Wilfork enters 13th season eyeing 'a couple more good years'
Vince Wilfork isn't planning on calling it a career any time soon.
The Houston Texans defensive tackle will head into training camp this summer preparing for his 13th season at the NFL level. With linebackers coach and former New England Patriots teammate Mike Vrabel having advised that he'll know when it's time to walk away, Wilfork is confident he still has plenty left to offer.
"I said until I feel like I can't perform at a certain level or my body can't take it, or I'm mentally not there anymore, it'll be time for me to hang it up. But I think I have a couple more good years in me," Wilfork said, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
"I think, mentally, it'll go before my body will. It's just the amount of stress over the years you've been in the game. To play this game, you have to be mentally there. If you're not mentally there, I don't care who you are. You won't make it."
Wilfork, 34, joined the Texans last March after spending the first 11 years of his pro career in New England. He started every game throughout the regular season, showing flashes of the dominance that earned him five Pro Bowl appearances with the Patriots.
Though he may not be able to take on as many snaps in the years ahead, his presence as an early down specialist can still be particularly valuable to Houston's defensive front.
The veteran nose tackle holding down a spot between talents like that of J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Whitney Mercilus should once again give Houston one of the NFL's strongest defensive fronts.
- With h/t to NFL.com