Which scenario for the Patriots and Vince Wilfork:

[oldrover]

I can see 4 things happening... if I've missed something, by all means set me straight.

1. Pats release him between now and training camp. I couldn't see them doing this at least until after the draft.

2. Pats release him during training camp. If he shows up looking like he swallowed Jonah, then this could happen. And should.

3. Pats do a Lawyer Milloy. Only see this happening if the Pats DO load up more in FA, and would HAVE to cut Vince (or get him to restructure) to reach the cap. That's the scorched earth strategy for the Pats... I would not like to see that happen, personally.

4. Pats don't cut him.

Personally, I think it's 4 (or 2 if he's the Hindenburg).

Your thoughts?

 

[50-yard-line]

5. Pats restructure him out 2 extra years, saving $4m on the cap this year, and easing him down over the next couple so he can retire a Patriot.

If he can still play at a high level, this is the preferred option, I think.

 

[SalemPats]

I'm probably of the minority, but i want to keep Vince

 

[Mack Herron]

I think he stays under a new contract which is not extended (he is too old) but with performance incentives.

 

[AzPatsFan]

5. Pats restructure him out 2 extra years, saving $4m on the cap this year, and easing him down over the next couple so he can retire a Patriot.

If he can still play at a high level, this is the preferred option, I think.

It is NOT an either or situation in re-negotiations. IMHO, Wilfork sensed the Patriots were asking for too much in concessions; and wanted to reset the parameters of re-negotiations. A middle ground could happen.

 

[Gronkandez]

Scenario 5. Trade him for a 1st round pick to Tampa Bay

Scenario 6. Package him with Mallet to get JJ Watt

I think he will redo his deal (which wasn't one of the options given.)

The Patriots have all the leverage. If they keep him until the day before the season starts Wilfolk will be SOL. They wouldn't do that but even if they waited until the first preseason game there wouldn't be much of a market for him.

 

[Snake Eyes]

He doesn’t seem interested in restructuring so why keep him? The earlier you release him the more time you have to make moves with the cap space he frees up.

 

[Froob]

wonder why he hasn't been cut yet. I suppose if we dont find anyone to spend the money on we might keep him. browser and Edelman came pretty cheap this year.

 

[Joker]

For Wilfork to stick, that achilles has to be tested, at the very least, during training camp. Wilfork does NOT want the Pats to hold on to him until August but he is powerless to stop them. I'd imagine Bob Kraft goes outside established parameters to attempt a fix to this situation. Then again,what precedent have we seen to believe this?...none that I know of.

 

[Stylez]

I love the dude. Absolutely love him. Been a beast and has definitely earned his cash. Living in the real world, he won't get it.

I would love a restructure and see him wind down the next 2-3 years (if he shows he can compete again at a high level).

But, unfortunately, it's not looking good and looks like it could be a bitter thing coming up. I hate that cause he was great for so long.

I would not be surprised to see them keep the contract also, they could do it with enough extensions and how they have structured their FA signings.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

It would be wrong for Kraft to insert himself and force a solution before training camp proves the heel seems OK or bad or some definitive medical test shows it failed to heal. There is critical data still missing to make a decision.

 

[JoeSixPat]

If Wilfork thinks he's getting $7.5 million (and a $11.6 million cap hit) coming off achilles surgery from the Patriots or any other team, he's crazy

Given that he'll still cost a $3.8 million cap hit if cut, it makes sense that he and the Patriots will come to some agreement, assuming the prognosis on his Achilles is good

But Vince needs to drop this game of chicken - no team is going to give him more than what the Patriots probably would - but he's NOT coming back here at that salary or cap hit.

 

[JMC00]

Pats are at $5.85m free in cap space without Edelman's cap hit. Gonna have to do something soon if they are looking to add more in free agency.

 

[BobDigital]

I honestly do not know what is taking the Patriots so long. Herny Melton - DT is on the market. Also right now he is better than Wilfork.

Cut Wilfork, sign Milton. This allows an upgrade + you have a few million left over. Also you can cut Wilfork sign Brian De La Puente (who is currently a better player) and have a few million left over to sign a low level DT to compliment your draftee.

Personally I am for going the Melton route.

 

[Patsrock]

I honestly do not know what is taking the Patriots so long. Herny Melton - DT is on the market. Also right now he is better than Wilfork.

Cut Wilfork, sign Milton. This allows an upgrade + you have a few million left over. Also you can cut Wilfork sign Brian De La Puente (who is currently a better player) and have a few million left over to sign a low level DT to compliment your draftee.

Personally I am for going the Melton route.

Probably because they don't want Melton?

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

I think the Pats should do as Vince wishes and cut him free while leaving the possibility open that perhaps they can talk future contract if/when Vince is healthy again. I can't imagine any team offering Vince up a hefty contract given his health and age concerns.

Use Vince's money to add J Allen.

 

[kennyb]

They should do the right thing and cut him.

If he won't take a salary cut and that's what they demand then cut him. They should have already worked this out and cut him.

How do you let him "test the achilles"? If he's in training camp and gets injured, doesn't he go on IR costing them the whole 7.5M?

The dead cost cap hit of 3.6M or whatever is irrelevent. That cost hits if he's here or not.

I don't think the "extend and reduce the cap hit" works. If he can't play, then you're looking at an additional 7.5M in cap hits for a guy you have questions about.

If you don't know if he'll ever be the same, you don't guarantee him 7.5M even if you can theoretically spread those cap hits over more than one year. Also he may not agree to the renewal year salaries. If they're much less than 7.5M, you take the risk he just retires after this year and then you a dead cap of 5M or so next year in addition to the 6.1M this year.

Best bet is to cut him and start anew.

 

[bagwell368]

I honestly do not know what is taking the Patriots so long. Herny Melton - DT is on the market. Also right now he is better than Wilfork.

Cut Wilfork, sign Milton. This allows an upgrade + you have a few million left over. Also you can cut Wilfork sign Brian De La Puente (who is currently a better player) and have a few million left over to sign a low level DT to compliment your draftee.

Personally I am for going the Melton route.

Melton is a fine player, but, with the latest signings we have little left under the cap, some of the savings from VW's contract has been spent - even if BB cuts Connolly and others. So, we can't afford another All Pro sized contract with the demands of FA's, camp cuts, bonus payments, and drafted and signed players.

VW has been great, but the business of the NFL forces us to move on.

 

[BobDigital]

Probably because they don't want Melton?

I know. I am just venting. Also they SHOULD want him. I am mad they don't.

 

[Stylez]

I think the Pats should do as Vince wishes and cut him free while leaving the possibility open that perhaps they can talk future contract if/when Vince is healthy again. I can't imagine any team offering Vince up a hefty contract given his health and age concerns.

Use Vince's money to add J Allen.

Allen doesn't want a part time role. I'd say with how BB plays it, looks like C.Jones/Ninko are entrenched there…even with cash, I don't know that Allen would be open to it.