Logan Mankins and Vince Wilfork Make NFL’s Top 100 List

Last Sunday night, the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2010 list, as voted on by the players themselves, the show presented players 31-40. Two members of the New England Patriots appeared on the list: guard Logan Mankins and

nose tackle

defensive lineman Vince Wilfork. Mankins was ranked 39th while Wilfork was ranked 35th. Head Coach Bill Belichick presented Logan Mankins, and of course had glowing comments about the Pats’ franchised left guard. One thing that is apparent is that Belichick loves Mankins’ ability, so why the two side can’t come to a long-term agreement is beyond me, though I estimate that either one side is being really cheap or the other side is being very greedy.

“There are tough players and then there are the super tough guys. I’d say Mankins would go into that [second] category,” Belichick said of Mankins. “Both physically and mentally, he’s as tough as they come.”

He continued, discussing how Mankins helps make the Patriot offense go.

“With a quarterback like Tom Brady, who needs to step up into the pocket, who likes to step up into the pocket, there has to be somewhere to step up into. Logan does a great job of that, of staying firm on the line of scrimmage and not getting driven back, so that Tom can step up and avoid the rush and make the throw,” Belichick said.

He also discussed Mankins’ work in the running game.

“I think Logan is really a force in the running game because he’s able to play with great leverage and power, and get movement. A lot of plays that run to our left side, you see him getting push at the line of scrimmage and creating seams for the back. He’s also a very good puller, and a lot of plays to the right, he ends up pulling around and leading the runner through the hole. A lot of times Logan is at the point of attack in the running game regardless of where the play is called.”

Sounds pretty good. Can we get him signed now?

Vince Wilfork’s spot was presented by his former teammate from the U, Saints LB Jonathon Vilma. Vilma also got to see Wilfork from the sidelines twice every season when he was a member of the New York Jets. One of the more interesting aspects about Wilfork was brought up by Vilma, and that is the non-statistical effect Vince has on the defensive line. Big Vince is so disruptive and requires so much attention that he allows the other lineman to break free and rack up the stats.

“You turn on the film and watch that and you know, that was because of him,” Vilma noted. “[Another player] may have gotten the stats, but that was because of Vince.”

Wilfork is more than just a big man.

“He was with me in college for three years, I played against him twice a year when I was with the Jets, and the best thing about him is that as big as he’s gotten, it looks sloppy, but when you watch him on film it’s not,” Vilma continued. “He’s very explosive, very athletic.”

You can watch the presentation video with Vilma commentary by clicking HERE.

You may be questioning as to why I crossed out “nose tackle” above and opted for “defensive lineman” when describing Vince Wilfork. Wilfork joined the NFL Network on its reaction show following the Top 100 show, and had this to say:

“I think a lot of people see me move around a lot, and a lot of media [say] ‘nose tackle, nose tackle’ and I correct them. I’m a defensive lineman.”

Yes, sir. Whatever you say, sir. Check out Vince’s reaction to being on the list, and where he’s placed, in the video located HERE.