Patriots intent on extending NT Wilfork

The word we’re hearing out Boston is that it’s only a matter of time before the Patriots begin negotiating a new contract with NT Vince Wilfork. Wilfork’s rookie deal extends through 2009, but the coaches’ belief that he’s the most important cog in their defensive scheme is reason enough for them to be particularly proactive in locking him up. However, a deal for Wilfork won’t be nearly as easy to come by as fellow DL Ty Warren’s was a season ago. For starters, Wilfork’s wife, Bianca, who handles his business endeavors, is known as a tough and shrewd negotiator, and won’t settle for anything less than a blockbuster offer. But the most significant complicating matter is the uncertainty surrounding the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is putting a kink in numerous teams’ contract structuring. Still, it’s more a matter of “when” than “if” when it comes to Wilfork and the Patriots.

(pfw.com)