What if? (Vince Wilfork)

[Doc-phin]

I know it is nearly insanity to consider that the Pats front office would allow this to happen, but it shouldn't be ignored how close Wilfork is to being on the market.  It seems like it is worth this forum discussing considering how many people think our 1st draft pick should be a nose tackle.

So what do you think?  Any legitimate chance Wilfork ends up in Miami within a year or two?

Personally, I think it is a long shot but the more I look at it the more I see it being possible.  I really think Wilfork loses patience quickly if the Pats delay.  To a good degree, they have already demonstrated they are not committed to giving him what a player of his caliber would normally get.

He would cost top dollar, but if he were available would you pay (long term that is)? 

[JVides]

Well, he's only 29, and these massive NTs seem to hang on well into their thirties.
He's a former 'Cane, which is always a good thing.
He's a monster, which is even better, but....

If it comes at the cost of a first and a third plus, say, a 7 year, $90 M contract, I'm gonna have to pass.  It pains me to write it, but that's QB money, not clog-the-middle money.

[Brian Fein]

I thought he was a FA this offseason?

I think it could be very realistic for him to be here.  It would be a homecoming for him, being a UM alum, and I could see him WANTING to be here. 

That said, I would think the Pats would do whatever they could to stop him from leaving, especially to a division rival.

[Fau Teixeira]

can't they just stick a franchise tag on him and prevent him from going anywhere ?

[raptorsfan29]

They can,

i remember reading that Wilfork doesn't want a franchise tag, and he says that it would be a slap in the face if the pats franchised tagged him.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Wilfork doesn't want to be tagged.   But don't think he is going to the Dolphins for a UM homecoming either.  If the doesn't come to terms with the Pats and Belichick doesn't tag him, then he will go to the highest bidder.  Parcells, like Belichick, is rarely the highest bidder, tending to perfer "value" over a high priced superstar. 

[MaineDolFan]

They can,

i remember reading that Wilfork doesn't want a franchise tag, and he says that it would be a slap in the face if the pats franchised tagged him.

Exactly correct.  He was on Dale & Holly on WEEI and made those comments.  I don't blame the guy.  He played out his entire SIX YEAR rookie contract and never said a peep about a re-do, more money, whatever.  They dude has earned the right to get his long term deal.

Pats fans up here, for once, are siding with the player versus the team (so it seems).  Vince did it the right way, worked his tail off.  He should be rewarded.  This is where the franchise tag isn't fair to the player.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Exactly correct.  He was on Dale & Holly on WEEI and made those comments.  I don't blame the guy.  He played out his entire SIX YEAR rookie contract and never said a peep about a re-do, more money, whatever.  They dude has earned the right to get his long term deal.

Pats fans up here, for once, are siding with the player versus the team (so it seems).  Vince did it the right way, worked his tail off.  He should be rewarded.  This is where the franchise tag isn't fair to the player.

My prediction (and hope).  Tagged and traded.  If he is disgruntled, no point in keeping him around.  But no point in letting him walk for nothing in exchange either. 

[Fau Teixeira]

there's always a stupid GM/owner around (hi dan snyder) that will overpay for a player. If the patriots try to tag/trade, i can tell you, a contender won't be where wilfork lands, it'll be with the clevelands of the world.

Of course, best scenario is that they do tag wilfork and he holds out until week 6.

[SportsChick]

He has said he either wants a long term deal in NE or for them to let him walk. I'm on his side. He worked his ass off, is one of the best NT in the game and never once grumbled about playing out his rookie deal.

Wilfork also spoke with Omar Kelly of the Sentinel, which is reported in the Boston Globe here: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extra_points/2010/01/wilfork_says_pa.html

[Brian Fein]

That's a horrible picture they used for the article.  Its a story about Wilfork and all you can see is half of his body and his arm.

Anyway, the article says "It would be unlikely that the Patriots would ship Wilfork to a division rival in Miami" but if he's a free agent, they don't have much say, do they?

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

and never once grumbled about playing out his rookie deal.

He had been grumbling for two years about his rookie deal and skipped the OTAs last season over it. 

Slap him in the face with a non-exclusive and then hope for the best case -- he signs with another team.  If not trade him. 

[MaineDolFan]

He had been grumbling for two years about his rookie deal and skipped the OTAs last season over it. 

Wait a tick...

You are bitching that someone skipped an OTA? 

OTA.

Really?

That isn't grumbling.  That is being human.  Please show me where he held out of something mandatory, like practive or a game - or demanded that his contract to be re done.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Wait a tick...

You are bitching that someone skipped an OTA? 

OTA.

Really?

That isn't grumbling.  That is being human.  Please show me where he held out of something mandatory, like practive or a game - or demanded that his contract to be re done.

I like the guy.  And he hasn't been an asshole or anything, but he has grumbled, often and repeatedly in the press about his contract.  I am okay with the grumbling, but he grumbled. 

[Fred Finstoned]

I think New England should pay the man. They let a lot of talent go last year and it came back and bit them in the ass!