December

Dec. 31, 2008   

Brady's health could put Patriots in bind regarding Cassel

Updated at 9:25 a.m. EST Monday, Jan. 5

The Patriots refuted a recent report that said Tom Brady is significantly behind in his rehabilitation from knee surgery and in danger of missing the 2009 season. However, if true, it puts a kink in the team’s plans for free-agent-to-be Matt Cassel. Although there’s almost zero chance Cassel, in line for a lucrative deal, will sign a long-term contract with the Pats, there’s a distinct possibility of the team franchising him — one report even mentioned they will be doing so. Ideally, the Pats hope to find definitive information about Brady’s status by Feb. 27, the start of free agency, at which time Cassel would be free to test the open market. The way we hear it, the Patriots would have to be confident that Brady will be unavailable in ’09 for them to tag Cassel. If it’s even a 50-50 scenario, expect to see Cassel go elsewhere, with the Pats ready to move on with second-year QB Kevin O’Connell, if necessary.

Dec. 24, 2008   

Prospect of running another club growing on Pioli

Scott Pioli

Word we’re hearing out of Foxborough is that V.P. of player personnel Scott Pioli could be nearing the end of his distinguished tenure atop the Patriots’ personnel department. In his nine seasons with the club, New England has enjoyed staggering success in an era ruled by parity, winning the AFC East six times and bagging a trio of Super Bowl titles. So why would the 43-year-old Pioli, revered as one of the top personnel chiefs in the NFL in a seemingly ideal position, want to leave? For one thing, Pioli has failed to earn the respect he deserves for helping to build the Patriots into the NFL’s most consistent winner, and those close to the team say he’s finally ripe for departure.

Factoring into his thinking is the fact that Pioli's understudy Thomas Dimitroff has had such tremendous success in his first season in Atlanta that it has made the prospects of calling his own shots more attractive than ever. Should Pioli decide to leave, there should be a host of clubs willing to obtain his services in a general managerial or presidential capacity. The Chiefs have an opening for the top position following the resignation of Carl Peterson, and Kansas City could offer the type of all-encompassing powers that he likely would require to leave Foxborough. On the other hand, Detroit may be a tougher sell given the possibility that the Lions will be reluctant to give so much power to one man.

If Pioli does scratch his itch, he won’t have to look far to find two of the men with which he’ll build his franchise around. In Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and QB Matt Cassel — set to be a free agent after the season — two of the league’s most promising young figures in their respective posts are already under Pioli’s watch. Both are said to have a strong relationship with him. What would amount to a de facto package deal for the three men easily could come to fruition if a franchise is open to staffing the trio.

Should Pioli leave, he’d leave the Pats without an obvious successor, perhaps prompting them to look outside the organization for a replacement. We hear that it’s unlikely Bill Belichick would assume a joint coach-GM role, even though he has experience in a similar role from his frequent collaborations with Pioli.

Dec. 18, 2008   

Brady's appearance at team function sheds little light on health status

How’s Tom Brady progressing on his left knee rehabilitation? That’s the million-dollar question in Foxborough. At the Patriots’ annual Salvation Army holiday party, Brady made one of his rare public appearances since he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Week One. Since tearing his ACL, he’s reportedly undergone additional operations to treat an infection, which has only complicated matters for the reigning league Most Valuable Player. On the one hand, it should be seen as positive news that Brady was not only comfortable attending the event, but that he also appeared to walk without a limp. However, his refusal to answer any questions regarding his physical health or the status of his rehab left some wondering if he’s further behind than he should be. At this point, there’s simply no conclusive answer to be gleaned.

Dec. 12, 2008   

Patriots to keep close eye on opponent Asomugha on Sunday

The Patriots could be facing a future member of their team Sunday as they take on Nnamdi Asomugha and the Raiders. Word out of Foxborough is that the Pats are primed to sink some big money into the CB position next offseason, and Asomugha, the premier cornerback set to hit free agency, could be their top target. The Patriots have shuffled through cornerbacks this season with little success, as it has become apparent that Bill Belichick’s CB-friendly system can’t simply breed quality production out of marginal players. The team’s reluctance to lock Asante Samuel into a long-term deal when it had the opportunity has come back to bite it. That notion was cemented in the Week 14 victory over the Seahawks, when Belichick was forced into starting rookie Jonathan Wilhite. Wilhite previously had difficulty carving out a role in the dime package, but substandard play from all those in front of him necessitated the call.

Dec. 4, 2008   

Injuries force Patriots to take flier on OLB Colvin

Updated Dec. 5 at 12:12 p.m.

We hear the Patriots re-signing 31-year-old OLB Rosevelt Colvin was an act of desperation. Injuries have devastated the Patriots’ LB corps, and have made it exceedingly difficult for the Pats to establish a consistent pass rush. The club’s most versatile and best linebacker on the blitz, Adalius Thomas, suffered a season-ending broken forearm in Week 10. Additionally, replacement Pierre Woods went down with a jaw injury last week. With 52½ career sacks — including 26½ with the Pats from 2003-07 — Colvin has demonstrated the ability to get after the passer. But the fact that it has taken him this long to find a job in 2008 serves as evidence that the broken foot he suffered a year ago has rendered him a shell of his former self. The re-signing of ILB Junior Seau was also mandated by need, but he's not expected to add much to the pass rush.

November

Nov. 26, 2008   

McDaniels earning head-coaching glances, no certainty to leave

Updated at 8:30 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 1

Word from inside the organization is that offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has once again positioned himself to be a prime head-coaching candidate in the upcoming offseason. Some believe he actually has done a better job this season than he did in the Patriots’ record-breaking offensive onslaught of 2007, molding Matt Cassel from a raw neophyte into one of the AFC’s top quarterbacks. The way we hear it, McDaniels will be more receptive to overtures from clubs this offseason than he was after the ’07 campaign when, early on, he quelled speculation that he could be jumping ship. But this isn’t to suggest that he’d leave for any head-coaching gig. Sources close to the situation say it’s highly unlikely he’d leave for a franchise in utter disarray, such as Detroit. Rather, he recognizes the fact that his star is rising, and he can afford to wait for a plum job opening.

Nov. 20, 2008   

Patriots see more out of Seymour

Updated at 9:50 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 24

As it turns out, the talk last season of Richard Seymour’s demise was greatly exaggerated. After a 2007 campaign in which he was sidelined for the first seven games with a knee injury that hampered him the rest of the season, the eight-year veteran is in the midst of arguably the finest season of his decorated career. Manning the right side of the Patriots’ three-man defensive line, Seymour consistently has beaten up on the opposition, pacing the club with seven sacks and freeing up the New England linebackers to make plays. Those close to the team haven’t been surprised that Seymour has regained his Pro Bowl form. The way we hear it, Seymour abstains from always giving a complete effort when he’s dinged up like he was in ’07, but when healthy, as Seymour is now, he’s one of the more difficult 3-4 defensive ends in the league to handle.

Nov. 14, 2008   

Patriots probably can't afford emerging QB Cassel this offseason

Matt Cassel’s career-best performance in the Patriots’ overtime loss to the Jets confirmed what some have been suspecting for weeks. That being, there’s almost no way the free-agent-to-be remains with the Patriots next season. The Patriots’ season-long replacement for Tom Brady did his best Brady impersonation yet against the Jets’ ferocious pass rush, completing 30-of-51 passes for 400 yards and a trio of touchdowns, including a spectacular 16-yard TD connection with Randy Moss with a second left in regulation to send the game into the extra session. According to a source close to the club, the only chance the Patriots decide to dish out the cash is if Brady experiences another rehabilitation setback that jeopardizes his 2009 availability. Given Kurt Warner’s age, the word we’re hearing from around the league is that Cassel has played his way into what will likely be the most lucrative QB contract in free agency.

Nov. 6, 2008   

Green-Ellis' emergence not enough to calm Patriots' RB concerns

Updated at 9:20 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 10

Although the Patriots have benefited from the surprisingly strong play of undrafted rookie RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis in the absence of Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan, the club isn’t entirely comfortable with him in a featured role. The injured duo remains day-to-day, and the hope is that their return to health will enable the Pats’ RB rotation to return to a sense of normalcy. But the Pats’ desire to get Morris and Jordan back on the field isn’t an indictment of Green-Ellis, who rushed for 105 yards and TD on 26 carries in Week 10. Rather, it’s a fear that Green-Ellis could be on the verge of sustaining his own injury. Although not particularly tall at 5-11, Green-Ellis runs with a very upright running style that leaves him susceptible to big hits, and he has taken numerous vicious ones the past few weeks. Additionally, sources say, the rookie lacks good awareness of where the defensive pursuit is coming from, rendering him even more vulnerable.

October

Oct. 31, 2008   

Patriots' LB corps equal parts surprising success, unmitigated failure

Updated at 9:20 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 3

The Patriots’ LB corps was among the feel-good stories of 2007, given the surprising effectiveness of the group at such an advanced age. This season, however, the unit has been more of a mixed bag, rendering the defense as a whole a study in enigma, as the linebackers are asked to dictate the defensive tempo in Bill Belichick’s 3-4 scheme.

On the positive side has been the play of Adalius Thomas and Jerod Mayo. Thomas, among the league’s most coveted free agents during the 2007 offseason, has rebounded from his disappointing Patriots debut. Having played out of position at inside linebacker for the first half of ’07, Thomas played better in the second half but was too far behind the learning curve to make a major impact after shifting outside at midseason. In ’08, Thomas has exclusively manned his natural role on the outside, and the results are evident. He leads the team with five sacks and rivals Richard Seymour as the club’s midseason defensive MVP.

In his rookie campaign, Mayo has taken quickly to the various roles Belichick asks his inside linebackers to take on. His speed has been apparent tracking down ballcarriers sideline to sideline, and he has sifted through traffic adeptly despite lacking prototypical bulk.

For as well as Thomas and Mayo have been playing, Patriots stalwart Mike Vrabel has been that abysmal in his 12th season. And, no, “abysmal” is not overstating things. Just a year after enjoying his finest professional season, Vrabel is quietly fading into NFL oblivion. He has notched just 27 tackles despite playing in all eight games and has displayed none of the savvy and urgency that made him so indispensable a season ago. Team sources are at a loss to explain Vrabel’s deterioration, although the theory is that his 33-year-old body is starting to show the cumulative effects of all his football-playing years. There’s also a notion that he’s playing with an undisclosed injury. Although Belichick hasn’t openly acknowledged Vrabel’s slippage, the coach’s decision to take Vrabel out of his pass-rushing role in nickel situations speaks volumes.

With Tedy Bruschi also nearing the end of his career, it’s becoming clear that an influx of youth and talent will be needed at the position to sustain future success.

Oct. 23, 2008   

Patriots struggling to find suitable replacement for versatile Harrison

Word from Foxborough is that SS Rodney Harrison’s season-ending quad injury will seriously test the Patriots’ defensive personnel. While many speculated that the fiery safety’s presence will be most missed in the locker room, word we’re hearing is that his versatility on the field will be the issue the Pats are going to have the most difficulty replacing. Even at age 35, he was deployed throughout the defense to take advantage of his numerous abilities, from playing deep, to blitzing to creeping up in the box as a nickel linebacker. Identifying a player for the latter role should prove particularly problematic. Even with the physical strides S Brandon Meriweather has made in his second season, he’s not big or tough enough to fill that void. As athletic as rookie ILB Gary Guyton is, the Pats could be uncomfortable in trotting out two rookie linebackers — Jerod Mayo is the other nickel ’backer — in the package.

Oct. 16, 2008   

Rookie Crable could help Patriots pass rush

Updated at 9:55 a.m. EDT Monday. Oct. 20

The Patriots’ inability to generate a consistent pass rush has put the defense in a serious bind. Heading into their Week Seven Monday-nighter, the Pats have recorded just seven quarterback sacks — only the winless Bengals and Chiefs had fewer. Making the figure all the more striking is that New England ranked second in QB takedowns in 2007. Word out of Foxborough is that much of the blame can be pointed at a linebacking corps, particularly on the outside, that hasn’t held up its end of the bargain. OLBs Mike Vrabel and Adalius Thomas are both on the wrong side of 30, and don’t have prototypical athleticism for their role at this point in their careers. We hear that rookie OLB Shawn Crable, who led the nation in tackles for loss last year at Michigan, could start seeing action to help remedy the problem. Crable has yet to play, but has the best closing speed of any Pats outside linebacker.

Oct. 9, 2008   

Patriots losing confidence in lackadaisical Maroney

Rather than wearing down defenses, RB Laurence Maroney is beginning to wear on the patience of the Patriots’ coaches. New England’s first-round pick in 2006, Maroney not only hasn’t developed into the type of every-down back the team believed he’d be, but he has played with such little fire that Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan all are trusted more than him. After picking up a respectable 51 yards on 10 carries in Week One vs. the Chiefs, Maroney has gained just 42 yards on 18 carries since. At the root of his problem is his unwillingness to sacrifice his body, often opting to head out of bounds instead of picking up yards after contact. Word from Foxborough is that although the Pats aren’t yet willing to concede that Maroney was a wasted pick, he’ll need to show serious improvement soon or risk being phased out of one of the league’s deepest backfields.

Oct. 2, 2008   

Patriots' rookie corners off to disappointing debuts

Updated at 9:22 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 6

The Patriots harbored high hopes for their rookie cornerbacks, second-rounder Terrence Wheatley and fourth-rounder Jonathan Wilhite, entering the season. Given the team’s patchwork secondary, they were expected to contribute immediately to the team’s plans, but thus far, they’ve been rather anonymous. Wheatley’s relatively scarce playing time has been particularly unnerving not only considering his talent level, but also because of his intelligence. Team sources say he’s one of the smarter defenders Bill Belichick has on his roster, but Wheatley has found it difficult to bump a middling talent like Lewis Sanders out of the starting lineup. However, sources also caution against reading too much into the fact that Wilhite has been active for all four of the games, whereas Wheatley has been held out of one. Wilhite’s special-teams proclivity, not his defensive ability, is primarily responsible for his playing time.

September

Sept. 26, 2008   

Moss' behavior raises red flag in Patriots' organization

Bill Belichick is saying all the right things about Randy Moss. The Patriots' head coach insists there is nothing different about his star receiver, that this is still the same player who broke the NFL single-season record with 23 touchdown receptions in 2007. “I think Randy is one of our most consistent players,” Belichick said. “I think he’s been like that since he got here last year. On a daily basis — practice, games, preparation — I think he’s one of our most consistent players.”

But those words don’t exactly jibe with the body language Moss is exhibiting. Sources in New England are beginning to question, if not doubt, whether Moss is playing with the same passion that fueled his epic season a year ago. After torching the Chiefs for 116 yards and a touchdown on six receptions in Week One, Moss has just 47 yards on six catches with no scores in the two games since.

More distressing than his numbers is his distancing from his teammates and coaches. During Week Three’s embarrassing 38-13 loss to the Dolphins, Moss isolated himself from his team on the bench, seemingly disinterested in conversing with anyone. Additionally, he failed to run through his routes on the field and didn’t exert much effort in going after some catchable balls. It stood in stark contrast to the image he presented in the season’s first two weeks, when he was actively engaging with his teammates even in the wake of Tom Brady’s season-ending knee injury.

So, the question lingers: Was Moss’ Week Three behavior an aberration, or will he revert to becoming the passive bystander who frittered away two seasons in Oakland?

The way we hear it, the answer will hinge more on whether the Patriots are able to get back on the winning track than whether he’s putting up big numbers himself. Unlike many star receivers, Moss isn’t opposed to being a decoy if his fellow receivers are getting open underneath. What he is not OK with is being a decoy, and QB Matt Cassel being unable to take advantage of the matchup edges he has with his other receivers. If that remains the case, Moss’ track record suggests that he’ll feel a loss of purpose and therefore may not be willing to do his part in helping the club.

As one source close to the club put it, “All we can do is wait and see, because absolutely nobody knows how this will turn out.”

Sept. 19, 2008   

Patriots' McDaniels gets true test of coordinating ability

Updated at 9:00 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 22

A year ago, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was among the hot names for organizations looking for a head coach. The Ravens and Redskins were the two clubs who made the most noise, and the clamoring for his attention got so great that the Patriots’ public-relations staff drafted a release stating that McDaniels had no interest in leaving the Patriots in an effort to quell the discussion. But now that Tom Brady is done for the season, the NFL will have a better gauge as to McDaniels’ actual coordinating ability.

It’s clear that the offense under career backup Matt Cassel will have a different feel from the one that Brady operated. A year ago, the Patriots went to three- or four-receiver sets on approximately 70 percent of the offensive snaps. In Cassel’s first start against the Jets in Week Two, the Pats went to a three-receiver set only 41 percent of the time (24-of-59 snaps), according to a count by the Boston Globe. The idea is to minimize the amount of reads Cassel needs to make as he’s indoctrinated into the starting lineup, at least for the time being. However, we hear that eventually McDaniels wants to open up the playbook as much as he did with Brady.

The Pats’ roster reflects the team’s offensive identity — including WR-S Ray Ventrone, New England carries seven wideouts on the active roster — and reverting to a traditional, two-wideout look as its base “O” wouldn’t be maximizing their personnel. The one caveat is that McDaniels won’t allow Cassel as much freedom to audible as Brady had.

The Patriots didn’t have much offensive firepower in Week Three’s loss to the Dolphins, managing just 216 total yards and 13 points.

Even if the offense does flounder with Cassel at the helm, it might be premature to cast wunderkind McDaniels as a flash-in-pan coordinator who succeeded so tremendously in 2007 because of the players he was working with. Although ’08 undoubtedly represents a make-or-break season for free-agent-to-be Cassel, the same can’t be said of the guy calling the shots.

“You have to remember, (Bill) Belichick doesn’t make just anybody a coordinator,” a source close to the club said. “McDaniels is still a very young coach who’ll have a lot of time to show what he can do.”

Sept. 11, 2008   

Patriots put faith in Cassel

We hear Bill Belichick is doing everything he can to make Matt Cassel comfortable in his starting role. Epitomizing this was his decision to invite Chris Simms and Tim Rattay for “workouts” the Monday after Tom Brady’s season-ending knee injury. Upon arrival in Foxborough, the duo was promptly dismissed without so much as throwing a football. We hear it was a ploy to assure Cassel that even though there are other quarterbacks out there, none has the Patriots’ trust as much as him. It’s likely going to take at least a few poor performances before Belichick would give up on the fourth-year Patriot. Even then, rookie Kevin O’Connell likely would get the nod over a veteran newcomer.

Sept. 4, 2008   

Belichick's insistence on CB toughness leads to Bryant's release

Updated at 10:55 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 8

Lest people think the NFL is all about talent, the Patriots’ release of presumed starting CB Fernando Bryant was all about one thing: his lack of toughness. The clincher was Bryant getting steamrolled by Giants TE Darcy Johnson in the preseason finale, when he barely even tried to make the tackle on a first-quarter TD. Although Bryant was one of the most gifted players in the Patriots’ patchwork CB stable, coach Bill Belichick showed by cutting Bryant that he is more comfortable going in with players who aren’t afraid to stick their helmets in a pile. The irony in all this is that Belichick’s cornerbacks are often undersized, as the coach believes the soft zone coverage he typically employs can mask physical shortcomings of his cover men. One such player who personifies the undersized-but-tough mantra is rookie Terrence Wheatley, who has the look of a quality starter.

August

Aug. 30, 2008   

Patriots' O-line issues to affect running game more than aerial attack

Laurence Maroney

There's a growing sentiment around Foxborough that the Patriots' offensive-line problems could make it difficult for RB Laurence Maroney to have the breakout season that many foresee for the third-year back. ORG Steve Neal's placement on the physically-unable-to-perform list renders the Pats without a solid starter at that spot, and OLT Matt Light just returned from injury earlier this week. The passing game, however, isn't much as much of a concern. The Patriots believe that their NFL-best WR corps, with its various talents and skills, is adept at adjusting to whatever the team needs it to do. In the case of the embattled O-line, the receivers might focus on working the underneath routes more off three-step drops from Tom Brady, which perfectly fits the game of consummate slot receiver Wes Welker.

Aug. 20, 2008   

Patriots worried about QB depth but not enough to add veteran

The good news for the Patriots is that Tom Brady's foot injury is not believed to be serious, even though an official diagnosis has not been made public. In fact, we hear that coach Bill Belichick's decision to keep him out of preseason games is as much a function of concern over the injury-marred offensive line's ability to keep him erect as it is his current health. The bad news is that his backups have played so poorly in relief that there's a legitimate concern as to how the offense would function if Brady were to miss extended time at some point. Rookie Kevin O'Connell has outperformed Matt Cassel thus far, but there's little chance Belichick would grant starting honors to a rookie. Nevertheless, don't expect Belichick to start dialing the phone number of any veteran still out there on the free-agent market. The theory is that the market is bereft of any attractive option at this late stage, and the fact that the backups have at least been immersed in the playbook through the offseason bodes better for any emergency than the introduction of a veteran newcomer.

Aug. 13, 2008   

Patriots abstain from asking Seau back — for now

Updated at 6:29 p.m. EDT Thursday, Aug. 14

The Patriots have Junior Seau on speed dial, but they’re in no rush to call the veteran linebacker. Word we’re hearing out of Foxborough is that the uninspiring play of free-agent pickup Victor Hobson is a bit deflating but isn’t enough for the Pats to ask Seau back. Yet. According to a source close to the team, the decision as to whether or not to offer a deal to the future Hall of Famer could hinge on how Hobson progresses through camp. Hobson earned his keep playing outside with the Jets, but the Pats envisioned him slotted inside when they signed him. There’s also the issue of whether Seau would even want to return. He’s out in his home state of California enjoying the easygoing beach life, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him slink into retirement instead of returning to football. Seau has made this much clear: If he does come back, it only will be with New England. The signing of SS John Lynch only slightly decreases the chance of Seau coming aboard. Although Lynch is expected to see some action in the box as a de facto linebacker, he'll mostly play in the sub packages that Seau would not have been a member of.

Aug. 6, 2008   

Patriots veteran defenders still contributing

Patriots defenders Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi are among the deans at their respective positions in the league, a pair of venerable players who give the Pats a sense of stability in their back seven. Yet the team is expecting far different contributions from each this fall. The way we hear it, the team still regards Harrison as one of its best defenders, a player who’s adept at making things happen on the blitz and as a box safety. Additionally, thoughts of his coverage demise have been overstated, as he was among the more valuable safeties anywhere in the league at covering tight ends a season ago. Bruschi, on the other hand, is viewed primarily as an early-down run defender, despite the fact that the team signed him to a two-year extension this offseason.

July

July 30, 2008   

Patriots concerned over long-term viability of ORG Neal

Given his long injury history, there’s legitimate concern in New England as to whether ORG Steve Neal can be counted on to provide consistent play. Neal started training on the physically-unable-to-perform list, and there’s no timetable for his return. We’re hearing that the confluence of a sprained knee he suffered during the Super Bowl and a shoulder problem is primarily responsible for his absence. The shoulder injury is of particular concern to the Patriots, as it’s been plaguing him for the past few seasons and required offseason surgery. If Neal is forced to miss extended time, there will have to be a significant reshuffling of the offensive line. Backup OG Russ Hochstein is a steady, veteran reserve but is far from a sound long-term replacement. There’s a chance that ORT Nick Kaczur could slide inside, with Ryan O’Callaghan taking over at right tackle, but it’s safe to say it’s a fluid situation that’s giving the Patriots a headache as camp progresses.

July 26, 2008   

Patriots saving Brady's arm for regular season

Tom Brady may very well be slinging it downfield as often this season as he did in 2007, but the team is taking a decidedly different approach with his role in training camp. Rather than airing it out, Brady’s been throwing mostly short, controlled passes, while his backups have been tossing the majority of the home-run balls. The idea is that with Brady turning 31 this August, he’s best-served preserving his arm for the regular season, especially considering that the extra practice reps are far more beneficial for his backups, who don’t share his mastery of the playbook. This approach of reducing the practice load of veteran quarterbacks is not uncommon in the NFL. Even Peyton Manning, who has traditionally taken almost all of the first-team repetitions in Colts camp, was supposed to take far fewer snaps in 2008 camp, before knee surgery knocked him out of the picture for the entire camp.

July 19, 2008   

Expectations for Patriots' rookies different than in 2007

Unlike the case in 2007, the Patriots are counting on members of their rookie class to make an immediate impact on the field. Specifically, they’re harboring high expectations for first-round ILB Jerod Mayo, second-round CB Terrence Wheatley and fourth-round CB Jonathan Wilhite. All are expected to compete for serious playing time, and likely a starting job, from Day One. This comes as a complete reversal from what the Pats had anticipated from their previous rookie class. With such a veteran and talented roster already in place, the ’07 draftees faced long odds of becoming valued members of the club. The fact that just one of their nine draftees from a year ago, first-round DB Brandon Meriweather, is still on the team is only a mild surprise.

June

June 27, 2008   

Brady not active participant in offseason program

It’ll be awfully difficult for Tom Brady to win the Patriots’ offseason workout award for the ninth consecutive season. The consummate professional when it come to off-field preparation, Brady hasn’t been as active a participant in the team’s offseason program as he had been in the past. Rather than partaking in the start of OTAs, Brady was busy jet-setting with girlfriend Gisele Bundchen, showing up at European fashion shows, among other non-football-related locales. However, lest someone get the wrong idea, his absence isn’t a sign of contractual discontent or even that he’s “gone Hollywood” on his teammates. According to a source close to the club, Brady merely wanted to take a breather after the Patriots’ whirlwind season. He was suited up and ready to go for all mandatory sessions, and there’s little worry within the organization that his extended hiatus will have any meaningful ramifications come training camp.

June 20, 2008   

Patriots intent on extending NT Wilfork

The word we’re hearing out Boston is that it’s only a matter of time before the Patriots begin negotiating a new contract with NT Vince Wilfork. Wilfork’s rookie deal extends through 2009, but the coaches’ belief that he’s the most important cog in their defensive scheme is reason enough for them to be particularly proactive in locking him up. However, a deal for Wilfork won’t be nearly as easy to come by as fellow DL Ty Warren’s was a season ago. For starters, Wilfork’s wife, Bianca, who handles his business endeavors, is known as a tough and shrewd negotiator, and won’t settle for anything less than a blockbuster offer. But the most significant complicating matter is the uncertainty surrounding the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which is putting a kink in numerous teams’ contract structuring. Still, it’s more a matter of “when” than “if” when it comes to Wilfork and the Patriots.

June 6, 2008   

Despite drug sting involvement, Kaczur's job not in jeopardy

Nick Kaczur

It’s one thing to be in hot water because you missed some blocks in the Super Bowl. It’s an entirely different matter to be in hot water because you’re acting as a Drug Enforcement Administration informant after an arrest for possession of a controlled substance. That apparently is the reality facing Patriots ORT Nick Kaczur, who has been identified in numerous reports as being a central figure in a Boston-area drug sting. According to these reports, Kaczur was first pulled over for speeding on April 27 in New York and was subsequently arrested for possessing a small amount of the pain medication OxyContin. When it was later revealed that Kaczur had allegedly been purchasing the pills in quantities of 100 every few days, he reportedly agreed to wear a hidden recording device and assist the DEA in incriminating Kaczur’s alleged supplier, Daniel Ekasala. Kaczur reportedly made three separate purchases of $3,900 worth of pills in early May, purchases that led to Ekasala’s arrest. Nevertheless, the way we hear it, Kaczur doesn’t have to worry about his future with the team as much as some think. For starters, there have been rumblings around Foxborough that the Patriots knew he had a substance-abuse problem (alcohol) as far back as his rookie season, so recent developments don’t come as such a shock to the organization. Secondly, the Patriots have shown a propensity to cut starting-caliber players considerable slack when it comes to disciplinary issues. Although he’s considered the weakest link on a strong offensive line, a source close to the club tells us Kaczur’s the only legitimate ORT option they have, and coach Bill Belichick isn’t willing to sacrifice the on-field performance of his club. We also hear that the recent signing of OL Oliver Ross, who has started 44 games for the Cardinals and Steelers since 2003, is purely coincidental as it relates to Kaczur.

May

May 30, 2008   

Patriots see a place for a Tank at linebacker

It’s no secret that coach Bill Belichick has long held an affinity for versatile players. In minicamp this week, Belichick put his preference to the test, plugging a smattering of the new and inexperienced Patriots in at positions that they weren’t expected to be playing. The word from those in Foxborough is that Tank Williams was the smoothest operator of those dabbling in a new position. A well-sculpted safety, Williams performed admirably when asked to move up to linebacker. Although there’s little chance he’ll see time at that position in the team’s base 3-4 defense, he has the skill set to effectively man a nickel LB role. (The Patriots operate with either two or three linebackers in their five-DB sub package.) Among other position experiments, S Raymond Ventrone was given WR reps, and rookie WR Matthew Slater bounced between the secondary and receiver, though realistically he’s nothing more than a return specialist.

May 21, 2008   

Patriots' CB corps in state of flux

The Patriots spent the offseason reshaping their CB corps, opting against re-signing high-priced free agent Asante Samuel and bringing in a host of veteran newcomers and rookies. Perhaps not too surprisingly, the result of the overhaul is a whole lot of ambiguity as to what the CB pecking order will be, come the start of the season. According to a source close to the club, coach Bill Belichick genuinely has little idea about who will be manning the starting jobs, and he expects a spirited battle throughout the offseason program and in training camp. We hear that even incumbent starter Ellis Hobbs is anything but a lock to reclaim his starting job. His propensity to get injured, along with his shoddy play through stretches of ’07, places him squarely in the competition with the newcomers.

May 14, 2008   

Courting of Jones a sign that Patriots harbor doubts about Maroney

Following a sterling end to his season, it appeared as though RB Laurence Maroney had finally earned the confidence of the Patriots’ coaches to be the featured bell cow in the backfield. Just days ago, though, New England hosted RB Kevin Jones on a visit to Foxborough, which we're told is a sign that coach Bill Belichick still doesn’t fully trust Maroney. Belichick was critical of Maroney’s toughness during the middle portions of the season, believing he took a gratuitously long time recovering from a groin ailment. The Patriots coveted Jones when he was coming out of Virginia Tech in 2004 and were poised to pick him at No. 32 before the Lions took him 30th. The question as to whether he’ll be signed will be dependent on whether he’s given the green light by New England’s medical staff. Jones was cut by Detroit because of concern over his torn anterior cruciate ligament, and if similar doubts are cast by the Pats’ doctors, then New England will forge ahead with a Maroney/Kevin Faulk/Sammy Morris RB trio.

May 2, 2008   

ILB Mayo expected to see rookie minutes immediately

Jerod Mayo

Coach Bill Belichick doesn’t like to play rookie linebackers. Believing that it takes a couple of years to learn the complexities of the position, he opts to let them learn on the practice field and watch from the sideline during games. Expect Belichick to make an exception with first-round pick Jerod Mayo. According to one team insider, Mayo is an odds-on favorite to win one of the two starting ILB jobs by the season opener. There was a school of thought that the 242-pound Mayo would flip outside and 270-pound Adalius Thomas would shift inside, considering that each has experience at both positions, but we hear that won’t be happening. For one thing, Thomas was far more effective a season ago when working on the edge. For another, the Pats see inside linebacker as Mayo’s long-term position, and to have him learn outside responsibilities, then throw him the ILB playbook a year or two later would stunt his development. That being said, we hear the Pats want him to gain about 15 pounds, even if it’s detrimental to his speed.

April

April 23, 2008   

Despite stunning success, late-season snag leaves McDaniels with much to prove

For most of last season, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was lauded as one of the premier young play-callers in the game. Calling the shots on an offense that scored an NFL-record 589 points, McDaniel was one of the most talked-about assistants when it came time for the annual head-coaching searches in the league, before he officially said he was not interested in leaving New England. But the way we hear it, he isn’t held in nearly the same esteem any longer, and he enters ’08 with much to prove. New England’s offense slowed down considerably as the season wore on, and the way the Giants’ D-line physically abused the Pats in the Super Bowl has some wondering how good McDaniels is at making proper in-game adjustments. According to a source close to the team, McDaniels will likely have to direct an offense that’s almost as proficient as last season’s edition if he expects to again receive the same kind of head-coaching interest after the coming season.

April 11, 2008   

Patriots zeroing in on DT Ellis

With one of the most loaded defensive lines in the NFL, it would seem odd for the Patriots to pick up yet another defensive lineman with the seventh pick in the draft. But a source close to the club said the Pats are taking a hard look at USC DT Sedrick Ellis. Ellis has been one of the fastest-rising prospects since the end of the season — a strong, quick player who could conceivably man any of the three down lineman positions in the 3-4 defense. One of the biggest reasons for the interest is the belief that the personnel on the now-dominant line will be shifting in two years. The contracts of both DE Richard Seymour and NT Vince Wilfork are up after the 2009 season, and it’s likely the Pats won’t be able to re-sign both. Seymour, specifically, has reason to doubt his future with the team. Injuries have taken a toll on him, and the Pats will be reluctant to spend top dollar on a guy with injury baggage. Wilfork, perhaps the most talented nose tackle in the game today who’s only now entering the prime of his career, is critical to the Pats' future, but will require a megadeal to keep around. The situation couldn’t be more different than the situation with DLE Ty Warren, whose extension a season ago was considered team-friendly. Ellis is by no means a lock to be around by the seventh pick as Oakland at No. 4 and Kansas City at No. 5 are interested in him, but if he is around and the Pats are unable to trade down, look for him to be the pick.

April 2, 2008   

Patriots aren't alone in wanting 'Spygate' controversy to be over with

“So, I assume you guys want to talk about the ‘force out’ rule?” That was Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s opening line to the throng of reporters who gathered to talk to him at the league’s meeting in Florida this week, a joke used to make light of the “Spygate” situation that was obviously the most pressing issue on the media members’ minds. But as one team source told us, Belichick’s opening quip and generally upbeat mood was indicative of his belief that not only does he have nothing to hide regarding the allegations that the Patriots taped a walk-through before their Super Bowl XXXVI victory over the Rams, but that he’s getting the sense that most league types are similarly sick of the issue. The source also told us that he highly doubts former cameraman Matt Walsh will speak out on the matter. Walsh has insinuated that he knows something shady about the Patriots’ practices, although we hear that, at this point, Walsh is regretting being a bit loose-lipped in a smattering of interviews with a couple of media outlets a few months ago. Now, Walsh, who works as an assistant golf pro in Hawaii and has a wife and baby, wants this saga to be over with so he can get on with his life. According to a source, reports that he’s grandstanding for attention are utterly erroneous.

March

March 28, 2008   

Patriots hurting on the inside

Who will play inside linebacker for the Patriots in 2008? That’s the question being batted around Foxborough right now, as the Pats realistically don’t have anyone to plug in alongside Tedy Bruschi, who recently inked a two-year deal to keep him with the Pats. Panthers backup Adam Seward drew heavy interest from the club, and while the restricted free agent remains a possibility, he appears increasingly likely to stay in Carolina. There’s also the issue of Junior Seau. The 39-year-old Seau has yet to make up his mind whether to return for a 19th NFL season, and a source close to the situation said he likely won’t make his decision public until just before training camp. Seau held up better than most observers had expected as a starter during the second half of the ’07 season, though the idea of him going wire to wire as a starter next season is not an enticing one. The Pats are certain to upgrade the position in the draft, though coach Bill Belichick is reluctant to play rookie linebackers extensively. Another dark-horse name to keep an eye on is Takeo Spikes, a talented veteran released by Philadelphia whose injury and age concerns have muffled some of the interest from potential suitors.

March 19, 2008   

Meriweather could help alleviate Patriots' CB conundrum

A quick glance at the Patriots' depth chart at cornerback reveals just how poor the situation is. The two players penciled in as starters, Ellis Hobbs and Bills castoff Jason Webster, are undersized, injury-prone and marginal players. According to one team insider, the situation could be considerably aided by the move of Brandon Meriweather from safety to corner. An '07 first-round pick, Meriweather had a rough rookie season, appearing lost and physically unprepared to meet the demands of the NFL. In fairness to him, part of his problem was a coaching blunder of starting him out at corner, then moving him back to safety — the position he starred at during his collegiate career at Miami (Fla.) — thereby stunting his absorption of the playbook. But a permanent move to corner appears to be the best approach. He's exceptionally quick and has very good speed but isn't nearly the physical hitter that the Patriots covet at safety.

March 12, 2008   

Right side of Patriots offensive line shrouded in uncertainty

With OLT Matt Light, OLG Logan Mankins and C Dan Koppen all earning Pro Bowl berths in 2007, the left side of the Patriots’ offensive line is among the NFL’s best. The right side, on the other hand, is a source of concern. ORT Nick Kaczur’s play throughout the season was spotty, and he’ll have his hands full fending off reserve OT Ryan O’Callaghan in training camp — just as he had to do in ’07. The ORG position is a potentially bigger worry. Steve Neal suffered a knee injury during the Super Bowl, and speculation as to the severity of it rages. The diagnosis hasn’t been confirmed, but if the rumor that it was a torn anterior cruciate ligament proves true, ORG is a position that needs to be addressed either through the draft or the remaining free-agent pool. Russ Hochstein has done little in ample opportunities to prove he’s a starting-caliber player.

March 5, 2008   

Gaffney an underrated cog in Patriots offensive plans

Updated 12:45 p.m. ET, Wednesday, March 5

After realizing that there wasn't much of a big-money market for "system" players, UFA WR Jabar Gaffney re-signed with the Patriots on Tuesday. According to multiple reports, he agreed to a one-year deal worth $2 million. But considering the valuable role he played as the No. 3 target in the Pats' spread offense, Gaffney, who caught 36 passes for 449 yards and five touchdowns in 2007, came at a bargain. With defenses keying in on Wes Welker and Randy Moss, Gaffney is an ideal role player in the system. Unlike 2006 second-round pick Chad Jackson and special-teams ace Kelley Washington, both of whom have yet to prove capable of stepping into a prominent role on the outside, Gaffney has the full confidence of the coaching staff and QB Tom Brady to know where to be, and to make the sure-handed grab to move the chains.

February

Feb. 29, 2008   

Ty Law would welcome a Patriots reunion

Fresh off his axing by Kansas City, CB Ty Law has expressed interest in returning to New England. “Hey, you know what? My heart was always with the Patriots,” Law told the Boston Herald. “I always have been. This is where it all started for me.” Law, 33, was canned after two disappointing seasons with the Chiefs, unable to recapture the form that made him one of the game’s most feared cornerbacks throughout the early stages of his career. He spent his first 10 NFL seasons in New England, then played a season with the Jets before his stint in Kansas City. Because Law is expected to come with a relatively cheap price tag, the move back to Foxborough appears to be a natural one. Star CB Asante Samuel is likely skipping town in search of a lucrative deal, Ellis Hobbs is coming off groin and shoulder injuries, and none of the other cornerbacks on the roster inspires much confidence to become front-line players. It can be argued that neither does Law anymore, but the Pats have recently shown the ability to resurrect careers. Players such as Junior Seau and Randy Moss are two such examples of “has-beens” before arriving in Foxborough.

Feb. 20, 2008   

New England may be eyeing Gholston

Updated at 12:30 p.m. EST Sunday, Feb. 24

When the Patriots’ bid for former Dolphins LB Zach Thomas fell through, the team’s need for LB help was kicked up that much more. Thomas’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, held an impromptu press conference Friday at the Combine and stated the Patriots were narrowly edged by the Cowboys for Thomas mainly because the prospect of playing in his home state was too enticing to pass up. To make up for the loss, the word we’re hearing now is that the Patriots are growing on the idea of spending their first-round pick, No. 7 overall, on Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston. The Patriots have typically avoided taking linebackers with their first pick, but their dire need this year should be enough to convince coach Bill Belichick and vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli to break that trend. The Pats are banking on the assumption Golston can make a smooth transition from defensive end to outside linebacker, even though Golston has stated that he’d prefer to play on the line.

Feb. 15, 2008   

Patriots likely to bring back CB Gay

Despite shoddy play throughout the season, team sources tell us the Patriots will most likely bring back free-agent CB Randall Gay. But the rationale is rooted almost as much in necessity at the position as it is comfort with him. With Asante Samuel likely off to the highest bidder in free agency and Chad Scott likely gone because of age (33) and injury concerns, the Pats don’t have any realistic option to plug in opposite Ellis Hobbs, who also has been plagued by inconsistent play. Coach Bill Belichick is said to be inspired by the way Gay toughed out a bum shoulder in the Super Bowl, a fact that helps mitigate his poor performance. Still, we hear the Patriots aren’t excited about the prospect of trotting Gay out as a full-time starter, believing he’s better suited a spot player in sub packages. Look for them to bring in at least one cornerback via free agency. If no attractive player presents himself, it’s probable to see them address the position early in the draft.

Feb. 6, 2008   

Giants' speed, blitzes expose Patriots' OL shortcomings

For a unit that was superb throughout the season, the Patriots’ OL shortcomings in the Super Bowl stood out like a sore thumb. The superior quickness of the Giants’ defensive front allowed them to repeatedly gain penetration into the backfield, sacking Tom Brady five times and hitting him on nine other occasions. The Pats have shown a vulnerability against edge speed rushers this season, but not until the Super Bowl had their interior trio been truly gashed. With a combination of speed and inside blitzes from the Giants, the Pats’ guards and center — two of whom are Pro Bowlers Logan Mankins and Dan Koppen — were routinely flummoxed. “I have to give credit to the four guys up front,” Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “We hung our hat on those guys all year long and did it again, and it paid off.” However, don’t expect to see any major changes made to this group over the offseason. The Patriots like the continuity of the group and, outside of adding depth, are happy with the guys they have in place.