Vince Wilfork in focus

If history is any indication, Wilfork will sign before September and get injured in the first half of the season. This happens all the time; guys underestimate how much they depend on the off-season and pre-season to be in shape for the real games.

Come back soon, Vince... the sooner the better!

and really could you ask anything more from him? this is a business, both sides are showing the other respect, I think a deal can get done.

Please someone explain why the Patriots (unless no one has revealed the truth) have not shown any interest or at least even talked to Wilfork's agent to gauge where they are, extension-wise?

Can athletes find some other cliché than the "family" card? One or two years of service for elite athletes in this situation sets them and their family up pretty well. Come on people, substitute "family" for "ego" and you have the real story. I love Vince, and I'm pretty sure he and the Pats will get this done. But professional athlete's, PLEASE don't use the family card. This reasoning is a second cousin to the famous "gotta eat" phrase spoken by another Patriot not too long ago.

When did we pick up a 2nd Richard Seymour??

Big Vince will be the kind of guy who will show up to the mandatory meetings/practices , play his butt off the whole year and then get paid what he deserves. Good luck Vince, see ya in the middle this year.

Give him a reasonable contract now -stop fiddling around! This guy is a warrior and a class act!

They will sign vince, as he said he's not looking to break the bank. I feel Ron Brace was brought into replace seymore, whom I feel they will be unable to resign, but we'll see.

It amazes me how the country is in the middle of all this financial turmoil and a pro football player who is most certainly making more then enough money to live comfortably, is holding out on signing his contract for more money. I mean how much money so these men have to make before it is unreasonable. He also shouldn't expect his fans to feel bad for him as tickets are too expensive for most familys to afford.

Umm, can we get someone's second and third round picks for Vince? We know the Organization hates No. 1's.

HMMM I dont want a big contract, dont want to set the record for money, then sign for what they offer!

I am a die hard Patriots fan and a card carrying member of the "In BB I trust" fan club but, in the last few years, aside from Seymour and Moss what patriots have been re-signed when they were about to hit fee agency? Unless he take a below market deal, I don't think he gets signed.

Why are people whining for him asking for more money. It doesn't matter that people are losing their jobs in other sectors, this is the NFL and he's one of the best if not the best at his position. Look what the redskins just forked out. There's no doubt that him AND HIS FAMILY deserve more for his skill level at the NFL. You know what you call someone who doesn't say anything a sucker. I'm glad he's standing for his position AND still willing to go play for his team and not let them. What more can you ask for?

Why do people get on players' cases when they want to be paid? They contribute quite a bit to the revenue stream that is the NFL. Teams get to circumvent the market by instituting a draft, so players who have outperformed their rookie contracts have a right to squawk, IMO.

I think another team will sign him and pay a bundle. The Pats just can't wrap that much money up on the defensive line. They drafted Brace in the 2nd round not to be a backup. They have nobody to take the reigns from Seymour (Brace is a NT; Green will be a UFA). Extend Seymour! He'll be cheaper anyway.

isnt this jerk under contract right now? Dont people have to honor their contacts? Why does he need a new contract right now? Let him sit out the whole year and get fat. Then see what he gets next year.

Hey Vince - you signed a SIX YEAR deal. Shut up and play. The Patriots frankly have ZERO incentive to sign you to a fat extension. The fact that you are pulling this crap is reason enough not in itself. You better get in shape and play hard, cause your next contract is going to based on this season and right now teams are steering clear of idiots, unless you want to play in Buffalo.

"Get fat?" Is that future tense?

Why are all of the non football playing so called loyal fans of the Pats posting comments because a player is trying to get the best dollar he can get for his contract. Yes they are Pro Athletes but at the same time one play there careers could be over they could be hurt to the point they need care for the rest of there lives so if you never been in there shoes don't talk about what you don't know.And if you don't like what the team pays them no one is forcing you to watch are go to the game you do because you enjoy the entertainment they provide so stop playing fantasy GM.Also they don't come to your office telling your boss don't give him are her a raise because he are she makes enough money already. So leave the business side to the people in charge and enjoy the Pats and hope this situation is resolved because we need Vince & Logan & Richard as well.

If you are justifiably outraged at these players' salaries and want to take action then your only recourse is to stop watching the games, cancel your cable subscription, stop buying tickets to the games, and stop buying NFL merchandise. I know, wishful thinking...

Jason - that's just it: the Patriots have offered VW - wait for it - NOTHING! As of now, the Pats are sitting tight.

Now I appreciate that the looming "capless" season complicates matters for both sides, but I'm firmly with those who appreciate VW, and believe 1. a successful 3-4 is predicated on a capable/reliable NT 2. he's as good as they come in today's NFL 3. Ron Brace has a long, LONG way to go before we can evaluate his future on this DL

And another thing: enough with the "let's bag the NT and just switch to a 4-3".
Ain't gonna happen under BB, at least not as a base defense for any significant period.

I think the Pats should package VW in a VW bug and farfenugen him outa here

Nefarious, I looked up ignorant in the dictionary and I saw a huge picture of you there. Stop with the "These are pro athletes, sports are recession proof B.S." It doesn't matter how talented he is, the fans DO pay his salary. Do you not understand economics? Look at the the empty seats at Yankee stadium, and realize you can't just hand players whatever they want. There is also a salary cap you imbecile. The cap limit is $127, 997,000. Their current payroll will be $124,387,868 Leaving them with just over 3.6 million to spend. How much do you suggest they pay him? He's looking for over 5 million a year, which means they would have to cut salary from somewhere else, taking away depth from other positions. Noseguard is a very important position in the three/four system, and we need him, but Vince has to realize a few things. 1)The economy is affecting pro athletes salaries. 2) In order to be a championship calibur team and a good team guy, sometimes you need to take the hometown discount and make up the difference filming a few local TV commercials. Make your agent do something for his 5% of your pie!
3)The Patriots have gotten to be the best run organization in all of sports by knowing when to let a guy go before he wants the huge money.
Look at Ty Law, Look at Lawyer Milloy, Asante Sammuel. I bet you were up in arms when they let those guys go, as many fans who don't understand economics were. Fortunately, both turned out to be great decisions. If we kept Sammuel, there is absolutely no way that NE could sign Wilfork. ZERO CHANCE.
So while vince is comfortable here, I think he should think of maybe taking a short term deal for say 3.5 million the 1st year, 4.5 the second and 5.5 the 3rd. It's not quite Haynesworth money, but Vince isn't as good. I'd rank Vince 4th in the league at nose tackle behind Haynesworth, Kevin Williams of the Vikes, and Haloti Ngata of Baltimore.

Hey H.L. If I signed a contract at work, and then went up to the boss with one year remaining on my contract and asked for a raise, do you know what the boss would say? Probably........he'd say....no. We'll go over it next year when the contract that you signed has been honored by you. dork.

Why isn't it ever the white guy who is unhappy with his contract situation ? Doesn't the white guy have a family to take care of as well ? It's always the black dude using the "family" card. You signed a contract with length and dollar terms, own up and play it out. Or, maybe you bought some Bengal Tigers that need filet mignon on a daily basis. Stick to your word you weak sons of bitches.

TERMINATE HIM IMMEDIATELY SO EH CAN GO OFF INTO THE SUNSET AND MAKE 30K PER YEAR AS WE ALL LAUGH !!!!

Hey Vince, why not be a man of HONOR and fulfill the contract YOU signed. If you don't show up, you are a loser.

Give the man what he wants a fair contract he deserves it

hey mikeinNH,

how do u know what they offered him? I bet there was a 3 or 4 year offer for say like 2 mil a season, and he wants a "big contract" dont let him fool ya, i say let him go, just like many others who wanted big money and have dont nothing with the new team that signs them...

Jason - none of us "know" ourselves, but in MikeR I trust.
One thing both camps agree on: there have been NO discussions. So what exactly leads YOU to "bet there was a 3 or 4 year offer for say like 2 mil a season"?
And what do you propose the Pats do if they "let him go"

"dont have nothing when the new team signs them"?
Doesn't Assante Samuel demonstrate that truly talented players can flourish beyond the Pats if they stay healthy?

So far, VW is being perfectly reasonable saying despite his respect for his fellow players, coaches and even ownership he JUSTIFIABLY feels underpaid/deserving of a raise and only seeks the SAME THING OTHER PATS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN GIVEN: a contract extension.

Hey Bud if you had a contract at your job and you out performed your contract and you had Balls you would expect a raise as do Vince but being you are a corner brown nosing spinless jelly fish that would be afraid to ask for extra napkins at a Mc Donalds i understand your tough guy stance. But just to let you know dip stick it's part of the business in pro sports so get a grip cheerleader. As for the racist prick who made the smart comment why it's never the white guys that whine about contracts news flash check your records a certain DE that was traded to the Vikings and the list can go on so enough with the race B.S. o.k . Pats need Vince and he wants to stay a Pat so let the Patriots brass handle this and you fantasy GM's stop with the nonsense because when the season comes around and he's having a Pro Bowl type season you'll be riding the guys jock and you know it. So fair contract and let him do his thing for years to come and keep that core D Line together.

sorry vince, but i dont get you...

YOU HAVE ONE YEAR LEFT ON THAT CONTRACT SO SHUT UP AND GO TO WORK.

in 2010, if something hasnt been signed, i'll side with you.

My God people...lighten up a little. You're all so quick to jump on Vince with nonsense like "honor your contract", "get a real job", "the country is in a depression". I'm sorry, how many of you willingly worked below your fair market value without complaint or desire to make what you think you deserve? If you could negotiate a raise, wouldn't you? Get off your high horses. Accept what they offer? What would that be? Anybody...anybody? Right....IF there is an offer on the table, about 4 people in the universe know about it! And guess what, they are not leaking details.

How often do players sign 'contracts' in the NFL that, maybe a year or two in to a 4 year deal...the TEAM decides they don't want to pay it anymore...guess what, THEY GET CUT! This is how business is done in the NFL, pull your heads out of your behinds and pay attention. If you don't get what you are worth RIGHT NOW, you ARE NOT GOING TO GET IT EVER! Teams NEVER pay for what has been done, they pay for what a player is worth NOW, with an eye on the future. Declining players get declining contracts, even if coming off a good/decent year. Players get cut when not performing up to their contract, but are blasted when wanting a raise because they are (in this case, HAS BEEN FOR A WHILE) outperforming their current contract! Consistency people, ignorance and hypocrisy are NOT becoming.

If VInce blows out his knee tomorrow, are the Patriots going to step up and say, "Here's 10 mil for your hard work and dedication over the past five years, sorry your career is over." Um, no. Get it now, or live with never having it.

Assante Samuel lol oh yeah he is such a great player now, you dont even hear his name, whats wrong with you, go ahead name 3 players that left for "more" money that have done a damn thing with there new team, and yes i say let him go, we have an uncapped year coming up (maybe) and we have to plan for that, F him and his big contract, we may have 5 of our staring oline becoming FA after this season, u dont see a problem with that??????? lets dump all the money into one player, this is why your not the coach!

Jason,
1. I haven't read any pro-Wilfork posts on this board advocate "dumping all the money into one player", myself included. I just would like to see the two sides begin talks.
2. As you haven't "heard his name", allow me to update you on Samuel's performance with the Eagles (from Wikipedia):
"Asante Samuel will make his 2nd appearance in the pro bowl and 1st with the Philadelphia Eagles. On January 4, 2009, Samuel returned an interception for a 44 yard touchdown, his fourth interception returned for a touchdown in the postseason which set a NFL record.[6] The following week, Samuel picked off Eli Manning, returning the ball to the Giants' two-yard line.[7] This marked his seventh career postseason interception, which after Rodney Harrison's retirement is the most career postseason interceptions among active players. Samuel and Harrison are now tied at fifth in NFL history for career postseason interceptions.[8]"

mikeinNH = no clue

Wilfork deserves a new contract,he is the most dominant player at his position. I really wish the Pats would sign him already i dont want to lose another great player. Although i think his loss would be less of an impact than Asante samuel was,id still like to see him in a pats uni for at lest five more seasons. If Wilfork cant be resigned then i hope they can franchise him and get good value at the end of the year.

We don't want Vince to Go either But it is ABOUT time he acts like a Patriot and start working out w/ the Team Vince Just suck it up and It is about time you stop acting like spoiled 2 yr old