PatsBoy12
Pro Bowl Player
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.I absolutely love the approach that Vince has taken. He's such a class act. Needless to say, I hope they sign the guy to his long-term deal.
Not that I'm a cynic, but that's exactly the senitment that is purposefully being cultivated by this calculated move by Wilfork.
Wilfork's agent couldn't have put it any better!
Not that I'm a cynic, but that's exactly the senitment that is purposefully being cultivated by this calculated move by Wilfork.
Wilfork's agent couldn't have put it any better!
“I signed up to a six year deal and I’m going to meet all my obligations" ... Wilfork says he also expects to report to training camp in late July, regardless of his contract situation, or even if his agent advises him to stay away.
Indeed, Wilfork talked about how he doesn’t want to eventually become a free agent, because it would possibly mean that he’d be leaving. He has roots in the community, and has been honest and genuine about his feelings, and even informed the Patriots beforehand he wouldn’t be attending the OTAs.
Kraft said Wilfork’s popularity is well known. On Wednesday morning, before attending mini-camp, he toured the General Electric Plant in Lynn, Mass. “and the question that kept coming up was ‘We’re not going to let Vince get out of here, are we?’ So he’s got a lot of fans in this region and we all reaiize how special he is.”
Wilfork is due about $2.2 million this season. Certainly, it would not be unreasonable for him to request somewhere in the $4 million-$5 million range. For the Patriots, such a contract would be manageable, but with fellow defensive linemen Richard Seymour and Jarvis Green hitting the free-agent market after the season, it may restrict their options going forward.
Regardless, Wilfork has all the leverage, both physically and figuratively. When the Patriots drafted Wilfork with the 21st selection in 2004, they did so because he was perfect for the Pats’ 3-4 defense. Ted Washington had plugged the hole in the middle for a year but was 35 years old. The younger, more agile Wilfork looked to be the right fit.
As it turned out, he was. In his first season, Wilfork — splitting time with Keith Traylor — was part of the potent defense of the 14-2 Patriots team that rolled to a Super Bowl victory over the Eagles.
There’s no question she’ll be heavily involved. This is a woman who defends her husband from commenters on Deadspin.com. In a story in the Boston Globe last year, Wilfork admitted the only way Bill Belichick can contact him in the offseason is by calling his wife. In college, Vince’s wife Bianca was in charge of interviewing agents. She literally quizzed several on the value of incentives and escalator clauses. Vince seems like the kind of guy who would be perfectly content making $2.2 million the rest of his life. His wife? Not so much. She started dating Wilfork in college, waiting for the moment that’s approaching — her hubby’s huge payday. Vince could play in Cincinnati next year for all she cares. She wants her $10 million a year. And what does that mean, gentlemen? Vince is getting his money.