Great signing (Wilfork) by the Patriots

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Don't call the New England Patriots cheap!

While the Pats typically don't throw money around like an out-of-control gambler, they do spend when they think it's a great investment.

So kudos to the New England Patriots for realizing they needed to dig deep to sign the best nose tackle on the free agent market. Better yet, the best tackle in all of football.

Welcome home again Vince Wilfork.

The big man and force in the middle of the Patriots defense will be staying in Foxboro for five more seasons after inking a five-year, $40 million deal.

I said it before, the Pats needed to sign Wilfork no matter the price.

And a signing bonus of $18 million and $25 million guaranteed proves to Patriots Nation that their team spends big when they need to.

Yes, the Pats have a lot of holes to fill, but Wilfork was a must and it's one great start to free agency.

Just imagine that defense without the big man in the middle this season. You got it, it wouldn't be pretty and opposing teams would run on us like crazy.

Wilfork is a major key to this defense, and it's nice to know he'll be for quite a while.

Again, great signing Patriots, and keep doing your thing Wilfork!

Patriots better show Wilfork the $$$$

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Time for the Patriots to pay up.

I know it's not the "Patriot Way" but it's time to get out the checkbook and pay the top defensive lineman in the NFL.

Yes, Vince Wilfork is the real deal. He's the best at his position in my book, and he's done anything and everything to help the Patriots win since he was drafted in the first round six years ago.

His rookie contract is over -- how many years did he outplay that contract? Exactly!

Now, Wilfork wants to see a lot of green, and I can't blame him.

The Pats had a shot to lock him up during the season and that bonehead move by the front office to not give him an extension is going to cost the best franchise in the NFL a lot more money.

But the bottom line is Wilfork is an elite player, he's played all out for the Pats and now it's his chance to cash in.

Nobody should blame him for trying to find that pot of gold, either.

To top it all off, Wilfork is a key piece on a defense that is and has been in transition. The monster tackle is a keeper, regardless of how much it's going to cost the Pats.

The Pats have been known to no pay top dollar to retain players, but if they have any dreams of winning another Super Bowl any time soon, then Wilfork needs to be up front taking on multiple blockers on every play with a Pats uniform on.

The Pats need him. And they need him in a big way.

Please don't try to play hardball with Wilfork and pull a fast one by franchising him. He's earned a big payday and a long-term contact.

The Pats need to show him the love ($$$$$).