New England Patriots lacking veteran leadership with Vince Wilfork injury

Nov 22, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12), safety Steve Gregory (28), and defensive tackle Vincent Wilfork (75) reach for a piece of a turkey while standing with NBC sports commentator Michele Tafoya after the game against the New York Jets on Thanksgiving at Metlife Stadium. The Patriots won the game 49-19. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

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As Albert Breer of the NFL Network pointed out, the Pats are no longer a roster compromised of aging veterans on their last legs, but instead have a roster full of young and spry rookies:

When the Patriots put Wilfork on IR, they'll be down to seven guys that are in their 30s on the 53-man roster.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 30, 2013

Could this be what the Patriots need though?

After falling short of their ultimate goal in each of the past seven seasons, having not held Lombardi Trophy since 2005, now they can try and win with more youth on their roster, and not watch their aging players run out of gas in the playoffs?

That remains to be seen, but with a 4-0 record, you couldn’t have asked for a better start to build the confidence of their young corps of players.

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