Robert Kraft: Patriots 'close' to a contract with franchised Vince Wilfork

Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Wednesday that the team is "close" to a deal with NT Vince Wilfork, whom the team gave the franchise tag to on Monday.

"Vince was a priority," Kraft told CSNE's Tom Curran. "And we worked very hard and I think both sides have worked hard and I think we're close."

Wilfork, with his wife Bianca, said Monday that he hoped the Patriots used the franchise tag as a means to buy more time to achieve a long-term deal.

The nose tackle was a Pro Bowler for the second time last season.

Kraft, whose team also faces the prospect of negotiating a new deal for QB Tom Brady (whose contract expires after next season), said Wilfork was the Patriots' "first priority."

"We have a number of other deals we've got to do," he told CSNE. "We're going about building our team and I hope in this process we get to close this out. I know he's a very important part of our team and I think we made an offer that can hopefully get it done."

Also, Kraft told the AP on Wednesday that he thinks Randy Moss' comments that the Patriots "don't really pay" were taken out of context. He said the Patriots will spend the money needed to win.

Click here to order Vince Wilfork's proCane Rookie Card.



(usatoday.com)