer.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Which players of his size had achilles injuries?

Honestly I don't know of too many. Jason Taylor comes to mind. He was also on the other side of thirty and declining anyway. Terrell Suggs doesn't seem the same player. Ryan Howard of the Phillies but that could be juice related? Lawrence Taylor, same thing,other side of 30.

Return to football after Achilles tendon rupture | Lower Extremity Review Magazine

One-third of NFL players with Achilles tendon injuries sidelined

Basically 1/3 don't come back, of the 2/3 that do come back its suggested their performance is not the same as preinjury.

I do think there is a good chance he will come back though, he has got a lot of heart and there are some instances where they dominate again. Just haven't found any in players that size yet.

 

[Brady6]

Very sad to think of Vince Wilfork not being on this team, one of my favorite players of all time who has done so much for this franchise and the community we live in.

 

[borg]

What is scary is that that 3 of the top 5 cap hits for next year are on IR this year (Wilfork, Mayo, Vollmer)......and #6 and #7 on this list are chronic injury candidates (Gronk and Amendola). And #3 Mankins......let's put it this way....Mankins should buy his agent expensive gifts every day of the year.
At least we have our 37 year old QB

 

[Rob0729]

He won't be back unless he takes some sort of pay cut in either a straight pay cut or an extension. I doubted he would play next year under that cap number before he was injured, but now his leverage in a renegotionation is gone which makes it more likely he will refuse pay cut and the Pats will be forced to release him.

Unfortunately for Vince, the league is moving away from his style of players. At his age, he is likely going to be more of a two down player and most teams are moving towards guys in the mold of JJ Watt in fast and taller DTs as the guys who can rush the passer and block throwing lanes with his hands. The big bodied run stuffers like Vince (although Vince can play on passing downs) are becoming less of big money getters.

It will come down to whether Vince is willing to redo his deal and accept the fact that he is older coming off a major injury and his style of play is dwindling in priority for teams. A lot of players get insulted and force a cut only to make about the same money or even less somewhere else. It will ultimately be up to Vince IMHO.

 

[RayClay]

Honestly I don't know of too many. Jason Taylor comes to mind. He was also on the other side of thirty and declining anyway. Terrell Suggs doesn't seem the same player. Ryan Howard of the Phillies but that could be juice related? Lawrence Taylor, same thing,other side of 30.

Return to football after Achilles tendon rupture | Lower Extremity Review Magazine

One-third of NFL players with Achilles tendon injuries sidelined

Basically 1/3 don't come back, of the 2/3 that do come back its suggested their performance is not the same as preinjury.

I do think there is a good chance he will come back though, he has got a lot of heart and there are some instances where they dominate again. Just haven't found any in players that size yet.

I'm not saying he will or won't, but comparing him with pass rushers, WRs, RBs etc. doesn't serve much purpose.

He's bigger, of course and puts strain on it, but he doesn't have to be the incredibly agile player he was to still be better than most tackles because of his strength, technique etc.

You certainly couldn't say that about a pass rusher or skill player where a fraction of a second loss turns them from top performers to also rans.

Good article, but since none of the players you mentioned plays a similar position to Wilfork, it's all right to say you don't know.

Personally, I think he either cannot perform physically, or possibly becomes a good, not great, tackle in the NFL, many of which get plenty of snaps. We need a top young player there anyway (imo), since we don't have another dominating player at that position and Vince is getting old anyway.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2014 Patriots Salary Cap Information Page

All things considered: age, injury, his 2013 play, and 7.5 million saved if cut, IMO he's gone in 2014. Sopoaga is an easy cut as well that saves 3.3 million.

That's an easy 10.8 million added to our cap for the offseason. That leaves us with Chris Jones, Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, and Armond Armstead for next season. Adding a 2nd-3rd round DT and a cheap offseason signing should make the position fine. Jones is a starter and hopefully one of Vellano/Armstead/rookie shows something in camp to be starting caliber.

 

[Kontradiction]

What is scary is that that 3 of the top 5 cap hits for next year are on IR this year (Wilfork, Mayo, Vollmer)......and #6 and #7 on this list are chronic injury candidates (Gronk and Amendola). And #3 Mankins......let's put it this way....Mankins should buy his agent expensive gifts every day of the year.
At least we have our 37 year old QB

Injuries suck and Mankins might be a goner next year as well. I'm not sure how someone can troll for almost a decade, but you're coming up on that anniversary. Congrats!

 

[reflexblue]

Honestly I don't know of too many. Jason Taylor comes to mind. He was also on the other side of thirty and declining anyway. Terrell Suggs doesn't seem the same player. Ryan Howard of the Phillies but that could be juice related? Lawrence Taylor, same thing,other side of 30.

Return to football after Achilles tendon rupture | Lower Extremity Review Magazine

One-third of NFL players with Achilles tendon injuries sidelined

Basically 1/3 don't come back, of the 2/3 that do come back its suggested their performance is not the same as preinjury.

I do think there is a good chance he will come back though, he has got a lot of heart and there are some instances where they dominate again. Just haven't found any in players that size yet.

Those are/were speed guys, Wilfork has to hold his ground and clog up the middle. Not sure its comparable.

 

[SoCal Pmen]

It will also be worth watching who the team targets in the draft and free agency. If they move up in the 1st round to get a player like Louis Nix of ND (the BB - coach Kelly connection), that may be a sign of things to come. If I recall, I believe they moved up to get Vince in the 1st round when he started to slide down.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Good article, but since none of the players you mentioned plays a similar position to Wilfork, it's all right to say you don't know..

I don't know. Thought I specified that with the first sentence of the response. Your right, I can't think of a dt that's had this type of injury to compare Vince too. I just threw out a couple of articles regarding Achilles injuries in general. This is one we have to just see out for ourselves. The main thing everyone will be looking at is can he still hold the point of attack and can he get the push needed up front after the injury? Timetable? I think a lot of NFL doctors are going to be very interested in his rehab and progression for their own prognosis.

 

[borg]

Injuries suck and Mankins might be a goner next year as well. I'm not sure how someone can troll for almost a decade, but you're coming up on that anniversary. Congrats!

Tell me exactly what part of what I wrote is inaccurate and deserves your petty put down. And if you are going to offer some speculation, at least put some thought into it before you decide to type next time. "Mankins might might be a goner next year".....???? .....really???
Did you really put a lot of thought into that one? Why don't you give that another go there junior!

 

[RayClay]

main thing everyone will be looking at is can he still hold the point of attack and can he get the push needed up front after the injury? Timetable? I think a lot of NFL doctors are going to be very interested in his rehab and progression for their own prognosis.

Right. My thought was, as long as he can, he doesn't need to be the Wilfork who can play DE if needed or drop into coverage and get interceptions. If he can just hold the line he'll be a valuable player for a few years, unlike a player that lives and dies on his speed and agility.

 

[Sciz]

Honestly I don't know of too many. Jason Taylor comes to mind. He was also on the other side of thirty and declining anyway. Terrell Suggs doesn't seem the same player. Ryan Howard of the Phillies but that could be juice related? Lawrence Taylor, same thing,other side of 30.

Return to football after Achilles tendon rupture | Lower Extremity Review Magazine

One-third of NFL players with Achilles tendon injuries sidelined

Basically 1/3 don't come back, of the 2/3 that do come back its suggested their performance is not the same as preinjury.

I do think there is a good chance he will come back though, he has got a lot of heart and there are some instances where they dominate again. Just haven't found any in players that size yet.

That study used data from 1997-2002. I wouldn't consider that overly relevant to today given medical advances.

 

[Ivan]

Tell me exactly what part of what I wrote is inaccurate and deserves your petty put down. And if you are going to offer some speculation, at least put some thought into it before you decide to type next time. "Mankins might might be a goner next year".....???? .....really???
Did you really put a lot of thought into that one? Why don't you give that another go there junior!

lol..............................



Good job Kontra.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, we should be fine with one of the 3 veterans healthy. You choose to believe that Kelly will be back at 100%. Others suggest that this is unlikely. Personally, I want Kelly back, but if Wilfork is gone, there is no way that I would cut Sopoaga and hope that Kelly stays healthy for the season.

Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2014 Patriots Salary Cap Information Page

All things considered: age, injury, his 2013 play, and 7.5 million saved if cut, IMO he's gone in 2014. Sopoaga is an easy cut as well that saves 3.3 million.

That's an easy 10.8 million added to our cap for the offseason. That leaves us with Chris Jones, Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, and Armond Armstead for next season. Adding a 2nd-3rd round DT and a cheap offseason signing should make the position fine. Jones is a starter and hopefully one of Vellano/Armstead/rookie shows something in camp to be starting caliber.

 

[Ivan]

It will also be worth watching who the team targets in the draft and free agency. If they move up in the 1st round to get a player like Louis Nix of ND (the BB - coach Kelly connection), that may be a sign of things to come. If I recall, I believe they moved up to get Vince in the 1st round when he started to slide down.

Actually he just dropped right into their laps, and when the Vikings took Udeze the Patriots took all of about 2 seconds to get their pick in. It was on par with Moss dropping to the vikings, I spent the entire offseason hoping some act of God would occur to allow Wilfork to drop to their Kyle Boller pick and by jesus it did just that. i still can't believe how lucky they were and how insanely stupid the teams who passed on him were.


I think they redo Wilfork's deal and he finishes his career in NE, I would bet they try to do something similar to what they did with Vollmer and build in playing time clauses to protect themselves, and although he may not like it I think Wilfork will be willing to prove himself and agree to the deal. I can't imagine how much it would suck to see him let go. One of my favorite Patriots of all time. If he comes back i may even go to his draft party just to thank him for all he has done for this franchise. Great guy, great player, class act all the way.

 

[neuronet]

This kind of thread begs for a poll...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

It will also be worth watching who the team targets in the draft and free agency. If they move up in the 1st round to get a player like Louis Nix of ND (the BB - coach Kelly connection), that may be a sign of things to come. If I recall, I believe they moved up to get Vince in the 1st round when he started to slide down.

Not quite. They moved up ONE spot to get Ty Warren.

They actually got Wilfork with the extra 2004 first-rounder they got from Baltimore.