Vince Wilfork Appreciation Thread

[borg]

If VW had only arrived in the league a half dozen years earlier and had a chance to play with those great Pats D players in their prime, Big Vince may have been considered an all time great....nationally. Too bad for all nose tackles that offenses transformed into a pass happy, spread'em out systems. The 3-4 NT became less vital and even a liability because of sheer size. Vince is a very good 4-3 DT but with blemishes (pass rush). He was a GREAT NT.....but the game changed

 

[mayoclinic]

Too bad for all nose tackles that offenses transformed into a pass happy, spread'em out systems. The 3-4 NT became less vital and even a liability because of sheer size. Vince is a very good 4-3 DT but with blemishes (pass rush). He was a GREAT NT.....but the game changed.

I'm not sure I completely agree with this. Vince was without doubt a great 3-4 NT, and will never be considered a pass rushing 4-3 DT. OTOH I think you can make a serious argument that he upped his game and had his 2 finest seasons in 2011-2012 when he was used as both a NT and DT in a hybrid defense and became more than just a space eater clogging the middle. I don't think he ever got recognition for how great he was in those 2 seasons, and how much the defense was built around him - something that was nicely spelled out in an oft-cited Grantland article written just before the 2012 SB game:

http://grantland.com/features/bill-belichick-vince-wilfork-new-england-patriots-defense/

Since that article was written, the Pats have amassed a wealth of talent and playmakers around Wilfork: Chandler Jones, Jamie Collins, Dont'a Hightower, Devin McCourty (on the 2011 team, but since moved to safety) and now Darelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Dominique Easley. If Wilfork can get back to anything resembling his 2011-2012 form, the defense should be something to behold.

 

[RayClay]

I'm not sure I completely agree with this. Vince was without doubt a great 3-4 NT, and will never be considered a pass rushing 4-3 DT. OTOH I think you can make a serious argument that he upped his game and had his 2 finest seasons in 2011-2012 when he was used as both a NT and DT in a hybrid defense and became more than just a space eater clogging the middle. I don't think he ever got recognition for how great he was in those 2 seasons, and how much the defense was built around him - something that was nicely spelled out in an oft-cited Grantland article written just before the 2012 SB game:

http://grantland.com/features/bill-belichick-vince-wilfork-new-england-patriots-defense/

Since that article was written, the Pats have amassed a wealth of talent and playmakers around Wilfork: Chandler Jones, Jamie Collins, Dont'a Hightower, Devin McCourty (on the 2011 team, but since moved to safety) and now Darelle Revis, Brandon Browner and Dominique Easley. If Wilfork can get back to anything resembling his 2011-2012 form, the defense should be something to behold.

Actually, due to a dearth of talent on the line, he played quite bit of 3-4 DE too. His career went a different direction, but he certainly was a penetrating DT when he came out of Miami.

I had to laugh when people proposed he could be "replaced" by whatever run stopping DT we picked up on waivers. Older and bigger perhaps, but he was never an average player, he's been a big man with immense talent and production.

Great article, thanks.

 

[IcyPatriot]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...ursday-meet-littlevince?ex_cid=espnapi_public

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...ursday-meet-littlevince?ex_cid=espnapi_public

 

[RayClay]

That kid's a winner.

If you want a real laugh and enjoyment, dig up the WEEI interview he did along with CJ Jones his high school teammate and marginal Patriot.

CJ plays his press agent, saying how he played every position, including RB, DB, punt returner etc. When the announcer expresses doubt, Vince gets all faux angry. You'll fall off your chair laughing.

No idea if anyone saved this thing, though.

 

[RayClay]

I can't believe i found this. The interview with Vince and his high school team mate friend CJ Jones.

Here's an appetizer from the Sons of Sam Horn...

I hope it makes it to the Audio Vault at WEEI.com. His buddy is actually a WR on the practice squad, CJ Jones.

Dear lord, Vince is now discussing participating in ballet-dancing while in college, and talking about running the option pitch as a RB, saying he "trusts his legs", and would never pitch the ball. This mental imagery is ridiculous.

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/topic/21380-weei-the-good-and-the-bad/page-4

Sit back and enjoy...audio below.

http://media.weei.com/a/15610340/vince-wilfolk-c-j-young-pats-dl-wr.htm#q=%22cj jones%22

 

[Mike the Brit]

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...ursday-meet-littlevince?ex_cid=espnapi_public

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...ursday-meet-littlevince?ex_cid=espnapi_public

Didn't just get his ... um, fashion sense from Bianca then.

 

[1960Pats]

The first time I knew anything about him was the day he was drafted. I have a very vivid memory of sitting in my car listening to his initial radio interview. I was very impressed by him then, but I never could have imagined what a player he'd become. He's right up there with Troy Brown as one of my favorite Pats of all time.