Posts Tagged ‘Vince Wilfork’

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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 »

The Essential Faces of the New England Patriots Defensive Front

Friday, June 28th, 2013
Vince Wilfork Titans Patriots

Vince Wilfork allows the Patriots defense to be very multiple. (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Staff Writer: Oliver Thomas

There is a basic goal shared between all 32 NFL defensive fronts:

Be versatile but deceptive against both the run and the pass.

The problem, however, is that this goal is only a goal. And as former New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards once said, “A goal without a plan is a wish.”

He was right.

(more…)

Tags: Patriots Defense, Vince Wilfork
Posted in Patriots | 7 Comments »

Musket Blasts: Patriots and NFL Draft Links, 9/19

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012
Deion Branch Patriots

He’s back…. (Photo: US Presswire)

NEPD Editor: James Christensen

Come back every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as I choose my five favorite New England Patriots and NFL Draft links to share. Feel free to submit your own links in the comments.

(more…)

Tags: Deion Branch, Musket Blasts, Vince Wilfork
Posted in NFL Draft | Comments Off

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