Posts Tagged ‘Vince Wilfork’

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58 Defensive Line Combinations: A 2013 Patriots Personnel Study

Friday, June 6th, 2014

The defensive line of the 2013 Patriots shifted in waves. Its components changed by the week, and in some cases, by the snap. (NFL Game Rewind)

NEPD Editor: Oliver Thomas

The 2013 New England Patriots defensive line was one of adaptation.

It was one of many faces and many alignments. And it was one composed of 15 players, forged by attrition.

For the collection of former draft picks and undrafted free agents, waiver claims and veteran free agents, it was about being greater than the sum of their parts. For head coach Bill Belichick, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and position coach Patrick Graham, on the other hand, it was about being interchangeable.

From Week 1 through Week 17, the New England’s defensive line was just that. But its identity remained unknown. There was no true first-team. There was no true base defense.

Its contributors and alignments shifted with each opponent, with each snap. (more…)

Tags: Andre Carter, Andre Neblett, Chandler Jones, Chris Jones, Dane Fletcher, Film Breakdown, Isaac Sopoaga, Jake Bequette, Jamie Collins, Joe Vellano, Marcus Forston, Michael Buchanan, Rob Ninkovich, Sealver Siliga, Tommy Kelly, Vince Wilfork
Posted in NFL, Patriots | 6 Comments »

Vince Wilfork, Patriots Bend But Don’t Break Future Plans

Monday, March 31st, 2014

Vince Wilfork’s restructured return to New England was a compromise on what lies ahead. (USA Today Sports Images)

NEPD Editor: Oliver Thomas

For 14 days, it seemed imminent.

It seemed as if his success in holding the point of attack on the field and the organization’s success in doing the same off the field would be their unraveling.

For Vince Wilfork and the New England Patriots, it seemed to be about pride.

But as two weeks of uncertainty wore on, so did the semblance of hope that the 10-year NFL veteran would restructure his $11.6 million salary cap hit to return to the team that drafted him 21st overall in 2004.

In the afternoon hours of March 27, that came to fruition, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the 32-year-old defensive tackle had re-signed on a one-year, $8 million deal with $2.6 million guaranteed and a two-year option worth up to $22.5 million.

His cleaned-out locker and torn-off nameplate would not spell the end of his stay in Foxborough, Mass.; it would only catalyze a new one. (more…)

Tags: 2014 nfl free agency, Vince Wilfork
Posted in NFL, NFL Draft, Patriots | 19 Comments »

2014 Patriots Off-Season: Salary Cap and Cap Space Breakdown

Tuesday, February 4th, 2014
Vince Wilfork Titans Patriots

What to do with Vince Wilfork… (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko

Now that the 2013 season is officially in the books, it means the entire football world turns their attention to the off-season. Player movement, trades, free agency, and the draft will all be front and center for the next four months.

For the Patriots it’s as important of an off-season that I can remember, at least as important as 2007 and 2009 when the Patriots completely retooled their offense.

Any plans and changes for the organization are contingent on cap space and the money available to be flexible. Here is a look inside the Patriots cap situation, where they stand, and how they can create money.

(more…)

Tags: 2014 NFL Draft, Salary Cap, Vince Wilfork
Posted in Patriots | 89 Comments »

Examining Patriots’ Injured Reserve, Non-Football Injury Lists

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Like several other Patriots, No. 67 Cory Grissom saw his 2013 season end before it began. (USA Today Sports Images)

NEPD Editor: Oliver Thomas

The New England Patriots 2013 campaign was one of attrition. Two captains were lost for the season by Week 6. A total of six starters were lost by the playoffs. And, per the Patriots official site, a collection of 13 players finished the year on injured reserve or the reserve/non-football injury list – excluding injury settlements.

New England’s season-ending injuries consisted of 16 Pro Bowl appearances and over $28.6 million in annual salary, according to Spotrac.com. The assortment consisted of both experience and youth, netting an average age of 26 years old. There were three veterans with at least 10 years of NFL tenure; there were five rookies and first-year players in the mix as well.

Yet now that the season itself has ended and the focus has turned to the offseason, what does it all mean for head coach Bill Belichick and director of player personnel Nick Caserio? What could the future hold?

Let’s revisit the assortment of Patriots set to come off the injured lists. (more…)

Tags: 2014 Roster, Cory Grissom, Vince Wilfork
Posted in NFL Draft | 146 Comments »

Adapting to Attrition: How the Patriots Defense Replaced Vince Wilfork vs. Falcons

Tuesday, October 1st, 2013

Vince Wilfork’s season-ending Achilles injury has left the Patriots defense in search of answers. (Photo: USA Today Sports Images)

NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas

The New England Patriots survived a 30-23 thriller against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. But what will be felt longer than Week 4 win is the loss of All-Pro defensive tackle Vince Wilfork for the season.

In one play, the 31-year-old captain’s season came to an abrupt end with a torn Achilles tendon. In one play, the Patriots defense was forced to move on without its five-time Pro Bowler. And in one play, two undrafted rookie defensive tackles found themselves with big shoes to fill next to veteran Tommy Kelly.

The Patriots defensive front had no choice but to adapt.

(more…)

Tags: Chris Jones, Film Breakdown, Joe Vellano, Tommy Kelly, Vince Wilfork
Posted in NFL, Patriots | 2 Comments »

Defensive Continuity the Key to Patriots 2013 Success

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013
Devin McCourty Patriots Safety

Devin McCourty and the “old look” Patriots defense could shine in 2013. (USA Today Sports Images)

NEPD Editor: Mike Loyko

2007 changed everything for the Patriots. A team built on defense and a reliable offense in crunch time morphed into a high-powered, record breaking air attack with the acquisitions of Randy Moss and Wes Welker.

While exciting to watch and dominating for long stretches the 2007 season, it changed the Patriots philosophy on how to win football games. It became less about the defense and more about points on the scoreboard.

For the first time since 2007 the Patriots will have the opportunity to return to their championship philosophy and once again become a defense first team.

(more…)

Tags: Devin McCourty, Vince Wilfork
Posted in Patriots | Comments Off

First Impression: Louis Nix III (DT, Notre Dame)

Friday, July 12th, 2013
Louis Nix III

Louis NIx III could be Vince Wilfork’s eventual replacement.

NEPD Contributor: Wayne B. Jones

Multiple front defenses have become popular in the NFL today. New Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Bill Davis is implementing a “multiple” unit defense for the upcoming 2013 season. But in New England Bill Belichick has been using a multiple front defense (scheme) for many years.

The New England Patriots scheme flexible defense is a hybrid 3-4, 4-3 alignment. The key to the success of this system is flexibility of personnel. To be able to effectively switch from a 3-4 to a 4-3 to a dime defense and other multiple sets requires versatility at nearly every position. Players have to be able to run, cover and hit. Linemen have to be strong enough to hold the point in the 3-4, but get up field in a 4-3. Defensive backs have to be very good in zone coverage but efficient in man coverage when needed. This system requires a special skill set and an above average football IQ.

A 2014 NFL draft prospect that best fits New England’s scheme is Notre Dames Louis Nix III (6’3”, 326).

(more…)

Tags: Louis Nix III, Vince Wilfork
Posted in NFL Draft | 4 Comments »

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