Comments on: Vince Wilfork thinks franchise tag is "a slap in the face"

By: shallowfan

shallowfan — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:37:05 +0000

I’m going to bring up the “my family” thing again. Sorry it doesn’t endear him to anyone in america because 7mil for one year of work a normal “family” can live on for the rest of their lives.
See what a disconnect there is between these guys who think they are entitled and everyone else in the world?
Not saying that players don’t deserve it. The sport makes the money because people want to watch so they should get paid and not just the owners…Just saying don’t tell me you can’t live on the money you are being paid, even for one season. You insult me and my family and most other families in the world who are living on a lot less.

By: elduderino13

elduderino13 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:56:51 +0000

The owners really do have the upper hand in the NFL, since it’s the only major sport that doesn’t guarantee its contracts. I know it sounds ridiculous when Wilfork says it, but the Pats are d-bags. They cut Troy Brown after he played both sides of the ball for them, simply so they wouldn’t have to pay him a signing bonus. He re-signed for less, but players taking less for the team do that to win a championship. Pats are a sinking ship right now.

By: RaiderChile

RaiderChile — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:31:28 +0000

Wilfork call Seymour and come be a Raider!

By: slipkid

slipkid — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:52:03 +0000

$10M a year?
sign me up, call me names and make me write bad checks, mr. belichick. i fight above my size and weight. it’s a deal.
vince is a twit. he gets paid to play a kid’s game and doesnt play half the freakin time.
better yet, make him wear a dress like brady.

By: FMWarner

FMWarner — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:35:30 +0000

Vince:
The franchise tag is part of a collectively bargained agreement. It was in place when you were drafted and it was also part of the new CBA signed when you were a union member. Can’t cry about it. Just because it’s disadvantageous for you at this moment in time doesn’t mean you get to complain.

By: stanjam

stanjam — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:50:59 +0000

Umm, Vince, teams don’t franchise “okay” players. They franchise players they actually really want to keep, and pay them good money to do so.
I met you, and I liked you when we talked, but please, do not insult fans by saying this is about your family. I can take care of my family for the rest of my life on just one year of your franchise pay, and we will do quite well. You insult the fans when you say that, so stop.
Say instead you want the security of a long term contract at a rate you feel you deserve for your level of pay. We can respect that. But don’t go dragging your family into this. They live better than 99% of the fans, and will continue to do so as long as you don’t screw up your finances.

By: Adam-Chris Scheftersen

Adam-Chris Scheftersen — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:05:52 +0000

longrodvanhungendong says:
January 27, 2010 1:05 PM
Here we go again with one of those “I need millions and millions of dollars to take care of my family or they will be homeless” speeches.
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Gotta love those guys… Hey, here’s one now:
(From wikipedia)
“On October 31, 2004, the Minnesota Timberwolves offered Sprewell a 3-year, $21 million contract extension, substantially less than what his then-current contract paid him. Insulted, he publicly vented his outrage, declaring, “I have a family to feed.” He declined the extension, and, having once more drawn the ire of fans and sports media, had the worst season of his career in the final year of his contract.”
Then again, Sprewell’s had a yacht and a home reposessed in recent years. Maybe he was serious.

By: afiresnake

afiresnake — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:03:42 +0000

They will tag him (either franchise or transition) and then trade him or cash in on the draft picks from the transition tag.
Mankins gets tagged as well, and either Green’s or Warren’s contract will expire as well. Mmmh, at some stage the Pats will run out of tags.
Well, Pats personnel moves the past years have been horrible.

By: Mumakata

Mumakata — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:01:10 +0000

Quagmire says:
January 27, 2010 3:53 PM
Bill In DC says:
Looks like the Pats made a mistake in keeping Wilfork and trading Seymour.
Yeah, but would you say it to his face?
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Not everyone is an uncontrolled animal that reacts to some critisism with violence. I would say it to his face. he is free to disagree.

By: Reasonable

Reasonable — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:28:33 +0000

Brohamma says
Also, Wilfork is right. Peppers should be the next D.C. and not Patricia. Granted, Patricia has the seniority but Peppers will bring a new identity to the defense which is currently seeking one.
No it’s the other way around. Pepper Johnson has 10 years on Patricia. They are both great cadidates. But I hope we can promote Pepper. He has done a lot, paid his dues. In BB I still trust.

By: mwcarolina

mwcarolina — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:22:59 +0000

why does he think that??? in my book the franchise tag pretty much tells you how much you are worth to the team and i would be honored to have that.

By: Brohamma

Brohamma — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:04:43 +0000

By cutting Adalius Thomas, Matt Light and Ben Watson N.E. should be able to get a six year deal done with the ability to negate the final two.
Also, Wilfork is right. Peppers should be the next D.C. and not Patricia. Granted, Patricia has the seniority but Peppers will bring a new identity to the defense which is currently seeking one.

By: Quagmire

Quagmire — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:53:39 +0000

Bill In DC says:
Looks like the Pats made a mistake in keeping Wilfork and trading Seymour.
Yeah, but would you say it to his face?

By: smiley

smiley — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:41:05 +0000

BP is right – we would be fired, destitute and alone. Oh..wait a minute…..

By: smiley

smiley — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:37:05 +0000

Why shouldn’t the Pats be compensated if they lose him? The Pats took the risk, invested in this guy and should be able to recover value if he ends up leaving….it’s called the Franchise Tag. Stop cryin’ dude. The Franchise Tag makes you one of the most valuable guys in the league….how is that “ok” status? You can slap me stupid for $7M. Hail!!

By: kappa08

kappa08 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:36:53 +0000

The morale on that team keeps heading down because of their lack of loyalty or just being straight up with their players…and this coming from a very financially successful franchise. It makes you wonder why they do this unless of course it’s in their nature to be pricks….just sayin

By: overkil2

overkil2 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:18:28 +0000

He played through his rookie contract and deserves to be paid top money if there is demand for this services. I have no problem with him coming out and saying this especially since he’s honored his contract.
Maybe there should be a change to the current rules about Franchise tags, etc. Why should a team force you to play there once your contract is up and you don’t want to?

By: jimbofungus11

jimbofungus11 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:03:18 +0000

IRISH MAFIA says:
January 27, 2010 2:07 PM
Love it. The cheatriots lose yet another piece of the puzzle. This is wonderful. First brady is the greatest QB ever, until the coaching staff stops giving him the plays. All of a sudden he is average.
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Average? You my friend, are a donkey. Brady threw for 50 tds AFTER spygate. He had an amazing season this year, despite going up against what FootballOutsiders considered the toughest pass Defenses that a QB has faced in 17 years. In fact, they had him rated as the QB who had the best season this year. Just wait until next year when the schedule eases up. 35+ TDs no problem. Clown.
As far as Vince, I can’t say I blame him. This is his one chance to really cash in.

By: shaunypoo

shaunypoo — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:42:54 +0000

While I can be somewhat amenable to his position, if you don’t like it, take it up with your union rep and try to get it changed in the next CBA, otherwise, suck it up, it is the system you accepted when you joined the league. You didn’t have to play in the NFL. Go to the CFL, or get a job a Wal-Mart, whatever.
You want long term, then you might have to settle a little. You get tagged, it’s because the clubs have the right to do it as per the agreed upon CBA, and because they value you enough to give you a crapload of money. The one year timeframe is more to let them have the time to exclusively negotiate with you. You don’t like it, don’t sign the tag and sit out a year.
I like the salary cap and think it makes the league as a whole more competitive. Take it away and it will diminish the game as a whole, when only a few teams can compete for the big name players and championships.
Say hello to the new MLB.

By: burger_76

burger_76 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:41:37 +0000

This works both ways. The players are millionaires, but the owners are billionaires. The businessman wouldn’t let themselves get shafted on a deal, why should the players. I hate New England but I understand his point.

By: tudefit

tudefit — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:38:30 +0000

The taking care of my family line these players constantly use is getting old. With the money he makes, he can take care of a lot of families. Give me a break!!!
Just come out and say I am money hungry and I want to make all the money I can before my career is over so I can be filthy rich.

By: Bill In DC

Bill In DC — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:38:20 +0000

Looks like the Pats made a mistake in keeping Wilfork and trading Seymour.

By: superius

superius — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:38:20 +0000

I’ll just say that Vince Wilfork said last year at this time he wanted to spend the rest of his career with the Patriots. He honored his contract, despite the Patriots extending guys like Nick Kazur and Pierre Woods. Well over a year ago he was willing to take a home town deal with the Patriots when they were resigning other defensive players.
Now its the offseason and rather that do the smart thing and sign Wilfork to a multiyear deal the Patriots seem content to go the Deon Branch/Asante Samuel route which starts with the franchise tag and ends with them leaving the Patriots.
I’m a huge Pats fan and I watched every game this season. When Wilfork got hurt late in the season and they brought Ron Brace in, it looked like the Pats D was a man short. And teams pounded the run against Brace and he had to come out. Wilfork is one of the only playmakers on the D the Pats have left.
You think the D would have looked a little better with Asante Samuels and Richard Seymour running around?

By: SagNasty

SagNasty — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:37:57 +0000

I got Wilfork’s back on this one for a couple of reasons….first, he was strong-armed to take a 6-year rookie (he and Watson had zero levarge…in fact, Tom Condon resigned as Watson’s agent b/c he didn’t want his name on associated w/ a 6-year rookie deal). Second, he played all six years under his rookie…….very unsual, as 80% or so of first rounders (excluding those cut for poor play) get extended at or immediately before year four. Essentially, Wilfork has been playing for less than his market value for the past three seasons.
A franchise tag on him would be the third time that the Pats essentially took full advantage of their bargaining position with respect to Vince.
Not unreasonable for Vince to expect a little bit more good-faith on behalf of the Pats after his years of service at less than market value. If I’m Wilfork…….I seriously entertain holding out the entire season.
Comparing his paycheck to everyday salaries is not fair…..even if he sounds like a millionaire complaining he doesn’t have enough millions.
The Pats should do the right thing by Vince and either pay him market value or let him leave.

By: moreflagsmorefun

moreflagsmorefun — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:32:49 +0000

So, if you were him you wouldn’t care about your financial security while playing a dangerous sport, maybe he will end up like some of the rotten guy’s Gene Upshaw never cared for.
I’m a Jet fan, that tells you how much I care about the Patriots but be real why shouldn’t he do what is best for his family.

By: Bill Cowher's Chin

Bill Cowher's Chin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:26:31 +0000

# evilmajortom says: January 27, 2010 1:15 PM
And so it begins . . . like rats fleeing a sinking ship everybody wants out of New England . . . Bob Kraft has enough money to pay the man what he’s worth so I’d be pissed off too . . .
_______________________________
Are you serious???? Do you realize there is a salary cap? It doesnt matter how much money Bob Kraft has. It doesnt matter how much money Jerry Jones has. This isnt Major League Baseball, where the Steinbrenners can pay and pay and pay……
Way back, when Belichick first got the job in New England, one of there best defensive players was Chad Eaton. Some of you may remember hm, some may not. He signed in Seattle for a $3.5 mil. bonus. In todays game, that doesnt seem like a lot of money, for a top DL. New England was able to put 18 players on the roster, with the money that Eaton would have occupied under the cap. It isnt just paying the man, you have to take from Peter to pay Paul (or in this case, to pay Vince).
Perhaps BB will trade his 1st round pick, and his 2 first round picks next year to the Rams, so he can grab Suh….. The rookie salary cap will be in place for this draft, if I am not mistaken, so it wouldnt be a huge deal to make that trade financially and the Rams certainly need more than just one player to fix that roster…..

By: Asswipe Johnson (Pronounced Az-Wee-Pay)

Asswipe Johnson (Pronounced Az-Wee-Pay) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:20:26 +0000

And supposedly Belichick didn’t want to deal with the hassles of Seymour complaining if he was franchised this offseason…LOL.

By: hizzle1281

hizzle1281 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:19:34 +0000

IRISH MAFIA says:
January 27, 2010 2:07 PM
Love it. The cheatriots lose yet another piece of the puzzle. This is wonderful. First brady is the greatest QB ever, until the coaching staff stops giving him the plays. All of a sudden he is average. Then the great brain trust of a coach who could take decent players and make them winners all of a sudden can’t draft worth a crap.
Really when was the last time the Patriots drafted someone who actually turned out good. Laurence Maroney was a bust, and not one of their 36 first round picks actually panned out. Mayo had a good year last year, no so much this year.
Love it, burn baby burn.
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lets see…..Meriweather is a Pro Bowler
Mankins might just be the best at his position
same with Wilfork
and others who we dont have anymore
Asante Samuel, Richard Seymour, Matt Cassel, then there are Julian Edelman, Ty warren, Matt Light and the rest of the O and D Line

By: brian91388

brian91388 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:14:25 +0000

I can’t believe all these people who act like Wilfork is a guy who can’t be replaced. Sure he’s a great player, but he’s not worth Haynesworth money. The Patriots won a Super Bowl in 2001 with a 4-3 defense, they won one with Ted Washington, and they won with Keith Traylor and Wilfork. Nose tackles can be had, every year quality guys get signed for short money or drafted in quality spots. The Patriots would be better off franchising him, dealing him for a 1st and 3rd round pick, and using the money they would of spent on him on Julius Peppers instead. The Patriots need playmakers, and while Wilfork occupies two blockers and creates opportunities for other people, it does no good when you have the Adailus Thomas and Derek Burgess types playing behind him.

By: jb10

jb10 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:14:21 +0000

if you don’t want tagged you can always quit and go home. no one is forcing you to play football vince.
or even get the nflpa to negotiate a different deal with the owners.
get over it and get over yourself!