Tracking the Planet: Vince Wilfork status

SeoulSoxFan

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Jun 27, 2006
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A Scud Away from Hell
The 5 time Pro Bowler Vince "Planet" Wilfork will be featured on the new 60 Minutes: Sports show on Showtime. Here's a preview:
 
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FepBv_pSIs[/youtube]
 
Related piece from ESPN Boston:
 
I can’t tell you what the body’s going to tell me when I take the field,” Wilfork said in the piece. “Maybe the body is going to say, ‘You know what, Vince, it is enough.’ If it does that, I’m going to have to listen to my body. If it’s up to me, I’m playing. I can’t leave the game like this. I can’t.
 
Older but nice write up from Dr. Dave Siebert via B/R:
 
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1794872-breaking-down-vince-wilforks-torn-achilles-tendon-and-road-to-recovery
 

During the operation, surgeons must set Wilfork's tendon in place with just the right amount of tension.
 
A tendon that is too loose cannot provide adequate strength to perform the necessary functions of an NFL lineman.
 
On the other hand, one that is too tight is prone to repeated injury.
 
Assuming an uncomplicated surgery, Wilfork will likely require somewhere in the neighborhood of six months or so to return to the field.
 
His rehab will involve slowly working to increase his range of motion, strength and mobility while his repaired tendon cements itself back into place.
 
That said, the recovery time for an Achilles repair is extremely variable, running anywhere from four months to over a year. Predetermined factors such as a patient's age and innate healing ability play huge roles.
 
Wilfork had his surgery on Oct. 1st.
 
 

Ralphwiggum

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I know that the NFL is a cruel business and there can be little room for sentimentality when you are putting together a roster, and I can't see paying a 32 year old 350 pound guy $11.5 million the year after Achilles surgery.  But I really hope that the Pats are able to restructure Vince and he's able to play a few more years and he finishes his career as a Patriot.
 
The guy really is the model for how you want every single player on your favorite team to be.
 

MainerInExile

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Ralphwiggum said:
I know that the NFL is a cruel business and there can be little room for sentimentality when you are putting together a roster, and I can't see paying a 32 year old 350 pound guy $11.5 million the year after Achilles surgery.  But I really hope that the Pats are able to restructure Vince and he's able to play a few more years and he finishes his career as a Patriot.
 
The guy really is the model for how you want every single player on your favorite team to be.
I would be pretty surprised if he doesn't restructure.  Especially with uncertainty around coming back at 100%, some guaranteed money might look pretty good.