Vince Wilfork

New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork

(AP)

There’s been a lot of speculation surrounding Brandon Spikes’ decision to skip voluntary organized team activities.

Some believe that Spikes, who is in the final year of year of his contract, is acting selfishly and that his absence will cost him when it comes time to negotiate a new deal. In other words, people believe that the Patriots will allow him to walk as a result of his failure to report to training camp.

Maybe it ultimately will. But the situation isn’t as cut and dry and some have made it out to be. In fact, you only have to look into the recent past to find another example of a prominent Patriot staying away from OTAs during the final year of his contract.

In 2009, Vince Wilfork, who was campaigning for a new deal through the media, decided to stay home during OTAs and did not report to team facilities until mandatory minicamp, an approach similar to the one taken by Spikes.

Wilfork eventually received a new deal following some contentious negotiations, and undisputed leaders of the locker room and a franchise building block.

Now, Spikes isn’t the player that Wilfork is. Though he’s developed into one of the better-run stuffers in the NFL, Spikes still lacks coverage skills – something he’s currently working to improve at a Florida training facility.

But that’s not the point here. The point is that skipping OTAs isn’t the death knell some have made it out to be. If Spikes proves himself indispensible, the Patriots will be willing to overlook his absence.

In fact, it seems like a complete stretch to think that any future roster decisions will be based on what happened at organized team activities. Spikes is simply choosing to take care of himself at a time when the team hasn’t extended itself to help him. It’s hard to blame him for this approach.

Now, when he gets back, he’ll have to prove that he’s miles ahead of rookie Jamie Collins for his approach to pay off.