Big Daddy Vince does the right thing!

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Vince Wilfork showed up for Mandatory OTA's yesterday and did the right thing by the New England Patriots organization by not holding out. Granted, he didn't want to chance losing a cool $500,000, more than enough incentive to show up on time. Vince Wilfork has turned into one of the best nose tackles in the NFL and has certainly outplayed the rookie contract that expires after this season. The Patriots rarely, if ever, rip up a contract in the final year and sign a player to a big money deal. That's just not how the Patriots operate.

Unfortunately for Wilfork, he signed that contract. I am a firm believer that you sign a contract, play as hard as you can, and sign for big money when the contract EXPIRES! To professional athletes that sounds like a stupid idea, I know. Idealistic, right? Wrong. I am sick and tired of professional athletes holding out, whining and moaning when they outperform a contract and want more money. Most professional sports organizations can't lock out a player who's underperformed and try to have them rework a deal that's better suited to the players real performance.

Luckily for NFL teams, most contract aren't guaranteed, so you can cut the under performing player. Even with this out, teams are still hit for cap penalties. I sincerely hope big Vince continues to show up, practice and play out his rookie contract. When the deal is up, let the Patriots present him with a fair market offer and hope he comes back. He's one of the most valuable players on the defense. He's a great, run stuffer who takes on two blockers. It's more important the Patriots resign him instead of Richard Seymour. The 3-4 defense is reliant on someone of his large stature in the middle of that defense.

For now, I'll be singing the praises of Vince Wilfork because he showed loyalty to Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft and the Patriots. Most players, all agents and many fans would say he made a mistake by showing up and not holding out. If I'm the Pats, I'd be more willing to deal with a player who did the right thing. God I can't wait for football season.