Devin McCourty glad to retain Vince Wilfork, ‘heart and soul’ of Patriots
By Mike Dyce
The New England Patriots brought back defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, and according to defensive back Devin McCourty he played a role in recruiting him back. McCourty also said that it was important for the Patriots defense to bring back their undisputed leader not only on defense, but the whole team.
“It was key,” McCourty said, via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. “I joked with [Wilfork]. I told him I went down to Florida to make sure he came back, so he kind of owes me a little percent of his contract.He’s the heart and soul of not just the defense but the team. Everyone in that locker room listens to Vince when he speaks. He’s not a guy that is just talking all the time or talking to talk. When he speaks, everyone listens.
“With him and [quarterback] Tom [Brady] in there, I think our leadership is in great hands. Keeping him and not letting him leave just goes to show the organization did a tremendous job of working it out and bringing him back. I think everyone else kind of jumped to conclusions and just said he was gone or would leave, but he was still under contract and it was great to see that both sides will be happy going forward.”