Hampton deal may guide Wilfork talks

INDIANAPOLIS -- One day after owner Robert Kraft said the New England Patriots and nose tackle Vince Wilfork were close on a contract extension, a new deal for Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton might push them even closer.

Hampton reportedly agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract with $11 million in bonuses/guarantees, a deal that helps shape the market for nose tackles who play in 3-4 defenses.

Because the responsibilities of nose tackles in 3-4 defenses are unique -- which was a hot topic at the NFL combine Thursday -- establishing a market for them can be a challenge. But Hampton's agreement provides a general neighborhood, based on current market conditions, for where the Patriots and Wilfork ultimately will be, and could accelerate the process toward consummating a deal.

The general feeling at the combine among a handful of front-office types and agents was that the agreement would strengthen the Patriots' position in negotiations with Wilfork.

Wilfork is a superior player to Hampton, and is four years younger, so his market value figures to be a bit higher, although not as high as Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who signed a monstrous deal last year that included $41 million in bonuses and guarantees.

A contract for Wilfork would likely be anywhere in the range of $8 million to $9 million per year with bonuses and guarantees topping $20 million.

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(espn.com)