New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said Wednesday he would consider it a "slap in the face" if the Pats place the franchise tag on him and that he won't be happy if a multi-year deal is not agreed upon.

Wilfork just finished the final season of a six-year rookie contract. He is in line for a raise and long-term deal if he hits the open market. New England could prevent him from being a free agent if they place the franchise tag on him.

"I want a long-term deal or I want to be free. Point blank," Wilfork said. "I didn't like that six-year deal but I did honor my six-year deal. Now that the deal is up, it's time for me to move forward, with the Patriots or without the Patriots."

Wilfork is a two-time Pro Bowler and looks at the franchise tag as an insult.

"The franchise tag is decent money for most people out there. What I do, it's OK," Wilfork said. "But I don't look at myself as an OK player. Like I said, it's just basically a slap in my face and an insult to me to basically tell me I'm an OK player."

Wilfork feels that the one-year deal that comes with the franchise tag would be a missed opportunity to gain financial security.

"There's a short window of opportunity for me to make the type of money that I want to make," Wilfork said. "I'm not selling my family short and I'm definitely not selling myself short just to stay back and to win and be part of a great organization."

This weekend in Miami, Wilfork will be playing in the Pro Bowl, and says that he won't be waiting by the phone for the Patriots to come calling.

"Either they call or they don't. They have all the numbers they need," he said. "Whenever they call, they call."