Vince Wilfork: Hall of Fame Caliber Performance
by Greg Knopping on Jan 22, 2012 7:10 PM EST
in Patriots Game Reports
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For eight years, Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork has been known as a man eater. He was the classic nose tackle who occupied blockers, didn't make a lot of big plays, but was crucial to the Patriots' success. Wilfork never racked up the big stats or made the highlight reel plays.
In the 2011 season, Wilfork has completely shed the reputation. He has made big plays all year, picking up 52 tackles, a career high 3.5 sacks, and also came up with two interceptions. Against the Broncos in the Divisional Playoffs last week, Wilfork recorded 1.5 sacks. Still, Wilfork had yet to have that vintage performance that fans would refer back to for years to come.
Tonight, against the Baltimore Ravens, Vince Wilfork had that performance. Wilfork had six tackles and was in on two sacks. On a third and short with the Ravens driving deep in Patriots territory down 23-20, Wilfork had a huge run stuff on Ray Rice. On the ensuing fourth down, Wilfork pressured quarterback Joe Flacco and forced him to throw the ball away.
The Patriots then ran the ball down to less than two minutes, and ultimately a missed game tying field goal from Billy Cundiff helped give the Patriots the win and the Super Bowl birth.
Years from now, when voters look back at Wilfork's career and try to decipher whether or not he deserves Hall of Fame honors, they should look back at this tape. Eight years into his Patriots career, Vince Wilfork is still as important as any Patriots player not named Tom Brady.
Extra: Wilfork's post-game comments from the podium:
I think tonight was a big night for all of us. The fans, the organization, the coaches, the players. Everyone. It was a big, big night for us. We knew we had to come out here and play some good football to beat a good Ravens football team, and we did.
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Agree
The Defense as a whole played very well…held Ray Rice in check and minimize multiple turnovers by TB and Woodhead….they’ll still get little praise but they played a great game.
Patriots defense
Patriots defense will be a case study for all teams to look at as far next man up rules and improvising. i love our defense. there’s a few players that need to go but there’s no need to clean house.
by Slim Rickins on Jan 22, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
This game could've easily gone the other way
It’s just hard to win against the top teams 3 times in a row. Even if the Pats lost, there’s not much they could change next year, except sign and draft some better pass rushers and cornerbacks. But even that doesn’t guarantee a repeat trip to the Superbowl, because the NFL is just that even.
Pats did extremely well for a team
with such poor production from their 2nd and 3rd WRs.
Pats D stuffed one of the best running attacks in the league.
It is what it is
It looks better if you consider Gronk and Hernandez the second and third targets
Three 900+-yard receivers.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 22, 2012 9:16 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah but if you're going with a 2TE/2WR set,
or a 2 TE/3 WR set, you want production from more than just Wes Welker who’s really a SR.
It is what it is
Branch did okay
Shrug. As long as someone produces, I don’t care who. Brady threw for Marino+ numbers, so he clearly got it done without.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 22, 2012 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
branch is a change up
cover the other guys- either branch or the law firm will gouge the defense
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
i disagree...
He made a critical play in our end zone on tjat ladt drive…other than that he was costly on slmost all other challenges.
by Ribbon81 on Jan 22, 2012 11:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
What?
Besides a missed tackle and a couple of completions (pretty much any ball thrown to him he was right there almost to break it up but at least made a tackle) he was solid.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
moore has played pretty well for a guy that didn't start the season on the patriots roster or PS
from a raider PS guy to getting significant snaps on defense is a huge climb
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:13 PM EST up reply actions
Dude...
Flacco challenged Moore all night and it paid off save for that final drive. Moore played well given the circumstances…but ‘excellent’… I didn’t see that tonight from Moore at all. Neither with Idhegibo…
by Ribbon81 on Jan 22, 2012 11:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Wrong. he challeneged EDELMAN all night.
Moore was pretty much blanketing WRs all night.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Edelman was on Boldin pretty much all night since Arrington was out.
Moore was on Torrey Smith, who has had one great play today. And occasionally was on Lee Evans.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Edelman was occasionally on Torrey smith as well.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Yea Edelman was burned too...
About as much as Moore…hell I saw Chung take the corner reins away fron him on a couple of plays ‘cause Moore was making the D look so bad! I thought Bellichick’s TO call on 3rd down was brutal. But hey. Belluckick’s amazing so you know who am I to say otherwise really…
by Ribbon81 on Jan 22, 2012 11:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
About as much as Moore?
Chung take the corner reigns? Are you sure your not seeing a safety play close man coverage?
Moore wasn’t burned. Torrey made one great play on him, and only caught 3 more insignificant passes on him. Boldin has 8 receptions. Smith only 4. That shows you that it was only EDELMAN they were picking on today, and I think Moore did pretty well today. He only missed a tackle. Thats it.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Hard to tell who was good/not good
Watching on TV, as you don’t see the coverage downfield. Obviously if a player is getting picked on (successfully) as Edelman was, you know they’re getting beat, but other than that its hard to know what the coverages looked like.
This whole argument seems silly considering that.
are you also forgetting the defended pass to pitta before the field goal attempt?
I’ll watch the game again, to see if you are right about him sucking all night, but, regardless, those 2 plays saved the game
Wilfork has been a true leader all year
This young defense could have easily fallen apart at times just based on how some QBs were picking them apart. I really think having a guy like Wilfork is what held them together and has given them the confidence to improve as the year has gone on.
He’s not a screamer like Ray Lewis, but he’s a guy with a ton of talent and a ton of heart. He’s believed in this defense and encouraged them all to believe in each other from day one. He’s been a warrior, playing almost every snap most games despite being an enormous human being. He was as hungry as any player today, and he played one of the best games of his career. Congrats, big man, you were the MVP of this one!
by Aluminum Penguin on Jan 22, 2012 7:23 PM EST reply actions
Wilfork was awesome today. No doubt
by Ribbon81 on Jan 22, 2012 11:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
MVP of the game, absolutely.
Though Gost gets some love just by virtue of his foil. =D
Over the Monster -- SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Site
USG
B.Spikes almost cried after meeting with Mr.Kraft
Vince is the best! he played his heart out !
"Thirty-seven points on the best defense in the league, suck my d–k" - Bill Belichick
'You are banned from Gang Green Nation'
"You can browse the blog, but you can't participate."
"BANNED LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
by BostonBeasts on Jan 22, 2012 7:30 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Heard Herndo was tearing up too.
What is it with these Florida guys?
Over the Monster -- SB Nation's Resident Red Sox Site
USG
by Ben Buchanan on Jan 22, 2012 7:40 PM EST up reply actions
Now we wait for the Giants an 49ers to BEAT EACH OTHER UP!
by quadruple option on Jan 22, 2012 7:34 PM EST reply actions
Funny thing about Ellis and Ihedigbo...
Ellis has been really disappointing this season, especially for his pay, but it’s kind of funny that they get to go to the Superbowl on their 3rd straight try while their former teammates are watching at home.
How about Brian Waters?
He was the heart of the OLine in Kansas City for over a decade, and now gets to go to the Superbowl with the Pats.
Rob Ninkovich, discarded by the Dolphins.
Mark Anderson, discarded by the Bears.
Shaun Ellis and James Ihedigbo are with good company.
It is what it is
Ellis has been serviceable this year. Only started 6 games though.
He has done well. Ihedigbo is the major dissapointment. Also BJGE did very well today.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
ihedigbo has not been a major disappointment
the guy had his biggest role in his career i thought he did ok at times
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:09 PM EST up reply actions
He sucks big time in coverage.
Okay against the run.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
to borrow a line
I think he is who we thought he was. Exactly the type of play I expected from him
Right. Mediocre in the pass
good against the run.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
ihedigbo was originally signed to play special teams
not to play defense
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
He was signed to be a role player on defense and spcial teams.
Of course, we knew he stunk in pass coverage and was good in run support (as well as blitzing) but I expected more out of him. Besides against some runs, he was a non factor this year.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
he only plays in base defense
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, and in base defense he was a liability in coverage.
I was hoping he would be more involved in the run, and did better with blitzes.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
he did record a 12 yd sack
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
Okay.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
We can all complain about how we wish Ihedigbo was better
but it’s no secret that he is not the best cover guy, and he’s been playing through pain that if we had we would call in sick to work for a month. All I know is, he had HUGE sack tonight, and was part of us winning this game.
i know.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Terrible in coverage tonight. For sure.
by Ribbon81 on Jan 22, 2012 11:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And yet...
He was a key failure on several critical plays today. This win will always have an asterisk beside it…shakes his head with regret
by Ribbon81 on Jan 22, 2012 11:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He was great today. Not disagreeing with that.
Just a disappointment all season.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Correction: he was Good today.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
I saw this picture of Brady and Bill after the game.
and looking at the two of them. I got this awful feeling that Belicheck is going to follow his friend Tony Larussa and retire on top if we win this thing. Bill just looks so serene, idek.
Tom Brady > Ryan Mallett > Brian Hoyer > Mark Sanchez
I don't know
Belichick and Brady are already the best QB-Coach combo in history I think, but they still have to prove it individually. Even a 4th Superbowl win doesn’t guarantee that because Brady has been terrible lately, and Montana was perfect.
Montana's targets were a slight bit more impressive (and proven).
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 22, 2012 9:17 PM EST up reply actions
Joe Montana was talent
Tom Brady was self made
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
It was one bad game.
He dominated a decent Denver offense last week. He has off games, but his brilliance in 06 didn’t get the pats to the sb. One game does not wreck his legacy.
Oklahoma State will beat LSU in the National Title game by more than 7 points.
by No Pity on Jan 22, 2012 11:40 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
Not to mention
That fearless 4th-and-goal backbreaker that could’ve easily removed the Pats from the game had they not recorded any points there. We’re used to judging quarterbacks by how many TD passes they throw in a given game, but from a pure football standpoint, that was a season-saving play.
Can I Scream?
by Adam Fox on Jan 23, 2012 1:07 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't know if Brady can "wreck his legacy"
But it might be slightly diminished. But by “lately”, I don’t mean just today. He had an incredible game against DEN, but their defense was weak. Since the AFC CG game in 2007, he’s played subpar in his 5 of his last 6 games, throwing for about as many picks as TD’s (aided by the 6 against DEN), which is far below his near 3-1 average ratio.
brady has been terrible?
Not great today, but when has he been terrible?
Quite.
#WinItForMyra
"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park
by 808BostonSportsFan on Jan 23, 2012 2:39 AM EST up reply actions
Brandon Deaderick also had some nice plays on that DLine,
but Vince is obvously the captain of the trench for a reason.
Pats D stuffed one of the best run-games in the league. Their top rusher was Joe Flacco.
It is what it is
22 touches 78 yds 3.4 ypt
21 rush 67 yds 3.2ypc
1 rec 11 yds
Most importantly no touchdowns
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about a playoff victory?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
Vince absolutely had a Hall of Fame performance
I love Wilfork, and I love this defense. Still can’t believe they got the win. Unbelievable. Sterling Moore, B Spikes, Mayo – all stars today.
Keep the faith!
The entire d-line should get praise
Deaderick stuffed rice for -1 yds on the opening play
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about a playoff victory?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 8:54 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
The man leads.
His game-minutes this year are a monument to the man. There is no one in the league at his position that has done what he has done this year.
"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."
"The longer they play, the more they lose. In the end, we get it all."
by JohnHannahRules on Jan 22, 2012 9:03 PM EST reply actions
Uh guys
Giants look hot coming off 2 hot wins and an OT win on the road in the NFCCG, while the Pats look ordinary turning it over 3 times in the AFCCG and squeaking out a win…
Sound familiar? Crap.
and the patriots have Gronk and Hernandez
and Deion Branch
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
This
Giants aren’t built to combat the Pats TEs – their LBs are small and fast (Gronk’s too big) and their Safeties are deep Cover-2 guys, Hernandez will eat up seams.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
by Comedic.Sans on Jan 23, 2012 3:23 AM EST up reply actions
I disagree, I think they are built perfectly to combat the TEs
You’re not gonna cover em, your best bet is to destroy the Pats protection so they have to keep the TEs in to block more, and so that Brady has less time to throw to them if they do release into a pass pattern. A team with a strong pass rush is the only thing that can neutralise the TEs and the Giants have probably the best 4 four man rush in the league.
or plaxico burress
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
Also
We beat the Giants in the regular season en route to the loss in the Super Bowl.
This time, the Giants had the (mis)fortune of beating us in week 9 during the regular season.
Can I Scream?
If we had beaten them they might not have made the playoffs.
Pedey: Dear Playstation, So MLB the Show '09 says I can't hit the high and inside, huh? That's ridiculous, ask Ramon.
Ramon: Yeah, he can hit it. In fact, if I were to die today and went to some weird...(grabs script) some weird limbo afterlife, where I can gaze at one thing for eternity. Dustin's swing, or my daggers? (DAUGHTERS!) daughter's first steps, I would choose that swing.
Lazer Show: I can hit that pitch!
by BrokenbatGrandSlam on Jan 23, 2012 7:53 PM EST up reply actions
Uhh....
If you think the Patriots looked ordinary…so did the Giants. I bet you Giants fans are thinking the same thing right now. If Brady was the SF QB, they’d have beat the Giants hands down. I blame that loss on A. Smith. He threw balls at people’s feet on almost every throw. He completed like TWO throws.
Lakers and Patriots forever.
favre gave the giants 3 free points
therefore its different
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
both are different teams
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
pats moreso
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
i hope ur sarcastic
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
Not sarcastic...
But I’m just relying on you guys to provide the confidence. I was pretty pessimistic coming into this game too.
Giants played well enough to win
but did not look hot. I guess if you say they won three straight, including going to Green Bay, and winning, and then San Fran, OK, but without some lucky breaks today, we are playing the Niners.
it should say evans
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
wow it came out way larger than it is supposed to
Thad Castle: Which one of you assholes stuck his finger in my asshole?
by cruelangelT on Jan 22, 2012 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
i find it funny
but also a bit disrespectful for one of the best players in the game today
Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about being AFC Champs?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"
by freeland1787 on Jan 22, 2012 11:19 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah.
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
Shouldnt it be a knife?
"I don't put any foreign substances on the baseball. Everything I use is from the good old U.S.A."
JVSM
Pedroya Lova
by Dustin's #1 Fan on Jan 22, 2012 11:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
+1
#WinItForMyra
"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park
by 808BostonSportsFan on Jan 23, 2012 1:35 AM EST up reply actions
agree
That speech changed my opinion of him. I think I’ve forgiven him.
"These players, a lot of other people didn't believe in them, but they believe in themselves. And that is all that matters."- Bill Belichick
He's definitely the heart and soul of that team.
And I think we can all agree it was oh, a million times better than Ed Reed’s comments.
#WinItForMyra
"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park
by 808BostonSportsFan on Jan 23, 2012 2:19 AM EST up reply actions
Btw, this is also really awesome from the Niners side.
PatrickWillis52 Patrick willis
@KyleWilliams_10 keep ur head up. U r my brother n teammate N I would put u back there all over again. We all lost this game tonight not u.
#WinItForMyra
"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park
by 808BostonSportsFan on Jan 23, 2012 2:21 AM EST up reply actions
love willis
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
I love Ray Ray
but that’s quite funny
"I'm a well conditioned athlete. I don't need oxygen" Vince Wilfork
That picture is definitely not cool
The Ravens were very classy today. Both Harbaugh and Ray Lewis talked about team and pride in their team and there was no griping. Total respect.
Hey vettel.
What a game, huh?
#WinItForMyra
"There's no place like it, and it's ours." - Stephen King on Fenway Park
by 808BostonSportsFan on Jan 23, 2012 3:21 AM EST up reply actions
Vince Wilfork
Definite HOFer, just not talked about much
I Don't buy AFCC game gear
I wait for Super Bowl gear. Go Pats’
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