Report: Mainstay Wilfork asks Patriots for release

Vince Wilfork reportedly wants his release from the Patriots. (USATSI)

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For the last decade, Vince Wilfork's been the centerpiece of the Patriots defense. He may be no more as the defensive tackle reportedly asked the Patriots for his release this week.

Wilfork, in the final year of his contract, was due a $7.5 million salary and was going to equate to an $11.6 million cap hit.

The Patriots have reportedly (and not surprisingly) asked him to take a paycut.

Wilfork clearly doesn't want to do that and so per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, he's asking the Patriots to cut him loose.

Measuring Wilfork's impact on the Patriots is difficult in terms of statistics. He has just 16 sacks in his career, but he's a double-team commanding machine and the fulcrum of New England's defense.

When he went down in 2013 and missed the remainder of the season the Patriots defense suffered badly. It also became clear that New England might be moving on from Wilfork, given his large salary.

He's 32 and on the downswing of his career, but there's no question Wilfork could still impact a defense and would be an extremely interesting pickup on the free-agent market.

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Browns cut QBs Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell



The Browns are going to draft a quarterback with the No. 4 pick in May's draft. That player will most likely compete with Brian Hoyer for the starting job. And whomever the Browns' No. 3 QB is, it won't be Brandon Weeden or Jason Campbell. The Browns released both on Wednesday.Weeden was a first-round pick in 2012, and it took him a little more than a year to lose his starting job and fall completely out of favor. He threw 26 interceptions in 23 games, and the Browns went 5-15 in games he started.Campbell, who at the age of 32 is only a couple of years older than Weeden, compiled an 11:8 touchdown-to-interception ratio in nine games last season.



What, the Browns could trade Weeden to the 49ers for a 7th-round pick in 2018 or something?It was a horrible couple of seasons for Weeden in Cleveland. By the end of it, he had lost all confidence in the pocket and became a punching bag for defenders. He has taken 55 sacks in 23 career games. I wouldn't be surprised if some team signs Weeden to see if they can get something out of him as a backup. I don't know if there will be any market for Campbell. Regardless, both players will be worthless in fantasy.