Wilfork & Seymour

One of the offseason football preview magazines addressed this issue. They had what I thought was an interesting point. They said that, while Seymour had a good 2008, he faded noticeably in December, and concluded that even though he isn't 30 years old he "seems to have the body of an older player" due to the demands of being a 3-4 end/tackle in the Pats system, as well as the injuries he has sustained.
I like Seymour a lot, but I do have less confidence that he would be a reliable fixture going forward into 2010 and beyond.

With the disclaimer that I voted for Wilfork in the poll, I wonder how much the emergence of Ron Brace in training camp could play into that dynamic. Obviously we don't know anything yet, but I don't see that ready made replacement for Seymour on the roster. Perhaps the team is preparing for Vince's departure, keeping in mind they could always pay up if Brace falters.

I’m going against the grain on this with a vote for Seymour simply because we don't have a succession plan in place. People keep asking, if not Brace, how would we replace Wilfork if he were to leave. I’ve got to say I think the logistics of replacing Seymour would be more difficult. We don’t have another player that compares to him in any way – and I frankly see very few around the NFL.
The downside is that he is slightly older and he’s going into his third contract but, to be frank, that may make negotiations easier.
Believe me, I wouldn’t want to lose Wilfork in any way. But I’d say there is a legitimate chance this will be his last season in New England. The market value for a guy whose job is essentially just to stand up and take on multiple blocks is outrageous.

Both players are equally important to the team. If the Patriots sign
either of them, it will probably be Wilfork because the price tag for Seymour
will be higher.

Look,

When you have Tom Brady and Randy Moss on your team at their high cap prices, you can't afford to keep everyone.

If the Patriots are even able to keep ONE we'll be lucky. The fact is, the Patriots got tremendous value out of the 18th pick in the 2003 or 2004 draft for Wilfork. If they can boost his salary this year and franchiase him next, great. But resigning Brady next year is what is keeping a deal from getting done now for Wilfork.

Seymour is hurt every year, and has hurt the cap figure each year much more than opposing quarterbacks.. I'd rather keep Wilfork.

Whoever is the cheapest

Seymour plays 3 downs, Wilfork plays two. What that really means is that Vince isn't part of the pass defense package and while run stuffers are important, a big fat guy who cannot be moved backwards is easier to find than dominating defensive ends. Seymour has been injury prone but last year he really seemed to bounce back. Either way this is the last year for the Big 3 to play together. I wish they had not given the money to Warren.

I voted Wilfork because I think he plays a more crucial position - I would rather gamble at DE than NT. But Seymour is the best 3-4 DE in the NFL, whereas Wilfork is 'only' in the top 3 of NTs.

If Seymour wants $10m/year (or more) then he'll probably be too expensive to re-sign, I'd rather have playmakers at OLB and another Ty Warren at Seymour's DE spot. Vince seems to be sensible about his contract demands, let's pay him.

Wilfork has overperformed his last contract and Seymour has underperformed his.

Mike - Do you know what the franchise numbers are for DT & DE? Maybe they'll sign one of those players and then put the Franchise tag on the other?

gotta go with Wilfork.....I like Seymour but he seems to miss time EVERY YEAR with some kind of injury or another.....and even when he's in there we aren't talking Reggie White or Bruce Smith here.....to tell ya the truth I think Richard is a little OVERRATED.......Love to have both but gotta have Wilfork in a 3-4 Defense

As a Steelers fan, let me chime in on this subject. I believe you need to sign Seymour. I know the 3-4 nose tackle is very valueable but you did draft Ron Brance. When Seymour is in the lineup, the Pats are better against the Run and get better pressure on QB. Seymour would be cheaper at this point. I believe Wilfork will command top dollar. The Steelers have one of the best 3-4 NT in Casey Hampton, who is a free agent at the end of the year and we did not draft his replacement. The Steelers drafted Hood as DE.
Remember guys, Brady contract needs to be addressed soon.....

Wilfork is younger and signing him means getting four of the best years of his career. Signing Seymour means maybe four more years of his prime but maybe four post-prime years for an already very injury prone player. I love Seymour and consider him one of the best Patriots of all time but if you have to make a choice between the two, I think it makes sense to give money to the younger guy at the top of his game.

That's my logicical answer but I have to say, its going to hurt a lot to see Seymour wearing Jets green or Mangini's brown.

When you draft a player in the 2nd round, especially a lineman, the hope is that he'll be able to start instead of being a career backup. So, in light of drafting Brace, throwing that much money at Vince Wilfork right now makes no sense. It would be inconsistent with their draft strategy.

I voted for Seymour. He should be significantly cheaper (fewer years, less money per year, less guaranteed money). And, when healthy, I think he's more of an impact player than Wilfork.

The fact that Seymour has already been paid a ton, and is coming off several "down" years (although it can be argued that injury and the statistical nature of 3-4 DEs contributed to that perception significantly) may give the Pats a window to sign both of them. The DE franchise number is markedly greated than the NT tender and if Seymour's contract demands are somewhat muted by his supposed underperformance recently, there is a good chance of getting them both done. Or at least getting Sey extended and franchising Wilfork at the lesser number. Wouldn't be a total shock.

Wilfork is irreplacable.

If either of these guys hits free agency, they are long gone. I'd do what Carolina did. Sign whichever one you can and franchise the other. Nothing personal.

Hey Pats/Sox/Celtics what about Bruins? I hate to lose either one but who I am really going to miss is my favorite : Rodney Harrison
What ever happens I will have thanks to Wilfork, Seymour, Harrison, Vrabel, Dillon, Bledsoe and others for their hard work and great moments on the team.

The Pats defense starts with a nose tackle so the answer is simply Wilfork.

Sign both. Thanks to this draft, the DBs are pretty well stocked. The DL has always been a strength of the team. Keep it that way. Sign Seymour to a 3yr extension, at the rate he was getting, and sign Wilfork to a 6yr deal.

The offense is a powerhouse. Sign these two and then focus on the LBs.