Patriots LB Guyton received two-year contract extension

As a third-year linebacker, the New England Patriots linebacker Gary Guyton said goodbye to his restricted free agency by signing on a two-year contract extension that pays him much more than what would have got from the one-year tender contract. The linebacker was excited about his valued being confirmed by the team, which is his first and only team since he was signed as an undrafted free agent two years ago.

"We're absolutely thrilled that the Patriots have done this for him," Guyton's agent, Richard Kopelman, told the Herald. "It's fantastic. He's worked very hard. They know it. We had some discussions with them awhile back. 'Hey, if you could, it'd be great if you could step up and do a little something for Gary this year.' And they told us they would. They were true to their word, which was fantastic."

If the Patriots insisted on only offering Guyton the one-year tender, the linebacker would have to live on a base salary of $470,000, but the new contract raised his salary to $505,000 for 2010 season and $1 million in 2011. Guyton was also offered a $650,000 signing bonus. He previously thought the team would have him put on Vikings jersey to trade for another linebacker or replace him with rookie Brandon Spikes. Now the contract extension apparently secures his job with the team.

Patriots NT Wilfork plans to skip more practice for contract dispute

As it was reported, as long as the contract dispute has not been settled, NT Vince Wilfork may plan to skip more Patriots OTAs.

Wilfork told reporters that he wants to be a Patiot, but the business problem also needs to be solved. He is looking forward to the season, but he will continue doing what he thinks important to him.

“OTAs were voluntary. It wasn’t mandatory. I chose to sit out because of the situation I’m in,” Wilfork said on The Dale & Holly Show. “It’s nothing personal towards the organization, it’s nothing personal towards my coaches or anything like that. It’s just what makes sense to me at this time. I’m looking forward to moving forward. With that being said, I’m looking forward with the season."

“I want to be a Patriot. That’s not the question here,” Wilfork said. “I want to be a Patriot. But at the same time, there’s a business aspect to it. Hopefully we can meet somewhere in the middle and this thing will get over with.”

From June 9 to June 12, there will be more team practices, and Wilfork told media that he would consider skipping the practices too if the dispute has not been solved. Wilfork did not tell out how much he wants in the new contract.