Some comments on the comments
1. You don't have to go back "several years" to get some vintage Vince. He was elite as late as 2012, when he might have been the best all round defensive lineman in the league.
2. That being said, he didn't play well before he was hurt in 2013. And while his 2014 was remarkable in his comeback from an Achilles injury, it wasn't more than solid on the field.
3. At this point in his career, he's worth more to the Texans than he'd be to the Pats. But most of that $5MM was for his value in the locker room as much as they expect to get from him on the field.
4. Like most I'd rather see him be with Houston than any other team in the league. Some one called it "Patriots Southwest". I like that.
5. I have very mixed emotions when there was talk of him coming back. My heart wanted it to happen badly, while my head knew it was time to move on. I know he would have helped us, if he came back, but he also would have taken away snaps from guys who need them.
6. I also think it signals a fundamental change in our defensive philosophy. Regardless of the alignment, I think our defense is gong to be much more aggressive up front, and the things that Vince did so well, aren't going to be as valued as they once were.
7. There are still some very interesting DT names left in FA, and the draft is loaded with DT's as well.
8. I don't see Vince as a HOFer, but it's less about Vince's accomplishments or lack of them, and more about how the HOF voters seem not to value the things Vince was the best at. He was the best 2 gap NT of his time, and those writers couldn't give a crap about it. As for the Pats HOF - He's a first ballot lock.
