FOXBOROUGH – Richard Seymour has been in Vince Wilfork’s shoes.

He has not been at team practices in the past when his contract with the Patriots was an issue. Wilfork is looking for a contract extension beyond this season while Seymour is also signed for 2009.

But he and other Patriot players steered clear of the Wilfork absence in their post-practice discussions on Tuesday. And as far as Seymour is concerned, now is a time for him to focus on having the best possible season because he could be on the market after this season.

“I feel like I’m in a great situation,” Seymour said. “I can go out and play the game and play it at a high level. It is what it is. I’m going to enjoy this season.”

Asked if he wants to return to New England when his contract is up, he was to-the-point.

“Absolutely,” he said before pausing and adding, “It has to be mutual and it takes two to tango. So, we’ll let that situation play itself out. The only thing I can do is control what I can control.”

But the Patriots defensive lineman stopped well short of negotiating through the media.

“I don’t really care to talk about contract issues publicly,” Seymour said. “I feel like it’s a personal matter between myself and the club. Whether good or bad situation, that’s just the way I feel about it. I never talk about my personal situation publicly.

“But it’s a fun situation to be in, I really feel that way, especially when you can go out there and play the game at a high level,” he added.

Certainly, Seymour spoke like a man who understands the reality of the NFL.

“Every year, there’s always a lot of change,” Seymour said. “This league, there’ s a lot of turnover from year to year. Ever since I came into the league, whether we had Lawyer Milloy, Anthony Pleasant and Willie McGinest and Ty Law, there’s always a lot of turnover and this year is no different.”

Seymour is entering his ninth season in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl in the 2001 season as a key member of the Patriots defensive line.

“It’s an exciting time of the year,” Seymour said. “The only thing you can do as a player is control what you can control and let the chips fall where they may. I’m going to go out and put myself in the best possible shape as I try to do every year and go out and try to be a champion.”