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Could Vince Wilfork Join the Colts ‘ReUnion’?

By Luke Schultheis

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The Indianapolis Colts are going all-in for a Super Bowl push before their star young quarterback Andrew Luck‘s mega-extension is due. The team already made quick work in bringing some of the best free agent veterans to the Horseshoe in this year’s free agency, highlighted by the signings of wide receiver Andre Johnson and running back Frank Gore.

Oct 9, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne (87) and Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson (80) after the game at NRG Stadium. The Colts defeated the Texans 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, Johnson and Gore are already well-acquainted with each other from their days playing collegiate football with the Miami Hurricanes, the same alma mater as beloved Colts wideout Reggie Wayne.

The two signed with Indianapolis in a planned package deal to both play with Andrew Luck and more importantly, win a championship. However, it raises the question of whether another Miami Hurricane could possibly be joining them.

The Colts have already addressed many of their glaring holes including starting offensive line with Todd Herremans and their pass rush with Trent Cole, in addition to Gore and Johnson bolstering their offensive attack. However, the team has yet to make significant headway in improving their run defense.

Don’t get me wrong, recently signed St. Louis Rams defensive lineman Kendall Langford may strengthen their run defense at defensive end compared to the starter he effectively projects to replace in Cory Redding; however, that can’t be the sole move the Colts make to ultimately stop the run. Langford isn’t a one man run-stopping crew after all. No one really is unless your a true mountain of a man like Gilbert Brown or Ted Washington.

Like all great 3-4 defenses, the Colts could use a true difference-maker and “huge” presence at nose tackle. Someone that can consistently command a double team and has a championship pedigree. It also helps that the man I’m talking about also happens to be a former Miami Hurricane himself.

I’m talking Vince Wilfork. 

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork (75) in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Listed at an understated 6’2, 325 pounds, Vince Wilfork would provide the Colts with a standout situational run stuffer in the middle. While Wilfork wouldn’t be a significant upgrade to incumbent starter Josh Chapman, he would help provide another mammoth in the middle to help anchor the run defense.

With the Colts making one final push to hoist the Lombardi trophy, why not bring in a big bodied defensive lineman, who’s already done it twice? 

Wilfork could be a solidifying veteran presence to the Colts defensive line, something the team could really use with defensive leader Cory Redding now joining the Arizona Cardinals. In fact, similar to what Kevin Williams did for the Seattle Seahawks defensive line this past season, Wilfork could provide much needed veteran leadership, in addition to his highly touted ability to situationally stop the run.

The question is whether the Colts will stop the “reUnion” here or bring another one of Gore and Johnson’s former Miami Hurricane teammates in Vince Wilfork to their planned championship run party.

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