Wilfork’s nose to grindstone

FOXBORO - Vince Wilfork [stats] felt like a new man at training camp last year after embarking on a diet that left him leaner and meaner.

The result was his first trip to Honolulu for what any objective observer would have to assume is the first of many Pro Bowls.

And when this offseason rolled around, Wilfork wasn’t content merely to repeat last year’s regimen. He wanted to top it.

So in addition to featuring a diet heavy on almonds, blueberries and lean meats like turkey, Wilfork added a couple of wrinkles after returning to his offseason home in Florida.

For one, he lifted weights, which he normally doesn’t do outside of Gillette Stadium. For another, he committed himself to 30 minutes a day of running of all types, expanding on his usual conditioning work.

“Distance, sprint work, conditioning, on sand, up hills, stairs,” Wilfork said. “You name it, I’ve done it. I put my body through hell just to come to camp in shape, to make sure I’m the way I need to be conditioning-wise.”

The fruits of Wilfork’s labor won’t be felt until September and beyond, but right now he once again looks like he’s ready to be a force in the middle of the Patriots [team stats]’ defense.

A freakish athlete at 6-foot-2, 325 pounds, Wilfork is one of the most unique players in the league, impossible to move at the point of attack and quite possibly the best 3-4 nose tackle in the game.

Football is a year-round commitment for Wilfork, which is why he continues to tweak his offseason workouts. He spoke yesterday, soaked in sweat after a grueling morning workout in mid-80s heat.

“My thing is, when you strap on this helmet, it’s time to go to work,” Wilfork said. “I never feel sorry for myself. You’ll never see me taking any days off. When I’m out on the field, you’re guaranteed to get 100 percent of me. That’s how I was raised, and I don’t care how long I’m in this game - it’s always going to be true.”

In the past, Wilfork’s month back home in Florida has been spent solely on conditioning. He gets all the lifting he needs during the team’s offseason conditioning program. This time around, he decided to add some strength work to his typical cardio routine, with the result being a player who could be even stronger and quicker this year.

“I’m a true believer in coming into camp in good shape,” Wilfork said. “Conditioning is the key. If you’ve got that, everything else that comes after is easy.”

As for his running workouts, Wilfork said he set aside 30 minutes every day for them, no matter what.

“I don’t care if I’m just jogging for cardio or doing sprint work or hills - it adds up to 30 minutes,” Wilfork said. “And trust me, those 30 minutes are work. Coming into camp, I can feel the difference in two-a-days, even in this heat. I can feel the difference in my conditioning.”

Wilfork joked he draws the line at running in the sand with a parachute or a weight dragging behind him, a la Randy Moss.

“I don’t need to be running with no parachutes,” he said with a laugh, “but pretty much anything else is fair game.”

Who knows what new wrinkles next year will bring?

“It’s been working for me, it’s been paying off for me,” Wilfork said. “I’m going to continue it. Every year I’m going to add to it more and more. I’m not turning back from it.”

(bostonherald.com)