Wilfork: Haynesworth will 'make us better'

Patriots defensive lineman made the first of his weekly appearances on The Big Show as part of Patriots' Monday and talked about the disappointment of last season, the loss of Ty Warren, the versatility along the defensive line and what he expects from Albert Haynesworth.

"My main thing is, I want him on the field," Wilfork said. "It's a pleasure to play with a guy like him. One of the best in the league, I think everyone's seen that; that the guy can play. It's not going to do anything but make us better. He's willing to learn. He's in the meeting rooms. He's trying to get the defensive stuff down. He's taking care of his end so you know what I hope everything works out for all of us." 

Wilfork noted that Haynesworth has been picking up the schemes in meetings and now it's just a matter of getting on the field. "He's very smart when it comes to football. He picks up stuff quickly," Wilfork said. "It's just a matter of time of actually physically doing it and getting used to being around to different types of guys and how we do things around here, which I think he will have no problem doing it. Everything that I've seen and what I've heard from him is all good stuff and I can't wait." 

As for the rest of the defensive line, Wilfork thinks that they will be able to play any style. "With Bill Belichick as the head coach there are times when you line up with one defensive lineman and times when you line up with five defensive linemen so I don't think it will be any different. We have guys that can play 4-3, 3-4 whatever you want to call it, we have a lot of guys that can play different positions, Wilfork said. "It's going to be all different types of things we do this year. We have the personnel to do what we want. I think Bill is trying to see a few things: what can work, what [won't] work and try to weed them out now. With the minicamps that we missed we kind of threw this together in camp." 

Wilfork said he was sad to see Warren leave, but he understands the business aspect of football. "That was pretty tough," he said. "We're like family. At the end of the day it's a business, he understands that. We all understand that. One of these days it may happen to me. It was just one of those things where business took place and Bill did what was best for the team. Ty understood it. He didn't take it to heart." 

Before looking ahead to this season, Wilfork offered his thoughts on the ending to last season. "Each year is different. What you have to look at is: Why didn't we get over the hump? What made us lose that game? What can we do as a team better next year? What can I do as a ballplayer better to get over the hump? I think everybody asks that question," Wilfork said. "It definitely leaves a bad taste in your mouth. To go 14-2, you know a helluva season, to finish it off knocked out in the first round, that was a bitter taste. Our motto is last year is last year, every year we move forward. Right now everyone's starting from the same level and we have a good chance to do something special. It starts now."

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