Vince Wilfork was an elite player for the Patriots, especially from 2010-2012 when he became the ultimate piece on Bill Belichick’s defensive chess board.
Belichick would move Wilfork around to take away a team’s strength and that covered up what were significant holes elsewhere in the defense. There was a time when Wilfork was viewed as nothing more than a 3-4 nose tackle, but Wilfork proved he was a three-down defensive linemen who could slide up and down the line and destroy multiple blockers.
But I also think that Wilfork became somewhat of a crutch for the Pats, and they essentially ran him into the ground. An injury like tearing his Achilles is really not all that surprising considering the wear and tear that added up on a man of Wilfork’s size.
Every year I felt the Pats needed to deepen their defensive tackle rotation and despite their best efforts (Albert Haynesworth, Tommy Kelly, Gerard Warren, Ron Brace) they could never find the consistency or ability next to Big Vince.
So what do the Pats do now?
Well, I don’t think they have to go out and replace his body type, i.e. draft Louis Nix III or sign BJ Raji. The fact is that Wilfork was special and he was a defensive lineman not a nose tackle. Most of all they need another defensive lineman and they need one who fits today’s game.
This is a passing league. The Pats are in their sub-package 60% of the time. For the 38% of the time they’re in their base and really need to stop the run, they can plug Sealver Siliga in at nose tackle and he’ll be fine.
But replacing Wilfork is about finding a defensive tackle who fits their sub-package. They don’t need one who can two-gap in their nickel defense for run protection, and really, that might be for the best. If that’s really a concern, Siliga can cover it if they’re getting run all over in sub.
As much as it hurts to say it, the pass defense with Wilfork at the forefront was the Pats Achilles (pardon the pun). Not to put it all on Wilfork, but firing up field and disrupting the interior of the offensive line was not his strength, especially after playing almost every down.
Wilfork’s departure is a chance to remake their nickel front and insert a player who isn’t just there for run protection, but can consistently bring pressure as part of a rotation. And it doesn’t just have to be one guy.
The Pats already have some good candidates on their roster in Chris Jones, Armond Armstead and Tommy Kelly, if he can return from his knee injury of last season.
Add another couple defensive tackles with varying specialties and the Pats should be well-set. They might not have a player of Wilfork’s caliber, but they’ll be better prepared to attack in the passing game, even if it’s at the expense of exposing themselves to the run a bit more.
Wilfork was a special player who allowed the Pats to do special things, there’s no question, but the Pats overused him and arguably mis-used him in their sub-package.
His release now presents an opportunity to redefine the Pats sub-package and the Pats defense could actually be better off for it.
