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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.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.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.
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.
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.
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.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.
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".
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.
Is the Vince Wilfork of next year at 33 years old worth $8 million???
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.
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??
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".
"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
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.