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That’s a good question. Wendell is in a contract year.  He was a little bumpy at the start but overall I think he’s a solid B+ center who has the right playing temperament. I think they should probably be able to work something out with him because it’s unlikely the market will bear out much better than what the Pats will offer.

The question is Connolly. 2014 is the last year of his deal and he’ll carry a $4 million cap hit. Like Wendell, he had a bumpy start but has settled in and stayed heathy. Just not sure there’s a viable plan B unless they really want to try to make an upgrade in free agency.

Solder/Mankins/Vollmer/Cannon are entrenched. If they re-sign Wendell, keep Connolly they should still target interior linemen in the draft. Really I wouldn’t rule it out in the first round if the talent is there.

Ah, a slight eye to next year. I have to admit, it’s hard to believe the season is almost over and then we have the stress of the postseason and finding out our final fate, but no matter what that might be, my first thought will be a thankful one that all these injuries will be behind us.

I think Wilfork has another couple years in him, the only question will be how much, if at all, the achilles recovery affects his agility and strength to plant. This is the only significant injury of his career, so you have to like his chances coming off it. I still think the Pats should target the interior defensive line high in the draft. Throw a first-rounder in the mix with the Chris Jones, Joe Vellano and the guys coming back from injury and it would be a formidable group that can do a lot of different things. 

I don’t think we’ll see Mayo miss a beat and his legs should be fresh as ever. Throw in Tommy Kelly, Armond Armstead, and Sebastian Vollmer and there will be a lot to be excited about with 2014.

Of course the statuses of Julian Edelman and Aqib Talib will be the first bridge to cross.