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What the departure of Wilfork will mean for Patriots

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Vince Wilfork was an elite player for the Patriots, especially from 2010-2012 when he became the ultimate piece on Bill Belichick’s defensive chess board. 

Belichick would move Wilfork around to take away a team’s strength and that covered up what were significant holes elsewhere in the defense. There was a time when Wilfork was viewed as nothing more than a 3-4 nose tackle, but Wilfork proved he was a three-down defensive linemen who could slide up and down the line and destroy multiple blockers.

But I also think that Wilfork became somewhat of a crutch for the Pats, and they essentially ran him into the ground. An injury like tearing his Achilles is really not all that surprising considering the wear and tear that added up on a man of Wilfork’s size.

Every year I felt the Pats needed to deepen their defensive tackle rotation and despite their best efforts (Albert Haynesworth, Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, Ron Brace) they could never find the consistency or ability next to Big Vince.

So what do the Pats do now?

Well, I don’t think they have to go out and replace his body type, i.e. draft Louis Nix III or sign BJ Raji. The fact is that Wilfork was special and he was a defensive lineman not a nose tackle. Most of all they need another defensive lineman and they need one who fits today’s game.

This is a passing league. The Pats are in their sub-package 60% of the time. For the 38% of the time they’re in their base and really need to stop the run, they can plug Sealver Siliga in at nose tackle and he’ll be fine.

But replacing Wilfork is about finding a defensive tackle who fits their sub-package. They don’t need one who can two-gap in their nickel defense for run protection, and really, that might be for the best. If that’s really a concern, Siliga can cover it if they’re getting run all over in sub.

As much as it hurts to say it, the pass defense with Wilfork at the forefront was the Pats Achilles (pardon the pun). Not to put it all on Wilfork, but firing up field and disrupting the interior of the offensive line was not his strength, especially after playing almost every down.

Wilfork’s departure is a chance to remake their nickel front and insert a player who isn’t just there for run protection, but can consistently bring pressure as part of a rotation. And it doesn’t just have to be one guy.

The Pats already have some good candidates on their roster in Chris Jones, Armond Armstead and Tommy Kelly, if he can return from his knee injury of last season.

Add another couple defensive tackles with varying specialties and the Pats should be well-set. They might not have a player of Wilfork’s caliber, but they’ll be better prepared to attack in the passing game, even if it’s at the expense of exposing themselves to the run a bit more.

Wilfork was a special player who allowed the Pats to do special things, there’s no question, but the Pats overused him and arguably mis-used him in their sub-package.

His release now presents an opportunity to redefine the Pats sub-package and the Pats defense could actually be better off for it.

Patriots hosting collection of Free Agents on Wednesday

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As the fallout from Aqib Talib signing in Denver settles, the Pats are regrouping in Foxboro by hosting a number of free agents that all fit their traditional free agency modus operandi – mid-range vets who shouldn’t break the bank and might blossom in an environment like New England.

The list:

  • Matt Shaughnessy, DE/OLB
  • Shelley Smith, OL
  • Wesley Woodyard, LB
  • Brandon Lafell, WR
  • Phil Costa, OL

All of these players are in-line with the needs the Pats have to shore up in free agency. Shaunghnessy is a potential rotational third defensive end in the Rob Ninkovich mold who can help take some of the heat off of Ninkovich and Chandler Jones. He is an Andre Carter upgrade.

Smith and Costa are experienced interior linemen who would provide depth and competition at the center and guard spots. Those are big needs and were areas of weakness for the Pats this past season.

Lafell has good size and has been trending upward in four seasons in Carolina. His ceiling and floor could be anywhere from starting to camp fodder, but he’ll be given a fair chance to compete.

Woodyard was a captain and is smaller than the Pats have traditionally wanted from their linebackers. He has upside and can play in space and would bring a new element to the Patriots linebacking corps. He is a Dane Fletcher upgrade, at least on the defense but not special teams.

This is how the Patriots operate. They fill their holes with veteran free agents that don’t break the bank. Sometimes those guys end up being Rob Ninkovich or Mike Vrabel. Other times they don’t make it out of camp. 

But it’s all part of the process of eliminating needs before the draft and building a roster that is solid from top-to-bottom.

And who knows, there might even be a splash move or two coming later today.

Aqib Talib signs huge deal with Denver Broncos

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The unthinkable has happened. The Denver Broncos, fresh off of signing safety TJ Ward earlier in the day, signed Aqib Talib to a six-year, $57 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, the highest guaranteed total ever given to a cornerback.

What can I say? The Patriots were never going to give Talib that kind of money. I don’t think there’s a Patriot fan out there who can honestly say he was worthy of that title, as good as he was.

I don’t want to be the Patriots fan who suddenly turns on a player as soon as they leave town, but the risks with Talib were significant.

Talib was an elite corner at the start of 2013. Then he hurt his hip for the second time in two seasons with the Pats and was not the same player again last season. Giving Talib that kind of contract is extremely risky and puts a lot of faith that the injury problems that have haunted him will not continue to do so… for six more years.

The hip continued to be an issue with him and while he was a model citizen since his arrival in 2013, we’ll see how this kind of money affects him. I still have bad memories of him going off the reservation against Steve Smith and the Panthers.

I viewed Talib as the most important internal free agent this offseason and now that he’s gone the Pats could potentially take a look at Darrelle Revis. Despite some positive reports, I find it a stretch to think the Pats will be willing to pay Revis what he will want to be paid. 

We can hope that that deal can get done, but I’m not holding my breath. I wrote last week that if given the choice I’d prefer Revis to Talib and as a fan of the game in general have always loved watching Revis play the game. He’s special, no question. I’d be ecstatic if the Pats could figure it out with him.

I liked Talib and the trickle-down effect he had on the secondary really improved things, but there are still plenty of front seven names on the market who could improve the defense as well. Let’s not forget, an elite front seven can cover up a lot of problems you may have in your secondary. 

Now we’ll get plenty of love for the Broncos from the national media which should make the rest of the offseason AWESOME. Especially if they sign Demarcus Ware as they’re rumored to. But let’s remember, it’s a long road to the Super Bowl and nothing is won in March. And it’s also refreshing to think of the Broncos in cap hell in a couple years, without Manning, trying to rebuild while cutting guys and having to watch players like Von Miller walk because they can’t afford to re-sign them. 

That will be for another season. For now, WOW THE BRONCOS LOOK AMAZING ON PAPER! YAY!

The Patriots will move on and continue to do what they’ve always done. Build a complete team, not just try to collect talent, and be ready to withstand the injuries and issues that are bound to pop up in one form or another between now and February.

Patriots Free Agency First Four Hours Wrap

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To the shock of only those with no long-term memory, the Patriots weren’t active in the first few hours of free agency. As is usually the case, the Pats were content to sit back and let the market play out and will begin to make their moves in the coming days, with a focus on the mid-range veteran free agents that they’ve built a decade-plus of success on.

The good news? Julian Edelman is still out there (he’s scheduled to take a trip to Baltimore) as is Aqib Talib. Those two guys were the internal priorities as I saw it and with each passing hour the odds the Pats will retain them should slowly increase.

The external priority? A third defensive end and the really good news is that there are some big names (who might be past their prime but still) available, including Demarcus Ware, Julius Peppers, Justin Tuck and Jared Allen (who is visiting with the Broncos).

The only veteran free agent I was really interested in for the Pats that signed elsewhere was Lamarr Houston, who signed with Chicago.

Otherwise, the Pats still have plenty of options and should get good value as the monster deals have mostly been handed out.

Could they make a play for one of those defensive ends? I sure hope so. The Pats don’t need a starter, they need a rotational player with Chandler and Ninkovich, and any one of those guys could be a viable option in that role and likely affordable, though we’ll see what kind of money they expect.

Still plenty of action to come in the next few days, but for now, the Pats’ patience continues and should pay off.