TEAM SHOTS

• Draft Prospect Report: Inside Linebackers.
  

LOCAL SHOTS

• Mike Reiss reports two UNC receivers visited Gillette Stadium this week, Brooks Foster and Brandon Tate, noting the Patriots can draft for next year instead of immediate needs.
• Mike Reiss was a phone guest on ESPN's "First Take", in which the Patriots were the subject in their ongoing Draft segment.  Reiss follows up with his points from the program.
• Mike Reiss looks at which tight ends might interest the Patriots in the Draft, and notes Illinois' Vontae Davis visited Foxboro this week.  Ohio State's Malcom Jenkins will visit next Monday.
• Eric Ortiz says the secret is out, Belichick is not a robot even though his Patriots play like a machine.
• Shalise Manza Young scouts Draft prospect Auburn's Sen'Derrick Marks.
• Jim Donaldson has been reading the tabloids and is getting all caught up in the celebrity gossip about Brady and Giselle, his ex-girlfriend Bridget and her friends.  Get a life Jim.
  

LONG SHOTS

• Chris Radez (Bleacher Report) Are the New England Patriots ready to deal Laurence Maroney?
• Nolan Nawrocki (Pro Football Weekly) 2009 Draft: Belichick disciples clouding top five.
• Albert Breer (for NBC Sports) Searching for 'The Next Tom Brady' isn't easy.
• Russ Lande (Sporting News) Mock Draft: The NFL look-a-like edition. Has Patriots selecting Utah DE Paul Kruger to replace Mike Vrabel.
• Jeff Darlington (Miami Herald) Jason Taylor says he has spoken with the Dolphins.  He'll wait until after the draft to decide where to play, to let other teams better assess their needs.
• Shandel Richardson (Sun-Sentinel) Ex-Dolphin Jason Taylor looking for best setting, not fattest deal (or the Jets).
• Tim Graham (ESPN) NFL suspends Bills' Lynch for three games and T.O. surprise visitor to voluntary Bills workout.
• Ross Tucker (SI) Burress ruling sets dangerous precedent for disruptive players.
• Andrew Brandt (National Football Post) Why did Plaxico Burress and Larry Johnson win their grievances and maintain their ability to keep their bonus money?
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Top Ten RBs: Tandem backfields open up opportunities.
• Vic Carucci (NFL.com) Memo to GMs: Don't waste your first-round pick on a tight end.
• Shutdown Corner (Yahoo! Sports) How bold are the Bears feeling?  Bold enough for Plaxico Burress?
• Michael David Smith (NFL Fanhouse) Sports Illustrated owes explanation for B.J. Raji story.