Patriots Links 6/29/09 - Wes Welker a Giver, Not Just a Receiver

Ryan Stewart (NewsOK) Patriots' receiver Wes Welker's message well-received: Patriots star, Heritage Hall grad reaches out to area youths with camp.

The camp is designed to help underprivileged youth in the area by allowing them an opportunity they might not have been able to experience otherwise. And it’s free.

"Being able to give these kids this experience is the most gratifying thing for me," Welker said. "These kids rarely get opportunities and they are so happy to be there, grateful and appreciative. Their response every time makes it worthwhile."

Katie Taylor, 83 Foundation executive director, said the event has grown steadily and reached an all-time high with 360 participants this year. She said a lot of the success directly comes from Welker’s genuine passion to help underprivileged children in Oklahoma City.

"It’s stressing the things you learn being part of a team and having people you can rely on. Wes is trying to instill life lessons ... his goal is to build a better community. That’s what fuels Wes."

Rich Perillo Meet the Rookies: Patrick Chung

"This is a guy that fits the Patriots mold to the highest level," said Oregon's secondary coach John Neal. 

According to Neal, Chung may have played more plays than anyone in college football history. He was a four-year starter for the Ducks (a string of 51 straight games) and played nearly every play on defense and all four special teams. In his junior year alone he participated in more than 1,300 plays. Think about that stat and let it sink in. Thirteen hundred plays in a 13-games season. Did the guy ever leave the field?

Neal said Chung is a tireless worker who loves everything related to football from playing to practice to the weight room to film study. He is consumed with being the best football player he can possibly be.

"His football intelligence comes from all the reps he's had over his career and because he loves to play and practice so much," Neal said. "He works so hard, I'd like to know how many push-ups he's done in his life. He does them all the time."

TEAM SHOTS

• The Patriots Football Weekly staff debate: If you could choose one of the following, which would it be?  The Patriots finish off the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, go 19-0, and then Tom Brady retires;  OR  The '07 season ends as it did but Brady continues to play for the Pats for another decade.
• John Cockrell Friday Out-Takes: Car-flags and the King of Pop.
• Patriots Today Troy Brown honored, Tedy golfs for charity, and more. (15 min. video)
  

LOCAL SHOTS

• Christopher Price Negotiating for Dummies: What Pats' rookies should expect at bargaining table.
• Michael Felger Who's the best GM in Boston?  You might be surprised.
• Mike Reiss addresses some of the leftover questions from Thursday's online chat.
• Mike Reiss Trent Dilfer on managing Brady, Patriots offense.
• Mike Reiss notes 7th round draft pick Darryl Richard scored a 37 on his Wonderlic test - the highest of any Patriots draft pick and the top mark among all defensive linemen in the draft.
• Jeff Howe Brady and Moss ready to rock 'n' roll again in 2009.
• Dale and Holley Recap The Tradition event on WEEI. (18 min. audio)
• Kristin Merrill Boston-sized personalities.
• Mike Reiss follows the career of New England native Steve Spagnuolo up through the coaching ranks to head coach of the St. Louis Rams, plus more NFL news and notes.

LONG SHOTS

• Ryan Stewart (News OK) Wes Welker camp notebook: Friendly competition; Patriots' Wes Welker happy for friend Matt Cassel; Ex-teammates huddle with Wes Welker at his camp.
• Albert Breer (Sporting News) Meet the new guy: Patriots RB Fred Taylor.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Your AFC East All-Decade roster revealed.
• Trent Green (SI) MMQB: What it's really like to retire and how NFL should handle concussions.
• Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Do you really remember what happened in 2008?  Grab your No. 2 pencils -- it's final exam time!
• Steve Wyche (NFL.com) Rookie Symposium offers chance to pass knowledge on to NFL youth.
• Sports Xchange (Fox Sports) Buzzwords: Latest news from every team's camp.
• Michael Lombardi (NFP) Sunday at the Post.  NFL news and opinion.
• Mike Florio (Sporting News) NFL personal conduct policy finally making an impact?
• Georgia Tech College of Management Tech prepares Darryl Richard for business side of sports.
• AP What offseason? NFL hasn't had one.
• AP NFL asks Supreme Court to weigh in on antitrust case, to decide whether the NFL’s teams constitute 32 distinct businesses or a single entity that can act collectively without violating antitrust law.
• KC Joyner (NY Times) The 2009 Steelers: Strangely underrated champions.