Christopher Price ‏@cpriceNFL

Per @RapsSheet, safety Adrian Wilson is set to visit with the Patriots.

He won't leave without signing, that's my prediction.

 

Cardinals release safety Adrian Wilson

 

By Brian McIntyre | Shutdown Corner – Fri, Mar 8, 2013

 

The Arizona Cardinals announced that after 12 seasons with the franchise, veteran safety Adrian Wilson would be released on Friday.

“All of us thank Adrian for what he has meant not only to our organization but also to this community,” Cardinals president Michael Bidwill said in a statement released by the club. “In every franchise, there is a select group of players whose contributions earn them iconic status and for us, Adrian Wilson will always be one of those players. He joined us at a key time in our organization’s evolution and helped lead us into a new era.

"We will always be grateful for that and look forward to the day when he’s placed in the Ring of Honor at University of Phoenix Stadium alongside the other all-time great Cardinals."

The Cardinals selected Wilson out of North Carolina State in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Over the last twelve seasons, Wilson has missed just 11 games, posted 27 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, to go along with his 25.5 sacks. Wilson earned five trips to the Pro Bowl and was named to the All-Pro team on four occasions.

 

Wilson's release does not come as a surprise. Though he started all 16 games in 2012, Wilson had a reduced a role on defense towards the end of the season and appeared in under 80 percent of the team's defensive snaps. With the Cardinals bringing in a new coaching staff to replace Ken Whisenhunt, the team was looking to get younger and releasing a 34-year-old safety certainly fits with the plan moving forward.

Wilson had three seasons remaining on his current contract and was scheduled to receive a $1 million roster bonus on March 12. Wilson's roster bonus and $2.5 million base salary in 2013 were guaranteed for injury only. In addition to a $250,000 offfseason workout bonus, Wilson's release saves the Cardinals $3.75 million in cash and $3 million in cap space.

nice

Glad to hear this.  Like his game, hopefully he has something left in the tank.

In response to mbeaulieu07's comment:

Like Rodney.

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Adrian Wilson would like to play three more years

 

Posted by Josh Alper on March 11, 2013, 6:45 PM EDT AP

Safety Adrian Wilson’s long run with the Cardinals came to an end last week, but Wilson isn’t thinking about the end of his playing days.

Wilson said he had no hard feelings toward the Cardinals for the end of their 12-year relationship and that all he was thinking about now was his next stop. He’d like to play for a contender on the West Coast, something that he described as a “best-case scenario” while making it clear that he plans to be playing somewhere in 2013.

“A lot of people say a lot of different things about why I got shut down last year and all this other stuff, but the point is I feel like I still have three years left. That’s the reason why I signed that deal, was because I knew my time was running out and I know I can still play good ball,” Wilson said on XTRA Sports 910, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. But that’s not even an issue. It’s just all about finding the right fit and just moving forward, man.

Yes... please, please, please. He'd be the perfect compliment next to McCourty at SS. Brings swagger, attitude, confidence, and he adds a hard-hitting, talented presence at SS.

Add Wilson, Talib and another CB, and an interior DL, and this defense is Super Bowl caliber.

Then use the draft to add WR depth, and draft BPA on defense as well.

Good news . Lets get it done. 

Some great music!  laugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHOJfqq1yiM

 

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lucky. i hope you guys don't sign him. i want this dude!!

love it, he was my 2nd choice to Reed. (didn't think we had a shot at Goldy)

Hopefully they get this done.

Awesome news! I sure hope he signs with us!

Not sure how I fell apart this. Wilsons performance decreased a lot this past season to the point they didn't even use him in the nickel in the end. Reminds me of Springs all over again

oh weah

 

Adrian Wilson #24 S
Arizona Cardinals

2012 STATS

• Tot54
• Solo39
• Ast15
• FF1
• Sack3.0
• Int1

Safety  Adrian Wilson

Bio: Released by the Cardinals after 12 seasons, the 33-year old Wilson has been one of the best safeties in football during his career. He's been elected to five Pro Bowls and is one of just six players in NFL history with 25 or more sacks and 25 or more interceptions in his career. 

Role: Wilson has an imposing 6-foot-3 and 230-pound frame, which is more common among strong safeties than free safeties. While he was often aligned to the strength of the offensive formation for Arizona during the 2012 season, he also played as the middle-of-the-field safety in some of their single-high safety looks. 

Position skills: Wilson remains a dynamic proactive athlete with very good speed and unique instincts. He is an accomplished blitzer with good anticipation for snap counts and the strength to fight through blockers. He's a willing and forceful tackler who can be a big part of a run defense, though he can rely too heavily on shoulder tackles at-times. As a pass defender, Wilson lacks elite range and pattern-read ability, but can still make plays at the point of catch. He's not a liability in coverage. 

Patriots take: We'd argue that safety is not as pressing of a need for the Patriots as it may seem, as the team still has 2012 second-round pick Tavon Wilson to play behind Steve Gregory (assuming Devin McCourty remains at one safety spot). Wilson had struggles during his rookie season, but the team saw enough in him early to use him as a starter. Confidence will be the key. Wilson would add toughness and play-making to the defense, but safety is less of a need than cornerback at this point. 

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We need a corner or two also.

This guy is Rodney Harrison part deux. Huge stature, physical presence, brings swagger and a hard-hitting presence. Great in the box against the run, he can cover TEs, and he's instinctive and capable in pass-coverage.

Put number '37' on him and lighten his skin tone and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between him and Rodney.

They won't let him leave without a contract... same goes for Abraham. This is a big time upgrade to the secondary and defense as a whole.

In response to dreighver's comment:

Ummm...

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