Shots Heard 'Round The Web - Patriots Links 4/03/09

TEAM SHOTS

• Draft Prospect Report: Safeties.
• John Cockrell's Friday Out-takes: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
• Patriots 2009 Preseason schedule finalized.

LOCAL SHOTS

• Meghan Fay reports Bill Belichick was honored by Wesleyan University at a sold-out benefit for student financial aid.  The 'Conversation With Belichick' event resulted in proceeds that exceeded the cost of one full scholarship to Wesleyan for four years.
• Mike Reiss live Patriots Q & A chat transcript.  A new feature taking place every Thursday from 12-1.
• Chris Gasper catches up with Stephen Neal who has been working out with his OL mates, and intends to stay healthy and play in all 16 games this season.
• Mike Reiss looks at Shawn Springs contract and says Notre Dame CB Terrail Lambert will work out privately for the Patriots next week in Indiana.  Lambert was not invited to the Combine.
• Mike McDermott tells us why a longer NFL season is a bad idea.
• Shalise Manza Young scouts draft prospect Arizona's Eben Britton and offers YouTube highlights of Western Michigan's Louis Delmas.
• Stephen Conroy Report: B.J. Raji failed drug test.
  

LONG SHOTS

• Matt Sohn (Pro Football Weekly) Mutual admiration between Patriots, Taylor rooted in schematic philosophy.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Broncos deal obliterates what Pats took for Cassel.
• Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Expanding regular season could hurt product.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) What can the Bills expect at No. 11? * What can the Jets expect at No. 17? * What can the Patriots expect at No. 23? * What can the Dolphins expect at No. 25?
• Andrew Brandt (National Football Post) How did it come to this?  Off-season issues.
• Kevin Seifert (ESPN) Black and Blue (and Cutler) all over.  Story links to the Division-wide reaction to the Cutler trade, from the local beat writers in the NFC North.
• Don Banks (SI) Snap Judgements on Cutler trade.
• Peter King (SI) Cutler might regret Denver exile.
• Gene Wojciechowski (ESPN) Cutler, Angelo, McDaniels on hot seat. 
• Mike Wilkening and Matt Sohn (Pro Football Weekly) Who is the winner in the Jay Cutler trade?