Vince Wilfork, time to hold out

I’m Vince Wilfork [stats]. I saddled myself with a ridiculous six-year rookie deal, but I took my medicine. I did the right thing: I played it out, I played for my team, I played for my teammates, I played through injury. I honored the contract like I said I would, and now I’m in Miami preparing for my second Pro Bowl.

And I didn’t just slide in the backdoor because a bunch of people dropped out. I earned this, just like the last time. I’ve said and done all of the right things. There were no holdouts. I may have missed some optional team activities, but that was just so they knew I wasn’t a robot and wouldn’t be down the road.

I don’t know if it’s bad business to sign me to a long-term deal with all this labor strife and uncertainty going on, but that’s what I want, that’s what I feel I deserve, and that’s what I feel they should deliver.

I’ve been productive, I’m effective at the nose in a 3-4 scheme, and this year, I moved to wherever I was needed. Aren’t you supposed to get compensated for doing what you’re told, and having success?

I’m a big boy. I understand the Pats have all the leverage in this proceeding, but I’ve done everything they’ve asked, and more. They haven’t reciprocated.

I’m a family man, and as I’ve stated repeatedly, they come first. This is a violent game. I should get a long-term deal, and if I can’t get it here, I should be able to seek it somewhere else.

Why is that too much to ask?

There really haven’t been any substantive talks. I’m not hearing anything about a deal. All I’m hearing are whispers about a franchise tag. For me, that would stink for a lot of reasons. While it’s a lot of money, you only get one kick at the can in this business, and this is my shot for money and long-term security.

I could follow Asante Samuel [stats]’s lead and hold out. He eventually got his wish. He got out the next year and got his money and security in Philadelphia.

Should I follow his lead? Do I have any other choice?

Well, Vince, if you really mean what you stated rather firmly on WEEI yesterday and what I’ve essentially paraphrased above, if you truly mean it’s not acceptable to get slapped with a franchise tag, and if you want that long-term deal you deserve, be it with the Pats or someone else, there is no other choice:

You must hold out.

If the Pats do tender you with the franchise tag, which is expected, you can’t just sign it and hope everything works out for the better. That’s not what happened with Samuel. That’s also not what happened with Deion Branch, who was ultimately traded.

You mentioned Samuel, Adam Vinatieri, Branch, Daniel Graham [stats] and Richard Seymour [stats] in terms of contract situations that didn’t work out, with players landing elsewhere. While Seymour’s situation is still to be determined, there is a common denominator to Samuel, Vinatieri, Branch and Graham. While they had to leave to accomplish their goal, they did get paid.

You sure sounded willing to move on. Now you have to prove it.

A writer from the Palm Beach Post asked you yesterday following the AFC’s practice if you’ve considered holding out if the team does slap that unwanted franchise tag on you.

“That’s so far from here,” you said. “I’ll handle it the appropriate way. Whatever way I think that is, that’s what I’ll do. We don’t know what they’re gonna do. We’ll see in the next couple weeks.”

That sure sounds like you’re leaving the door open to the possibility, because the “appropriate way” for you at this stage is not showing up. You’ve been operating in good faith. To this point, as you said, there’s been no reciprocation. Why do them a favor by signing the tender, unless of course there’s a sign-and-trade deal in the works, or the long-term deal you so crave with the Pats coming on the heels?

Sure, the Pats are holding all the cards, but they’re slowly losing some of their grip with the fan base. There was no playoff appearance last season, and getting bounced in the first round just doesn’t cut it around here. Two of the biggest issues the team needs to address this offseason are defense and a lack of leadership.

So why would they want to alienate their best player on defense? And, after losing a ton of character players on defense, many of their quality leaders, why part with one more? You called yourself a leader yesterday, one who leads by example. Why eliminate another?

You’re a building block. They need you. They should tie you up long-term.

If they’re not willing to do that, it’s time for you to take a stand.

Click here to order Vince Wilfork’s proCane Rookie Card.



(bostonherald.com)