WC3 Chess » Wilfork.Wilfork, a remarkable athlete for a 3

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Vince Wilfork advised and encouraged teammates on the sideline during last years playoffs.Not exactly where the five-time Pro Bowler wanted to be, but a torn right Achilles tendon kept him from clogging the middle for the New England Patriots.The defensive tackle is back doing that this season, ready for the post-season after playing in all 16 games for the AFCs top-seeded team.I worked my tail off just to get back and play football like I know how to play, and I never take anything for granted, Wilfork said. Its fun to come to work with the group of guys that I have in this locker room.He missed just six games in his first nine seasons and often occupied two blockers, opening space for teammates to stop ball carriers. But he played in only four last season.As a rookie in 2004, he played every game and was part of a team that won the Patriots third NFL championship in four years. But since, theyve lost the two Super Bowls theyve reached.They might have reached a third if Wilfork had been healthy for the Patriots 26-16 loss to the Denver Broncos in last years AFC championship game. He still tried to contribute while watching.When I was coming off the field he would say, all right, theyre doing this and you go back out there and do this, said defensive tackle Sealver Siliga, a midseason pickup last year and a backup this season.Of course, Wilfork would much rather be on the field tackling runners.Thats where hell be Jan. 10 when the Patriots host Indianapolis, Cincinnati or Baltimore in an AFC divisional playoff game.Every season means a lot to me, Wilfork said. The passion I have for the game, it means a lot just being where I came from, especially last year.His presence was critical this season in victories against two of the worst teams when he made plays rare for defensive tackles.With just over five minutes left in a 17-16 win over the New York Jets, Wilfork tipped a 52-yard field goal attempt by Nick Folk in the 15th game of the season.And in a 16-9 victory in the third game, Oakland had the ball at the Patriots 12 with 59 seconds left. Thats when Wilfork intercepted Derek Carrs pass.That led safety Devin McCourty, who worked out with him in the off-season, to dub him Air Wilfork.Wilfork, a remarkable athlete for a 325-pounder, had a more simple label.I just look at it as capitalizing on opportunities, he said. Throughout the course of the season, youre going to have a couple of opportunities where you can make a game-changing play and Ive been able to make a couple of them in my career.Cornerback Brandon Browner also is returning to the playoffs after being suspended for them last season when his Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl.Does that make his return sweeter?Ive talked about the Super Bowl all off-season, Browner said. Thats been my goal. I want it bad. I dont know if its sweeter, but I want it bad because I didnt get to play in it.Darrelle Revis, the other free agent cornerback signed by the Patriots before the season, was in the playoffs just twice in his previous seven seasons and none in the last three.You talk to guys who have playoff experience and guys who never, whove played 12-13 years and have never even touched the playoffs, he said. Its great.Revis also came back from a serious injury. He missed most of the 2012 season with the Jets with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and wasnt at full strength in 2013 with Tampa Bay, which missed the playoffs. But this year he was chosen for the Pro Bowl.Theres a lot of appreciation just for (Wilfork) to get back to playing at a high level, Revis said. Hes been one of the top players in the league at his position.Revis and Browner are two big reasons for the Patriots defensive improvement this season. Wilfork is a third.Hes held up well this year, coach Bill Belichick said. Hes a powerful guy. Hes very smart and instinctive. Its hard to fool him on those type of plays, screens or traps or misdirection plays, those kind of things. Hes a hard guy to block.In this years playoffs, thats what offensive linemen must face.He didnt sulk last year when he was injured. He did what he could to help make us a better defensive line by giving advice, Siliga said. 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