Spotlight: Vince Wilfork

When analyzing the New England Patriots’ defense, one of the first players always mentioned is the hulking Vince Wilfork, a 6-foot-2, 325-pound defensive tackle who has been doing great things for the Patriots ever since he was drafted into the league as a first-round pick out of Miami in 2004. Wilfork is in the last year of his contract and has yet to sign another with the Patriots, but judging from his absolute value to the New England defense, he’s about to land a lucrative deal with the team he’s been a part of for his whole pro football career.

At 28 years old, the next contract Wilfork signs will perhaps be the most important of his career, as it will likely be the one he sees at the apex of his career. Known as one of the best nose tackles in the NFL, Vince Wilfork is a hot commodity on the football scene, but even with all the pressure mounting to strike a deal, Wilfork says he’s just taking things one day at a time. “The final year of my contract is this year. Whatever happens, happens after that,” he recently said. “I’ll move forward. That’s one thing I can say. I will move forward, but for right now, that’s the last thing on my mind - contract talk and all that. That’s what I pay my agent for. If he has a problem, he has my number. I just try to focus on doing my job and how we can get better as a team. That’s basically my mind frame as of now.”

Wilfork, who initially signed a six-year contract worth $18 million in 2004, has shown the Patriots he wants to stay with the team but isn’t willing to mess around for long when it comes to his contract. He has been clear on that, even sitting out of New England’s voluntary OTAs this spring. What will come next in his story? We’re certain he’ll be a Patriot after all is said and done, but stay tuned to find out!

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Posted in Uncategorized on October 30, 2009

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