Patriots Links 6/17/09 - Draft Pick OL Rich Ohrnberger Signed

New England signs fourth-round pick OL Rich Ohrnberger.  Ohrnberger reached terms with the team last week on a four-year deal worth approximately $2.20 million, including a $451,000 signing bonus.

Ohrnberger, an offensive lineman from Penn State, was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft with the 123rd overall selection.

The 6-2, 291-pound Ohrnberger was a two-time All-Big Ten selection during his collegiate career. He took over the starting right guard role with nine games left in 2006 during his sophomore season. As a junior in 2007 he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors, starting all 12 games. Ohrnberger earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in his final season with Penn State in 2008, as he helped the team win the Big Ten Title and reach the Rose Bowl.

Paul Perillo talks with backup quarterbacks Kevin O'Connell and Matt Gutierrez.

"That’s what makes these camps so important for us," O’Connell said. "With Tom around, obviously there aren’t a lot of chances but I get a lot of reps out here on the practice field and I have to be ready. We all saw what happened last year and Matt [Cassel] was obviously ready to take advantage. That’s what these camps are for – to prepare us for everything."

Gutierrez, who was released before the start of the 2008 season only to be re-signed following Brady’s injury, agreed with O’Connell.

"Practice time is extremely important," he said. "This offense is not an easy one for quarterbacks. There’s a lot of learning to be done and a lot of that takes place out here on the practice field. When the time comes, we need to be ready."

More after the jump...

TEAM SHOTS

• Ask PFW: Mini-camp wrap-up.  Part I and Part II.
  

LOCAL SHOTS

• Mike Reiss reports a new hire in the scouting department, Frank Edgerly, who was head coach for the past decade at Red Bank Catholic High School in New Jersey.
• Jeff Howe notes Ben Watson must earn a tight end roster spot this year.
• Mike Reiss answers his reader mailbag.
• Herald Wire Services Giants think they should have had two rings; Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver; Oakland Raiders sign DE Greg Ellis.
• Shalise Manza Young will be taking a break until the week before Training Camp begins.  Nice work if you can get it.
  

LONG SHOTS

• Steven Faulk and Tony Graham (The Asbury Park Press) Edgerly accepts scouting position with Patriots.
• Jamie Dukes (NFL.com) Belichick is the NFL's "Zen Master".
• Vic Carucci (NFL.com) AFC East smackdown: Is June too soon to light a fire?
• DJ Gallo (ESPN) The 10 Cushiest Jobs in Sports.  Third-string QB for the Patriots anyone?
• Keith Testa (Bleacher Report) thinks that regardless of what Joey Porter says, it's all false bravado.  The division still goes through Gillette Stadium.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB - Tuesday edition.  Vince Young was coddled his whole career, unlike Tom Brady.
• Spencer Hall (Sporting News) Urban Meyer says the death of the Spread Offense has been greatly exaggerated.
• AP Donte' Stallworth pleads guilty, gets 30 days in jail.
• Tom Curran (NBC Sports) Childress is lead clown in Favre's new circus act.