Patriots Player Profiles: Vince Wilfork
BOSTON (CBS) - The key cog on the New England defense, Vince Wilfork, heads into his eighth season as a Patriot.
2010 Stats: 57 tackles, 46 solo (11 assists), 2 sacks, fumble recovery
After getting a new five-year, $40 million contract before the season began, Wilfork went out and proved he was worth every penny. The 325-pounder spent the season going back and forth from nose tackle and defensive end, but produced none-the-less.
He was (and is) the first line of defense against the oppositions rushing attack, and helped the Patriots hold Baltimore back Ray Rice to just 88 yards over nearly five quarters in their 23-20 OT victory in Week 6. Wilfork earned All-Pro second team honors and made his third Pro Bowl in 2010. At the start of the season, he was named one of the team's captains for the third year in a row.
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2011 Outlook: There is no reason to think Wilfork will slow down, even as he turns 30 during the season. He is the true leader of the defensive unit. Although the defense was in the bottom third of the NFL in yards allowed per game, most of that came through the air. Wilfork and Co. allowed just 108 yards per game on the ground, good for 11th in the league. He could also benefit from the addition of Albert Haynesworth, who will join him to beef up the interior defensive line as the team's philosophy could include more 4-3 formations.
Fans can follow Vince Wilfork on Twitter @wilfork75
