New England Patriots Links 2/02/10 - Six More Weeks of Winter But Only Four Weeks Until Free Agency

Mike Reiss reports DL Jarvis Green is looking forward to free agency and knows he will aggressively consider options other than the New England Patriots.

"Definitely this year, I'm going to experience the market," said Green, who set a career high with 12 starts in 2009. "I think for any player in their NFL career they need to experience that, and this will be my first time. I had the chance five years ago but I re-signed with the team, so this has been different for me, and it's been cool not being obligated to anyone but my family, my wife [Rakia] and kids [Terrence, Já Nya, and Toi]."

"Playing in a championship program, being with the Patriots, things I've learned here I could take with me -- the winning attitude, knowing how to win," he said. "That could go anywhere, and I think teams look for that in the quality of a player."

Christopher Price reports former Pats DB Otis "my man" Smith was named the defensive quality control coach in Kansas City on Monday.

It’s a safe bet that many folks in New England are happy to see Smith progress up the coaching ladder. Smith and Patriots coach Bill Belichick go back a long time — they first hooked up in 1996 when Belichick was an assistant in New England. Smith followed Belichick to the Jets the following season, and the veteran defensive back joined Belichick to New England when he became the head coach in 2000, where he spent three seasons with the Patriots.

In fact, his roots run so deep with Belichick that in May 2005 when he was ready to retire, he signed a one-day contract with New England before he decided to call it a career. "When I think about Otis Smith, a few things come to mind immediately: his incredible work ethic, the respect he earned as a result of the leadership he brought to the team and his production in some of our biggest games," Belichick said in a statement when Smith announced his retirement. "Otis helped the Patriots win a championship and he will always be respected and appreciated for that as well as for his professional approach to the job."

Bill Parcells participated in an NFL.com on-line chat with this nugget near the end.

Q:  What is your biggest regret with regards to your coaching career?

Bill Parcells, Miami Dolphins:  Hi Dan, probably having to leave the New England Patriots.

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart and Paul Perillo debate whether Vince Wilfork will be in the Week 1 Patriots lineup.
• Patriots.com has collected a wide-ranging sample of what the "experts" are predicting the Patriots will do in the first round come draft weekend. Interesting selections.

LOCAL LINKS

• Albert Breer reports Roger Goodell announced that it's virtually certain the league will have an uncapped 2010. Here's what it means for the Patriots.
• Mike Reiss looks at how the uncapped 2010 affects the Patriots and their players, assuming nothing changes before the start of free agency March 5.
• Jeff Howe works up a potential free agent shopping list for the Patriots.
• Tom E. Curran offers five reasons why it would be insane for the Patriots to court Julius Peppers.
• Adam Kilgore notes that even injury plagued, Randy Moss finished another season with impressive statistics. He caught 83 passes (tied for 12th in the NFL) for 1,264 yards (tied for fifth) and 13 touchdowns (tied for first).
• Karen Guregian said Randy Moss acknowledged playing through a severe back problem in Week 3, and a league source said he played many games with a separated shoulder suffered in Week 5.
• Mike Reiss emphasizes Randy Moss' toughness that the media often overlooks.
• Tom E. Curran doesn't argue that Randy Moss was hurt, but he says "to draw a straight-line conclusion from his injuries to a lack of production doesn't add up." Huh?
• Shalise Manza Young wonders if Wes Welker will be the same player after surgery.
• Mike Reiss notes the Patriots D-line could turn out to be a top need this offseason. He looks at the defensive linemen under contract for 2010.
• Jim Donaldson concludes a bit late that even if the Colts win Sunday, the Patriots are still the Team of the Decade.
• Christopher Price lists the five best individual performances in Patriots Super Bowl history.
• Christopher Price lists the five most underrated moments in Patriots Super Bowl history.
• Ian Rapoport notes the Patriots part in the Saints' run to the Super Bowl. Gee, glad they could help.
• Albert Breer reports the Saints paying homage to the Patriots.
• Ron Borges says to be sure of it, Dwight Freeney will play.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Tim Graham (ESPN) Jarvis wants to see some green.
• Peter King (SI) MMQB: Super Bowl XLIV week begins with storyline: Will Colts' Freeney play?
• Shutdown Corner (Yahoo! Sports) Apparently, you love the Pro Bowl's new time slot.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Pro Bowl hotel arrangements trigger player complaints as the NFL failed to reserve the hotel for the exclusive use of the players.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Joey Porter wants to part ways with the Dolphins.
• Aaron Wilson (Nat'l Football Post) Nhamdi Asomugha wants to play for the Jets.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Revis not done ragging on Moss.  Insecurity complex maybe?
• Michael Lombardi (Nat'l Football Post) It's Super Bowl week!
• Fox Sports Top Ten Super Bowl scandals and controversies.
• Wes Bunting (Nat'l Football Post) Final Senior Bowl impressions.
• Mike Beacom (Pro Football Weekly) Which players may prove Hall-worthy?