Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Don’t tick off MossNot tagging mercurial WR was the safe play for Pats

By Karen Guregian Sunday, February 24, 2008 http://www.bostonherald.com N.E. Patriots

INDIANAPOLIS - With a couple of days to digest that the Patriots [team stats] did not franchise Randy Moss, leaving him available to all suitors come Friday, more theories are floating around as to Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli’s possible motives.
Why would they leave Moss exposed, even if they have a deal in place or are nearing one?
A popular view is this: They simply didn’t want to tick him off.
While you’d franchise just about anyone else in this situation, Moss is a different animal. He’s a 10-year veteran. He’s already earned a ton of money in his career. He’s also proved to be somewhat temperamental.
The Patriots handled him perfectly this season, knew which buttons to push and which ones to avoid.
Why flip on the anger switch now? Why risk ruining a good thing?
It’s no secret that players don’t like being tagged at any time, even if it’s with the intention of working toward a long-term deal.
Of course, had the Pats assigned the franchise designation to Moss, they would have secured valuable protection against having some team whisper in his ear about a deal that would trump what Belichick and Pioli have in mind.
Technically, they can’t sign Moss until Friday when free agency officially opens. It appears the Pats are counting on having an unruffled Moss either make good on a deal they have in place or continue to hash out a deal that’s in progress.
Sirius NFL Radio host Solomon Wilcots thinks that scenario makes sense.
“I can see them not wanting to give him the impression that they plan to keep his rights without giving him a long-term deal,” Wilcots said yesterday at the NFL combine. “I think there are certain considerations per Randy Moss, understanding that he’s a prolific player. Players of his caliber who make a huge impact, it does matter in terms of how you make that player feel. There’s no doubt they’ve tried to help him feel comfortable becoming a Patriot in terms of how they do things. I think they’ve gone the extra mile, there’s no doubt about that.
“I can see where it’s plausible where you don’t want to put the tag on him. So I think they’re either going to extend him to a long-term deal, make him happy there or make him happy by allowing him to go on the market.”
Moss’ teammates can’t fathom losing him. A week after the Super Bowl, Rodney Harrison [stats], who was at an autograph signing, made bringing Moss back sound like a no-brainer.
“If you have any type of common sense or sanity, you’d want Randy Moss to come back. He’s a tremendous player, a great teammate,” Harrison said. “He played unselfish. He made plays and he worked extremely hard to improve his image and be one of the leaders in the locker room. You always want good people around you.”
Still, the Pats are running a risk if Moss arrives on Friday without a deal in place and hits the open market.
“To me, if he hits the market, the cement is dry. I don’t think you can put the genie back in the bottle at that point. The money is going to be out there,” Wilcots said. “There are so many teams that are going to have significant money under the (salary) cap, so there will be a huge market for Randy Moss.”
But is allowing Moss to hit the open market a bigger risk than placing the franchise tag on him? How would he have reacted to playing under a one-year deal for $7.85 million had a long-term agreement not been reached? Would Moss continue to be a model citizen?
The Pats perhaps weren’t willing to find out.
“I’ve just got to believe they have an understanding,” Wilcots said. “I’ve got to believe with the season he had, with what he did for that offense, they want to keep him around and keep Tom Brady [stats] happy by keeping the best weapon he’s had in his career to throw to.
“We saw that offense go to another level (with Moss). Sometimes it was unstoppable. It makes no sense to take the biggest part of that equation out of the offense.”Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1075608

Faulk is charged with marijuana possession in La.

08:09 AM EST on Wednesday, February 27, 2008
By SHALISE MANZA YOUNGJournal Sports Writer
Running back Kevin Faulk was reportedly cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession Friday at a concert in his home state of Louisiana.
Related links
Kevin Faulk stats
In news first reported by TV station KATC, Faulk was entering the Cajundome in Lafayette, La., with friends for a performance by rap artist Lil’ Wayne and was checked by security. Four marijuana-filled cigars were found on him.
Lafayette police Capt. John Babin, of the Metro Narcotics Task Force, told the Boston Globe yesterday that Faulk was not taken into custody; he was issued a citation and agreed to appear in court. Babin said Faulk was very cooperative.
The 31-year-old back served as a team captain last season.

Pats swing into offseason, cut ColvinLinebacker corps needs fix

By Karen Guregian Wednesday, February 27, 2008 http://www.bostonherald.com N.E. Patriots
Photo by Matthew West (File)
The Patriots [team stats] began making moves yesterday that could very well steer the course of their offseason, and set the stage for some revamping of their defense, as they released veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin.
Also getting the boot was linebacker Oscar Lua, the USC prospect who didn’t play a down last season after winding up on injured reserve after hurting a knee in the preseason.
Colvin was a mainstay on defense since being the team’s big ticket free agent acquisition in 2003. While the primary reason for the move was the fact the 31-year-old linebacker was due $7.6 million against the salary cap, a league source indicated yesterday there was more to it than creating cap space.
Contributing to the decision were concerns over Colvin’s health. According to the source, both the foot injury Colvin suffered Nov. 25 against the Eagles, as well as the hip injury he sustained in 2003, which resulted in surgery, were still troublesome enough not to commit that sum of money to the linebacker.
Kennard McGuire, who represents Colvin, did not return phone calls seeking comment. While Colvin’s cap number was $7.6 million, his base salary was $5.5 million, the amount now available for signing free agents.
While there’s a chance the sides could still reach an accord on a smaller deal should Colvin not receive something to his liking on the open market, the assumption is the ties have been cut.
How will that impact the linebacking corps?
When Colvin went down with the broken foot, Adalius Thomas was moved to the outside in the 3-4 defense. That looks like a more permanent move for Thomas, who while up and down during the season, was one of the best players in the Super Bowl.
So Thomas and Mike Vrabel would once again be on the edges.
The inside, however, remains a question mark as both Tedy Bruschi [stats] and Junior Seau are free agents. Both are also pondering retirement.
Bruschi’s decision is imminent. He is expected to make his intentions known before Friday’s free agency period begins.
The prevailing opinion is that he will return. Same with Seau.
As for the depth, and strengthening an aging corp, that’s where the Pats might have to make some moves either through free agency or the draft.
Pierre Woods, who might now be best remembered for not securing a fumble in the Super Bowl, could be given more of a chance on the outside while Eric Alexander might see more time on the inside.
But it would seem the Pats might have to go shopping. Who’s available? Who fits the profile?
A couple names come to mind, most notably 31-year-old former Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans, who became expendable with the emergence of rookie Lamarr Woodley, or perhaps former Cardinals linebacker Calvin Pace.
Haggans played his entire career in a 3-4 defense. The 6-foot-4, 243-pounder had 58 tackles and four sacks last season. He registered nine sacks in 2005, the Steelers’ Super Bowl season.
Pace, at 6-4, 272 pounds, has most of the physical attributes the Pats look for in the middle of their 3-4 defense. The 27-year-old, however, was a defensive end/outside linebacker for the Cardinals, playing on the strong side of Arizona’s 4-3 defense. He could be a fit on the outside as well. Pace is coming off a career season (98 tackles, 6.5 sacks).
In the draft, where the Pats hold the seventh pick, there’s Ohio State’s Vernon Gholston, who many have compared favorably with Vrabel as he can play both defensive end and linebacker.
Lua played inside linebacker, and had a few years left on his pact, but the team apparently wasn’t sold enough on what he had to offer, post-injury.
“I spoke with Coach (Bill) Belichick and Scott Pioli. They’re just doing what they have to do. My being on their roster is not in their best interest,” said Lua, who indicated he was in the fifth month of a seven-month rehabilitation from knee surgery. “They said it would be in my best interest to move on. They didn’t think the best opportunity for me would be there.”
At the moment, the only linebackers the Pats have under contract are Alexander (exclusive rights free agent), Larry Izzo [stats] (reached verbal agreement for one-year deal, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus), T.J. Slaughter, Woods (exclusive rights free agent), Vrabel and Thomas.
Pats notes
Paul Sheehy, who represents long snapper and soon-to-be free agent Lonie Paxton, indicated the sides were working toward a deal.
“I’m optimistic we’ll get it done,” Sheehy said. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball. If a deal is to be done, it’ll get done. We’ll see. Lonie loves everything about the Patriots and New England. If we can get it done there, we’re going to do it.” . . .
There’s nothing to report with cornerback Randall Gay except the sides are still talking.
Same with Kelley Washington, whose $4 million option won’t be picked up, making him a free agent. Chad Speck, who represents Washington, indicated earlier he and Pats vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli were working toward a new deal for the wide receiver/special teams ace.Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1076277

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

SPYGATE II STILL LURKING

Posted by Mike Florio on February 26, 2008, 11:21 a.m.
It’s been a couple of days since there have been any new statements or developments relevant to the Spygate II drama, but the story isn’t going away. As Peter King pointed out in his MMQB column, the story will linger until Matt Walsh talks.

But one of the wrinkles in all of this that has been virtually ignored by the “real” media is that there’s a clear dispute over a key credibility point in this matter.

Walsh initially told the New York Times that a confidentiality agreement signed by Walsh prevented him from getting into any of the details. Recently, ESPN.com buried in a largely unrelated item a contention from the Pats that there is no such agreement.

Since then, there has been no further comment or examination of this issue. We sent an e-mail to Walsh’s lawyer, Michael Levy, but he has not responded. (He also hasn’t responded to an e-mail from us inquiring regarding the process that led to an assistant golf pro in Hawaii being represented by the head of the White Collar/Investigations and Enforcement group at a high-powered D.C. firm.)

We’d like to think that the folks to whom Levy has fed sound bites will ask these same questions.

If Walsh doesn’t have a confidentiality agreement, nothing prevents him from talking — other than his desire to leverage his willingness to talk into a “get out of jail free” card as to the question of whether he stole property from the team, taped conversations in violation of Massachusetts law, and/or will be defaming the Patriots if he says things that aren’t true to Arlen Specter or 60 Minutes.

Speaking of defamation, King also raises the possibility that the Patriots will sue the Boston Herald for its February 2 item proclaiming that the Patriots taped the Rams’ final walk-through practice prior to Super Bowl XXXVI. That report has triggered the storm that has been raging around the franchise, and directly led to the class-action lawsuit that the team is facing in New Orleans.

Indeed, the lawyer who is handling that case has made it clear that the action will be seriously damaged if it turns out that the walk-through practice wasn’t taped. (You can listen to a radio interview during which the lawyer makes the concession right here.)

The team’s challenge in that regard will be to satisfy the higher standard that applies to defamation claims brought by public figures. Specifically, the Pats would be required to prove that the Herald proceeded with actual malice or that the Herald acted with reckless disregard as to the truth.

Though it might be hard to show malice, the Patriots could get to a Massachusetts jury as to the issue of “reckless disregard.” We can’t clearly recall whether the Herald got a statement from the Pats before running the story (and we’re not inclined to now pay for access to the original Herald story, which is now archived). Our general recollection is the Herald proceeded with only one side of the situation, which is always risk for such an inflammatory story.

Also, there is some scuttlebutt that Walsh, who is believed to have been the source for the Herald story, has since backed off the contention that the practice was actually videotaped.

It’s another reason, as we see it, for the Patriots to want to know what Walsh knows, and to get whatever tapes or other materials that he has. If there wasn’t cheating at Super Bowl XXXVI, the Pats should have nothing to fear.

SAMUEL INTERESTED IN TAMPA

Posted by Mike Florio on February 26, 2008, 9:46 a.m.
In a move that might be a sign that the market for cornerback Asante Samuel might not be what he hopes it will be, his agent is openly politicking for the Bucs to show interest.
Tampa Bay is a situation that makes sense,” said Alonzo Shavers, according to the Tampa Tribune. “Tampa Bay is definitely worth considering. It was an organization that was in the Super Bowl not too long ago. It is an organization Asante wants to play for. It’s definitely something that makes perfect sense for everybody.”
Okay, that part isn’t all that bad. But Shavers should have stopped there.
He didn’t.
“We’re not having a large pool of teams to choose from,” Shavers said. “Not everybody will need him or want to pay that kind of money. It’s going to be a select group and Tampa Bay is high on our short list.”
First of all, how does Shavers know how big or small the pool is or might be? The obvious answer is tampering.
Second, why does Shavers think that the Bucs will pay Samuel big money? The Tampa Two defensive system doesn’t rely on high-end cornerbacks with strong downfield coverage skills. So there’s no reason for the Bucs to be interested in Samuel if the price tag will be north of Nate Clements’ seven-year, $64 million contract with the 49ers.
The primary scuttlebutt in league circles is that the Saints and the Eagles are the teams to watch in the Samuel sweepstakes.

Monday, February 25, 2008

Safety could be a safe option for Pats

2/24/08

Sun. notes By Erik Scalavino, Patriots.com & PFW Staff Writer

Lots of questions hover over the Pats’ defensive secondary, so drafting a safety in this April’s Draft seems like a safe bet. And several of the top prospects have strong New England connections.

INDIANAPOLIS – The development of James Sanders was one of the brighter spots in New England’s defensive secondary this past season – what with Rodney Harrison serving a suspension to start the year and Eugene Wilson either hurt or inactive for much of it.

With questions abounding at the cornerback position as well, the need for versatile players who can play either on the edge or in the middle of the field seems to be a growing need for the Patriots.

In this year’s NFL Draft, there are a number of talented players at free and strong safety, and nearly every one of the top prospects has spoken at some point with the Patriots (players listed alphabetically).


Free Safeties

Simeon Castille (6-0, 195) Alabama
Castille played mostly corner and nickel in Tuscaloosa, but he feels he’s willing and he’ll be able to make the switch to safety in the NFL.

“I think being able to play the nickel and the corner has helped me a lot, and being able to move outside and play inside, just being willing to play safety, and just having the athleticism to play both, I think helps me a lot,” he said Sunday.

“I think it’s going to help me a lot, being able to play corner, nickel, and safety,” he added. New England always puts an emphasis on its players being versatile, which may be why they’re attracted to Castille.

“I’ve been interviewed by a lot of teams, and the Patriots have been a team that I’ve had interviews with,” he revealed. “So, they’re being one of the top teams in the NFL every year, it’s definitely an honor for them to consider me.”

He also noted that the Patriots defensive secondary could look a lot different in 2008, and that he could see himself being part of it.

“I’ve been trying to look into a little bit of that. Asante Samuel might not be back, and Rodney Harrison is getting into the later years of his career … you know, that would be a great place to play.”

Castille also said playing in an NFL-type system under Alabama head coach Nick Saban, a member of the Bill Belichick coaching tree, will help him adapt to the complex defenses at the next level.


Marcus Griffin (5-10, 201) Texas
A lot of talk this time last year focused on Griffin’s fraternal twin brother, Michael, who many Draftniks thought would be taken by the Patriots in the first round. Maybe they’ll get their chance at the other Griffin this time around.

“Well, at this point, I’d be glad if New England did pick me up,” he declared. “If there’s an opportunity for me to go there and play, I’m going to give it 100 percent.”

Griffin spoke fondly of his friend and former Texas Longhorn teammate, Patriots TE David Thomas.

"I remember that he was a great player and off the field, he was a great dude, like he was on the field. I remember his hard work during practice and off the field. And you can see it led to him having a great career at UT and now at New England.

"I had a chance to see him this year when he came down to UT. Every time we see each other we talk to each other and he gives me a few pointers. And he just told me to stay positive."


Kenny Phillips (6-2, 212) Miami
Phillips is leaving Miami after his junior season, thanks in part to the lessons he learned from former Hurricane and current Patriots DB Brandon Meriweather.

“He was a big factor, especially my freshman year,” Phillips recalled Sunday. “When I first came in, he was the one who taught me the plays, he let me stay with him in the summer so I could go back and forth [to campus]. He really just took me under his wing and taught me everything that I know. I talk to him about every week.”

Being reunited with Meriweather in NE is a possibility that Phillips says he’s considered.

“I would enjoy it. I got used to playing with him. Then his time came to move on the to next level, and if we reunite, that would be great.”

Phillips went on to say that Meriweather gave him some advice when he decided to enter the NFL Draft early.
“[He said] just basically make sure it’s the right decision for you. Don’t do it because of the money situation or anything like that. Just make sure you know in your heart that you made the right decision.”

Phillips hasn’t yet spoken with Patriots scouts, but he has interviews scheduled Sunday night and Monday with a number of clubs. New England could be one of them, he said.


Strong Safeties

Jamar Adams (6-2, 212) Michigan
Many Michigan players say their team is like a family, even when older players graduate or go on to the NFL. So, it’s no surprise that Adams keeps in touch with former Wolverine and now Pats LB Pierre Woods.

“Yeah, Pierre is a great guy,” said Adams. “The best thing about Pierre is he is a genuine guy, a Michigan guy, he always cares about Michigan and the former players. I like to talk to Pierre, see how he is doing, get a feel on how the NFL is treating him. I talk to him maybe once a month.”

What’s the best advice Woods has given Adams?

“Not to worry about where you get drafted [which team and what round],” Adams replied. “If you get your foot in the door, take full advantage of. Be persistent and keep working hard.”

Working hard is a phrase the Patriots like to preach to their players, but after talking with Patriots scouts at the Senior Bowl, there’s something else Adams likes about New England’s approach to football.

“The best thing I like about the Patriots is they talk strategy, and that is what I like to talk about, so that was a good meeting.”


Jamie Silva (5-11, 204) Boston College
Silva, who also returned punts this past season at The Heights, has been working with noted speed coach Tom Shaw down in Florida in preparation for the Combine.

The New England native (he’s from Rhode Island) has followed the Patriots his whole life, and could fit the team’s mold of a seemingly underrated player who finds a way to overachieve.

“I talked to [New England] when I was at the East-West Shrine Game, and had some good conversations,” Silva revealed. “They just told me what they liked about me, and that it’s a long process, and just finish it out.”

It’s crossed his mind that he could continue his football career in New England, with the Pats defensive secondary potentially in a rebuilding mode this year, but he’ll be happy wherever he winds up.

“I feel like I can contribute wherever I go … I’m just hoping one team takes me and gives me an opportunity to be on the field.”

A stellar running back in high school, Silva made the switch to defense in college and has excelled there as well. That versatility and athleticism could be just what the Patriots will be looking for.


Tom Zbikowski (5-11, 211) Notre Dame
Having played at Notre Dame under former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, you’d think Zbikowski would be somewhat familiar with New England’s style of play. He is, of course, but maybe more so due to former Pats DB Corwin Brown, who these days is the Irish defensive coordinator.

"I think having coach Brown, coming in, bringing in the 3-4, not too many college teams run a 3-4,” Zbikowski observed Sunday. His strength, he feels, is his toughness, both physical and mental.

"I think [my strengths are] physical toughness and also having a knack for being a playmaker, with fumble recoveries and forced fumbles and interceptions. When you're moving up to the next level, for a defensive back technique is going to be the biggest thing, so you've got to be working on it all the time. No matter how good you think it is, you've always got to improve. You get tight ends and wide receivers running 4.3s, 4.4s, you don't have much room for error."

Which is why Zbikowski understands the importance of film study, something the Patriots stress with their players.

"I think that's one of the things I learned a lot this year, how much film you have to watch to be prepared,” said Zbikowski.
“I just love playing the game. I'd strap it up any time and play. I wasn't really focused on film work until this year – how much you have to learn to be successful."

A playmaker on special teams as well, Zbikowski returned punts for Notre Dame throughout his college career.

“Obviously that's the best way for you coming in to make the ball team, when you can show them you can play on special teams," he noted.

Another key to the Pats success has been their ability not to get too high with the highs or too low with the lows. Zbikowksi, who’s faced his share of criticism at Notre Dame, seems prepared to take that approach in the pros.

"You have to tune it out,” he said of his critics, “because if you listen to everything said about you … I have two left feet and I can't chew gum and walk at the same time, you know? You really can't listen to what they say. You can't really listen to the positives, also, and let it go to your head. You just have to be as focused as you can."


Sunday Combine Notebook

Future Combine Locations
According to Jeff Foster, President of National Football Scouting (a separate organization that runs the NFL Combine and works with 19 other pro clubs with their scouting needs), the next two Combines will be held inside Lukas Oil Stadium, the Colts new home. He said the RCA Dome is scheduled to be demolished, with a new Indiana Convention Center being built on that site. In all likelihood, the Combine will return to Indy in 2011, but at this point, it’s not official. However, Foster added that there are no discussions at this point to move the Combine to another city. He said he’s “hopeful” the Combine will remain in Indy long-term.

Combine Workouts
Not every player at the Combine is taking part in every workout, either by choice (they work out at their Pro Days at school) or because of injury. Rod Marinelli, the Lions head coach, was asked Sunday if those who don’t take part in the drills are at a disadvantage.
“It’s going to happen,” he stated. “Guys may have an injury or wait until they get back to campus. I just look, what are they doing here and evaluate what’s done here. And then if we go to their campus, I’ll evaluate that. But the key thing is still what their film is like.”

Player notes
Castille is the son of former Denver Bronco DB Jeremiah Castille … Free safety Nehemiah Warrick is first cousin to Peter Warrick, the former Cincinnati Bengal … Zbikowski recently shot an Under Armor commercial with former Irish teammate Jeff Samardzija, who’s now a pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization … Zbikowski also has pro boxing experience, having fought in Madison Square Garden. He pondered which is tougher: training for football or boxing. "They're both tough. It's really hard to say,” he replied. “But leading up to this feels like it is getting ready for a fight. You're training for so long -- seven, eight weeks – for one event [in this case, the Combine]. It's more like a fight than you do when you're getting ready for a football season." … Silva, known for his flowing, light brown mane, joked, “Once every 20 months I shave it off. It’s about that time again.” … Cornerback Leodis McKelvin of Troy, a school with a history of losing seasons, may have had the quote of the Combine when he spoke of his college team in this way: “We always fight to the end. We always lose in the end.”

Corner market has wide variety of prospects

2/24/08

By Andy Hart, Patriots Football Weekly

With free agent cornerback Asante Samuel’s future in New England very much in doubt, the Patriots could look to April’s draft to add both top-end talent and overall depth to the secondary.

INDIANAPOLIS – There isn’t exactly a set formula for teams looking for a top-flight NFL cornerback. Over the last decade-plus the Patriots had the good fortune of drafting two guys – Ty Law in 1995 and Asante Samuel in 2003 – that developed into All-Pro players. And while Law was a first-round selection with relatively high expectations, Samuel was a fourth-round pick who progressively evolved into one of the elite corners in the game while leading the NFL in interceptions over the last two seasons.

But Law’s career in New England ended after the 2004 season due to contract issues and Samuel is set to hit the free agent market later this week. After playing last season under New England’s franchise tag, and clearly reaffirming his status as one of the league’s elite corners, Samuel’s value on the open market could very well price him out of New England. As it stands, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King told Patriots Today’s Brian Lowe a the Combine that there is virtually no chance Samuel will be returning to the team where he’s played his first five NFL seasons.

Throw in the fact that New England’s nickel corner Randall Gay is also a free agent while No. 2 corner Ellis Hobbs failed to develop into a consistent player in his third season and the Patriots clearly head into April’s draft with an eye on the cornerback position, possibly looking for both top-end talent as well as to add overall depth to the secondary.

The 2008 draft holds a deep crop at cornerback. According to NFLDraftScout.com’s pre-Combine rankings more than 30 corners could go in the seven rounds of draft weekend, including as many as five in the first round and possibly 13 or more on the first day.

The top five prospects, all with a chance to go in the first-round, are South Florida’s Mike Jenkins (6-0, 200), Troy’s Leodis McKelvin (5-10, 190), Tennessee State’s Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (6-2, 184), Arizona’s Antoine Cason (6-0, 191) and Kansas’ Aqib Talib (6-0, 202). The mix between big-school corners and playmakers from a lesser level of competition leaves the exact order of their draft value a bit up in the air.

Talib is one of the elite big corners available. He said he met with the Patriots on Saturday night at the Combine and that the meeting went well.

“It was just a good conversation,” said Talib, who is a Cowboys fan and idolizes Deion Sanders. “A couple of the coaches were in there. When I left, I thought it went pretty good. We talked about football stuff, history, family, background. We talked about a lot of stuff.”

Does Talib -- who depending on who you talk to could go from anywhere in the top-10 to late in the first round -- think he’d fit in New England?

“Yeah. I feel like I’d be a pretty good fit wherever I get picked up at,” Talib said with confidence before listing his strengths as ball skills, man coverage and tackling.

Cason is a polished senior who won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best corner in the country last season while earning consensus All-American honors. Questions have arisen about his speed and he could have a lot riding on his 40 time when he runs for scouts on Tuesday in Indy. Regardless of what he runs, Cason is comfortable with his football abilities.

“People are going to think that (about his slow 40 time),” Cason said. “But as long as it’s nothing playing related, that’s what I feel confident about that no one has questioned how I play, if I can make plays or what I can do on the football field. So if that’s the question of speed, that’s OK with me. I’ll go run Tuesday and we’ll see.

“I’m a competitor. I’m ready to prove myself every time I step out on a national platform or just playing anything. I’m ready to prove myself again.”

More than a polished player, Cason is praised for his overall makeup. He started a charity called “Cason Cares” to raise money for the American Cancer Society by selling bracelets after losing his grandfather and role model, Royce Rambo, to a form of leukemia. After getting past NCAA hurdles to the charitable endeavor he raised more than $7,500 and was wearing one of the bracelets at the podium while speaking with the media at the Combine.

“Antoine Cason is just one of the most amazing young men I’ve ever been around,” Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood told the Arizona Daily Wildcat. “He’s not just a gifted athlete, he’s a very good student and a terrific young man. He’s got great principles and values and he’s just the kind of student-athlete that any coach in any sport would be so very proud of.”

Rodgers-Cromartie has come out of nowhere in the draft process almost the way his cousin, San Diego Pro Bowler Antonio Cromartie, exploded in the NFL circles last season. The Tennessee State playmaker moved around to four different high schools and didn’t get on the football field until his senior year. Tennessee State was then the only school to recruit him and offer a scholarship. But he’s made plays since his first day at the school and really put himself on the NFL radar with a big Senior Bowl week.

But he knows he still has to continue to impress league decision makers if he’s going to be one of the top corners taken.

“Ever since I’ve performed at the Senior Bowl, had a good week and an OK game, now people are starting to recognize and I’m starting to get more attention,” said Rodgers-Cromartie, who credits a personal workout with new Redskins Hall of Fame cornerback Darrell Green with helping him take his game to the next level. “I feel like I have to go three out of three – the Senior Bowl, here and then at my Pro Day … if I’m going to have the opportunity to go high in the draft.”

McKelvin might very well be the most confident smaller-school product to enter the draft. He played one year at Troy with DeMarcus Ware and considers himself the elite return man in the draft, several times drawing comparisons between himself and Bears playmaker Devin Hester.

“I’m the best return man coming into this draft,” said McKelvin, who’s remaining in school to finish his degree this spring. “I’ll do the things that Devin Hester is doing right now. So that should help me a lot.”

McKelvin acknowledges that many consider the Sun Belt the lowest level of college football and he’s had to answer questions about his competition.

“There are athletes everywhere. It doesn’t matter where you are at whether you are in the Sun Belt or the SEC, ACC they’ll come find you,” says the corner who claims to have held Calvin Johnson to just two receptions for 9 yards in a matchup with the current Detroit Lion. “You just have to go out there and show them and compete to the best of your ability.”

Some of the corners who might be available in the middle of the draft in the second through fourth rounds include Indiana’ Tracy Porter (5-11, 185), USC’s Terrell Thomas (6-1, 197), Iowa’s Charles Godfrey (5-11, 207), Virginia Tech’s Brandon Flowers (5-9, 189), Boston College’s DeJuan Tribble (5-8, 189), Penn State’s Justin King (5-11, 192) and LSU’s Chevis Jackson (6-0, 188).

Godfrey is a physical, man-to-man defender who played under former Bill Belichick assistant Kirk Ferentz with Hawkeyes. He patterns he’s game after Green Bay’s Al Harris and has a Houston Texans tattoo on his right hand. But he thinks his time under the former Belichick assistant has him well prepared for any system and he believes he could contribute immediately as a nickel back at the next level.

“Coach Ferentz is always bringing up the Patriots,” said Godfrey, who says he has met Belichick and would be happy to get the call from New England.
“He’s always referring to the fact that Patriots are the great team and the reason why they are a great team is they do things right. It’s not because they have all these super stars or all these guys with unbelievable talent. It’s just that they are working hard and doing they best they can do and coming collectively so they can be the best they can be.”

The undersized Tribble, who said he’s often told he plays bigger than he is, also talked about his college team’s admiration of the New England organization. The Eagles star said he watched a lot of Asante Samuel, Champ Bailey and Chris McAllister in an effort to improve his own game.

“They are a real classy group, a real respected team,” Tribble said of the Patriots. “They get things done the right way. I feel like they prepare as well as any team can prepare. I feel like the players around the whole team there, they’re well connected. I think that’s team bonding, something we tried to follow after the Patriots. We did that a lot at B.C. If your guys are clicking on the team then that’s just going to make the team that much better.”

Some of the corners that could go in the later part of the draft include a diverse crop of players like UConn’s Tyvon Branch (6-0, 198), Kent State’s Jack Williams (5-9, 180), Missouri’s Darnell Terrell (6-2, 200), LSU’s Jonathan Zenon (6-0, 180), Eastern Kentucky’s Antwaun Molden (6-1, 198), Arizona’s Wilrey Fontenot (5-9, 176) and Oklahoma’s Marcus Walker (5-11, 198).

Zenon is interesting in that he has decent size and obviously comes from a big-time program with the Tigers that’s produced plenty of NFL defensive backs in recent years.

“I need to run a better 40, that’s the main thing I need to do,” Zenon said. “That way I can be projected in a great round. 4.3 would be the number that I’m going for.”

Zenon has spoken with fellow Tigers like Joseph Addai, Dwayne Bowe, LaRon Landry and Craig Davis about the draft process and thinks it can help him.

“I think it gives you an edge because you are going to know what to expect when you come here,” Zenon said. “They let you know what to expect and it gives you a heads up.’

But the biggest thing that can help any of the corners in the draft, from top prospects to late-round sleepers, is to run Tuesday’s 40 in as fast a time as possible. After years of playing football, making plays, building a film library and doing everything their coaches have asked, running a fast 40 yards in shorts will go a long way in deciding the future for the 57 defensive backs in Indy for the Combine.

From a Patriots perspective it will be interesting if the team looks to the cornerback spot early in the draft to fill the potential void left if Samuel signs elsewhere. Either way the team will have to dip into the corner pool at some point on draft weekend in the hopes of developing another All-Pro like the franchise was able to do with Law and Samuel in recent years.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Report: Patriots make offer to Zach Thomas

10:09 AM EST on Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The Miami Herald

Thomas
The New England Patriots offered Zach Thomas a contract yesterday on the same day the former Dolphins linebacker made Gillette Stadium his first stop in what promises to be a continuing free-agency tour.
“We had a great visit in New England,” agent Drew Rosenhaus wrote in a text message last night. “They offered him a contract and we will continue negotiations.”
It is unclear what type of deal the Patriots offered but obviously it was not one either Thomas or Rosenhaus were immediately eager to sign. It is possible the Patriots offered a deal that pays the veteran minimum of $830,000 for 2008 with bonuses tied to play-time and other incentive categories.
Related links
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Although Thomas has made approximately $50 million through his 12-year career, he is nonetheless hoping to get a multiyear deal that includes guaranteed money.
Rosenhaus confirmed in his text message that Thomas will continue his impromptu free-agent tour today when he visits the New Orleans Saints. The agent also is scheduled to speak with the Dallas Cowboys tomorrow, and the Bills and Jets are also said to be interested in Thomas.
But Thomas is not likely to look toward Buffalo or New York as his first choices because he wants to play for a team that is likely to contend for a Super Bowl title in 2008. Neither the Jets nor Bills qualified for the playoffs last season.
Thomas, whose contract was terminated by the Dolphins last Thursday, has repeated he didn’t want to leave Miami. But once the team made the decision to cut him with one year remaining on his contract, he wants to make sure he has the best opportunity to win.
Despite obvious worries by the Dolphins about the concussion that prematurely ended Thomas’ season in 2007, the player and his agent have vehemently contended he is again healthy.
That was apparently confirmed yesterday when the Patriots offered Thomas a contract.
The Patriots are interested in Thomas because both of their inside linebackers — Junior Seau and Tedy Bruschi — are free agents. Seau is 39 years old while Bruschi, three months older than Thomas, will be 35 during the 2008 season.

Monday, February 18, 2008

NEW CLASS ACTION COULD BE TOUGH TO PROVE

Posted by Mike Florio on February 15, 2008, 7:45 p.m.
The first class action against the Patriots, filed on behalf of Jets fans after Spygate I, was criticized and generally scoffed at. It’s current status is unknown. (We’ve sent an e-mail to one of the lawyers for more information.)
The second class action, arising from what we’ve been calling Spygate II, will have greater superficial appeal because one of the named plaintiffs was a member of the Rams, who allegedly were cheated out of Super Bowl XXXVI.
But, as a reader has astutely pointed out, the second action could have serious flaws.
While the first lawsuit was based on a finding by the league that cheating had occurred, there’s no hard evidence that the Pats did anything wrong in connection with Super Bowl XXXVI. Sure, the Boston Herald reported that the Pats taped the Rams’ final walk-through. But won’t John Tomase refuse to finger his unnamed source, even if it means cooling his jets as a guest of the federal government?
Then there’s Matt Walsh, the guy whom many believe was the one with the camera. But what if he wasn’t?
Maybe the plaintiffs have something more than the Herald report and a hope that Walsh will sing.
Or maybe they don’t think they need it.
The plaintiffs can argue that evidence of Super Bowl cheating was included in the materials that the Pats surrendered to the league — and that the league destroyed the evidence in part to conceal the fact that cheating occurred in connection with such an important game.
Frankly, we doubt that the information given by the Patriots to the league included such proof. But one of the primary problems with destroying evidence is that subsequent proceedings in which such evidence would have been relevant could result in an inference that the destroyed evidence would have been incriminating on the question of whether cheating occurred.
Other interesting issues could arise in the new lawsuit. For example, will Patriots fans choose to opt out if the class of folks who paid for tickets is ultimately certified by the court, or will they stand firm for their $400? Also, will a class composed of members of the 2001 Rams be certified, or will the Court find that the group is small enough for each individual player to join in the suit as named plaintiffs, if they so choose?
Then there’s the venue. New Orleans is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. Many residents are jaded and cynical as a result of the way they’ve been treated by the government, with news of formaldehyde-infested FEMA trailers only the most recent in a continuous line of indignities. Jurors from that area might be inclined to believe the worst about other humans, and to lash out at anyone/everyone who is proven to have engaged in wrongdoing.
Of course, a lot has to happen before a jury will ever be considering whether to impose a verdict against the team. Regardless of whether Arlen Specter or anyone else continues to chase this thing, the new lawsuit might ultimately provide a handy forum for the tough questions that still need to be asked and answered, regardless of what those answers might be.

WHERE WILL ASANTE LAND?

Posted by Mike Florio on February 17, 2008, 12:38 p.m.
The Boston Herald, which likely has been bracing itself for a defamation lawsuit in the wake of its February 2 report that the Patriots taped the Rams’ final-walkthrough practice prior to Super Bowl XXXVI, is stirring up the New England hornets’ nest again by taking a stab at where Pats cornerback Asante Samuel might land in free agency.
The Herald points to the Jets and Browns as potential suitors for Samuel. The head coaches of both teams have ties to Samuel; Eric Mangini of the Jets and Romeo Crennel of the Browns served as defensive coordinators during Samuel’s career in New England.
But how about the Falcons or the Dolphins? Both teams are flush with cap space after jettisoning several high-priced veterans this past week. Atlanta G.M. Tom Dimitroff was the director of college scouting in New England, which puts him in a position to understand Samuel’s potential value. The added benefit of acquiring Samuel is that the Falcons would then be able to trade disgruntled starting cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
In Miami, V.P. of football operations Bill Parcells might be inclined to stir up the AFC East by taking a top-shelf cover corner by a team coached by one of his prize pupils and managed by the Tuna’s son-in-law.
In the end, Samuel is likely to give the greatest consideration to the highest bidder. But while folks keep quoting Nate Clements’ eight-year, $80 million deal as the benchmark for Samuel, keep in mind that Clements’ deal was only (only?) seven years and $64 million. Per the language of the contract, the eighth year will never happen.
Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey hopes that Samuel shatters the nine-figure mark. “I think Asante and [Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant], those guys should definitely get $100 million, probably more. Every team needs premier cornerbacks in this league. They’re worth it.”
Bailey, of course, is hardly unbiased. Since he’s still regarded as the premier cover corner in the league, a big deal for Samuel (who unlike Trufant can’t be limited with the franchise tag by virtue of his 2007 contract) would put Bailey in line for an “adjustment” to his own deal.
One team that shouldn’t be taken seriously in the race for Samuel is the Colts, but not only for the reasons articulated by the Herald. The Tampa 2 defense doesn’t put a premium on cornerbacks, who are expected primarily to provide coverage in short zones and provide run support. Big money for a guy like Samuel makes no sense in that kind of scheme.

Ty Law Return?

The Chiefs are expected to release cornerback Ty Law instead of paying him a $6.5 million base salary in 2008, which would put Law back onto the free agent market. Law, 33, spent the last two seasons in Kansas City and did not miss a game, recording six interceptions over that span. Some observers felt the Chiefs' desire to play more man coverage was not the best fit for Law, although Law, who believes he has 2-3 solid seasons left in him, might contest that. The 2008 campaign will mark Law's 14th in the NFL, and considering that the Patriots could be looking for corners, his potential return to Foxborough would add a dash of spice to the offseason. Assuming Law is released, those close to him say he would be open to the possibility of a return - if the price is right.

PATS TO PASS ON STALLWORTH OPTION

Posted by Mike Florio on February 17, 2008, 7:44 p.m.
A league source tells us that the New England Patriots already have advised receiver Donte’ Stallworth that they won’t be picking up the $6 million option due to be paid to him on or before February 25.
As a result, the Pats will be required to cut Stallworth by 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday, February 22. Unless, of course, they work out a new deal with him before then.
Stallworth was signed by the Pats before the team acquired Randy Moss. The decision not to keep Stallworth suggests that the team will retain Moss, possibly by applying the franchise tag to him and then trying to work out a long-term deal.
The deadline for applying the franchise tag is February 21.

THOMAS TO VISIT PATS ON MONDAY

Posted by Mike Florio on February 17, 2008, 10:45 p.m.
Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe reports that free-agent linebacker Zach Thomas will meet with the Patriots on Monday.
Thomas, released by the Dolphins on Thursday, already has been linked to the Saints, Cowboys, Jets, and Bills. New England apparently will be his first visit.
The big question is whether any team will be able to give Thomas medical clearance to play. Concussions limited him to five games in 2007.

BELICHICK SPEAKS OUT ON SPYGATE

Posted by Mike Florio on February 18, 2008, 9:43 a.m.
In the same Boston Globe article in which Pats V.P. of player personnel gives the team’s take on the termination of Matt Walsh, coach Bill Belichick talks for the first time since September 2007 about the Spygate situation.
As to Walsh, Belichick says that he “couldn’t pick Matt Walsh out of a lineup.”
As to the notion that the Pats spied on the Rams before Super Bowl XXXVI, Belichick had this to say: “In my entire coaching career, I’ve never seen another team’s practice film prior to playing that team. I have never authorized, or heard of, or even seen in any way, shape, or form any other team’s walkthrough. We don’t even film our own. We don’t even want to see ourselves do anything, that’s the pace that it’s at. Regardless, I’ve never been a part of that.
It’s a broad a denial as Belichick can issue, but we’re confused as to why he’d even mention that the Pats don’t tape their own walk-through practices. Of course a team won’t tape it’s own walk-through — there’s no benefit to it from the standpoint of assessing or grading players because they’re, you know, walking. For an opponent, however, access to the walk-through practice would have tremendous value from the standpoint of deciphering the game plan.
Frankly, including the “we don’t even tape our own walk-throughs” angle in his argument makes us wonder whether the normally tight-lipped Belichick is going a bit too far.
Meanwhile, Belichick went back to Spygate I (i.e., the taping of defensive coaching signals) and tried to defend practices that the league already has deemed to be a violation worthy of a $500,000 fine to Belichick, a $250,000 fine to the team, and the loss of a first-round draft pick.
Belichick explained that he merely misinterpreted the rule.
“My interpretation was that you can’t utilize anything to assist you during that game,” Belichick said. “What our camera guys do is clearly not allowed to be used during the game and has never been used during that game that it was shot.”
Belichick also had this to say about the taping of defensive coaching signals:
“On the tape of the signaling that we talk about, that film usually wasn’t even completed until Thursday or Friday of the following week. It was that low of a priority. In other words, the video guys had so much other stuff to do on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday getting ready for the other game, that a lot of times that film wasn’t even processed until later in the week.”
Again, Belichick could be going too far. Why on earth would the video staff prepare, for example, video taken on Sunday of the Jets’ defensive coaching signals for the following week’s game? The value in making the tape arises when they prepare to play the Jets again that year — or when they face teams coached by members of the current Jets defensive staff in future seasons.
Moreover, we’re confused about why Belichick would even dredge up Spygate I. Here’s what Belichick had to say on the topic:
“I wasn’t comfortable talking about it earlier in the year because my No. 1 job is to win football games. The more distractions there are, I think the harder it is to prepare. I thought the more conversation about this would just take away from what my primary job and our primary job is, which is to win football games.
“I felt like now, the season has been over for a couple weeks, there are certainly a lot of questions out there about it, I thought this would be the timely point to address it as opposed to during the season, at any point. Of course, it came up a number of times.”
But, right now, the only question that anyone still cares about arising from the five-month-old incident is what tapes or other materials Belichick gave to the league, and why the stuff was promptly destroyed.
Belichick didn’t address any of those issues on Sunday. It’s unclear whether he ever will in a setting other than a Congressional hearing room. Or a courtroom.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Going for it on 4th-and-13: the science

By Jonathan Comey
Cold, Hard Football Facts apologist for greatness

The New England fans have come out of the woodwork over the past few days knocking their future Hall of Fame coach for one specific decision in Super Bowl XLII: to pass on a long field goal attempt to go for it on fourth down in the third quarter.

“WE LOST BY THREE POINTS!” they yell, in their irritating Boston accent. “WHAT WAS BELICHICK FAAHCKIN' THINKIN”?”

Here’s what he was thinkin’:

THE SITUATION
Fourth down and 13 at the New York 31. Patriots lead, 7-3, 6:50 remaining in the third quarter.

THE OPTIONS
1. Kick the 48-yard field goal. A successful field goal gives New England a 10-3 lead. Stephen Gostkowski had only attempted 10 field goals over 40 yards over two full seasons with New England, hitting six of them. His longest field goal this year was 45 yards, and the longest of his career was 52 yards. He had also just shanked a kickoff out of bounds, and had a miss on his resume in the AFC divisional round game vs. Jacksonville. Being charitable with the perfect dome conditions, Gostkowski had a 50 percent chance of making the field goal.

So, a field-goal attempt there was worth 50 percent of three points, or 1.5 points.

2. Go for a pass and try and get the first down. Over the season, approximately 27 percent of all Patriot dropbacks resulted in passes of 13 yards or more. The average completed pass by Tom Brady went for 12.08 yards. That average is augmented by many long passes, but it’s safe to assume that 40 percent of those passes were of 13 yards or more. Multiply that by Brady’s 68 percent completion rate (and figure in sacks), and you’ve got 27 percent. Shave off a couple of percentage points for the excellent Giant defense, and call it 25 percent.

A first down would also land them inside the red zone, a place where the Patriots scored touchdowns on 50 of 72 possessions during the regular season. Failing a TD, Gostkowski is 87.5 percent from 39 yards and under for his career.

Going for the first gave New England a 25 percent chance at getting into the red zone, where they scored touchdowns 69.4 percent of the time during their prior games. They would also have a field-goal attempt 25 percent of the time, with 5 percent blocked off for a turnover.

So, doing the math, a successful first down conversion would lead the Patriots to an average of 5.31 points, Taking 25 percent of that is 1.33 points.

THE CONCLUSION
In terms of value, the field-goal attempt was worth slightly more, 1.5 points to 1.33 points. But the other factors were heavily in favor of going for it.

Field position: Cited by Belichick after the game, a missed field goal would place the ball back seven yards from the spot, giving the Giants the ball at the 37. Also, there's the threat of a blocked field goal, always more likely when a kicker is at the edge of his range. In addition, a completed pass short of the first down would have driven the Giants deeper in their own end. Also, a long pass – what they ended up attempting – could have been intercepted by New York, effectively acting as a punt. A successful field goal would have been a wash in terms of field position, with the Giants likely to start their next possession around that same 30-yard line.

Momentum: If the Patriots score a touchdown, they burn more time off the clock and build an 11-point lead in a game where they had allowed just three points through two-thirds of it. That puts an awful lot of pressure on Eli Manning and the Giants offense, and opens up all kinds of possibilities for the Patriots. And it would have been a boost for an offense that had been a half-second short of where it needed to be all game.

Overall, 4th-and-13 at the 31 is a bad place to be. Most coaches would have gone for the field goal, but Belichick surely deserves the benefit of the doubt for understanding all of the factors detailed above and going with his record-setting offense over a field-goal kicker that was untested and had just sent a kickoff careening out of bounds.

Then again, who needs logic when you can just yell?

Patriots taping since 2000

By Christopher L. Gasper
Globe Staff / February 14, 2008
Senator Arlen Specter finally met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday to discuss the league's handling of its investigation into "Spygate," and according to Specter, he was told the Patriots' taping of opposing teams' signals had been going on since 2000, when Bill Belichick took over as coach.
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"There was confirmation that there has been taping since 2000, when Coach Belichick took over," said Specter, who met with Goodell in his office in Washington for 1 hour 40 minutes.
Specter, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, had written the league requesting a meeting with Goodell to discuss why the league destroyed the tapes - Goodell has said there were six - and notes, which date to 2002, that were turned over by the Patriots. That came after the team was caught videotaping the defensive signals of the Jets during its 38-14 victory at Giants Stadium Sept. 9.
Specter, who represents Pennsylvania and is an admitted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, the team the Patriots defeated in Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005, has questioned the quality of the NFL's investigation into the Patriots' conduct and has raised the possibility of congressional hearings if he wasn't satisfied with Goodell's answers.
Specter has compared the NFL's destruction of the tapes to the CIA destroying evidence and raised the threat of Congress canceling the NFL's antitrust exemption. He reiterated that threat in the meeting with Goodell.
However, Goodell stood his ground, maintaining the league handled the case and the evidence it seized from the Patriots properly.
"I think it was the right thing to do," said Goodell yesterday about the tapes' destruction. He added, "I have nothing to hide."
Specter's request for a meeting became public in a New York Times story Feb. 1, two days prior to the Patriots' 17-14 loss to the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, and reignited the furor over the signal-stealing imbroglio, which resulted in the franchise being fined $250,000 and stripped of a first-round draft choice and Belichick being fined $500,000, the maximum allowable under the NFL constitution and bylaws.
The NFL has stated that the penalties were for the totality of the Patriots' actions, not just those during the Jets game.
Goodell said yesterday that Belichick told him he believed the taping was legal, implying he's been doing it since he has been coach.
"He said that's always been his interpretation since he's been the head coach," said the commissioner. "We are going to agree to disagree on the facts."
Patriots spokesman Stacey James, when reached last night, said the team had nothing to add on the meeting.
In a Sept. 13 statement released by Belichick after Goodell's ruling and the resulting penalties, the coach said his interpretation of the rule regarding videotaping was incorrect.
"Part of my job as head coach is to ensure that our football operations are conducted in compliance of the league rules and all accepted interpretations of them," Belichick said in his statement. "My interpretation of a rule in the constitution and bylaws was incorrect."
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In a memo to NFL head coaches and general managers Sept. 6, 2006, a year before the Patriots had a sideline camera confiscated in the game against the Jets, league executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson stated, "Videotaping of any type, including but not limited to taping of an opponent's offensive or defensive signals, is prohibited on the sidelines, in the coaches' booth, in the locker room, or at any other locations accessible to club staff members during the game."
The day before this year's Super Bowl, the Boston Herald, citing an anonymous source, reported that the Patriots had taped the Rams' walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. New England won that game, 20-17.
Both the Patriots and the NFL have been adamant that no such taping took place. Goodell has stated that the NFL was aware of the rumor, investigated it, and found no credible evidence that the Patriots taped the walkthrough.
However, Goodell has maintained that he reserves the right to reopen the league's investigation if new information is uncovered, and Matt Walsh, a former Patriots employee now working as a golf pro in Hawaii, has hinted that he has evidence that could be potentially damaging to the team.
The commissioner said last week that if Walsh, who has claimed that a confidentiality agreement he signed with the Patriots puts him in legal jeopardy if he talks, has any new, pertinent information, the league would want to speak with him.
Yesterday, Goodell said he has not heard from Walsh. Goodell said he has offered Walsh a deal whereby "he has to tell the truth and he has to return anything he took improperly."
Goodell has defended the NFL's actions in the investigation, citing the leak of one of the tapes to Fox Sports, and saying their destruction was one way to confirm that the Patriots had turned over all of the evidence he had requested, which the team had to certify to the league in writing.
Specter said the NFL should have preserved the evidence.
"There were a great many questions answered by Commissioner Goodell," said Specter. "I found a lot of questions unanswerable because the tapes and notes had been destroyed."
Specter wants to talk to other league officials about what exactly was taped and which games may have been compromised.
"We have a right to honest football games," said Specter.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.

Gillette ticket prices movin’ on up

By John Tomase Thursday, February 14, 2008 http://www.bostonherald.com N.E. Patriots
Photo by Matt Stone
For the first time since the end of the 2004 season, the Patriots [team stats] are raising ticket prices.
The increases range from 10 percent in the furthest reaches of Gillette Stadium to 51 percent for a reclassified section of upper level seats in the corner of the end zone. Standing room only seats remain at $49.
The Patriots have owned the highest average ticket prices in the league every season since 2002, the year after they followed their first Super Bowl with hikes of nearly 60 percent, according to Team Marketing Report’s Fan Cost Index.
They could become the first team to average over $100 a ticket in NFL history in 2008.
Season ticket holders should expect renewal invoices next week. Renewals are due March 31, after which tickets will be offered to those on the waiting list. A limited number of individual game tickets will be available to the public later this spring.
Seats-New-Old-Change
Lower Level Sideline-$169-$125-35 percent
Lower Level Corner/End Zone-$117-$89-31 percent
Mezzanine Level Corner/End Zone-$117-$89-31 percent
Upper Level Sideline-$89-$75-19 percent
Upper Level Corner (Rows 1-7)-$89-$59-51 percent
Upper Level Corner (Rows 8-26)-$65-$59-10 percent
Standing Room-$49-$49-0 percent
Here are the 10 most expensive average ticket prices last season, based on Team Marketing Report’s Fan Cost Index.
Patriots-$90.98
Bears-$84.89
Cowboys-$84.12
Giants-$81.29
Jets-$80.70
Redskins-$79.13
Ravens-$77.20
49ers-$75.22
Chiefs-$73.92
Chargers-$73.64Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/football/patriots/view.bg?articleid=1073494

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Patriots Sign LB T.J. Slaughter

The New England Patriots have signed veteran free agent linebacker T.J. Slaughter. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots have signed veteran free agent linebacker T.J. Slaughter. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Slaughter, 30, is a veteran of seven NFL seasons and has played in 78 career games with 32 starts since being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft (92nd overall). The 6-foot-1-inch, 233-pound linebacker has played for Jacksonville (2000-03), Green Bay (2003), Baltimore (2003-04), New Orleans (2005) and San Francisco (2006). He spent the 2007 season out of football. Slaughter has recorded 358 career tackles (172 solo), two sacks, one interception, eight passes defensed, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 47 special teams tackles.
The Southern Mississippi product made a career-high 108 tackles (45 solo) as a rookie with Jacksonville in 2000, a total that ranked third on the team that season. Slaughter followed his rookie campaign with a 92-tackle performance in 2001, a total that ranked fourth on the team despite playing in just nine games. In 2002, he made a career-high 11 starts and totaled 106 tackles (47 solo) while posting nine or more tackles in nine games. Slaughter played in the first six games of the 2003 season for the Jaguars before being released on Oct. 29, 2003. He played in one game later that season for the Green Bay Packers and also participated in a game with the Baltimore Ravens that year. In 2004, Slaughter played in 14 games for the Ravens while serving as a backup to Pro Bowler Ray Lewis. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints prior to the 2005 season and played in 10 games with one start that season. Slaughter joined the San Francisco 49ers in the spring of 2006 and played in 10 games with one start, totaling a career-high 12 special teams tackles before being placed on the reserve/injured list on Nov. 22, 2006.

Height: 6-1 Weight: 233 Year: 7 Yrs/Pat: 1 Acquired: FA-08 School: Southern Mississippi