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OneGiantThrill · 06-04-2009, 04:43 PM

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Shalise Manza Young of the Providence Journal reports Vince Wilfork may show up at the New England Patriots' mandatory mini-camp, which begins next Wednesday.

Or he may not.

The nose tackle was in Boston on Wednesday to support his charitable foundation. While he was all smiles in front of a massive grill as he prepared chicken and fish dishes, Wilfork was more reserved — and just as evasive for a 330-pound man — when talking about his status with the Patriots.

The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his six-year rookie contract, and has not been attending New England's voluntary organized team activity sessions.

While it's assumed that he's doing so as a form of protest over the progress of contract extension negotiations, Wilfork said not to read too much into it.

"My absence doesn't mean anything. I'm pretty sure the ball is going to roll with me or without me, that's the nature of the business," he said. "But one thing I can assure you all is that I will be playing this season as a New England Patriot unless something changes.

"I'm looking forward to the season. I'm getting better. Just because you don't see me, I'm working. I'm getting better. I'm taking care of my business and what I can take care of and I'm going forward. I'm staying positive about the whole situation no matter how rough it may get.

"Whatever happens, happens. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it because coming into this game I knew there is a business part to it. A lot of people see us on Sundays having fun playing football, but there is a business part to it, also. This is the business part. I hate it."

To this point, however, Wilfork has stayed away from voluntary practices. Mini-camp is mandatory, and the Patriots can fine him for not attending.

He claimed he has not yet decided whether he'll be on the field for the three-day session.

"If I have to (skip it) I will, but like I say, I may show up," he said. "As of right now, I don't know. We'll see. We'll just see. I know everything lies ahead of me, but we'll see. I'm in high spirits, my family is in high spirits. I'm not losing any sleep. Wilfork will be ready to play.

"I love football. It hurts me not to be out there with my guys. I hate, I hate not being with my guys more than anything, but that time will come. The guys who know me in that locker room, that are close with me in that locker room, they know how I'm working. As far as the organization is concerned, I don't know if they have doubts about me and what I'm doing, but the only thing I can tell them is I'm working."

While he wouldn't confirm his status for mini-camp, the Pro Bowl selection left no doubt that he will be on the field for the start of the regular season. He could also be fined if he is a training-camp holdout.

"I'm a professional," he said. "I don't care how long I sit or how long I stay away from football — when it's time to go, I'm going to be ready to go. That's something you'll never have to question me on. I know what I do for a living, don't get me wrong, but everything has to take its course," he said. "I don't know when I'm going to be stepping on the field, but I can tell you that I'm going to be ready for the first game of the season. That's what I can tell you."

http://blog.theredzone.org/ViewItem.asp?Entry=1631

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