New England Patriots: Top Five Stories From Training Camp

Jul 24, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork (75) talks to the media following training camp at the team practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

3. Vince Wilfork looks primed and ready

Gronkowski’s return from injury has stolen all the attention, which is why Vince Wilfork’s triumphant return has flown under the radar. If you remember, Wilfork sustained a bad Achilles injury in week four of the 2013 season, which at his age, is not good at all. There was talk of him not even playing this year, never mind getting back to his dominant run stopping self.

But as Mike Reiss noted in his day four camp report, Wilfork is passing all the necessary tests, and is even back to dominating in the middle, as at one point he drove Logan Mankins right back into the quarterback in a 1-on-1 drill. The Patriots look like they will have one of the best defensive backfields in the NFL this year, which puts pressure on the front seven to hold up their end of the bargain.

And if they want to do that, it all starts with Wilfork.