Wilfork With Toucher & Rich: 'Everybody's Excited To Get Back Going'
BOSTON (CBS) - The New England Patriots are getting back in the swing of things, preparing for the 2012 NFL season.
Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork joined 98.5 The Sports Hub's Toucher & Rich Tuesday morning as he made his way to the Patriots' facility, and was feeling good about getting back to work.
"It's started back up boys, and I think everybody's excited to get back going," Wilfork said. "Just getting back to doing what you love, that's the best part of this."
"Every 32 teams in the league are starting at the same level, and it's a race to get to the top," he continued. "We're excited, hitting it hard."
The Patriots' voluntary offseason training program started Monday, and wide receiver Wes Welker was the only player to not show up to. The Pats placed the franchise tag on Welker, and All-Pro receiver has yet to sign his tender.
What does Wilfork think of the Welker's no-show?
"Everybody handles their business differently... He knows exactly what he needs to do to play football. There's always a business side to sports and I think sometimes fans -- and even the athletes themselves --you forget that. You go four or five years and all of a sudden when that business side comes up, you're like 'oh crap I forgot about this side.'"
"I think Wes and the organization, they'll figure something out," Wilfork said confidently. "The one thing I know is Wes Welker is going to play some football, and he'll be ready to play some football whenever that is."
They also discussed the 2012 Patriots schedule and the fact that they'll be taking on the Jets on Thanksgiving night.
"The only thing I know is we have the Jets on Thanksgiving night in Jersey, which will be a big game as usual," said Wilfork. "I think the fans are going to get what they want out of that game."
Read: Patriots Schedule Released
Who does Vince think will be the starting quarterback on Thanksgiving night, Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow?
"Whoever it is, (it will be) the best fit for them. I think both guys are amazing. Both of them won, so I mean it's a toss up," he said.
Based on last season's record, the Patriots have the easiest schedule in the NFL.
"Last year is last year. Every year you have a team come out and win ball games, or one fall by the wayside and people don't know why. I'm not a big fan of last year; I'm a man in the present and the now."
With the NFL draft next week, Wilfork is hosting the Vince Wilfork Draft Day Fundraiser on Thursday, April 26, all to benefit the Joslin Diabetes Center and Diabetes Institute. Wilfork lost his father to diabetes, and does all he can to raise awareness of the disease.
Along with some teammates, Wilfork will be at PiNZ Entertainment in Milford to have some fun, and give fans a new look at who #75 is.
"Everybody knows me as Vince Wilfork the football player; I want people to know Vince Wilfork the person," he said of the event. "I'm a normal person, and I think every time someone comes and meets me, they see that... People are always coming back to this party because of this."
