Lineman Wilfork wants to go long

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Vince Wilfork is firm in his stance. He wants a long-term deal, and he doesn’t want to wait for it.

But that doesn’t mean he isn’t aware that this is a business situation, and nothing personal. Asked if he was angry with the Patriots, Wilfork responded swiftly and decisively.

“No,’’ he said. “Not at all.’’

Wilfork, here yesterday practicing with the AFC for tonight’s Pro Bowl, spoke out earlier in the week on the possibility that the Patriots will designate the nose tackle their franchise player in February, in essence taking him off the free agent market while giving him no guarantee of long-term security.

All New England would have to do is tender Wilfork a one-year, $7.003 million offer, and then any signing team would have to pay the prohibitive price of two first-round draft picks, in addition to whatever the contract would cost, to wrest him away.

“That’s the one thing you play for, long-term security,’’ Wilfork said. “That’s something we’re trying to get. I don’t want to be playing with one-year deals and franchise tags, because I’ll be right back at the same point I am right now.’’

The Patriots last used the franchise tag in 2007. In that case, cornerback Asante Samuel eventually signed his $7.79 million tender with the promise he wouldn’t be franchised again, and he wound up scoring a six-year, $57.14 million deal from Philadelphia in 2008.

Samuel was coming off his fourth season when he was franchised. Wilfork is coming off his sixth. And even if Wilfork were assured he’d be able to go to the market next year, a potential lockout looms over 2011, which could cost him another season of his prime.

Wilfork said the sides haven’t talked contract since the beginning of the season, but he is expecting a phone call soon. One thing he’s not worrying about is criticism over his approach.

“I don’t care about the heat I’m taking,’’ Wilfork said. “I did everything I could possibly do. I played my six years, and however they want to look at me, they look at me. But it doesn’t take away the fact that when I stepped on that field, I gave the organization everything I had.’’

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(boston.com)