New England Patriots News

Tim Tebow will conduct individual workout for Cleveland Browns and 4 other teams, report says
Comment
March 18
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Browns are one of five teams for which Florida quarterback Tim Tebow will conduct individual workouts in the next few weeks, according to the Sporting News. The others are Buffalo, Seattle, New England, and Washington. Browns President Mike Holmgren and coach Eric Mangini attended Tebow's Pro Day yesterday and were impressed with his new, compact delivery and improved footwork. Holmgren told the Associated Press after the workout that Tebow will make some team "very happy.'' But he made no guarantees about Tebow being a successful NFL quarterback. "I'm going to steer clear of that one now,'' he told the Sporting News. "I think Tim Tebow is one of those guys that you root for. If ..."
Club will play on holiday in Detroit
Comment
March 18
Boston Globe
 
"Thanksgiving football is a tradition in New England, and it appears that the Patriots will be added to the mix this year. By process of elimination, the Patriots are headed to Detroit on the holiday. TV rights provide a clue to the Thanksgiving matchups, which will be officially announced Monday at the NFL owners meetings. The Jets have agreed to host a game on Thanksgiving, according to the New York Daily News. And CBS will carry the Lions game, which means Detroit's opponent must be from the AFC. The only AFC teams scheduled to play at Detroit in 2010 are the Jets and Patriots."
A new life for David Patten
Comment
March 18
Boston Herald
 columnist Karen Guregian
"While sitting at home in South Carolina in November pondering retirement, David Patten was given a sign it wasn't his time. After watching the Patriots get croaked by the New Orleans Saints, Patten knew if there was any team he could still help at age 35, it was the Pats. Nearly a full year removed from his last game, even he had a shot at bailing out old pal Tom Brady and helping Bill Belichick's troubled receving corps. "I texted Tom after the game, not thinking he would get the text because it was right after the game," Patten said yesterday, recalling what prompted him to plant the seed for a return to the Patriots. "I said, 'Hey man, tell coach (Belichick) I think I still have some ..."
Tom Brady in LA, not Foxboro workouts
Comment
March 18
Boston Herald
 
"While the Patriots' voluntary offseason workout progam began Monday, quarterback Tom Brady has yet to report and is currently in Los Angeles. Brady, who was photographed walking his new dog yesterday in LA traditionally is one of the first players to participate and often won the preferred parking space awarded to players with the best offseason workout record. A few years back, Brady said he surrendered the parking space because he didn't "compete" for it. Brady stressed that he still does the required training, just not always in Foxboro because his lifestyle has changed with a wife and two children. Veteran wide receiver David Patten, who re-signed with the Patriots last month, said ..."
Lions likely to face Patriots in Thanksgiving game
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March 17
Detroit News
 
"By process of elimination, it appears the Lions will host the New England Patriots on Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field. The New York Daily News, citing unnamed sources, reports the New York Jets -- the only other potential Thanksgiving opponent for the Lions, based on TV network rights -- will host a Thanksgiving night game at the new Meadowlands Stadium. If true, that means the Lions will host Tom Brady and the Patriots in their annual Thanksgiving game. The Lions' game is being broadcast by CBS this year, meaning it will feature an AFC opponent. The Jets and Patriots are the only AFC opponents that will play at Detroit in 2010."
Mayo expects to make some noise next season
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March 17
Boston Globe
 
"The clanging of weight machines could be heard at Gillette Stadium yesterday as the Patriots returned for offseason workouts less than two months after the Baltimore Ravens ended their season in the wild-card round. "We're trying to put last season behind us,'' linebacker Jerod Mayo said. "You can tell from the guys who were here before we actually had to report that people are really hungry to get back at it and start the new season.'' On Monday, players began working out under the guidance of strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik. Weightlifting, running, and watching film take up most of the players' time."
Bill Belichick rings up cops
Comment
March 17
Boston Herald
 
"The cops in Jupiter, Fla., must be New England Patriots fans because not one, but three patrol cars showed up at a local restaurant after coach Bill Belichick thought the valet swiped the house keys from his new Volvo! Word from the Palm Beach Post is that the Evil Genius, his cougar-ific galpal Linda Holliday, one of her daughters and a friend were in the car heading back to Lin's Tequesta abode when Bill discovered his house keys were missing from the console. He sped back to Guanabanas, the cops were called, and we can just imagine what happened next."
All-decade players in select company
Comment
March 17
Boston Herald
 
"There are plenty of givens, a few surprises and a few spots for debate, which is usually how it goes, as the Patriots Hall of Fame committee selected the franchise's all-decade team. The 27-member team of the 2000s features quarterback Tom Brady and wide receiver Randy Moss on offense from the current team, as well as linemen Ty Warren and Vince Wilfork from the present defensive unit. Four honorees - linebacker Willie McGinest, cornerback Ty Law, safety Lawyer Milloy and kicker Adam Vinatieri - are holdovers from the 1990s team. The 2000s team, led by coach Bill Belichick:"
Jerod Mayo talks up a more vocal role
Comment
March 17
Boston Herald
 
"Leadership has been one of the primary issues on the table when it comes to elements that need to improve with the Patriots [team stats] going forward. Jerod Mayo didn't dispute that notion yesterday. The linebacker, who took a break from offseason workouts, was placed in a tough position last season. He was a captain in just his second year who was asked to step in and put guys in line who had a lot more experience and cache in the locker room than he had. But having another year under his belt, and having learned from and soaked in Junior Seau's wisdom last year, Mayo believes he's prepared to take a more active and vocal leadership role. "I think I can definitely step my game up as far ..."
Warren stays home for school
Comment
March 16
ESPN.com
 
"New England Patriots defensive end Ty Warren is forgoing his $250,000 offseason workout bonus, he says, because no amount of money is worth having his kids see their father without a college degree. A possible NFL lockout in 2011, which has him thinking more about life after his playing career, also is on his mind. That's why as the Patriots opened their voluntary offseason program Monday, the 29-year-old Warren was home in Bryan, Texas, with his wife Kesha and their three kids, Brionna, Brielle and Bailey."
Pats' Adalius Thomas not yet set on Jets
Comment
March 16
Boston Herald
 
"Adalius Thomas was not with the Patriots yesterday for the start of the team's offseason program, based on an e-mail the linebacker sent last night to the Herald. Many expect the linebacker, who was at odds with coach Bill Belichick last season, will be released soon. Thomas disputed the notion, however, that he has a grand desire to play for the New York Jets, as recently described by Jets linebacker Bart Scott. Thomas claimed he never made any such intentions known to his former Ravens teammate. "I've heard of all the chatter up there about me," Thomas wrote. "It was about something Bart Scott said on TV, (and) that's not what was said . . . I have never told anyone that I wanted to ..."
Sammy Morris has book on free agent Josh Reed
Comment
March 15
Boston Herald
 
"Sammy Morris looks at the signings of team leaders Kevin Faulk and Vince Wilfork and likes what the Patriots have done thus far in the offseason. The Patriots running back, taking a break yesterday from his appearance at Tufts University's annual "Read by the River" literacy fair, also seemed pumped about what may happen down the road. Morris wouldn't mind if the club finalized a deal with his former Buffalo Bills teammate Josh Reed, the wide receiver who was in for a free agent visit last week. Morris said he's been in contact with Reed, who he played with in Buffalo during the 2002 and '03 seasons. Reed is currently testing the free agent waters after eight seasons with the Bills. "I ..."
Welker's biggest hurdle? Still the knee
Comment
March 14
Boston Globe
 
"The natural questions to ask after last night's news that Wes Welker recently underwent rotator-cuff surgery concern the timetable for his recovery. Since rehab on those types of injuries varies wildly, I've had some difficulty nailing that down. But what I have been told is that the idea that this injury would sideline Welker for the entire 2010 season is completely false. In fact, battling back from reconstructive knee surgery remains the 28-year-old's primary challenge. Now, there's good news and bad news here. Bad news first. This isn't insignificant. Rotator-cuff surgery, like the one Steeler defensive end Aaron Smith had in October, is enough to end a player's season. Smith's ..."
Patriots win Player Development award
Comment
March 14
Boston Globe
 
"The league made the announcement a couple days ago, and now we'll cover it here: The Patriots won the Outstanding Overall Player Development Award for 2009. The league hands out such awards for teams' financial education, continuing education, career development and life skills programs, and the one New England won covers all four areas. The release specifically cited the club's "Safe Boating" program, as well as its financial education seminars and life skills seminars, the latter of which included a talk with Celtics coach Doc Rivers. The team will be honored before a home game in 2010 for winning the award."
Patriot place
Comment
March 14
Boston Herald
 
"With Kevin Faulk last week staying true to his intention to be a Patriot for life by re-upping with the team for a 12th season, the redoubtable running back could become just the ninth player in team history to record a career of at least a dozen seasons, all played with the Patriots. Although three other Patriots legends -- Raymond Clayborn, Stanley Morgan and the recently deceased Mosi Tatupu -- all played 12 years in Foxboro, each ended his career with another team."
Wes Welker in new battle
Comment
March 14
Boston Herald
 
"As soon as Wes Welker's rotator cuff surgery became public, the question came: How will it affect the receiver's attempts to return to the field in 2010? Already battling a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, Welker had hoped to return by the start of the season. But does his torn rotator cuff - the severity of which is not known - throw a wrench in his plans? Neither Welker, nor the Patriots, have commented on his status. But according to injury expert Will Carroll, Welker's main obstacle remains his knee. "It's not that big a deal. I can't see Welker missing a significant portion of the season because of this," said Carroll, who has earned acclaim as a senior writer for Baseball ..."
Ben Watson dives in
Comment
March 14
Boston Herald
 
"After six years in a Patriots uniform, it's hard not only for Benjamin Watson to change colors, but for members of his family to switch allegiances, too. When he spoke to his mother on the phone in South Carolina last night, she still hadn't grasped the concept of him playing for the Cleveland Browns, with whom Watson finalized a three-year, $12 million deal earlier in the day. "She had her Patriots jacket on today. It's hard to go cold turkey," Watson told the Herald with a laugh. "She said she can't just get a whole new wardrobe in one day. I said that's fine." If her son becomes a bigger part of the Browns offense, the transition may be easier. While Watson hasn't lived up to the high ..."
Spare me the change
Comment
March 13
Boston Globe
 columnist Christopher L. Gasper
"We're now a week into NFL free agency and the Patriots have been polishing up their return game. Their motto: No change is good. The status quo has elicited a lot of woe from Patriots fans and pigskin prognosticators who have been disappointed by the team's retention strategy following a 10-6 season and an ignominious first-round playoff defeat. The constant complaint as the Patriots have re-signed their own free agents -- nose tackle Vince Wilfork, cornerback Leigh Bodden, linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, right guard Stephen Neal and running back Kevin Faulk -- without making a major addition from outside is that the Patriots haven't gotten any better. Well, they certainly haven't gotten any ..."
Watson catches on with Browns
Comment
March 13
Boston Globe
 
"Benjamin Watson began the 2009 season uncertain of his future with the Patriots. A hamstring injury limited him in the exhibition season and when it came time for the final cuts, Watson had to answer questions about the possibility of being released. Watson made the 53-man roster but yesterday he parted ways with the team that drafted him in the first round in 2004. The tight end signed with the Cleveland Browns for $12 million over three years, which includes $6.35 million guaranteed, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. Watson will be joining familiar faces in Cleveland. Former Patriots defensive coordinator Eric Mangini is entering his second season as head coach and former Patriots ..."
Welker had shoulder surgery
Comment
March 13
Boston Globe
 
"Wes Welker's reconstructive knee surgery was going to be enough to set him back for the 2010 season. As it turns out, it's only part of what the Patriots slot receiver is battling. Welker recently underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, an NFL source told the Globe late last night. Surgery isn't necessary for all patients with torn rotator cuffs. When it is recommended, it is to repair torn tendons. Timetables vary on the recovery, and the rehab time for Welker's injury remained unclear last night. Welker tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee in the regular-season finale against Houston and underwent reconstructive surgery Feb. 3. Sources ..."
Source: Welker had rotator cuff surgery
Comment
March 13
Boston Globe
 
"Wes Welker's got more than just a knee injury to rehabilitate from. Welker also has a torn rotator cuff, an NFL source confirmed to the Globe tonight. Welker has already had surgery to repair the injured shoulder, the source said. News of the injury first surfaced at the Big Rips blog, and author Seth Davis contacted Boston-area media outlets with the information."
Wes Welker tears rotator cuff
Comment
March 13
Boston Herald
 
"Wes Welker now has two major injuries to battle back from. The Patriots receiver suffered a torn rotator cuff, a source confirmed to the Herald. Add that to the torn MCL and ACL in his left knee that robbed Welker of his postseason, injuries that will make getting ready for 2010 an uphill battle. It's not clear how Welker tore his rotator cuff, nor is a timetable for recovery clear. But it is an added roadblock for last season's leading receiver, as he tries to come back from his already debilitating knee injury. The news was first reported in a blog called Big Rips. There are several variations of torn rotator cuffs, so it is difficult to gauge if this will prolong his fight back onto the ..."
Scaife to Patriots would make sense
Comment
March 12
Nashville City Paper
 
"Consider this as a not-so-farfetched scenario. The New England Patriots might be a good fit for Tennessee Titans restricted free agent tight end Bo Scaife. Scaife, 29, has a first-round restricted tender of $4.9 million because he was franchised last year at $4.46 million. There was speculation last year that the Patriots had interest in Scaife back then, and they are much more tight end needy now that Benjamin Watson signed with the Cleveland Browns than they were then. Also, if the Titans could move Scaife, it would be better for them to probably try and work out a trade. The Patriots have three second-round picks, but no third-rounder, including Tennessee's second-round pick last year ..."
Cleveland Browns sign free agent tight end Ben Watson
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March 12
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Browns have signed unrestricted free agent tight end Ben Watson, formerly of the Patriots, to a three-year deal worth $12 million, including $6.35 million guaranteed. Watson, who spent all six of his previous seasons with the Patriots, knows Browns coach Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll from their New England days. Watson, 29, was originally a first-round pick out of Georgia in 2004. In 2009, he started seven of 16 games, catching 29 passes for 404 yards and five TDs. Overall, he caught 167 passes for 2,102 yards and 20 touchdowns."
Neal's return a passion play
Comment
March 12
Boston Globe
 
"Patriots guard Stephen Neal stood at his locker Jan. 10 unsure whether he would play another game. His body ached, and the Patriots were on the losing end of a playoff game against the Ravens. But about three weeks ago, Neal said he could feel both his body healing and the urge to return to football. He told his agent if anyone was interested, he wanted to keep playing. The Patriots were interested. Neal, 33, re-signed with them last week and is preparing for another year. "Football is a brutal sport,'' Neal said. "There are a lot of people banging around out there, and your body heals after a little bit of time. I feel a lot better than I did that day. "It's tough to go out on a game like ..."
Uniform fits on Kevin Faulk
Comment
March 12
Boston Herald
 
"Kevin Faulk could have played the free agent game a little longer, or gotten more money out of Kansas City or Denver or Philadelphia. But when weighing all the factors important to him, wearing the same uniform was high on the list. During a conference call yesterday, Faulk even brought former Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra into the discussion. "(The legacy I've built) is very important," Faulk said. "There were so many (thoughts) going through my mind and that was one of them. That was an important part of everything because, yeah, I might have left and gone and it might have been successful, but it wouldn't have been the same if I would have been here doing it. "It's funny that this ..."
Stephen Neal loves staying a Patriot
Comment
March 12
Boston Herald
 
"Stephen Neal lives in San Diego, and on the way to driving to his parents house, he always goes by the Chargers training facility. A job with San Diego would have been a much easier fit for the offensive lineman in terms of family life. But once he decided he still wanted to play football, and the Patriots still had an interest, it was a pretty easy decison for the free agent guard. "To be honest, I really didn't want to leave, but I didn't know if the Patriots really wanted me back," Neal said yesterday during a conference call. "One of the factors was I wanted to make sure I was wanted or needed somewhere. If something would have came up maybe I would have looked into it. In today's ..."
Rams best Patriots in tussle over Fells
Comment
March 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The 2009 season, in which he caught 21 passes and scored three touchdowns, may be as good as it gets for tight end Daniel Fells. Then again, the Rams would've hated to see him break out next season in New England. They won't have to worry about that now. The Rams won an interesting tug-of-war with the Patriots, signing Fells to a one-year deal Wednesday. In a mild surprise, the Rams didn't make a tender offer to Fells last week as a restricted free agent. It looked like that decision might backfire on the Rams when Fells made a free-agent trip Monday to New England. Then came reports early Tuesday that Fells was close to signing with the Patriots. But Fells has chosen to stay in St. Louis, ..."
Return man: Faulk signs
Comment
March 11
Boston Globe
 
"Kevin Faulk had offers from the Redskins and Eagles, interest from other teams, and an army of ex-Patriot assistant coaches offering a safety net if negotiations in New England fell apart. Sorry, everyone. You never stood much of a chance. The running back/return specialist signed a one-year contract yesterday to play his 12th season where he spent the previous 11. The deal with the Patriots includes a $1 million signing bonus, a $1 million base salary, and $1 million in incentives."
Wilfork received good deal of power
Comment
March 11
Boston Globe
 
"Too often, coaches are held to one standard and players to a higher one, when the burden should be reversed. And so it is that today, finally, Vince Wilfork can be a leader for the Patriots. Ask yourself this: Why didn't Cowboys owner Jerry Jones simply pick up Wade Phillips's option for 2010, rather than extend him through the '11 season? For that matter, why didn't Chargers owner Dean Spanos let Norv Turner's current contract go into its final season, 2010, instead of extending Turner through '12? Both men got their teams to the divisional round of the playoffs, but with monstrous expectations staring them down, you could easily argue that Turner and Phillips should have been pushed to ..."
Vince Wilfork set to take charge
Comment
March 11
Boston Herald
 
"With his own future secure, Vince Wilfork yesterday set out to loudly direct the Patriots' future. The nose tackle doesn't care if he steps on some toes to do so. After signing a lucrative contract that extends through 2014, Wilfork said he intends to help fill the leadership void for a Patriots team battling to return to the sport's elite. "Everybody has to be accountable," Wilfork said forcefully during a conference call with the media. "You've got to weed out the bad seeds, point blank. If you can't give me what I'm giving you on the field, I don't need you on the field with me. That's how you win. Show me that I can count on you. If a guy's not giving me that, I have no problem telling ..."
Kevin Faulk true to blue
Comment
March 11
Boston Herald
 
"Kevin Faulk made no secret of his desire to remain a part of the team he's been a fixture of the past 11 seasons. Like Troy Brown, he wants to be a Patriot for life. Judging by what took place yesterday, the team may have the same goal in mind, as Faulk agreed to a one-year deal that could potentially net him $3 million. Under its terms, the running back will earn a $1 million salary, a $1 million signing bonus and the chance to earn another $1 million in incentives. Given what he provides in the locker room and what he does for Tom Brady as a reliable third-down back, it seemed only a matter of time before the unrestricted free agent was back in the fold. Still, there were a few anxious ..."
Pats formalize signings of Wilfork, Neal
Comment
March 10
Boston Globe
 
"The Patriots today made official the re-signing of NT Vince Wilfork and G Stephen Neal, deals that went down late last week and helped secure the team's position in the trenches. The photo on your right -- from the Patriots official Twitter feed -- gives you the visual of the deal with Wilfork going into the books today."
Patriots retain Bodden, but Green departs
Comment
March 10
Boston Globe
 
"The Patriots locked up one key to their future yesterday, but also cut one more tie to their illustrious past. Welcome back, Leigh Bodden. Goodbye, Jarvis Green. Bodden signed a four-year contract to remain with the Patriots, a deal announced by agent Alvin Keels via his Twitter page. The contract has a maximum value of $22 million and guarantees the 28-year-old cornerback $10 million."
Leigh Bodden stays for $22M
Comment
March 10
Boston Herald
 
"Leigh Bodden spent this past weekend in Houston, dining with Texans coach Gary Kubiak and listening to the franchise's best pitch. All the while, Bodden maintained the Patriots would get the last word. The result is that the top cornerback available on the free agent market isn't going anywhere. His agent, Alvin Keels, confirmed Bodden agreed to a four-year deal with the Patriots, keeping him in New England until 2013. Bodden will make $22 million over four years with $10 million guaranteed, according to a league source. Early this morning, Bodden posted his first remarks on his official Twitter account. He referenced Michael Jordan and said, "LIKE THE OLD #23 . . . HE'S BAAACCKK!!!!" He ..."
LB Witherspoon will visit Titans; Crumpler eyes New England
Comment
March 9
Nashville City Paper
 
"The second Philadelphia Eagles free agent in as many days will visit the Titans when linebacker Will Witherspoon comes to town on Tuesday. Witherspoon, 29, split time between the St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles in 2009, totaling 92 tackles with one interception. Defensive end Jason Babin was at Baptist Sports Park on Monday. Witherspoon, a former University of Georgia star, was originally with the Carolina Panthers from 2002-05 before joining the Rams."
Imitating Indy
Comment
March 9
Boston Globe
 
"Not to be a fatalist, but maybe the Mayans were right and the end is near. Because these are strange times. Last week, it was nearly as warm here as it was in Fort Myers, Fla., Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian, speaking at an MIT sports symposium, came out and defended Bill Belichick, and Belichick borrowed from the Colts' team-building blueprint during the start of NFL free agency. The Patriots' focus in the first foray of free agency was on taking care of their own, building, or rebuilding, from within. They signed franchise-tagged nose tackle Vince Wilfork to a five-year, $40 million deal, re-upped outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain with a three-year, $13.5 million deal (with ..."
Josh Reed, Alge Crumpler visit Gillette
Comment
March 9
Boston Herald
 
"The Patriots yesterday hosted two veterans at positions of need, welcoming tight end Alge Crumpler and receiver Josh Reed at Gillette Stadium. The visits, confirmed by separate league sources, are positive developments if the team intends to sign them. Crumpler is a potential replacement for blocking tight end Chris Baker, a surprising cut last Thursday. At one point in his career, Crumpler was one of the league's finest receivers, averaging 53 catches and 719 yards with six touchdowns from 2004 to 2007 with the Falcons. But Crumpler is mostly a blocker now, helping pave the way last year in Tennessee for 2,000-plus yard running back Chris Johnson. An NFL personnel guru who worked with ..."
Leigh Bodden plans still up in air
Comment
March 9
Boston Herald
 
"Two facts came to light last night. One is that Leigh Bodden, the top cornerback on the open market, spent two days being courted by the Texans and left without a deal. The other is that Bodden and the Patriots have not officially reunited. Nearly everything else is up for debate. The NFL Network reported Bodden had re-signed with the Patriots, and ESPN.com's Adam Schefter said an "agreement-in-principle" had been reached. But Bodden's agent, Alvin Keels, disputed both reports via Twitter and via text to the Herald. Is Keels merely being cautious because the deal hasn't been signed? Perhaps. Expect Bodden's future to become clear today. Bodden, who had five interceptions during the 2009 ..."
Free agent tight end Ben Watson to visit Browns Wednesday
Comment
March 8
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Free agent tight end Ben Watson, formerly of the New England Patriots, is scheduled to visit the Browns on Wednesday, a source told profootballtalk.com. Watson, 29, is visiting the Seahawks today. An unrestricted free agent, Watson spent all of his six seasons with the Patriots, who drafted with the No. 32 overall pick in 2004 out of Georgia."
Patriots catch up with Bills' Josh Reed
Comment
March 8
Boston Herald
 
"There wasn't a ton of movement on the free agent front yesterday, but the action should start to pick up with the Patriots today as the secondary tier of players start to make their case. The Pats are set to bring in free agent Josh Reed for a visit today. It's no secret the Pats are in need of wide receiver help, and the 29-year-old, who has spent his entire career with the Buffalo Bills, would upgrade the depth at the position. While the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Reed did not enjoy his most productive year last season (27 catches, 291 yards), it's important to remember the woeful offense he played in, as well as the quarterback troubles the Bills endured. Reed is not on par with Anquan ..."
Texans break bread with Bodden, Smith
Comment
March 8
Houston Chronicle
 
"New England cornerback Leigh Bodden and Kansas City guard Wade Smith — arrived in Houston on Sunday to visit with the Texans today at Reliant Stadium. Coach Gary Kubiak and his assistants hosted Bodden and Smith for dinner at a local restaurant. Bodden, 28, was ranked second to Dunta Robinson among free-agent cornerbacks. Robinson signed with Atlanta for six years and $57 million. Bodden, who began his career with Cleveland as an undrafted free agent, played five seasons with the Browns and one with Detroit before signing with the Patriots last year. Bodden (6-1, 193 pounds) intercepted five passes, including three against the New York Jets and quarterback Mark Sanchez. "We watched a lot ..."
Jarvis Green takes his time looking for right fit
Comment
March 7
Boston Herald
 
"The race for free agent cornerback Leigh Bodden may be heating up, but defensive end Jarvis Green is just getting started. Green and his agent, Albert Elias, sat back during the first few days of free agency, making phone calls and focusing on how teams would use him instead of taking visits. Tomorrow, expect the veteran Patriot to either begin taking trips to prospective employers or begin to finalize a deal to stay in New England. Either way, Green hopes to land with a team who will use him as an inside, nickel rusher in the 3-4 scheme. That's how he thrived as a Patriot, piling up 14 sacks combined in 2006 and 2007. Elias believes Green, at 6-foot-3, 285-pounds, is the only available ..."
Banta-Cain: "I'm really looking forward to my future here."
Comment
March 6
Boston Globe
 
"Tully Banta-Cain agreed to terms with the Patriots today and then took a nap. After a long day of negotiations, Banta-Cain said he didn't have much doubt he and the Patriots would come to an agreement, it just took a little time. "I wouldn't say so much doubt, but it's just one of those things where you try to get something done earlier and we weren't able to get it done and it's just been a long process, so I was hopeful it would get done and it did," he said. The Patriots drafted Banta-Cain in the seventh round in 2003. He played four seasons in New England before he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an unrestricted free agent in 2007. But two years later, Banta-Cain was released by ..."
Banta-Cain's gamble brings reward
Comment
March 6
Boston Globe
 
"A lot of people have taken notice at how Leigh Bodden's one-year prove-it year with the Patriots is now paying dividends. Fewer have noticed how Tully Banta-Cain has capitalized in a similar fashion. The Patriots announced Banta-Cain's signing today, and the numbers are pretty impressive -- especially when put up against the deal he got in San Francisco (four years, $12.2 million) in 2006. This one blows that one away. After a 10-sack season, Banta-Cain got a three-year deal with the team that, at a minimum, will have an annual average value of $4.5 million. If the veteran hits all his incentives and escalators, he could take home close to $19 million."
So what does the Wilfork deal mean?
Comment
March 6
Boston Globe
 
"Easy to understand the concept here, right? OK, let's go ... 1) You have your best defensive player locked up through 2014: So this one isn't complicated. Ty Warren is the only player who was locked up even through '13, which shows this is a pretty significant commitment on both sides. 2) You send a message to your locker room: Think about this ... When was the last time the Patriots paid top dollar to keep a guy they drafted when the pressure was on? You'd have to say it was Richard Seymour, and that deal was signed four years ago. Deals like these show younger players still on their rookie deals that, if you work and buy in and perform, you will be rewarded. There's most certainly an ..."
Wilfork signs 5-year extension
Comment
March 6
Boston Globe
 
"NFL teams began shopping at 12:01 a.m. yesterday in a free agent frenzy considered the NFL's version of Black Friday. Only time will tell who picked up the best deal, but the Patriots spent the most right in their own backyard. The Patriots and Vince Wilfork agreed to a five-year extension worth $40 million ($25 million guaranteed and an $18 million signing bonus), making him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles in the league and settling a negotiation process that dated to last season. The Patriots also agreed to a three-year deal with linebacker Tully Banta-Cain and, according to patriots.com, signed guard Stephen Neal. But the headline move of the day around New England was ..."
Tully Banta-Cain cashes in with Pat's
Comment
March 6
Boston Herald
 
"The Patriots dipped their toe in the free agent pool, flirting with the biggest name among pass-rusher extraordinaires. They extended an offer for defensive end Julius Peppers, a source said, before he signed with the Chicago Bears. In the end, the focus turned inward on the first day of the 2010 NFL season. The Patriots signed linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, their most productive pass-rusher, to a three-year deal that could pay him nearly $19 million provided he hits all the escalators. The deal includes a $6 million signing bonus, a source with knowledge of the contract said, and earns him an average of $4.5 million per year."
Pats 'Fork over dough
Comment
March 6
Boston Herald
 columnist Karen Guregian
"Slowly, the pieces appear to be falling into place for the Patriots. Last night, the most important domino dropped. The Pats needed to take care of Vince Wilfork. It was in their best interest, on so many levels, to get the deal done with their mighty nose tackle. They claimed that was their priority. And last night, they delivered on that promise. They sent a loud and clear message to anyone claiming they don't dole out the cash to their players, as Wilfork was locked up for the next five years thanks to a record $40 million deal that includes an $18 million signing bonus and $25 million in guarantees."
Vince Wilfork 'pleased' by 5-year, $40M deal
Comment
March 6
Boston Herald
 
"Vince Wilfork took a break from the family vacation, whipped out his cell phone and typed the words he'd been aching to write for more than a year. As soon as he hit the send button on his Twitter account, the public could share in his elation: "We are pleased to say we will be here for MANY more years to come." The Patriots locked up their defensive linchpin with a massive contract extension, making Wilfork the NFL's highest-paid 3-4 nose tackle. It ended a year-long drama with Wilfork finally receiving the money and security he believes he deserves."