Patriots notebook

Wilfork is unquestionable

Nose tackle declares himself ready to play

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has told his players to treat every game from here on out like a playoff matchup, even against Sunday's opponents, the lowly Raiders. (PAUL SAKUMA/Associated Press)

By Christopher L. Gasper

Globe Staff / December 12, 2008

Text size – +

SAN JOSE, Calif. - You can remove the question mark attached to nose tackle Vince Wilfork's status for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders. Wilfork, who left last Sunday's game against Seattle after injuring his shoulder on the Patriots' first defensive series, said he's playing.

"Oh yeah, no question," Wilfork said yesterday. "I'm ready for Sunday."

Wilfork practiced with the team for the second straight day at San Jose State University and was again listed as having limited participation. But he left no doubt about his status.

"I don't expect nothing other than a pretty healthy game for me," said Wilfork. "I feel a lot better, a lot better. I'm happy to be back on the field, and hopefully it will show."

Although Wilfork was adamant he will play, it's still possible he will be limited. He said he couldn't move his arm last Sunday and said if he had returned he would have been "useless."

He also acknowledged that the shoulder is still sore, but was comforted that tests came back OK.

"I love the game, and if I can run and use my hands, I can play in the game," said Wilfork. "I can do that. I don't know how well I can. I'll find out on Sunday, but I can do that. I felt good practicing [on Wednesday]. Hopefully, it will get better over time. We have a couple of days here to go. You just have to be smart and just get ready."

Although the Raiders are offensively inept (13.8 points per game, 30th in the NFL), one of the few things they do well is run the football. Oakland is 10th in the NFL in rushing offense at 118.5 yards per game.

Getting Wilfork back would be a boost to the injury-depleted defense, as would end Ty Warren, who has missed the last two games and three of the last four with a groin injury. Warren was a limited practice participant for the second straight day.

"I think any time a defensive line could get those two guys back it's going to make the defense better," said linebacker Mike Vrabel, who had limited participation in practice because of a neck injury.

Inside out

Perhaps no Patriots player misses linebacker Tedy Bruschi more than rookie inside linebacker Jerod Mayo, who played next to Bruschi in the team's base 3-4 defense.

Bruschi, who injured his left knee last Sunday, was sent to Boston for tests and is not with the team.

"Ever since I came in the first day, Tedy has taken me under his wing and showed me the ropes and I do miss him," said Mayo. "He's like an older brother to me."

Mayo has been the Patriots' best inside linebacker, leading the team in tackles - coaches' calculations based on film review credit him with 123.

However, since his 20-tackle effort against the New York Jets Nov. 13, he has not had a double-digit tackle game. Mayo dismissed the idea that the length of his first pro season is taking its toll. He said despite how things might appear, he has a lot to learn.

"To be honest, I'm out there still just trying to find my way around," Mayo said. "My athleticism is still helping me along the way. I feel like I'm picking it up a little bit, but at the same time I'm not where I want to be yet. Each and every day I try to get better."

Mayo has noticed the intensity of the games pick up down the stretch.

"Yeah, Coach [Bill Belichick] told us every game is a playoff game from here on out and that's how we have to approach it," he said.

Man coverage

Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha told Bay Area reporters Wednesday he won't necessarily be shadowing Randy Moss Sunday.

"They have a guy named Wes Welker who leads the NFL in catches," said Asomugha. "They have two good receivers, so we're just going to stay on our sides and play straight-up man."

Welker, who has 96 receptions, said the Patriots haven't faced a cornerback better than Asomugha this season.

"I don't think so," said Welker. "From what I've seen I think he's probably one of the top corners, and we're definitely going to have to use great technique and a lot of speed and different things like that to get open against him."

Is Welker, who usually lines up inside in the slot, looking forward to the challenge?

"You're always looking for challenges out there, and he's it," said Welker. "So, you got to make sure that you're ready and doing the best you can against a corner of that caliber."

The fans' picks

The NFL released the results from Pro Bowl fan voting, which closed Tuesday, and eight Patriots were among the top five vote-getters at their positions, led by Moss, who finished second among AFC receivers to Denver's Brandon Marshall. Fan voting is just one-third of the selection process; players and coaches count for the other two-thirds. Players and coaches cast their votes yesterday and can do so today. The AFC and NFC squads will be announced Tuesday. The other Patriots in the top five were left tackle Matt Light (third), inside linebackers Bruschi (fourth) and Mayo (fifth), special teams ace Larry Izzo (fourth), guard Logan Mankins (fifth), defensive lineman Richard Seymour (fifth), and safety Brandon Meriweather (fifth) . . . Safety James Sanders (abdomen) did not practice for the second straight day . . . NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has accepted the Raiders' invitation to attend Sunday's game.