coin flip
02-23-2010, 01:19 AM
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots (http://www.nfl.com/teams/newenglandpatriots/profile?team=NE) placed the franchise tag on Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork (http://www.nfl.com/players/vincewilfork/profile?id=WIL059369) on Monday, providing more time for negotiations toward a long-term contract.
Wilfork, a six-year NFL veteran, said he hoped the team would use the tag for that purpose.
The Patriots used a non-exclusive tag on Wilfork, according to ESPN.com. That gives the Patriots the right to match any other team's offer or let Wilfork go for two first-round draft picks. An exclusive tag would have tied Wilfork to the Patriots for the season.
As a non-exclusive franchise player, if a long-term deal isn't reached, Wilfork's 2010 salary with the Patriots would be $7.003 million, the average 2009 salary of the top five paid players at his position.
"A long-term agreement with Vince Wilfork has been the team's top contractual priority for some time," the Patriots said in a statement. "Unfortunately, despite numerous conversations and proposals, the goal has not yet been realized. Vince is a tremendous player for our team and remains a significant part of our future plans."
The Patriots also said, "We are hopeful that Vince will remain a Patriot for many years to come."
Last month, Wilfork said on WEEI radio in Boston that the franchise tag would be a "slap in the face." But he struck a more accommodating tone Monday in a posting on wife Bianca's Twitter page.
[/URL]
[URL="http://www.nflshop.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=716669"] (http://www.nflshop.com/entry.point?entry=3969359&source=NFL_DF:NEWENGLANDPATRIOTS)
Wilfork, a six-year NFL veteran, said he hoped the team would use the tag for that purpose.
The Patriots used a non-exclusive tag on Wilfork, according to ESPN.com. That gives the Patriots the right to match any other team's offer or let Wilfork go for two first-round draft picks. An exclusive tag would have tied Wilfork to the Patriots for the season.
As a non-exclusive franchise player, if a long-term deal isn't reached, Wilfork's 2010 salary with the Patriots would be $7.003 million, the average 2009 salary of the top five paid players at his position.
"A long-term agreement with Vince Wilfork has been the team's top contractual priority for some time," the Patriots said in a statement. "Unfortunately, despite numerous conversations and proposals, the goal has not yet been realized. Vince is a tremendous player for our team and remains a significant part of our future plans."
The Patriots also said, "We are hopeful that Vince will remain a Patriot for many years to come."
Last month, Wilfork said on WEEI radio in Boston that the franchise tag would be a "slap in the face." But he struck a more accommodating tone Monday in a posting on wife Bianca's Twitter page.
[/URL]
[URL="http://www.nflshop.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=716669"] (http://www.nflshop.com/entry.point?entry=3969359&source=NFL_DF:NEWENGLANDPATRIOTS)