Patriots Roundtable: Offseason Issue I
In our first in a series of roundtable discussions, we address the Super Bowl loss to the Giants, The NFL Draft, the Patriots biggest need and the top story from the offseason. [Link]
In Cat and Mouse Game, Patriots Are Central Players
In discussions of changes to the N.F.L.’s confidential rulebook, known as the game operations manual, one team, the New England Patriots, has surfaced more than any other. [Link]
NFL hasn't closed book on Spygate
In response to Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter's claims that the NFL has already dismissed the eight "Spygate" tapes that former Patriots employee Matt Walsh handed over to the league on Thursday as no big deal, the NFL yesterday responded by saying this is not the case at all. [Link]
With More Videotapes Come More Questions
New videotapes showing that the Patriots spied on opponents raise the question of whether the tapes contained new evidence of cheating. [Link]
Patriots DB Andrews enters drug plea (PA SportsTicker)
New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews will not face jail time after entering a plea to a marijuana possession charge Friday. [Link]
Andrews enters plea but won't face prison time
New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews entered a plea to a marijuana possession charge, but won't face any prison time. The 24-year-old Andrews admitted in court Friday there was enough evidence to convict him at trial, but did not plead guilty. Lowell District Court Judge Neil Walker continued the case without a finding for a year. During that time, Andrews must speak to student athletes about the dangers of narcotics, pay a $1,000 fine and complete an NFL substance abuse program. [Link]
Patriots defensive back Andrews pleads to drug offense (AP)
New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews entered a plea to a marijuana possession charge, but won't face any prison time. The 24-year-old Andrews admitted in court Friday there was enough evidence to convict him at trial, but did not plead guilty. Lowell District Court Judge Neil Walker continued the case without a finding for a year. [Link]
Where Will He Fit?
Sometimes it takes a special team to recognize talent of a specialist player. The Patriots saw something in rookie Matt Slater, which is why they traded up to go get him. So where does this kid fit? [Link]
Belicheat to walk away free from Diegate
Now that Matt Walsh's tapes apparently have nothing on Bill Belichick, Steve Serby says the Spygate saga will become Diegate. [Link]
It's the wrong era for a star LB like Connor
The draft day downward spiral of the most productive player ever from "Linebacker U" shows Alex Marvez how times have changed. [Link]
Pats OT keeps the mood Light (Yahoo! Sports)
Matt Light is as skillful at keeping his teammates laughing with pranks as he is protecting Tom Brady. [Link]
Lessons Learned In Camp
The New England Patirots use their rookie minicamps to get a look at the players over an intensive 2-3 day session. Then, they send them home with a load of assignments. Learning is critical to the rookies, as is being in shape physically. [Link]
Mixed signals (Yahoo! Sports)
With no tape of the Rams' walkthrough, the NFL and Patriots can downplay what was on the tapes sent Thursday. [Link]
Best Available NFL Free Agents-Defense
With the NFL draft behind us, here's an updated look at the best available free agents from the defensive side of the ball. [Link]
No new Spygate news would be good news for Patriots (SportingNews.com)
The Patriots have to be hoping that the tapes Matt Walsh handed over to the NFL reveal no new evidence against them. [Link]
Report: Walsh Turns Over Tapes To NFL
The New York Times reported that former Patriots assistant Matt Walsh has sent in eight videotapes to the league. The report indicates that the tapes do no include some widely speculated footage of the St. Louis Rams. So what's next? [Link]
Former employee Walsh sends Spygate tapes to NFL
Spygate isn't dead. Former Patriots employee Matt Walsh handed over eight tapes to the NFL in the ongoing investigation into whether the Patriots violated league rules by filming other teams' play-calling signals, The New York Times reported Wednesday. [Link]
Ex-Patriots Assistant Sends the N.F.L. Eight Tapes
The videotapes show that the team recorded play-calling signals by coaches of five opponents in six games between the 2000 and 2002 seasons, in violation of league rules. [Link]
Walsh sends NFL tapes that don't include Rams' walkthrough (AP)
Former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh sent the NFL eight videotapes that show New England violated league rules by recording opposing coaches' playcalling signals. The tapes include signals by coaches of five opponents in six games from 2000-02, but don't include video from the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough before the 2002 Super Bowl. [Link]
Walsh sends NFL tapes that don't include Rams' walkthrough
Former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh sent the NFL eight videotapes that show New England violated league rules by recording opposing coaches' playcalling signals. The tapes include signals by coaches of five opponents in six games from 2000-02, but don't include video from the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough before the 2002 Super Bowl. [Link]
Scout Q&A: Keeping up with Crabtree
Many experts call Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree a "system receiver." But Crabtree tells Scout.com that had nothing to do with his stats. [Link]
This NFL offseason has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL offseason? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
This NFL off-season has been anything but uneventful
Who says nothing happens in the NFL off-season? Peter Schrager hands out some awards after a seriously hectic couple of months. [Link]
Patriots Linebacker, Not One For Losing
Linebacker Bo Ruud has a tradition to live up to. His father (Tom) was a football player, his brother (Barrett) still is. For Bo, following in their footsteps at Nebraska wasn't easy. One thing he did learn, losing isn't any fun. He doesn't have to tell that to this group of Patriots. [Link]
What Kind Of Impact Will Fifita Have?
The Patriots signed DL Steve Fifita on Monday. Patriots Insider checked in with a Miami insider to find out what Fifita brings. Does this mean Le Kevin Smith's tenure in Foxborough is coming to a close? Scouting report, Insider analysis, Photos and more… [Link]
Roster Moves: Pats Add Fifita, Release Two
The New England Patriots officially signed a pair of undrafted rookie free agents while waiving two others on Monday. TE Tyson DeVree and P Mike Dragosavich are officially Patriots. OT Josh Coffman and DL Carlos Feliciano were the two players waived. The Patriots also signed free agent DL Steve Fifita. [Link]
Ty Law: STILL Under Consideration?
[Link]
Patriots sign NT Fifita (PA SportsTicker)
FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (Ticker) — The New England Patriots on Monday signed nose tackle Steve Fifita. [Link]
Patriots Rookie Minicamp Breakdown: S-Teams
We continue taking a closer look at the 2008 Rookie class. In this segment we review the special teams players participating in this weekend's rookie minicamp and how they might fit into the roster with the players ahead of them. [Link]
Patriots Rookie Minicamp Breakdown: Defense
We continue taking a closer look at the 2008 Rookie class. In this segment we review the defensive players participating in this weekend's rookie minicamp and how they might fit into the roster with the players ahead of them. [Link]
Gary Guyton: Attends Rookie Minicamp
[Link]
Chris Norwell: Participated in Rookie Minicamp
[Link]
Tyson DeVree: Tryout Goes Well
[Link]
Patriots Sign Two Rookies After Minicamp
The New England Patriots signed a pair of undrafted rookie free agents to contracts this weekend. Punter Mike Dragosavich and tight end Tyson DeVree both agreed to deals with the team. [Link]
Patriots Rookie Minicamp Breakdown: Offense
It's not easy being a rookie, especially an undrafted one. Here's a look at this weekend's rookie minicamp hopefuls and a review of the players ahead of them on the roster. PI reports include tryout players the team didn't announce. Offense [Link]
BenJarvus Green-Ellis: Show His Moves In Minicamp
[Link]
Mike Dragosavich: Tryout For NFL Club
[Link]
Tyson DeVree: Invited To Camp
[Link]
Fit to be paid
Often as not, the key to success in the National Football League is finding the right situation. It appears the three former Tennessee Vols who were selected in last weekend's NFL Draft have done just that. [Link]
Shawn Crable: Drawing Comparisons Already
[Link]
Randy Moss: Branching Out
[Link]
Fernando Bryant: Showers Praise On Coach
[Link]
Pressing needs for every NFL team
The draft can't fix everything (see the Jets' and 49ers' QB quandaries). Alex Marvez runs down every team's pressing needs. [Link]
Patriots Rookies Participate In Minicamp
Rookie Minicamp opens today. Patriots Insider has been reporting the list of rookies signing as free agents. Here is the list of players expected to participate in this weekend's activities. [Link]
Rookie Impact: Tennessee LB "Versatile"
The Patriots aren't known for taking linebackers early in the NFL Draft. Jerod Mayo had them change that habit. Mayo was selected in the 1st round of the 2008 NFL Draft by New England, and his versatility contributed significantly to his rise to the top. [Link]
Veteran Free Agents Have Indy Connections
Now that the flurry of undrafted free agent signings seems to have calmed down, the Colts have turned their attention to two veteran free agents; both familiar faces. Are they the right fit for the team at this time? Brad Keller has the analysis inside! [Link]
Patriots draft pick Mayo reports for duty
Patriots first-round draft pick Jerod Mayo figured that if he was picked high in the NFL draft he would be part of a rebuilding process. Instead, he wound up on a team that won 18 straight games before losing the Super Bowl. "Just being able to come to a winning situation … I never thought I'd be able to come to a team that only lost one game," Mayo said Thursday. "I'm ready to get my playbook and start to practice. [Link]
Patriots draft pick Mayo reports for duty (AP)
Patriots first-round draft pick Jerod Mayo figured that if he was picked high in the NFL draft he would be part of a rebuilding process. Instead, he wound up on a team that won 18 straight games before losing the Super Bowl. "Just being able to come to a winning situation … I never thought I'd be able to come to a team that only lost one game," Mayo said Thursday.
[Link]
Scout.com NFL Draft Report Card
Only five NFL teams earned an "A" in last weekend's NFL Draft according to former pro scout Tom Marino. Was your favorite team one of them? Or was it one of the handful who earned a failing grade? Check out Marino's grades for all 32 teams in this Scout.com feature. [Link]
Patriots Insider Radio: Who are these UDFAs?
On Wednesday's show we had Scout.com NFL Draft expert, Chris Steuber, give listeners a breakdown of the Patriots 2008 NFL Draft class, the undrafted rookie free agent signings and more. Listen to the show to get the latest on the players arriving in Foxborough. [Link]
