Tag: Vince Wilfork

Patriots’ history with the franchise tag under Bill Belichick

Here’s a look at the Patriots’ franchise tag history under Bill Belichick.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick rarely leans on the franchise tag in present-day negotiations with pending free agents. There was a time when he used it frequently as a negotiating tactic, but in the last eight years, only one player has been franchise tagged by the Patriots.

That run of not tagging players will likely continue in 2023 with wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and cornerback Jonathan Jones being the only legitimate tag candidates on the roster.

That isn’t to suggest both players don’t deserve pay raises. But it’s hard envisioning Belichick and the Patriots footing the bill for a rising price tag at positions they can address through free agency and the draft.

Still, for fun, let’s take a look at all of the Patriots players that have been franchise tagged over the years by Belichick.

Patriots legend Vince Wilfork gives strong take on Jack Jones incident

Vince Wilfork offered his take on the Jack Jones-Bill Belichick incident.

Former New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork agreed with Ty Law’s take on new-age players, as the Jack Jones-Bill Belichick report continues to make waves.

Law indicated Belichick may not command as much respect as in previous years, due to players making more money.

Wilfork agreed with the sentiment, as Patriots legends continue to weigh in. The defensive tackle played for 13 seasons with New England and made five Pro Bowl teams, along with winning two Super Bowls. He recorded 561 career tackles and 16 quarterback sacks during his time with the team, which was at the peak of its success at a time when Belichick was on top of his game.

He stated his opinion on Wednesday night’s airing of NBC Sports Boston’s Early Edition Show, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Dakota Randall.

“These guys don’t respect the game and don’t respect coaches the way we used to,” said Wilfork. “I’ve never seen anybody talk back to Bill. As a leader and as a captain, of course we’ll have conversations on things that we might not like, but that’s behind closed doors, and it’s not us challenging Bill. It’s trying to get a better understanding of what’s going on. But as far as talking back to a coach — no, you don’t do that.

“But this new era of football, these kids feel entitled. It started in college. You’ve got all this mess going on in college — you’re taken care of as a college player, and then you get to the league, and now all of a sudden you want the same treatment. But you have to realize, the (NFL), it ain’t college. You have to prove yourself at this level.”

Multiple Patriots legends have weighed in on this topic with it making headlines.

The report was a microcosm of a frustrating season for New England, especially after they missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. The Patriots will have some big decisions to make as the 2023 offseason begins.

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Ex-Patriots Julian Edelman, Vince Wilfork ripped Mac Jones’ ‘pissy’ antics and poor leadership

Patriots legends are NOT happy with the young QB.

Amidst a disappointing sophomore NFL campaign, the New England Patriots’ Mac Jones has been somewhat of a lightning rod of criticism this year. He’s yelled at his coaches. He’s slid toward defenders, heel up, likely trying to hurt them. He’s even made, what some believe, a poor effort to tackle Chandler Jones in one of the most embarrassing plays in pro football history. At this rate, it’s no wonder his own teammates appear to want Jones replaced.

You can count ex-Patriot and three-time Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman among those who haven’t appreciated how Jones has conducted himself this season.

In an episode of Inside the NFL, Edelman and former NFL WR Brandon Marshall debated what Mac Jones should’ve done on the “Fail Lateral.” Where Marshall defended Jones because tackling is not a part of his usual job as a quarterback, Edelman used it as an opportunity to rip Jones’ effort and what he perceives has been an overall lack of professionalism:

Phew. I guess it’s safe to say members of the Patriots’ Golden Era aren’t fans of the current New England young quarterback, are they?

Here’s another ex-Patriot and two-time Super Bowl champion Vince Wilfork, harshly criticizing Jones’ antics:

It is admittedly a lot to ask Jones to tackle a man who has roughly 50 pounds on him. That said, the game was literally on the line during the play. Normal rules go out the window in that situation. And when you’re 13-of-31 for 112 yards while also seemingly throwing tantrums every week, you don’t get exactly get the benefit of the doubt. The microscope gets even bigger when that sort of behavior appears to be a pattern.

The controversy around Jones only seems to expand by the week. The more that successful, Super Bowl-winning Patriots continue to speak up about him, it appears that the apparent mess will only grow.

2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists include eight former Patriots

Eight ex-Patriots made the cut as semifinalists for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

The semifinalists for the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class were revealed on Tuesday, and eight of the names on that list were former New England Patriots players.

Of course, the two most noteworthy names from a Patriots perspective were former defensive stars Vince Wilfork and Rodney Harrison, both of whom have already been inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Darrelle Revis, one of the all-time great corners, is also on the list. He spent the brunt of his career serving as a division rival on the New York Jets, but he did sign with the Patriots for a one-and-done Super Bowl season in 2014.

The other names include linebacker James Harrison, receiver Reggie Wayne, running back Fred Taylor, receiver Torry Holt and tight end Henry Ellard.

There were a total of 28 players named as semifinalists, which means ex-Patriots make up a significant portion of the candidates left standing. The next step is whittling the list down to 15 and seeing which players are one step closer to being immortalized in Canton.

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Vince Wilfork wants to meet with Patriots ahead of Ravens matchup

Vince Wilfork is looking forward to giving a little pep talk to the Patriots heading into Sunday’s game against Baltimore

Former New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork is no stranger to the rivalry between the Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.

The Patriots played the Ravens 10 times during his 11 seasons with New England, including some heated postseason battles. The rivalry has quieted down a bit since then, as New England and Baltimore have met just three times since 2014. New England defeated Baltimore by a 23-17 margin the last time the two teams met in a torrential downpour of rainy conditions.

Although he is no longer playing for the Patriots, Wilfork is excited for the game, as the Patriots look to win their second game of the season. He is in town to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame this Saturday. While he’s here, he’s hoping to give the team some advice before the big game.

“So I’m hoping I can get over there (Friday),” said Wilfork, per NESN’s Zack Cox. “I don’t know yet, but that’s the goal, because I love being around. I love showing my face. Boston’s been great to me, the organization has been super wonderful, and Bill, he’s always, always been there for me. If I have a chance to get over there … it would make me happy, especially going against a team in the Ravens where we have a little rivalry there. I have a few things I would love to tell the team to get them ready for Sunday. So we’re going to see if we can make that happen.”

The Patriots will have to be on their A-game as they take on a Ravens team that is potent offensively and defensively. One has to wonder how much of an impact Wilfork will have on Sunday’s game, this time off the field.

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Patriots legend Vince Wilfork gives honest take on Matt Patricia coaching offense

Vince Wilfork is confident in Matt Patricia.

Some eyebrows have been raised at the thought of Matt Patricia taking over the New England Patriots offense. Nevertheless, one former Patriots legend is confident that the coach can get it done.

Vince Wilfork was with the Patriots for 11 years and saw Patricia work with the coaching staff over the course of his career.  He is just the latest in a string of Patriots to praise the work that Patricia is doing.

Former running back James White indicated he had confidence in the offensive system. Mac Jones sung Patricia’s praises following the team’s second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

Current and former Patriots seem to be on board with Patricia, despite public opinion. Wilfork, who claimed he wasn’t surprised with his former defensive  coach switching to offense, added his opinion to the mix on NBC Sports Boston’s “The Gameplan.”

“No, not [surprised] at all, because when I was a rookie, he was on the offensive side already,” said Wilfork. “He came on the defensive side after I got there. I’ve known Matty P for being an offensive guy from day one when I was there, when I was drafted.

“So I don’t think it’s by mistake, and I think Matty’s going to do a great job over there because one thing I know with Bill [Belichick], is they have a lot of communication going on and everybody is always in the mix with everything. So Matt won’t be calling all the plays. It’s always a team effort, from the coaching staff to the players. I have full confidence in Matt, knowing what he’s doing on the offensive side of the ball because he’s proven himself there with me when I was a rookie.”

Patricia will have his work cut out for him as he helps New England take on an aggressive Miami Dolphins defense. The play-calling will certainly be intriguing, as the Patriots will look for a fast start against a Dolphins team they have not beaten since 2020.

A win on Sunday would certainly boost confidence in the offense, as New England looks to keep pace with the elite in the division.

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Vince Wilfork Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony gets date

Save the date for Vince Wilfork’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction.

One of the greatest defensive linemen in New England Patriots’ franchise history, Vince Wilfork, is set to be immortalized as a member of the franchise’s personal Hall of Fame.

The announcement of the Patriot legend’s entry was made back in May. But on Monday, the team released more details surrounding the upcoming induction ceremony.

The ceremony is slated to take place on Saturday, September 24 at the Enel Plaza at Gillette Stadium at 4 p.m. ET. Following the induction, the Patriots will also pay tribute to Wilfork that Sunday during halftime of their Week 3 regular season game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Wilfork spent 11 seasons with the Patriots after being drafted by the team with the No. 21 overall pick of the 2004 NFL draft. He’s had a stellar NFL career with two Super Bowl wins, multiple All-Pro nods and five Pro Bowl selections.

This will be the 32nd inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame, and considering what Wilfork meant to the team and greater community, it should be a memorable one.

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Tom Brady sends well-wishes to Vince Wilfork in Instagram comment

Tom Brady had nothing complementary things to say about Vince Wlfork

Former New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork was announced into the team’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday. Congratulations poured in from all corners of the organization.

Tom Brady was among the many who sent congratulatory wishes. Brady and Wilfork were teammates for the majority of the tackle’s career. The two joined forces from 2004-2014 and were able to win two Super Bowls together as a result.

Wilfork went on to play for 13 seasons, last playing for the Houston Texans in 2016. In addition to the Super Bowls he won with New England, he also was a five-time Pro Bowl selection.

Brady added a comment on the team’s Instagram post: “Amazing teammate and friend and always did things his way.”

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With Wilfork’s nomination to the Hall of Fame, another key Patriots contributor is immortalized forever.

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Bill Belichick: Vince Wilfork ‘exemplified all the things that define football greatness’

Bill Belichick explained why Vince Wilfork is among the NFL’s all-time greats.

With Vince Wilfork set to join the ranks of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame, coach Bill Belichick released a glowing statement about the team’s retired star defensive tackle.

“Vince exemplified all the things that define football greatness. Vince’s rare physical ability was obvious, but it was his professional approach to the game, his competitiveness, toughness and dedication to the team that set him, and several of his teams, apart. Vince Wilfork is an all-time great player,” Belichick wrote in Wednesday’s statement.

Wilfork recorded 560 tackles, 39 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and 38 QB hits in 189 games played over 13 seasons. He finished his career with five Pro Bowl nods and two Super Bowl wins.

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Vince Wilfork thinks he is the best NT of all time: ‘All that credit goes to Bill Belichick’

Vince Wilfork had an explanation for his high-caliber playing career.

Former New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork was announced as this year’s inductee into the team’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday. With that in mind, he shared some final thoughts on his playing career.

Wilfork was drafted by the Patriots with the 21st overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He would go on to have a long and successful career. He played 12 seasons, recording 559 combined tackles and 16 sacks in what was a 13-year career. He made the Pro Bowl five times, and won the Super Bowl two times as a member of the Patriots.

Speaking to assembled media on Tuesday, he gave an explanation as to why he believes he is one of the best defensive tackles ever, per Zack Cox of NESN.com.

“I believe I was probably one of the best true two-gap nose tackles that ever played the game, and I would put that against anyone. I mean, I played from left to right. I played five (technique), four, three, two, one on both sides. You don’t have any noses doing that, and when you can find one, you can let me know.

“So I’ve always regarded myself as one of the best defensive tackles and the best nose tackle to ever play the game. And people can fight me on it. People can have their opinions on it. But I’m just telling you where I stand, because I was that one guy that can go from left to right defensive end and anywhere in the middle. So I was a nightmare for offenses trying to figure out where I’m going to be, and all that credit goes to Bill Belichick.”

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It would be hard to argue with Wilfork’s resume, as he helped solidify stellar Patriots defenses during the first Patriots Super Bowl run. He helped stabilize the front end of the Patriots defense for several years. Throughout his time with New England, Wilfork played at a consistent level. Now, he is immortalized in Patriots history forever.

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