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Most fans dream of the free agents the Patriots can sign when open season starts. Usually those dreams don’t include the team’s free agents.

On an active opening day to free agency, the Patriots decided to take care of their own instead of shopping for new arrivals. They first re-signed OLB Tully Banta-Cain and later reached an agreement with NT Vince Wilfork.

The truth is, New England doesn't have to make a splash in free agency this year. They had to keep key players from leaving the Gillette Stadium pool.

Of New England’s 14 free agents, half of them I hope re-sign with the team. By retaining Banta-Cain and Wilfork, that leaves five I hope go nowhere: CB Leigh Bodden, RB Kevin Faulk, K Stephen Gostkowski, G Logan Mankins, and G Stephen Neal. As for everyone else (DE/LB Derrick Burgess, DE Jarvis Green, P Chris Hanson, LB Pierre Woods, RB Chris Taylor, and TE Ben Waston; LB Junior Seau retired) , the Pats can do better, although I would make an exception for Green.

Getting back to the headliners, by season’s end, I was doubtful the Pats would bring back TBC and Wilfork. I was convinced Vince wanted top dollar and NE wouldn’t meet that price. And Tully, on the strength of a 10-sack season, would sign a lucrative deal with another team.

But I have to give Banta-Cain credit. After the season, his only desire for a return was to be paid starter’s money. New England resigned him for three years at an average of just over $4 million per year. That seems like a bargain considering how much other pass rushers will get this off-season. For perspective, Detroit signed Tennessee DE Kyle Vanden Bosch for four years, $26 million (better than $6 mil per) after a three sack season.

Wilfork on the other hand, the credit goes to his agent as he made Wilfork the highest paid nose tackle in the NFL with a 5-year $40 million contract with an $18 million signing bonus and $25 million guaranteed.

This shouldn’t be a surprise. I think Wilfork would had accepted a slightly below market value deal if they reached an agreement on an extension before the season. But because the negotiations dragged on for over a year, Vince might had gotten annoyed with the Patriots’ reluctance. Once it got to the point that he could be a free agent and able to sign anywhere, Wilfork wanted the best offer. That desire didn’t change after being franchised.

With leverage on his side, the Pats had to give in. Once the Steelers re-signed NT Casey Hampton for three years and $21.3 million, Wilfork’s agent had his price point – Vince is worth more than Hampton. Negotiations start at $7.1 million per year and only go up.

And the rest is history. Hopefully Wilfork spares us the “It’s not about the money” statement because no one will believe it. Pats fans are just happy New England’s biggest free agent is going nowhere. And they should be happy about Banta-Cain sticking around instead of stewing over not signing Carolina DE Julius Peppers.

Hopefully next in line for a deal is Mankins. Bodden will be making visits with other teams so I think he’s as good as gone. Gostkowski was semi-protected with a third round tender. That means if he’s signed by another team, that team must give up a third round pick in exchange. Faulk seems like a lock to come back. And Neal likely will draw interest elsewhere, so his return will be up to him.