This off-season has seen the Patriots in desperate need of fighting off a certain stigma.  When Randy Moss flatly stated, "the Patriots don’t really pay," it added more fire to the already heated Vince Wilfork contract talks.  Robert Kraft fired back with an oh-so clever, "how much did Randy make last year," zinger.  Well now, it can all be put to rest, thanks to Big Vince’s new 5-year $40 million deal.

The contract also carries $25 million guaranteed, including an $18 million dollar signing bonus.  I thought it would take a 5-year $50 million, with half that guaranteed to get the deal done, but obviously Vince just wanted the guaranteed money, not necessarily the entire package.  And even if with the possibility of a lock-out looming next year, this contract shows that the ownership, front office, and coaching staff fully believe Vince is the centerpiece of the defense.  A defense that at times appeared shaky and lacking depth last year.

But it’s not just Vince’s deal that shows how the team’s economic strategy is evolving.  They also re-inked Tully Banta-Cain to a three-year deal worth upwards of $19 million (if he hits incentive targets).  For a team looking to pressure the quarterback, they decided a capable veteran who knows their system and can play within his role, is much more valuable then, say a Julius Peppers type.  Of course, they did offer Peppers a contract, but many feel that was just to drive up the price on Chicago.  They also kept Stephen Neal around for two more years with a low-level deal.  Neal has always been a fan favorite due to his lack of college experience (he came to the Pats after an extremely successful college wrestling career) and evolution as a pro player.

What questions are still left after the initial free agency blast?  Will Kevin Faulk be back?  How will they bolster the secondary?  After cutting Chris Baker and letting Ben Watson walk, where will they find some tight ends?  When will Adalius Thomas be let go?  Or will they keep the disgruntled linebacker around?  Stay tuned as what could be the strangest off-season in NFL history continues to unfold.