FOXBORO — Randy Moss was as excited to see Vince Wilfork at day one of the Patriots' three-day mini-camp on Wednesday as the team's fanbase was to hear that he was there.

As the team stretched en masse prior to the morning's workout, Moss left his side of the field with the offense and sat right in front of Wilfork to chat.

The stout nose tackle, who had skipped the team's voluntary organized team activities over the last couple of weeks in protest of the status of his contract extension negotiations, was back with his teammates for mandatory mini-camp and jumped into things as though he'd never been away.

His presence wasn't much of a surprise, however. When Wilfork showed up at the Pats' charitable foundation golf tournament on Monday, a must for veterans, it seemed safe to assume that if he was there, he'd be at mini-camp as well.

The Boston Globe reported earlier this week that Wilfork could stand to lose $500,000 for skipping the three-day camp, but on Wednesday, the Pro Bowler indicated that potential financial loss wasn't the deterrent — it was a matter of keeping his word.

"It was how I felt," Wilfork said. "I told you: I love football, and this is mandatory . . . I signed a six-year deal, I'm going to meet all my obligations. And that means being here for mandatory stuff, so that's why I was here. All this while I kind of knew where I wanted to be. I still have some uncertainty about what's going on (but) I really want to come out here.

"At the end of the day, I felt it was best for me to come out here, and it was best for this organization to know that I'm out here. I'm still a Patriot. And I want to be a Patriot. I'm just looking forward. I'm looking forward to a great camp, I'm looking forward to a great season. So hopefully we can move forward from here."

Wilfork was warmly received by his teammates, he said, adding that "there's nothing like being around a group of guys that love you."

During practice, Wilfork practiced with the top defensive line, in the middle of Richard Seymour and Mike Wright, who is filling in for the still-recovering Ty Warren and who was filling in for Wilfork at nose tackle in past offseason practices.

He certainly looked fit and was moving well on the field, At a charity appearance last week, he repeatedly said he's been working out at all hours of the day and night.

Bill Belichick didn't say anything in particular to Wilfork, the player said, and the coach said after practice that he likes seeing all of his players on the field, whether it be Wilfork, Tom Brady or Adalius Thomas.

Wilfork is entering the final year of the six-year deal he signed as a first-round draft pick in 2004, and thus far there has been little to no progress on a contract extension for the 27-year old who has become arguably the best in the league at his position. Wilfork has said he's just looking to be "comfortable" when it comes to a new pact, and isn't looking for break-the-bank deals like the one signed by the Redskins' Albert Haynesworth.

Team owner Robert Kraft, who was on the sidelines for the second half of the day's nearly two-hour practice, said he and Wilfork had a chance to talk at the golf event.

"Vince and I have a great relationship. We both understand that this is not personal in any way," Kraft said. "It's hard. It's hard on both sides. We're blessed that we have great players on this team, but to put yourself in a position to win every year you have to prioritize and there's only a limited amount of money to spend every year."

While Kraft's last statement is true, it's hard to believe that Wilfork wouldn't be a priority for New England. He's the fulcrum on which the defense turns, capable of keeping multiple offensive linemen at bay while his teammates get to the quarterback or stop the run. And with so many teams now switching to the 3-4 defense, Wilfork is also a commodity and could command a great deal on the open market.

Yet Wilfork continues to say that he'd rather not sign a contract to play elsewhere.

"My goal is to be here. That's the bottom line: my goal is to be a New England Patriot," he said. "I think I said it in '04 when I was drafted — I was drafted as a Patriot, [I want to] end my career as a Patriot. I don't care if I play 10, 12, 15, 18 years, I want to be here playing. It hasn't changed.

"I want to get (a contract) locked up because I don't want to go on the free market. Because it's a possibility if I reach that, I won't be here. And I don't want that to happen. That's why I'm doing everything in my willpower that I can do to try and stick around and get something done before the end of the season. I'm pretty sure the Patriots are going to do the same thing."

smanza@projo.com