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INDIANAPOLIS - After five years, Eugene Wilson and the Patriots have decided to part ways. The two-time Super Bowl starter will become a free agent Friday at 12:01 EST, and he won't be back in New England.
"I'm looking forward to moving on, and at the same time, I wish the best of luck to the Patriots because I don't think I'll be back there this year," Wilson said yesterday. "I'm excited to get into free agency to see what is out there."
Based on informal discussions with personnel executives and coaches at the NFL combine, Wilson should expect to draw some interest, perhaps as soon as the opening weekend of free agency. One club had him ranked as the second-best safety available in free agency, while also valuing that he can play cornerback in five- or six-defensive back packages.
A second-round draft choice of the Patriots in 2003, Wilson made an immediate mark in his rookie season. When safety Lawyer Milloy was unexpectedly cut prior to the season opener, the team needed a replacement. Then, after losing, 31-0, in Buffalo in Week 1 and watching Antwan Harris struggle, the Patriots turned to Wilson despite the fact that he had been a cornerback at the University of Illinois.
The 5-foot-10-inch, 195-pound Wilson started 15 games that season and all three playoff contests. He tore his groin in the third quarter of the team's Super Bowl win over the Panthers.
Wilson was a consistent presence in the lineup over the next two seasons (36 games, 35 starts) before things dipped unexpectedly.
Despite beginning the 2006 season as a starter, Wilson played in just four games, limited by a torn groin and a hernia. He said yesterday that reports of him having only a hamstring injury that season were erroneous.
Last season, Wilson started the first five games before coming off the bench against Dallas. The decision appeared to be game-plan related, as the Patriots favored a James Sanders/Rodney Harrison pairing against the Cowboys' two-tight end offense. But after Wilson sustained a mild high ankle sprain the next week in Miami, he ended up missing five straight games.
Looking back, Wilson felt he could have returned sooner.
"I thought the year started off pretty good, I was playing consistent, but then I had the high ankle sprain," he said. "I was ready to come back but I was still on the inactive list for a couple games. I'm not sure the reason why.
"Then when I was active again, it just seemed I was down further and further [on the depth chart]. I don't have an explanation. Maybe free agency had something to do with it."
Wilson suited up for the season's final four games, starting Dec. 16 against the Jets in place of Sanders (knee). But he was inactive for the playoff opener against the Jaguars, with Sanders, cornerback/safety Randall Gay, and 2007 first-round draft choice Brandon Meriweather ahead of him on the depth chart. In the Super Bowl, he was the seventh of seven defensive backs on the game-day roster.
Summing up his time in New England, Wilson said starting in Super Bowls his first two years was a highlight. He also appreciated the camaraderie among the defensive backs, especially Asante Samuel, with whom he developed a close friendship.
"Everybody got along with everyone," Wilson said, "but I think we all realize this is a business and we move on."
A Lito shuffle?The Eagles, who were last in the NFL in turnovers created in 2007, are expected to pursue Samuel in free agency. If they land him, it could open the door for trade talks between the Patriots and Eagles on cornerback Lito Sheppard . . . Safety Mel Mitchell, a special teams standout who is scheduled for free agency, continues to rehab after being placed on season-ending injured reserve (biceps) in the playoffs. Mitchell likely won't receive much interest on the free agent market until he returns to full health . . . One East Coast-based scout raved about Boston College safety Jamie Silva yesterday, calling him "the next Pat Tillman." . . . Georgia Tech's Gary Guyton (4.47) ran the fastest 40-yard dash among linebackers, while Auburn's Quentin Groves (4.57) had the fastest time among defensive linemen. . . . Among linebackers, Purdue's Stanford Keglar had the most bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds, with 29.
(See bottom of article)
INDIANAPOLIS - After five years, Eugene Wilson and the Patriots have decided to part ways. The two-time Super Bowl starter will become a free agent Friday at 12:01 EST, and he won't be back in New England.
"I'm looking forward to moving on, and at the same time, I wish the best of luck to the Patriots because I don't think I'll be back there this year," Wilson said yesterday. "I'm excited to get into free agency to see what is out there."
Based on informal discussions with personnel executives and coaches at the NFL combine, Wilson should expect to draw some interest, perhaps as soon as the opening weekend of free agency. One club had him ranked as the second-best safety available in free agency, while also valuing that he can play cornerback in five- or six-defensive back packages.
A second-round draft choice of the Patriots in 2003, Wilson made an immediate mark in his rookie season. When safety Lawyer Milloy was unexpectedly cut prior to the season opener, the team needed a replacement. Then, after losing, 31-0, in Buffalo in Week 1 and watching Antwan Harris struggle, the Patriots turned to Wilson despite the fact that he had been a cornerback at the University of Illinois.
The 5-foot-10-inch, 195-pound Wilson started 15 games that season and all three playoff contests. He tore his groin in the third quarter of the team's Super Bowl win over the Panthers.
Wilson was a consistent presence in the lineup over the next two seasons (36 games, 35 starts) before things dipped unexpectedly.
Despite beginning the 2006 season as a starter, Wilson played in just four games, limited by a torn groin and a hernia. He said yesterday that reports of him having only a hamstring injury that season were erroneous.
Last season, Wilson started the first five games before coming off the bench against Dallas. The decision appeared to be game-plan related, as the Patriots favored a James Sanders/Rodney Harrison pairing against the Cowboys' two-tight end offense. But after Wilson sustained a mild high ankle sprain the next week in Miami, he ended up missing five straight games.
Looking back, Wilson felt he could have returned sooner.
"I thought the year started off pretty good, I was playing consistent, but then I had the high ankle sprain," he said. "I was ready to come back but I was still on the inactive list for a couple games. I'm not sure the reason why.
"Then when I was active again, it just seemed I was down further and further [on the depth chart]. I don't have an explanation. Maybe free agency had something to do with it."
Wilson suited up for the season's final four games, starting Dec. 16 against the Jets in place of Sanders (knee). But he was inactive for the playoff opener against the Jaguars, with Sanders, cornerback/safety Randall Gay, and 2007 first-round draft choice Brandon Meriweather ahead of him on the depth chart. In the Super Bowl, he was the seventh of seven defensive backs on the game-day roster.
Summing up his time in New England, Wilson said starting in Super Bowls his first two years was a highlight. He also appreciated the camaraderie among the defensive backs, especially Asante Samuel, with whom he developed a close friendship.
"Everybody got along with everyone," Wilson said, "but I think we all realize this is a business and we move on."
A Lito shuffle?The Eagles, who were last in the NFL in turnovers created in 2007, are expected to pursue Samuel in free agency. If they land him, it could open the door for trade talks between the Patriots and Eagles on cornerback Lito Sheppard . . . Safety Mel Mitchell, a special teams standout who is scheduled for free agency, continues to rehab after being placed on season-ending injured reserve (biceps) in the playoffs. Mitchell likely won't receive much interest on the free agent market until he returns to full health . . . One East Coast-based scout raved about Boston College safety Jamie Silva yesterday, calling him "the next Pat Tillman." . . . Georgia Tech's Gary Guyton (4.47) ran the fastest 40-yard dash among linebackers, while Auburn's Quentin Groves (4.57) had the fastest time among defensive linemen. . . . Among linebackers, Purdue's Stanford Keglar had the most bench-press repetitions of 225 pounds, with 29.
