Wilfork ready to push himself and others on the field

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Two-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork says he is ready to push himself harder and ask others to work harder on the field after he signed a long-term contract that will keep him with the New England Patriots.

Wilfork said Wednesday that team leaders and other players need to regain confidence they lost last season that each can count on the other on the field.

Wilfork has just 5 1/2 sacks in his career but is primarily concerned with occupying more than one blocker so his teammates can get at the quarterback or ball carrier.

Wilfork had 65 tackles last season, most among Patriots defensive linemen and fifth on the team, in 13 games. He missed the last three games with a foot injury and returned for the team's only playoff game, a 33-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.