New England Patriots Links 1/31/11 - Vince Wilfork Remains Backbone Of Young Defense

by Marima on Jan 31, 2011 10:41 AM EST in New England Patriots News

Karen Guregian reports Vince Wilfork hates that his defensive line is no longer in the top-ranked category, but he accepts his role as the backbone for the young D to grow on.

"People move on. Sometimes it’s just the way the ball rolls. You can’t stay forever. Wish you could, but it don’t happen like that,’’ Wilfork said Friday, when asked about the line no longer being considered in the elite class. ‘‘I’m very happy with what we have. We have a bunch of guys who love to play football, who want to learn. And they learned most of the year.’’

"Sometimes you have to do that. As a leader, as a veteran, you just have to be a backbone,’’ Wilfork said following Friday’s AFC workout. "Sometimes I might not be in the best position to make plays, but to see the team grow, to see the defensive line grow, it was something special this season. And now, with Ty (Warren) coming back next year, that gets a little pressure off of me because he brings a lot to the table. So I’m very excited about the year coming up.’’

"The good thing with all that, [the young players] were forced to play. We couldn’t hold them back any longer to groom them. They were thrown in the mix because we needed them,’’ Wilfork said. "We didn’t know how it was going to turn out. Sometimes, it was OK. Other times, you could see the lack of experience, and the lack of knowing what we do. But during the course of the year, they grew. So you can’t complain about that. Now, they have a year, or in some cases, two years under their belt. They’re not rookies anymore. That’s going to be big for us.’’

TEAM TALK

Matt Smith files his report from the Pro Bowl, recapping Day 3.
Erik Scalavino reports Logan Mankins is pessimistic about returning.
Andy Hart and Paul Perillo debate whether or not the Patriots should pursue Chad Ochocinco.
Sarah Leong Oliver reports the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and CVS Caremark celebrated a $25,000 donation to the Special Olympics of Massachusetts.
Patriots Today - Welker's third Pro Bowl. (2.02 min. video)
Patriots Today - Pats team up with Special Olympics. (2.30 min. video)
WEEI - Bill Belichick gives an interview on 'The Big Show' on Thursday. (25.43 min. audio)

LOCAL LINKS

Christopher Price reports how the Patriots players performed in Sunday's Pro Bowl 55-41shootout.
Jason Kaneshiro wraps up the Pro Bowl after an AFC loss.
Pat Bigold reports from Honolulu on the NFC victory over the AFC in this year's sloppy Pro Bowl.
Karen Guregian notes Bill Belichick sought out Logan Mankins for a private chat following the Pro Bowl game last night, but Mankins wouldn't spill what it was about.
Jason Kaneshiro focuses on the reuniting of Peyton Manning and Bill Belichick at the Pro Bowl.
Kirk Minihane presents the case against Wes Welker being signed to a new contract this season.
Mike Reiss talks about the NFLN putting a camera on Wes Welker's helmet and mic'ing him up.
Karen Guregian reports that with the upcoming season in doubt, Wes Welker plans to keep going as if football will continue.
Karen Guregian notes Devin McCourty took his twin brother Jason along with him to the Pro Bowl.
Mike Reiss offers some quick-hit thoughts around the NFL and with the Patriots.
Mike Reiss notes Mel Kiper re-graded the Patriots 2010 Draft from a B-minus to an A-plus. Easier in hindsight, eh Mel?
Brandon Lawrence offers some observations from the Senior Bowl.
Karen Guregian notes Darrelle Revis thinks the Jets' gameplan vs the Patriots is bound to be copied.
Ian Rapoport looks at some hot topics heading into the hype storm that builds the week before the Super Bowl.
Tom E. Curran reports Bill Belichick calls in to WEEI and laments missed opportunities during the Jets game, but offers few details on why the Patriots flopped.
WEEI highlights Peter King's appearance on the Dale & Holley show Friday.
Mike Reiss offers a behind the scenes glimpse at retiring exec Jim Hausmann's 19-year tenure with the Patriots wasn't supposed to last that long.
Mike Reiss focuses on the future at each position: Defensive Line and Kicker, Punter & Snapper.
Christopher Price examines the Patriots by position: Offensive Line - Special Teams - Quarterback - Running Back - Tight End - Wide Receiver.
WEEI scouts out some potential Patriots: DL Allen Bailey (Miami) - C/G Mike Pouncey (Florida) - WR Julio Jones (Alabama) - WR Tandon Doss (Indiana) - WR Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh) - RB Daniel Thomas (Kansas State)
Ian Rapoport posts the new NFLPA's Super Bowl ad for its "Let Us Play" campaign. (1.01 min. video)

NATIONAL NEWS

Tim Graham (ESPN) Study shows painkiller abuse big NFL issue.
Peter King (SI) MMQB: Packers, Steelers, Goodell on center stage as Super Bowl nears.

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Comments

Phil Taylor 6'3" 337lbs

Ty Warre has been playing injured for years. His last really good year seemed when he was injury free. So the next season could be a good year for Ty. I don’t know if there is room but I’d like to see another big guy like Phil Taylor. The impressive thing about him is how fast he is given his NT size. Faster than Brace and seems faster than Wilfork. More important Taylor would add additional depth and help with work load. Teams would have additional difficulty avoiding a Wilfork force. Imagine a goal line front of taylor, wilfork and brace. They would allow LBs to do better job especially with healthy Ty Warren.

by prioris on Jan 31, 2011 11:22 AM EST via mobile reply actions

We have a player like that already...

His name is Ron Brace. Maybe you’ve heard of him?

"If you radiant beauties have some free time after work..."
CROAGUNK!
"...I could use some C...P...R..." -Brock, Tanks For The Memories

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jan 31, 2011 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

If you read the post you would notice I said Brace is slower. Taylor also seems faster than wilfork and just as heavy. Brace is a lumbering giant. Taylor lookss fast as a giant and a better prospect to replace wilfork in future also.

Contrary to what many posters think, pats do not need more pass rush from dl. Other than quality of depth , everyting is fine. Only wrights injury is unknown

by prioris on Jan 31, 2011 2:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

a faster Wilfork? can I haz please?

I think they need that defensive linemen to complete the trifecta of beauty. What is the trifecta of beauty? It used to be Seymour, Wilfork, and Warren. Now it needs to be Wilfork, Warren, Taylor?

by pats4life on Jan 31, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

College speed doesn't always translate to the NFL

especially college defensive linemen against NFL offensive linemen. Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey were supposed to be the next great speed rushers, but neither of them translated well.

Taylor might be worth a look in the 2nd round, but I need to see more consistent production before I start recommending him over Carimi.

"If you radiant beauties have some free time after work..."
CROAGUNK!
"...I could use some C...P...R..." -Brock, Tanks For The Memories

by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Jan 31, 2011 7:05 PM EST up reply actions

Carimi is an OT. Taylor is a DT.

Don't cut your locks Tom Terrific!

by PatNation85 on Jan 31, 2011 8:08 PM EST up reply actions

But the pick...

Carimi is worth the pick, right now. Maybe Taylor has more upside, but he isn’t worth the 28th or 33rd. Yet.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Jan 31, 2011 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Oh that's what you meant. I agree

Don't cut your locks Tom Terrific!

by PatNation85 on Feb 1, 2011 12:02 AM EST up reply actions

not sure what value taylor has but to be paid first round money, the draftee would have to start or play lots of down. the only realistic improvement in dl is add another NT to clog middle and add more depth against possible injury to wilfork.

Carimi would not start if Light returns and pats may be leery of paying someone that much.

OLB is only positiion that may justify high pick money but what they want will likely be available second round. High OL picks usually start first year.

This is difficult year to know what they do unless one knows what attrition takes place. If they do draft first round OL, it may mean mankins will be gone.

by prioris on Feb 1, 2011 10:14 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

If Mankins and Light leave, they'll take a tackle early.

Guards aren’t worth a 1st, and Kaczur should be able to fill in ably for Mankins. If Mankins is still here, they can probably get away with one of the 2nd round tackles, who should be drafted regardless of Light’s status.

They really need another quality DE though. Allow Wilfork to stay at NT, and with Ty Warren back at LE, the DE needs to be a force against the run (ie double teams), as well as someone able to pressure the QB through an OT or G.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Feb 2, 2011 5:22 AM EST up reply actions

good point about taking guard in first round.

i’d like to see two wilfork’s in front that could
cancel out 4 blockers to collapse pocket and
make it easy on LB. the LB’s are mostly
responsible for getting to QB in 3-4. Ngata’s
are hard to find but Taylor seems to have a
little athleticism for his weight in him so besides cancelling
out two blockers, he could alternately have chance
of getting at QB occasionally. just a thought. not sure
if truly practical.

by prioris on Feb 2, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

Ngata plays a lot of DE, though.

-Pulse of the Maggots P.o.t.M. The "pm striker king"- WZB
Leader of the "All these QBs suck and aren't worth trading up for" bandwagon
On the trade down and grab Pouncey bandwagon.

by PotM on Feb 2, 2011 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

I love when the players, especially the veterans, put things into perspective

that defense was so young and had so many rookies coming in and out. I can tell by Wilfork’s words during the season and now the offseason that he knows this unit will be really special. He spoke so highly of Devin McCourty this year, even saying that McCourty might be playing corner better than anyone in the league. I still am skeptical of the linebackers because they don’t have any play-makers. I expect Belichick to draft one of two this year for the defense.
They get Bodden and Warren back. They have the 17th, 28th, and 33rd picks in the draft. Just waiting for a new CBA

by pats4life on Jan 31, 2011 2:48 PM EST reply actions