Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork is looking for a long-term deal amid reports that the team could place their franchise tag on him. "That's the one thing you play for, long-term security," Wilfork said. "That's something we're trying to get. I don't want to be playing with one-year deals and franchise tags, because I'll be right back at the same point I am right now. We'll see. It's a game right now. However, Wilfork was asked by the Boston Globe if he was angry with the franchise. "No," he responded. "Not at all."

Former Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel has some advice for nose tackle Vince Wilfork on Friday. Wilfork is waiting to hear of his future in New England. "I don't think they care about you, in my opinion," Samuel told the Boston Globe. "They didn't care about me. So do what's best for you and your family." Wilfork is looking for a long-term deal, but the Patriots could place the franchise-tag on him. Samuel signed a six-year deal with the Eagles following the 2007 season after he endured a similar situation. "The way they treat people is not something I agree with," Samuel said, "but everybody has their own opinion."

Patriots cornerback Shawn Springs may retire after 13 seasons in the NFL. "Maybe," Springs said on ESPN's "First Take" Wednesday morning. "I actually feel like I can still play a lot. I don't know yet." "I have so many options right now," he said. "I still really enjoy playing football. Law school would be a great option. Maybe I could negotiate with some of the owners and GMs in the NFL about some of these players coming out. Maybe I could be an agent."

Vince Wilfork's contract status with the Patriots will be a major issue of the offseason. One option that Wilfork is not interested in is being hit with the franchise tag. Wilfork said if he is tagged he would be insulted because it would imply he is simply an "OK player." "It's basically a slap in my face and an insult to me to tell me I'm an OK player," Wilfork said. "It is what it is. If it happens, there's nothing I can do." Wilfork added that a franchise tag doesn't provide him with the options he would like. "You don't have that security that you want, a long term deal where you're stationary, your family is stationary for another three, four, five years, you don't get the signing bonus you played all your career for," Wilfork said.

The Ravens have hired Dean Pees as their linebackers coach. Baltimore head coach Jon Harbaugh made the announcement on Tuesday. "I've know Dean for 27 years, and he's our type of coach -- energetic, hard-working and innovative," Harbaugh stated. "He has worked with all three levels of defense -- defensive line, linebackers and secondary. His experience and wealth of knowledge speak for themselves. Dean has also earned respect from his players and fellow coaches because he has been a coordinator. He'll help our linebackers complement the guys up front and in the back end. He'll fit in with us well, and we're excited to get him." Pees had been the defensive coordinator of the Patriots for the last four seasons. It was announced on Jan. 14 that he wouldn't renew his contract with New England.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says he won't need offseason surgery to repair injuries to his ribs and finger. "I'm excited I don't have to have surgery this offseason," Brady said Monday. "I remember a year ago at this time there were all these concerns on whether I was going to play this year. I was never concerned about that. It's nice to be in an offseason when I really feel like I can get started right away."

Tom Brady will not play in this year's Pro Bowl, following a season in which he played with rib and finger injuries. The New England Patriots say Brady won't play after he and all other players on the team had physicals following their playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 10. Brady will be replaced as an AFC backup quarterback by Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans, according to rosters listed on NFL.com.

The Patriots and defensive coordinator Dean Pees are parting ways, a team source told NFL Network?s Michael Lombardi on Thursday. Pees? contract is up at the end of this season. Traditionally, Belichick promotes from within, but Al Groh is a name to watch for the defensive coordinator vacancy. Groh has strong ties to Belichick and was fired as Virginia?s coach.

Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker must allow his torn MCL to heal before he undergoes major knee surgery. "We have to let the MCL heal first and then we can go in and work on the ACL," Welker told Jim Traber during a radio interview in Oklahoma City. "We're just taking our time right now. That's one thing -- we've got a little bit of time right now to wait on that to heal and just kind of get ready and make sure that we exhaust all the options and find out the best one for myself to give me the best chance to get back out there on the field."

Former Patriots defensive lineman Richard Seymour says that he will not return to the team as he heads into free agency. "There's probably about 31 teams I'd consider going to," Seymour told Comcast Sportsnet New England. When asked if he would accept a call from New England, he said, "That isn't something I'm looking to do at all." "But there's no ill will. I wish them the best. I really mean that," Seymour added later: "I think it could have ended in a more respectful way, but that's just my personal opinion."