Vince Wilfork asks to be released

[PittPatriot]

Yeah...i'm sure Vince and his family are starving given how little he has earned.

If that is your argument, then any professional athlete who has been playing for more than 7 years should not worry about income because they are not "starving." It is not about eating. It is about securing your future and children's future...and perhaps even THEIR children. Family business's function this way...and the Wilforks may not have another 'baby Vince' coming up to earn tens of millions - this is all they will get (much less after taxes).
They have every right to move and do what is best for them (they have my respect for that).
He played above his rookie contract and "earned" this extension. He CARRIED the D-line for several seasons, making huge plays even when he was simply being asked to fill gaps. It is likely he only has 2-3 good years left in him and I don't disagree with him trying to secure his family's future to the best of his limited ability. I will miss the big guy.

 

[ATippett56]

Nix has poor mobility apparently. Why do we need to replace Wilfork? Forget the NT position - we should be going for 4-3 DT interior rushers.

Nix also experienced a knee issue last season at Notre Dame.

Louis Nix injury: Notre Dame DT out for year with torn meniscus - SBNation.com

 

[OhExaulted1]

Before you scold him, you would do well to remember that when Wilfork was first drafted, he was locked into a murderous SIX year rookie contract (this type of contract is now no longer allowed).

As you know, he quickly outplayed that contract and was one of the most underpaid premiere D lineman until his second contract in 2009.

I do remember and he fought tooth-and-nail to get his contract. If he's asking for his release because he thinks he's worth more than his current salary then I can understand.

If he wants out to go sign a lesser deal elsewhere, that's kind of biting off your nose to spite your face but so be it. If the FO told him restructure or your cut (which could be the case) then he should have just let them do that and spoke his peace after the fact. Public perception now looks like "I'm so insulted you even proposed this so I quit." , when the team was going to release him regardless.

I'm just saying he should have asked for a trade knowing it was unlikely and let the FO wear the black hat and release him. Either that or just retire and pull a Brett Favre in June. Some things are better left unsaid (to the media). I honestly wish him the best (unless he goes to the Jets).

 

[SB39]

If he wants out to go sign a lesser deal elsewhere, that's kind of biting off your nose to spite your face but so be it. If the FO told him restructure or your cut (which could be the case) then he should have just let them do that and spoke his peace after the fact.

I don't think that is what he is doing. I think he is refusing to restructure, which is his right to do, and simply saying "Since I'm not restructuring and you're not keeping me here at my current deal and I'm getting cut anyway, please just cut me now to maximize my value on the free agent market."

IMHO it's a very reasonable request. IMHO, I don't think he thinks he's worth more than his current deal. In fact, I think he'd be ecstatic to stay here under his current deal. He just knows that that is not going to happen, so he'd rather have as much time on the open market as possible.

I'm just saying he should have asked for a trade knowing it was unlikely and let the FO wear the black hat and release him. Either that or just retire and pull a Brett Favre in June. Some things are better left unsaid (to the media). I honestly wish him the best (unless he goes to the Jets).

If he "retires" then the Patriots still own his rights at his current deal so "retiring" and coming back in June does nothing to solve the problem but wastes 3 months.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Random thought: do you think playing for the Patriots sometimes gives players an overinflated sense of their worth? I'm thinking specifically Welker and now probably Vince. Do you think anyone's going to pay him anywhere close to 11 million?

 

[SB39]

Random thought: do you think playing for the Patriots sometimes gives players an overinflated sense of their worth? I'm thinking specifically Welker and now probably Vince. Do you think anyone's going to pay him anywhere close to 11 million?

Probably not, but that certainly is much higher than what the Patriots are offering. His current deal gives him $7.5 million for this season. Patriots probably want to knock that down to $4 - $5 mil. So the question is: Does he think he can get more than that amount?

 

[Michael]

Don't let the door hit your achilles on the way out.

 

[borg]

It frightens me how closed minded fans get when they expect "their" athletes to take one for the team.....so lets do a little math.
Player A has earned $40 million in his career. After Fed, State, Local taxes lets now call this $20 million. Lets assume player has spent $10 million on agents, accountants, business managers, employees, houses, cars, toys, kids education, vacations, property taxes, monthly bills etc. This leaves $10 mill untouched. What kind of return can a player expect to earn each year on this $10 mill? A very cautious investor would invest in tax free municipal bonds earning at best 2% = $200k per year in tax free income. Maybe treasuries which would net 200-250k /year. Of course we know most of these guys likely have more risk tolerance seeking higher yields in stocks, business, etc...but my point is, many of these players live a lifestyle they cannot support once the game ends. What's another $5 mill?? Well another $5 mill might get them an additional $100k to $150k per year. Not a lot considering the player has to earn an additional $10 mill to save $5mill to earn $100k.
A friend of mine is a big time money manager in South Florida who specializes in pro baseball players. His clients are a whose who of 8 figure/year players...several have earned 9 figures over their careers......and he basically sets up an allowance that his clients draw from. The minimum goal is to not touch capital. Now many of these guys were able to get into bonds 5 years ago when the financial crisis presented some amazing yields, 5%-20%....that was 6 years ago and now yields are next to nothing, 1%-3%.
Bottom line....Taxes cut earnings in half.....and rich peoples expenses are expensive. Players today need to earn much more to create a sufficient sustainable income stream.

 

[SB39]

It frightens me how closed minded fans get when they expect "their" athletes to take one for the team.....so lets do a little math.

+1 and I've made the same argument myself many times.

I think what happens is the typical fan sees all these contracts as being "more money than I can ever earn in my entire life" so all those contracts are simply equal in their eyes. IOW, to these fans, $6 million is as good as $8 million since it's all simply an unimaginable, incredibly high, way-more-than-I'll-ever-make figure.

It is very easy to sit on the sidelines and say you'd take less money when you're not the one who is really making decisions worth millions of dollars.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Pretty disappointed in him if you ask me. Sure football players have every reason in the world to chase the money, but if a guy like Brady the most important player on the team restructures his contract to a friendly team deal why can't Wilfork do it as well? Considering this after having an Achilles injury for a big guy. Then again Tom has the luxury of having a wife who is one of the richest women in the world , but either way this disappoints me it also saddens me you'll be missed Vince as long as you don't go to the Broncos.

Because Wilfork isn't married to a soon to be billionaire super model haha

 

[Joker]

take WHAT for the team???..he TOOK 8 million for ZERO production in 2013. He can take his 400+ pounds and torn achilles into the open market. He got PAID the past four years, or am I missing something? He wants out, that's his prerogative. For YOU to cast aspersions on the Patriots is ridiculous...but then almost every hate filled post you make about the Pats is off the chain anyway...carry on ,burg

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

+1 and I've made the same argument myself many times.

I think what happens is the typical fan sees all these contracts as being "more money than I can ever earn in my entire life" so all those contracts are simply equal in their eyes. IOW, to these fans, $6 million is as good as $8 million since it's all simply an unimaginable, incredibly high, way-more-than-I'll-ever-make figure.

It is very easy to sit on the sidelines and say you'd take less money when you're not the one who is really making decisions worth millions of dollars.

Take that, Tedy Bruschi!

 

[letekro]

It frightens me how closed minded fans get when they expect "their" athletes to take one for the team.....so lets do a little math.
Player A has earned $40 million in his career. After Fed, State, Local taxes lets now call this $20 million. Lets assume player has spent $10 million on agents, accountants, business managers, employees, houses, cars, toys, kids education, vacations, property taxes, monthly bills etc. This leaves $10 mill untouched. What kind of return can a player expect to earn each year on this $10 mill? A very cautious investor would invest in tax free municipal bonds earning at best 2% = $200k per year in tax free income. Maybe treasuries which would net 200-250k /year. Of course we know most of these guys likely have more risk tolerance seeking higher yields in stocks, business, etc...but my point is, many of these players live a lifestyle they cannot support once the game ends. What's another $5 mill?? Well another $5 mill might get them an additional $100k to $150k per year. Not a lot considering the player has to earn an additional $10 mill to save $5mill to earn $100k.
A friend of mine is a big time money manager in South Florida who specializes in pro baseball players. His clients are a whose who of 8 figure/year players...several have earned 9 figures over their careers......and he basically sets up an allowance that his clients draw from. The minimum goal is to not touch capital. Now many of these guys were able to get into bonds 5 years ago when the financial crisis presented some amazing yields, 5%-20%....that was 6 years ago and now yields are next to nothing, 1%-3%.
Bottom line....Taxes cut earnings in half.....and rich peoples expenses are expensive. Players today need to earn much more to create a sufficient sustainable income stream.

First of all, I think you are completely missing the point. Most here don't expect Wilfork to stay against his best interests, rather they expect him to be reasonable and realize he is not going to get anything close to his scheduled salary anywhere else. In response to your post, I might also add that athletes are well aware of the limitations on their future earning potential and should reduce expenses accordingly. You are going to have a hard time finding people who are sympathetic to this particular cause.

 

[SoCal Pmen]

Let's face it, once he suffered the type of injury that he did most fans and even the coaches knew at that point that his contract and playing days were probably numbered. I don't know of too many 300 lb+ players to come back from an injury like that. Also, I recall that he wasn't playing all too well prior to that injury last year and there was some discussion as to whether that contributed to him playing hurt or whether he was already in decline. Whatever the case, I don't see too many teams rolling the dice on him and this is his last ditch effort to get as much as he can so for that I don't fault him. I could see teams like Buffalo, Miami or Houston taking a chance at him. I could even see a scenario where the Pats do cut him, he tests the market and ends up coming back to the Pats on a team friendly deal to finish out his career. I really hope he does come back at some point with the organization in a playing or coaching role.

 

[heavyde050]

It frightens me how closed minded fans get when they expect "their" athletes to take one for the team.....so lets do a little math.
Player A has earned $40 million in his career. After Fed, State, Local taxes lets now call this $20 million. Lets assume player has spent $10 million on agents, accountants, business managers, employees, houses, cars, toys, kids education, vacations, property taxes, monthly bills etc. This leaves $10 mill untouched. What kind of return can a player expect to earn each year on this $10 mill? A very cautious investor would invest in tax free municipal bonds earning at best 2% = $200k per year in tax free income. Maybe treasuries which would net 200-250k /year. Of course we know most of these guys likely have more risk tolerance seeking higher yields in stocks, business, etc...but my point is, many of these players live a lifestyle they cannot support once the game ends. What's another $5 mill?? Well another $5 mill might get them an additional $100k to $150k per year. Not a lot considering the player has to earn an additional $10 mill to save $5mill to earn $100k.
A friend of mine is a big time money manager in South Florida who specializes in pro baseball players. His clients are a whose who of 8 figure/year players...several have earned 9 figures over their careers......and he basically sets up an allowance that his clients draw from. The minimum goal is to not touch capital. Now many of these guys were able to get into bonds 5 years ago when the financial crisis presented some amazing yields, 5%-20%....that was 6 years ago and now yields are next to nothing, 1%-3%.
Bottom line....Taxes cut earnings in half.....and rich peoples expenses are expensive. Players today need to earn much more to create a sufficient sustainable income stream.

I agree with what you posted but let's be reasonable. If any individual cannot live on $10 million as in your example then he/she should like at his/her spending. I do not fault athletes for chasing the $ but it is inaccurate to paint the picture that rich athletes are hurting while playing (unless they blew their money)

 

[Danger Zone]

Random thought: do you think playing for the Patriots sometimes gives players an overinflated sense of their worth? I'm thinking specifically Welker and now probably Vince. Do you think anyone's going to pay him anywhere close to 11 million?

No, but I do think that in both cases, Wilfork and Welker felt they were "owed " the respect of being paid for over-performing on their previous contracts -Wilfork especially had a very long Rookie contract for example.

And as such, I think they both were both insulted that the Patriots weren't willing to overpay out of loyalty for their past performances.

I just think hurt feelings/wounded pride as such is one of the sad casualties of having a Salary Cap.

 

[woolster22]

I agree with what you posted but let's be reasonable. If any individual cannot live on $10 million as in your example then he/she should like at his/her spending. I do not fault athletes for chasing the $ but it is inaccurate to paint the picture that rich athletes are hurting while playing (unless they blew their money)

If you were handed ten million at twenty three years old you wouldn't burn up a couple million on a house, vacations, toys, etc? Leaving a few million to live off while unable to earn anywhere near what you are accustomed to?

I can't remember the exact stat, but a frightening majority of ex nfl players go broke within years of being out of the game.

 

[50-yard-line]

It frightens me how closed minded fans get when they expect "their" athletes to take one for the team.....so lets do a little math.
Player A has earned $40 million in his career. After Fed, State, Local taxes lets now call this $20 million.

Way too big a cut. State taxes are deducted from Federal taxes, and celebrities can add all kinds of loopholes. Those "foundations" for example, offer HUGE tax breaks because they give the celebrity tax deductible "value" for their name and time.

Lets assume player has spent $10 million on agents, accountants, business managers, employees, houses, cars, toys, kids education, vacations, property taxes, monthly bills etc.

Bolded are all 100% tax deductible.

A guy making 40 million over the course of a 10-year career should be doing just fine. You make some valid points, but even in underestimating the leftover because of the tax situation, you're basically saying the guy can have a $200k/year tax free income.

They get into trouble when they think they can go into business and use their own cash.

 

[heavyde050]

If you were handed ten million at twenty three years old you wouldn't burn up a couple million on a house, vacations, toys, etc? Leaving a few million to live off while unable to earn anywhere near what you are accustomed to?

I can't remember the exact stat, but a frightening majority of ex nfl players go broke within years of being out of the game.

I agree and have heard that there is an alarming rate of athletes that end up broke. But the athletes that end up broke, would end up broke making $11 million or $6 million.

It is not about the $. It is about fiscal responsibility.

Sorry to get off topic. I always loved wilfork and he was a great player. I wish he would stay, but his current cap number is too high. That happens in business.

 

[ausbacker]

It saddens me a little to see the relationship come to this point however, losing Wilfork at the expense of gaining Revis, who is younger and a three down player makes business sense. Keep in mind, I've lobbied to keep Wilfork time and time again.

If losing Wilfork means the Patriots can get faster, more athletic and frankly younger on D, then so be it. I'll miss watching the big guy crush the interior of the line but I support the Patriots first and foremost.

Good luck Vince. You're one of my favorites.