http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=4863296 So we may know in the next couple weeks if Wilfork will be available or not. I'm sure we'll take a look, but how closely? He'd be asking for a lot of money. Probably close to what Haynesworth asked for. I think that's too much, but it sure would be nice to be able to concentrate on LB in the draft
I doubt Miami will sign him just because he seems like he is going to sign with whoever will give him the most money.
Definitely think he'd be worth the money though given his ability and age - and I have a hard time seeing him asking for Haynesworth type money. Is a 3-4 NT really a 3-down type of player like Haynesworth?
A couple of observations after reading this article. 1. Did the writer write this with a straight face:.."For Wilfork, the franchise tag -- which is a one-year deal -- also means a missed opportunity to gain long-term financial security for his family."...... I'm thinking the franchise tag includes around 7+ million dollars. In my own little world this amount of money would allow me that "long term financial security". 2. The Pats will not let him go for free. I just cannot see that happening, period. Anyone trading for Wilfork is going to give up high draft picks and then still have to pay the guy a monopoly money contract.
Granted, but I'd be curious to see how many times he's played on 3rd downs throughout his career. I could be wrong, but in passing situations, I was under the impression the Pats used Richard Seymour - before the trade - along with guys like Jarvis Green, Mike Wright, etc. to play in the middle and traditionally brought in extra LBs or DBs for the majority of Wilfork's career.
give him 80 million next year for all i care. front load it while there's no cap. profitability is not one of my chief concerns regarding the phins.
There are quite a few Nose Tackles who can actually make an impact pass rushing, and Wilfork isn't one of them. There are guys who have more sacks in a year than he has in his career.
Fair enough, but he's much better than anything we have right now and a guy like him in the middle on 1st and 2nd downs will open up more 1-on-1's for our DEs and LBs on pass plays. So, that much, he'll definitely bring to the table. And his run stopping speaks for itself
Is Richard Seymour available now he spent the season with the Raiders he might enjoy meeting the Pats 2 times a year since they kicked him out the door.
I get the feeling the guy just wants his money for a few years and then wants out. He doesnt seem to care who he gets his money from.
If nothing else this is good for us. The Pats will not retain him next year. If we can capitalize on it, all the better. But if they Franchise him, no one is going to buy into his high asking price and high cost of draft picks. Meaning he's likely going to miss his once in a lifetime opportunity of a uncapped year. That's some serious cause to be pissed off at the team that locked you up. If they don't Franchise him, he's a UFA, he can do whatever he wants. So the Pats have two choices. Royally screw over a player, who will likely resent them this entire year for it. Or cut him loose. I'm pretty sure that they're going to franchise him, because lets face it, the NFL is a business. But if we have the opportunity, might as well see if we can spend money and save a draft pick.
Would you kindly provide some better options. Shooting down a proposal without providing counter proposals is pointless. -Ferguson had a major knee injury and may retire -Soliai doesn't cut it for a team that's trying to make the playoffs -Tony McDaniel also won't cut it as a 3-4 NT -Casey Hampton is up there in age and may also not be the best option -The 2 top DTs in the draft will be gone before we pick Here's the rest of the list of DT FAs http://profootball.scout.com/a.z?s=127&p=9&c=12&yr=2010&nid=83&lnid=83&rc=16&pid=22
No? Soliai was at least as good as Ferguson, and had some games he was absolutely dominant(Jets #2). Solai is a legit choice to start. I'd rather they sign Justin Bannan and Ryan Pickett by far and away as well. And then there's the draft, of course.
I think Wilfork is worth grabbing (and overpaying) because he's a great player, and because he plays for a division rival. Taking him away from the Pats is is almost as sweet as having him in Miami. He can play the Nose, or either end spot. He can partner with Solai @ DT in a 4-3, allowing Starks/Taylor or Starks/Wake etc to play end. Cutting Porter and Wilson will save at 7 million or so without hurting the talent on the team, if that money can be sent to Wilfork or Dansby, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
Im not so sure. Those type of guys, Antono Bryant, Julius Peppers, Albert Haynesworth, either make it known piblicly, or they tend to have mediocre seasons until they hit thier contract year only to explode, collect a big check and then return to half-arseing it. Wilfork has played well throughouth most of his career, and he's a little young to be thinking retirement already. Of course he wants a big bonus that'll give him injury/release security, but a player of his caliber deserves as much.
I disagree completely. I think our run defense dropped considerably when Ferguson went down. Soliai did an admirable job I guess, but certainly not as good as Ferguson IMO and not nearly as good as Wilfork. I'm happy with Soliai as a backup, but not comfortable with him starting Really? You'd rather sign Bannan and Pickett by far and away over Wilfork? It seems like your just saying this to dispute my argument. And btw, none of the 3 guys you mention appear to have ever put as much pressure in the pass game as Wilfork. Nowhere near in fact. I'd rather not have my starting DT in 2010 be a rookie. Call me crazy, but I think the Dolphins have a chance to compete for the playoffs next year and sticking a rookie there knocks our chances down a few notches
I dunno what basis you're disagreeing on. The overall run defense went down, but the bad games during that time period came generally when teams ran heavily off-tackle or out of passing formations Soliai wasn't on the field for. The team also had its best run defense days with Soliai the sole NT, vs. Jacksonville and Tennessee. Even without questionable linebacker play, holding MJD and Chris Johnson below 4.0 ypc is a big feat. First of all, I didn't say those players were better pass rushers than Wilfork, I said I'd rather the Dolphins sign them than Wilfork. I'd also like to see the basis for your suggestion that they produce nowhere near as close as pass rush as him, either.
I know how much you question PFF for their ratings, but solid stats such as QB pressures, hits, and sacks are pretty accurate. The past 3 years, the combined number of Pressures, Hits, and sacks are: Wilfork: 37 Picket: 18 Bannan: 22 Of the three, he had the most sacks (4), and pressures. All 3 had the same amount of QB hits.
Is Justin Bannan capable of holding down the NT. I know he's excellent as a 3-4 run-stopping DE. The transition in a two-gapper shouldn't be all that different. I'm sure he could gain ten pounds as well. The man has tremendous leverage, is a tough worker, and he's durable. Bannan is a guy who could provide versatile depth at NT and DE. He'd probably cost 4m a year for a few years. Wilfork would on the other hand cost 9-10m a year for six years I'd say. That's the reason Disgusty would rather have Bannan. If you could sign a Justin Bannan, a Larry Foote, and trade for a Tony Scheffler you'd still be paying less than Wilfork. All of those three are capable of starting and playing very well. Also the two defensive players won't cost much more than those that they're replacing.
If money is the issue and we don't want to overpay for a guy that could potentially hang em up after he gets paid, I totally understand that. But, and maybe it's just the way I took his posts, they come off as if those players can produce at near the level of Wilfork, which is where I disagree. I think Wilfork is on another level than those guys.
I'd tend to agree. As a backup he's an excellent contributor to have if you have say a middle round pick, Soliai, and Bannan on the line.
Those numbers are a bit skewed. Bannan's had eighteen starts the last three years and has been primarily in a rotational role. Wilfork's got 45 starts the last three years. This year, they had just about equal reps. Last year, Bannan had nearly 150 less reps than Wilfork. Pickett's got 39 starts, so that's more comparable, but he hasn't had the reps the last three years. He had nearly 500 less reps in 2007 than Wilfork. Last year they were one rep apart. This year, one hundred less reps for Pickett.
Bannan has been in the league longer than Wilfork and hasn't really seen much action until the past 3 years. He's also 2 years older. Is he a late bloomer or is there a reason why he didn't see much action the first 4-5 years of his career? I'm all for getting a guy like Bannan if he comes at a much cheaper rate than Wilfork, which he should. But I still don't think he's at Wilfork's level, who has been consistent for so long
I'm not sure what the reason is for Bannan's lack of playing time early but I have watched him with the Ravens on a few occasions and he's good. Good one gap nose, who fights hard, is quick off the line and can do some nice things for you. I don't think Disgustipate was saying that Bannan is at Wilfork's level. He said he would rather have Bannan than Wilfork because he's cheaper and can be more effective in this scheme, assuming it's still a one gap.
I think it's got alot to do with the overall depth the Ravens have on their DL. They've got three guys who are starter quality who can play NT.
I'll tell you one that thing you've alluded to in the past that's worth mentioning. Having a NT that could rush the passer is something that's often ignored. If you have a guy who demands a possible double-team in the pass rush it could be even more of a benefit that constantly searching through a field of OLBs that's sifted through by 14 other teams. Upgrading the pass rush doesn't always come from just the outside. Pressure from the inside is so destructive to pocket QBs that it can cause absolute hell for them when they can't step up. The guy I'm talking about that's a favorite of yours is Shaun Rogers.
I'd pass on Wilfork. He's just looking to get paid, doesn't care who from. We would be as well as drafting Mount Cody, he'd be way cheaper and Wilfork will resemble him in a year or 2 anyway. Give Wilfork that big contract and he might eat himself out of the league.
I thought about Shaun Rogers coming to Miami a while back. He's had some issues with Mangini, and even stated that he does not want to play with Cleveland anymore.
Vince Wilfork: Playing in Florida would be 'a dream' Here is some more on this. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...(Miami+Dolphins+/+South+Florida+Sun-Sentinel)
Eh I wouldn't read too much into that. I mean, what football player doesn't wanna get paid? I'll bet almost every guy that gets tagged curses the franchise out. The only difference is Wilfork stated his anger to the media. Others hide it inside.
Vince Wilfork becoming a Dolphin is unrealistic http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sport...sweblog+(Miami+Dolphins+|+Sun-Sentinel+Blogs)