Vince Wilfork slowly returning to form

FOXBORO — The Patriots started last season in great shape at defensive tackle with the immensely hefty and talented tandem of Vince Wilfork and Tommy Kelly.

But Wilfork tore his right Achilles tendon in a win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4, and Kelly blew out his right knee a week later in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Both players would ultimately land on season-ending injured reserve, leaving the Patriots to patch a gaping hole in the middle of the line.

While the likes of rookies Chris Jones and Joe Vellano and waiver-wire pickup Sealver Siliga — all of whom entered the NFL undrafted — did a commendable job clogging the middle and creating an interior pass rush, Wilfork and Kelly are projected to resume their stout standing this season.

However, it's evident after five practices at training camp that it's going to be a slow and sometimes testing return to full health for both big bodies.

Unfortunately for Kelly, he knows the routine. He suffered a torn ACL while playing for the Oakland Raiders in 2007 that caused him to sit out the final nine games of the season.

As for Wilfork, he's listed at 325 pounds but probably plays closer to 350 and currently appears to weigh about 375. He started camp on time, but is clearly quite a ways off from regaining his quickness and conditioning.

That's to be expected considering the combination of his bulk and the severity of the injury.

"Obviously, it's good to have Vince out there," Belichick said. "But he, like everybody else, has a long way to go; a lot of things to work on.

"He missed most of the season last year. He's working his way back in. I think there are a lot of positive signs. I don't think he or anybody else is where they need to be, coaches included."


(telegram.com)