Pats tell Wilfork "You're It" and Tag Him for 2010 Season

The Patriots' front office has just confirmed a story I reported earlier, and they have placed the franchise tag on Vince Wilfork.  Since last offseason, questions have circulated about whether or not the Patriots would work out a long-term deal with him.  

Initially, many thought that question was answered when they took Ron Brace in the second round of last year's draft.  Brace didn't exactly wow anyone with his performance this past season, and it appears he has one year left to prove he can be the Patriots' three-down anchor on the defensive line.  

The franchise tag will cost the Patriots roughly $7 million this season, and will likely make Wilfork unhappy. He displayed all the grace in the world during the long-term contract negotiations last summer. He keeps the media out of disputes, leaving matters between himself and the team, and only missed one practice during that time.

Despite his performance over the past several seasons, the Patriots will likely shy away from giving him anything long-term, given the well-documented falloffs in the past of defensive tackles whose talents and abilities deteriorated after age 30 (with the exception of the world's Ted Washingtons).

Wilfork showed signs of wearing and tearing this past season, missing several games due to injury.  The franchise tag keeps him in New England for at least one more year which Patriot fans should be happy about after opposing running backs (EX: Ray Rice in the playoffs) hurt them at times.  

While I don't know if Wilfork will be signed to a long-term deal, and in fact, don't think he should be, I'll be happy to see him in the middle of the defense next season.