Patriots decline option on Wilfork - Vince is a free agent

Brady&Springsteen FTW said:

Did you actually just dislike a post that I made almost a month ago just because I disliked this one? Your post was stupid. Get over it.

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WWBD.....what would bruce do?

robertweathers said:

the Pats had a position (?).

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Ya if was an $8.6m cap hit for a 33 y/o (who will be 34 half way during the season) DT isn't ideal when you got a HoF in his prime CB and a FS that is very good that need to be extended.

DaBruinz said:

Not sure how Hooman's contract is a "bad one".
Not sure how Dennard's contract is a "bad one".

A bad contract is one where the player sucks and cutting him is cost prohibitive. That is not the case with either of the two you mentioned. In fact, it makes sense for the Pats to keep them through TC because of the little cost it would be to cut them at the end, but still free up money.


The days of 250K salaries is gone.

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Translation: Bad contract == money being paid to anyone I don't think should be on the team.

AndyJohnson said:

Twice?

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He said it in his presser a couple of weeks ago and again in his letter.

AndyJohnson said:

Thats how I read his letter. I assume he would play in NE if offered, but I think otherwise he retires.
This was part of his statement.

I will take my time think things through, take into consideration many things but mainly my family and see where life goes from there

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It's possible.

One scenario is that for fear of insulting VW and avoid an acrimonious ending, the Pats didn't not even bother trying to chisel down his 2015 contract and let him explore the market.

If he gets offers from crap teams for crap money, he and Bianca may decide to go back to the Pats (another question...do they even want him? If they have Sig, Branch, Jones and two DT kids, he'll have to beat them out and does he even want to face that indignity?) for a reduced rate.

This really sucks but if they can keep Revis then its worth it, maybe Vince tests the market and comes back. The big question is will Big Y still have his Pizza?

Wouldn't be shocked if Vince comes back on a smaller deal once he tests out FA and gauges his market value. I don't expect it, but stranger things have happened.

Dominique Easley ✔ @DominiqueEasley
Damn y my big bro @wilfork75 helped me though a lot got me sick

JMC00 said:

Ya if was an $8.6m cap hit for a 33 y/o (who will be 34 half way during the season) DT isn't ideal when you got a HoF in his prime CB and a FS that is very good that need to be extended.

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Its speculation but I tend to believe that the Pats wanted him back at a specific rate but knew VW's position and did not want to have a acrimonious situation with VW and restructuring his deal. I don't think they felt, "We're done with VW and don't want him under any condition so we are turning the page". I wonder if they explored trading him ala Vrabes and received very little interest.

In the end, they need the cap savings quickly.

robertweathers said:

He said it in his presser a couple of weeks ago and again in his letter.

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He did NOT say in his letter that he was going to play this year. He actually backed off the statement (clearly affected by the Patriots cutting him) by saying he will take time and think about what he will do.

It's possible.

One scenario is that for fear of insulting VW and avoid an acrimonious ending, the Pats didn't not even bother trying to chisel down his 2015 contract and let him explore the market.

If he gets offers from crap teams for crap money, he and Bianca may decide to go back to the Pats (another question...do they even want him? If they have Sig, Branch, Jones and two DT kids, he'll have to beat them out and does he even want to face that indignity?) for a reduced rate.

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That has a lot to do with my feeling. If he explores the market he is going to find he will make a lot less money. I think he knows that.
Who are 2 'kid DTs'?

I got goosebumps reading Vince's post.

One of the all time greatest players to ever put on a Patriots uniform!

robertweathers said:

Storybook ending was VW retiring as a Pat. Since he is not, it's not a storybook ending.

I'm disappointed at both parties for not finding a way to keep the relationship going. Vince had a position (play and make money) and the Pats had a position (?).

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Retirement is a decision Vince will have to make. I find it very hard to be "disappointed" in the Pats. They ponied up for a big money farewell tour victory lap season last year when the smart play would have been to release Vince coming off the Achilles. Vince got a ring. It's a pretty big stretch to not give the Patriots credit for doing everything they possibly could to respect the career Vince Wilfork had and what he's meant to the team.

rochrist said:

Translation: Bad contract == money being paid to anyone I don't think should be on the team.

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Except Dennard should be on this team.

One of the best images from this past SB was Vince raising his hands in triumph

JMC00 said:

Except Dennard should be on this team.

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Yeah his contract is fine for a starting caliber CB, which he is when he's fully healthy.

AndyJohnson said:

He did NOT say in his letter that he was going to play this year. He actually backed off the statement (clearly affected by the Patriots cutting him) by saying he will take time and think about what he will do.

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You are right from the letter. Personally, if he gets good money from a decent team he will play. If he gets horrible offers from bad teams he will retire/come back to Pats if they want him.

AndyJohnson said:

That has a lot to do with my feeling. If he explores the market he is going to find he will make a lot less money. I think he knows that.
Who are 2 'kid DTs'?

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Easley and I think they are drafting a DT/DE.

hwc said:

Retirement is a decision Vince will have to make. I find it very hard to be "disappointed" in the Pats. They ponied up for a big money farewell tour victory lap season last year when the smart play would have been to release Vince coming off the Achilles. Vince got a ring. It's a pretty big stretch to not give the Patriots credit for doing everything they possibly could to respect the career Vince Wilfork had and what he's meant to the team.

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I'm not solely disappointed in the Pats. I think it takes two sides to make a deal happen. I think VW still has value. It's just too bad they couldn't figure it out.

Vince doesn't need the money to spend or for his children to spend. He needs it, if anything, for charity.

So there's a good chance he's sincere about keeping his home in New England, notwithstanding that he and Bianca grew up in a warm weather region.

The connection I'm drawing is that he can raise more money for charity in this region than elsewhere. That said, I'm not sure that's a big number when compared to his actual personal earnings playing football ...

Marqui said:

Yeah his contract is fine for a starting caliber CB, which he is when he's fully healthy.

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Fine for a starter? Its a steal for a starter. Last year he cost us nothing. This year he comes cheap for what he can bring. Whoever suggests getting rid of him shouldnt be on this site.

2012$390,000$14,462$0$0$0$404,462
2013$480,000$14,462$0$0$0$494,462
2014$570,000$14,462$0$0$0$584,462
2015$1,542,000$14,462$0$0$0$1,556,462

Brings me back to the time I had the pleasure of meeting Vince. Seems like a great, great guy.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/threads/notes-from-my-return-trip.77294/

Warning, SB42 references!